2012 AUDI A6 sensor

46 Clear vis ion
Wiper and washer
system
Switching the windshield wipers on
F ig. 4 1 Windsh ie ld wipe r lever
Move the windshield wiper lever to the corre­
spond ing pos ition:
@ -Windshie ld wipers off
(I) -Rain sensor mode . The windshield w ipers
switch on once the vehicle speed exceeds ap­
proximately 2 mph (4 km/h) and it is raining.
The higher the rain sensor sens it ivity is se t
(switch @to the right), the earlier the wind ­
shield wipers react to moisture on the wi nd­
shie ld. You can deact ivate rain sensor mode in
the MMI, which w ill then activate intermi ttent
mode. Selec t:
ICAR I function bu tton > C ar s ys­
t e m s
contro l bu tton > Dri ver a ssis t > Rain
se nsor
> Off . In intermittent mode, you can
adjust the interval time using the switch @.
@-Slow wiping
@-Fast wiping
©-Single wipe. If you hold the lever in this
posi tion longer, the wipers sw itch from slow
wiping to fast wip ing .
® - Clean the windshield . The wipers wipe
one time after several seconds of driv ing to
remove water drop le ts. You can switch this
function off by mov ing the lever to position ®
within 10 seconds after the afterw ipe . The af­
terw ipe fun ct ion is react ivated the next time
you swit ch the ig nitio n on .
Clean ing the headlights . The headlight wash ­
e r system* only functions when the lights are
switched on . The headlights and the night vi- s
ion system camera * are cleaned automatical ­
ly the first time the lever is press in position
® and every 8 times it is pressed after that.
They a re also cleaned every time you ho ld the
lever in posit ion ® for longer than 8 seconds.
A WARNING
--The rain sensor is only designed to assist
and support the dr iver .
It rema ins enti re­
ly the d river's responsibility to monitor
outs ide weather cond itions and to ma n­
u a lly activate the wipe rs as soon as rai n
or drizzle reduces visibility through the
windshie ld .
- The windsh ield mu st not b e tre ate d w ith
water -repellent materials . They can in ­
crease glare under poor v isibility condi­
tions such as wetness, da rkness, or when
the sun is low on the hor izon. In addi­
tion , they can cause the w indshield w ip­
ers to chatter.
- Properly function ing windsh ield wiper
b lades are req uired for a clea r view and
safe driving
i::> page 47, Replacing
windshield wiper blades.
(D Note
- In the case of frost, check whether the
w indshield wiper blades are fr ozen to
the windsh ield . Sw itching on the wind ­
shield wipers can damage the wiper blades!
- Pr ior to us ing a car wash, the w indshield
w iper system must be sw itched off ( lever
in posit ion 0). This he lps to prevent un in­
t en tional switch ing o n and dam age to
t he winds hield wiper system.
- Do not use the w ipers to clear a frosted
w indow. Us ing the wipers as a conve n­
ient ice scraper will destroy the wiper
blades.
(D Tips
- T he windshie ld wipers are sw itched off
w hen the ig nit io n is off . Activate the
windshield wipers after the ignition is
switched back o n by moving the w ind­
shield wiper lever to any position.

-Worn or dirty windshield wiper blades
result in streaking. This can affect the
rain sensor function. Check your wind­
shield wiper blades regularly .
- The washer fluid nozzles of the wind­
shield washer system are heated at low
temperatures when the ignition is on.
- When stopping temporarily, e.g. at a
traffic light, the set speed of the wind­
shield wipers is automatically reduced by
one speed .
Replacing windshield wiper blades
Wiper blades in good condition help keep the
windshield clear.
Fig. 42 Removing winds hie ld w iper bla des
Service position
• Switch the windshield wipers
off (position
@ ¢page 46, fig. 41).
• Switch the ignition off and move the wind­
shield wiper lever to position @¢
page 46 ,
fig. 41.
Or
• Select in the MMI: !CAR !function button>
Car systems control button > Servicing &
checks > Wiper service position > On. The
windshield wipers move into the service po­
sition.
Removing the wiper blade
• Fold the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshield.
• Press the locking knob@¢
fig. 42 on the
wiper blade . Hold the wiper blade firmly.
• Remove the wiper blade in the direction of
the arrow.
Clear vision 4 7
Installing the wiper blade
• Insert the new wiper blade into the mount
on the wiper arm @unti l you hear it latch
into place.
• Place the wiper arm back on the windshield.
• Switch the ignition on.
• Press the windshield wiper lever.
Or • Select:
I CAR ! function button > Car systems
control button > Servicing & checks > Wiper
service position
> Off.
.&_ WARNING
- If the windshield wipers smear the wind­
shield, clean the wiper blades with wind­
shield washer fluid. If the wiper blades
are extremely dirty, you can also clean
them with a soft sponge or cloth.
- For your safety, you should replace the
wiper blades once or twice a year. See
your authorized Audi dealer for replace­
ment blades.
(D Note
-The windshie ld wiper blades must only
be folded away when in the service posi­
tion! Otherwise, you risk damaging the
paint on the hood or the windshie ld wip­
er motor.
- You should not move your vehicle or
press the windshield wiper lever when
the wiper arms are folded away from the
windshield. The windshield wipers would move back into their original position
and could damage the hood and wind­
shield .
- To help prevent damage to the wiper sys­
tem, always loosen blades which are fro­
zen to the windshield before operating
w ipers.
- To help prevent damage to wiper blades,
do not use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near the
wiper blades .
- To help prevent damage to the wiper
arms or other components, do not at­
tempt to move the wipe rs by hand.

78 Adaptive cruise control and braking guard
Adaptive cruise control
and braking guard
Introduction
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise co ntrol
The adaptive cruise control system assists the
driver by regulating vehicle speed and helping
to maintain a set distance to the vehicle
ahead, within the limits of the system . If the
system detects a moving vehicle up ahead,
adaptive cruise control can brake and then ac­
celerate your vehicle . This helps to make driv ­
ing more comfortable both on long highway
stretches and in stop -and-go traffic.
Aud i braking guard can warn you about an im­
pending collision with a vehicle up ahead that
is slower or has slowed down and start slow­
ing your vehicle down with the brakes
<::> page 84.
Adaptive cruise control and Audi braking
guard have technical limitations that you
must know, so please read this section care­
fully, understand how the system works and
use them properly at all times.
General information
General information
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise control
Fig. 77 Front of th e ve hicle : senso rs a nd vi deo camera
The areas that contain the radar and ultrason­
ic sensors and the video camera
c::> fig . 77
must never be covered by stickers, or other
things or coated with dirt, insects, snow or ice
that will interfere with the Adaptive cruise
control system and Audi braking guard . Re­
move snow with a hand brush and remove ice with a de-icing spray that does not contain
solvents.
The function of the Adaptive cruise control
system and Audi braking guard is limited un­
der some conditions.
- Objects can only be detected when they are
within sensor range
c::> page 80, fig. 80.
- The system has a limited ability to detect
objects that are a short d istance ahead, off
to the side of your vehicle or moving into
your lane from the front or moves into your
lane from the side.
-When driving through curves
r=;>page 79.
- Some kinds of vehicles are hard to detect;
for examp le motorcycles, vehicles with high
ground clearance or overhanging loads may
be detected when it is too late or they may
not be detected at all.
- Stationary objects
c::> page 79 .
A WARNING
Improper use of the adaptive cruise con­
trol can cause collisions, other accidents
and serious personal injury. -
-Never let the comfort and convenience
that adaptive cruise control and Audi
braking guard offer distract you from the
need to be alert to traffic conditions and
the need to remain in full control of your
vehicle at all times,
- Always remember that the adaptive
cru ise control and Audi braking guard
have lim its -they will not slow the vehi­
cle down or maintain the set distance
when you drive towards an obstacle or
something on or near the road that is not
moving, such as vehicles stopped in a
traffic jam, a stalled or disabled vehicle.
If registered by the radar sensors, vehi­
cles or obstacles that are not moving can
trigger a collision warning and if con­
firmed by the video camera, an acute col­ lision warning.
- Always remember that the adaptive
cruise control cannot detect a vehicle
that is driving towards you in your traffic
lane and that it cannot detect narrow
~

Adaptive cruise control and braking guard
vehicles such as motorcycles and bicy­
cles.
- The adaptive cruise control system can­
not detect people, animals and cannot
detect objects or traffic that crosses your
lane of travel.
- Never drive at speeds that are too fast
for traffic, road and weather conditions.
- Never use adaptive cruise control when
you cannot drive safely at a steady
speed, including on winding roads or
when road conditions are poor (for exam­
ple, in construction sites, on ice, gravel,
in fog, heavy rain or on wet roads that in­
crease the risk of hydroplaning).
- Never follow a vehicle so closely that you
cannot stop your vehicle safely. The
adaptive cruise control cannot slow or
brake the vehicle safely when you follow
another vehicle too closely. Always re­
member that the automatic braking
function cannot bring the vehicle to a
sudden or emergency stop under these
conditions.
- Never rest your foot on the accelerator
pedal, especially when the adaptive
cruise control is being used. Pressure on
the accelerator will override the adaptive
cruise control braking function and pre­
vent the brakes from being applied when
adaptive cruise control detects a situa­
tion when the brakes must be applied.
- Never use adaptive cruise control when
the radar sensors cannot accurately de­
tect vehicles moving in traffic. The radar
sensor's vision can be reduced by heavy
rain, ice, snow, heavy road spray and re­
flections from guard rails, tunnel entran­ ces, etc. These and similar conditions can
prevent vehicles from being accurately
detected and in some cases they may not
be detected at all.
- Always turn off adaptive cruise control
when entering turn lanes, exit lanes and
construction zones or in similar situa­
tions because the vehicle will automati­ cally accelerate to the stored speed when
the road ahead is clear. -
To prevent unintended operation, always
switch ACC off when it is not being used .
(D Note
The sensors can be moved by impacts or
damage to the bumper, wheel housing and
underbody. Damage in these areas could
change the way the adaptive cruise control
system and Audi braking guard work to­
gether. Have your authorized Audi dealer
check to make sure that the adaptive
cruise control system is working properly if
your vehicle had a minor frontal impact or
was damaged in the area of the sensors.
In curves
Applies to vehicles: wi th adaptive cruise control
Fig. 78 Example: driving into a cu rve
When driving into a curve ¢ fig. 78 and out of
a curve, the adaptive cruise control may react
to a vehicle in the next lane and apply the brakes. You can override or prevent the brak­
ing by pressing the accelerator pedal briefly.
Stationary objects
Applies to vehicles: wit h adaptive cruise control
Fig. 79 Example : object c hanging lanes and stat iona ry
o~ect
~
79

84 Adapti ve crui se control and bra king guard
@ Tips
- Di sta nce 3 is set automatically each time
you switch the ignition on.
- Your standard settings are automatically
stored and assigned to the remote con­
trol key being used.
Audi braking guard
Description
Ap plies to vehicles: with a daptive cruise co ntrol
Fig. 86 Inst rument cluster: app roach wa rning
Aud i braking guard uses radar sensors and a
video camera. It is act ive at speeds above
about 6.2 mph (10 km/h) and also works
within system limits when adaptive cruise contro l is switched off.
On vehicles with adapt ive cruise control and
Aud i side assist (Audi p re sense plus), system
functions also engage when a co llision is im­
minent
¢ page 187.
What c an Audi br aking gu ard do?
When detected in time, the system can assess
situations when a vehicle ahead brakes sud­
denly or if your own veh icle is trave ling at a
h igh speed and approachi ng a veh icle up
ahead that is moving more slowly . A udi brak­
i ng guard does not react if it ca nnot detect
the sit uat ion .
The system advises you of various situations:
- The
distan ce w arn ing is given if you are too
close to the vehicle ahead for a long time . If
the vehicle ahead brakes sharply, you will not be able to avoid a coll is ion . The ind icator
ligh t
I in the disp lay comes on. Take imme- diate action to avoid the collision and in­
crease the distance to the vehicle up ahead
.
- The
appr oach warning is given when a de­
tected vehicle up ahead in your lane is mov­
ing much more slowly that you are or if it
brakes sharp ly. When this warning is given,
it may only be possible to avo id a co llision
by swerving or brak ing sharp ly. The indicator
light
I and the symbol in the display will
warn you about the danger¢
fig. 86. You
w ill also hear an acoustic signal.
If you do not react fast enough or do not react
at all to the situation, Aud i braking guard w ill
intervene by braking and the message
br aking
guard interv ention
w ill appear.
- If a collis ion is imminent, the system will
first provide an
a cute warning by braking
sharply .
- If you do not react to the acute warning, Au­
di braking guard will brake w ith increased
force in severa l stages to reduce the speed
in a poss ible coll is ion. O n veh icles with
adapt ive cr uise con tro l a nd Aud i side assist
(Audi pre sense plus), the system can brake
w it h increas ing fo rce up to max imum dece l­
eration shortly before a sensed collision
¢page 187.
- If
the Audi braking guard senses that you
are not braking hard enough when a colli­
sion is imminent, it can increase the braking
force.
Audi braking guard takes the driver's reaction
time into consideration in order to provide
t imely warnings. The system reaction time de­
creases automat ically in some situations, for
example when it detects acce lerator pedal use
or steering input. The Audi braking guard in ­
tervent io n stops in certa in situations, for ex­
amp le if you p ress the accele ra to r pedal to
pass the vehicle moving a head of you in your
lane.
Which function s can be controlled?
You can switch Aud i brak ing guard and the
distance/approach warning on or off in the
MM I ¢page 85, Settings in the MMI.

Adaptive cru ise co ntrol and b rakin g guar d 85
& WARNING
The Audi braking guard is an assist system
and cannot prevent a collision by itself .
The driver must always intervene. The driv­
er is always responsible for braking at the
correct time.
- Always pay close attention to traffic, even when the Aud i braking guard is
switched on. Be ready to intervene and
be ready to take complete control when­
ever necessary. Always keep the safe and
legal distance between your vehicle and
vehicles up ahead.
- Audi braking guard works within limits
and wi ll not respond outs ide the system
l imits, for examp le when approaching a
stopped vehicle or s tationary obstacle
(end of a traffic jam or vehicle that has
broken down in traffic).
- Always remember that the radar sensor
for the A udi braking guard works only
within defined detection and range limits
that may prevent the proper detection of
other vehicles.
- The radar sensor's function and range
can be reduced by rain, snow and heavy
spray. moving vehicles up ahead may not be promptly detected or may not be de­
tected at al l.
- Reflective surfaces includ ing crash barr i­
ers or tunnel entrances may impair the
function of the radar sensor .
(j) Tips
Lack of attention can cause coll is ions, oth­
er accidents and ser ious persona l injuries.
- You can stop the Audi braking guard in-
tervention w ith increas ing braking force
by applying the b rakes yourself or by ac­
ce lerat ing rapidly.
- Audi braking guard error messages
<=> page
85.
Settings in the MMI
App lies to vehicles : wi th adap tive c ruise contro l
.,. Select: I CAR I function button > Car s ystem s
cont ro l butto n > Driver a ssist > Audi brak ­
ing gua rd .
Sy stem -
Switch Audi b raking guard On and
Off . When you switch the ign it ion on, t he
message
Audi braking guard off a ppears in
the instr ument cluster d isp lay if the system is
switched off.
Early warning -The distance and approach
warnings in the d isp lay can be switched
On/
Off.
(D Tips
- Yo ur settings are automatically stored
and assigned to the remote cont ro l key
being used at the times the settings are
made.
- I f you switch the ESP to spor t mode, A u­
di braking gua rd switches off a utomati ­
cally ¢page
191.
Messages
Applies to vehicles : wi th adap tive c ruise control
ACC una vailable
ACC and braking guard: unavailabl e
The system cannot detect moving vehicles up
ahead co rrectly and is switched off . The sen­
sors have been d isplaced or are not working
proper ly. The Audi pre sense funct ions may a l­
so be affected.
ACC: unavailabl e at this time. No sensor vi­
s ion
ACC and b rak ing gu ide: una vailable at this
time . No s enso r vision
This message appears if the sensor view is ob­
structed, for examp le by leaves, snow, heavy
spray or d irt . Clean the sensors¢ page
78,
fig. 77.
ACC: unavailable at this time . Incline too
steep

Audi side assist Lane Change Assistant
Description
App lies to vehicles: with si de assist
The side assist helps you when changing
lanes .
H AUDI I
Fig. 87 Rear bumper : Pos ition of rada r sen sors (not
v isib le on outs ide)
Fig . 88 S ig n al l ight on the outside m irro r - drive r's side
Side assist uses radar sensors (not visib le on
outside)
c::> fig. 87 to help the driver check
blind spots, and see what is happening in traf­
f ic beh ind the veh icle
c::> page 88, fig. 89 .
Signal lights are built into both outside mir­
rors <=>
fig. 88. The signal light on the left out­
side mirror assists when moving over into the left lane and the signal light on the right out­
side m irror assists when moving over into the
right lane .
The signal light comes on to tell you that side
assist has detected a vehicle on that side and
that the position of this other vehicle should be taken into account if yo u were to change
lanes. This is called the
informati onal stag e
s ignal
c::> page 89. The informational stage
signal is designed so that you notice it only
when yo u are look ing in the outside mirro r.
Aud i side assist 8 7
When you activate the turn signal and side as ­
sist detects a vehicle in a notable location, the
corresponding signal on the outside mirror
c::> fig . 88 (D flashes br iefly and brightly sever­
al times . This is the
aler t stage signal
c::> page 89 .
Activating and deactivating
Applies to vehicles: wit h side assist
Activating
.., Press the button @c::> page 87, fig. 88 . The
ind icator on the button lights up .
Dea ctivating
.., Press the button again. The indicator light
on the button goes out.
The system works at speeds faster than 19 mph (30 km/h).
A WARNING
-
- Improper reliance on the side assist sys-
tem can cause collisio ns and serious per­
sonal injury:
- Never rely on ly on s ide assist whe n
changing lanes.
- Always check rear view mir rors to make
sure that it is safe to change lanes.
- Side assist cannot detect all veh icles un­
de r al l conditions- danger of accident!
- Side assist cannot detect vehicles in time
to a le rt you when they approa ch from
behind a t very high speed, or fall drop
back very q uickly.
- The radar sensor's
vision can be red uced
or entire ly blocked by rain, snow, and
heavy spray . This can resu lt in side assis t
not adequately detecting vehicles or, in
some cases, not detecting them at all.
Always keep an eye on the direction you are traveling and the relevant area
around the vehicle .
- Please note that s ide assist indicates
there are approac hing vehicles, or vehi­
cles in your blind spot, on ly afte r you r ve­
hicle has reach ed a driv ing speed of at
least 19 mph (30 km/h).
~

88 Audi side a ssis t
- Side assist signal does not work around
t ight corners (turning radius less than
328 feet or 100 m).
- Side assist is no rep lacement for the driv­
er's full attent ion. The dr iver alone is re­
sponsible for lane changes and similar dr iv ing maneuvers . Always keep an eye
on the di rection yo u are traveling and the
relevant area around the vehicle.
(D Note
- To ensure that you do not adversely af­
fect side assist, do not block the area on
the rear bumper whe re the radar sensors
are located with foreign objects (such as
stickers o r bicy cle racks).
- Make sure that the signa l light on the
outside m irror is not blo cked by st ickers
or other items.
@ Tips
- Side assist a utomat ica lly deactivates if it
detects that the radar sensors a re
blocked E} page 93. The ind icator light
on the bu tton goes out.
- The area on the bumper where the radar
sensors are located must consis tently re­
main free of snow, ice, and heavy soiling
so that side assist can function properly .
Fo llow the additional notes on
c> page 93.
-Additional tinting on the front side win­
dows can make it harder to see and cor­
rectly understand the signa l light on the
outside mirror.
- For Declarat ion of Compliance to United
States FCC and Industry Canada regula­
tions
c> page 281.
Sensor detection area
Applies to veh icles: w ith side assist
F ig. 89 Schemat ic ill ust rat ion : Sensor detect ion a rea
The detection c> fig. 89 of the radar sensor de­
tection area is made up of:
- the approach area (light red area)
(D , about
230 feet (70 m) behind the vehicle, and
- the "b lind spot" (dark red area)@.
T he rada r sensors cover the adjace nt left and
right lanes. Other lanes a re
not covered by the
radar sensors.
(0 Tips
Side assist does not measure a ctual lane
wid th. The system assumes a fixe d lane
width. Detection in the left and right lanes
is based on this assumed lane width .
When driv ing on narrow roads or when
driving to the left or right of the center of
a travel lane, it is possible that vehicles
will be detected that are
not in the lane
next to the lane you are us ing
c> page 92.
Operation
Applies to veh icles: w ith s ide assist
S ide assist compares t he d istance and diffe r­
ence in speed of detected vehicles wi th the
speed of your vehi cle. Wheneve r the d iffe r­
ence in speed and distance is registered as no ­
tab le if you were to change lanes, a signal
li ght appears on the respective mirror.
T he signa l can ligh t up if yo u are passed by a
vehicle or if you are passing another vehicle.
If you pass another vehi cle slowly (difference
in speed less than 9 mph, o r 15 km/h), the ..,.