2012 AUDI A6 warning

42 Clear vision
visibility conditions. For example, fog cannot be detected by the light sensors.
So always switch on the headlights
io
under these weather conditions and
when driving in the dark.
- Crashes can happen when you cannot see
the road ahead and when you cannot be
seen by other motorists . Always turn on
the headlights so that you can see ahead and so that others can see your car from
the back.
(D Note
The rear fog lights should only be turned
on in accordance with traffic regulation, as
the lights are bright for following traffic.
@ Tips
-In the event of a light sensor malfunc­
tion, the driver is notified in the instru­
ment cluster display~
page 22.
- You will hear a warning tone if you open
the driver door when the exterior lights
are switched on.
- Please observe legal regulations when
using the lighting systems described .
Emergency flasher
The emergency flasher makes other motorists
aware that you or your vehicle are in an emer­
gency situation.
Fig. 33 Center console : emerge ncy flasher switch
• Press the switch~~ fig. 33 to turn the
emergency flashers on or off.
When the emergency flasher is on, all four
turn signals blink at the same time. The turn signal
indicato r lights ¢ Q in the instrument
cluster, as well as the light in the emergency
fl asher switch ~ blink likewise. The emergen­
cy flashers also work when the ignition is
turned off.
The emergency flashers will turn on automati­
cally if you are in an accident where the airbag
has deployed .
(D Tips
You should turn on the emergency flashers
when:
- you are the last vehicle standing in a traf­
fic jam so that any other vehicles coming
can see you, or when
- your vehicle has broken down or you are
in an emergency situation, or when
- your vehicle is being towed by a tow
truck or if you are towing another vehicle
behind you.
· Adjusting the exterior lighting
The settings ore adjusted in the MMI.
• Select: I CAR I function button > Car systems
control button > Vehicle settings> Exterior
lighting.
Automatic headlights
You can adjust the following settings in the
Automatic headlights menu :
Headlights activation time -You can adjust if
the headlights switch on
Early , Med. or Late
according to the sensitivity of the light sensor .
Audi adaptive light* -You can switch adaptive
light
On and Off .
Daytime running lights
USA models:
You can switch the daytime run­
ning lights
on and off.
Canada models:
The function cannot be
turned off.
It is activated automatically each
time the ignition is switched on. This menu
item is shown "greyed out".

Vision
Sun visors
( J
Fig. 38 Sun v isor
The sun visors for the driver and passenger
can be released from their brackets and
turned toward the doors
c::> fig. 38 @.
The mirror light switches on when the cover
over the vanity mirror @opens.
Sun shad e
Applies to vehicles: with s un shade
Fig . 39 Sun s hade pulled up on th e rear w indow
Fig. 40 Cockp it: sun shade sw itc h
Rear door sunshade*
.,. Pu ll the sun shade out and attach it to the
hoo ks on the upper doo r frame
c::> fig. 39.
Clear vi sion 45
Rea r window sun shad e*
.,. To extend/retract the sun shade, press the
button~
c::> fig . 40 .
You can adjust the settings for the rea r sun
shade so the shade re tracts automatically
when you select the reverse gea r. Select:
CAR
function button > Car system s control b utton
> V ehicle settings > Automatic re ar blind >
O n. The settings are automatically stored and
ass igned to the remote control key. The sun
shade extends again as soon as the vehicle be­
gins traveling forward at a speed greater than
9 mph (15 km/h), as long as the ig nition has
not been sw itched off in the meantime.
,&. WARNING
When lowering or ra is ing the sunshade,
make sure there is nothing in its way and
that it has a free path to travel. This co uld
cause persona l inj ury .
(j} Tips
- If the sun shade is ope rated repeatedly
w ithin a short t ime, the built- in overlo ad
pro te ct io n circuit may be tripped . If th is
occurs, you will have to wait briefly be­
fore yo u can operate the shade again.
- Because of the decrease in the f lexibility
of the shade materia l at temperatures
below freezing, t he e lectr ica l circuit
w hich operates the shade shuts off when
the temperature in the vehicle falls be­
low
14 °F (-10 °C). The shade cannot be
operated until the passenger compart­
ment warms up above t his temperature .

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.

48 Clear vis ion
@ Tips
- Commercial hot waxes applied by auto­
matic car washes affect the cleanability
of the windshield.
- You can also use the service position, for
example, if you want to protect the
winds hield from icing by using a cover.
- You cannot activate the service position
when the hood is open.
Mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
Fig. 43 F orwa rd section of drive r's arm rest: power m ir­
ro r cont ro ls
T urn the knob to the desired position :
Q/P -In th is position, you can adjust the
d river's and front passenger's exter io r mirrors
by tur ning the knob in t he des ired direction.
® -The m irrors are heated depending on t he
outside temperature .
8 -The exterior mirrors fo ld in. In the MMI,
you can se lect if the m irrors fold in automat i­
cally when you lock the vehicle ¢ page
33 .
Driv er exter io r mirro r tilt function
To help yo u see the c urb when bac king into a
parking space, the surface of the mirror tilts
slightly . The knob must be in the P posit ion
for this to happen .
You can ad just the ti lted mirror s urface by
turning the knob in the desired direction.
When you move out of reverse and into anoth­
er gear, the new mirror posit ion is stored and
assigned to the key yo u are using . T
he mi rror goes back into its orig inal position
o nce you drive forward faster than 9 mph (15
km/h) or switch the ign ition off .
A WARNING
--
- Curved (i.e. conve x) m irror surfaces in­
crease your fie ld of view. Remember that
veh icles o r ot her objects w ill appea r
smalle r and farther away t han when seen
in a flat mir ror. If you use th is m irror to
estimate distances of followi ng ve hicles
when c hanging lanes, yo u cou ld estimate
incorrect ly and cause an accide nt.
(D Note
- If the m irror housing is moved uninten­
ti onally (for examp le, w hile pa rking your
veh icle), then yo u must first fold t he mir ­
ror electrically. Do not re adj ust the mir­
ror housing man ually . You co uld damage
the motor which controls the mirror .
-If you wash the vehicle in an automatic
car was h, you must fo ld the exter ior mir­
rors in to reduce the risk of damage to
the mirro rs. Never fold power folding ex­
terior mirrors* by hand. Only fo ld them
in and out using the power controls.
{I) Tips
- The exterior m irror settings are stored
w ith the memory function*
¢ page 53.
- If there is a malfunction in the electrical
system, you can sti ll adjust the exterior
m irrors by pressing the edge of the mir­
ror.
Dimming the mirrors
Fi g. 44 Auto matic d immin g rearv iew mirro r*

Manual anti-glare adju stment
"' Move the small lever (located on the bot ­
tom edge of the mirror) to the r ear.
Automaticall y dimming mirror s*
"' To dim the rearv iew mirror and both exteri­
or mirrors, press the@ button. The diode
@ turns on . The rearview and exte rior mi r­
rors dim automatically when l ight sh ines on
them, for example from h eadlights on ave­
hicle to the rear.
A WARNING
E lectrolyte flu id can leak from automatic
dimming mirrors if the glass is broken.
Electrolyte flu id can irritate skin, eyes and
resp iratory system .
- Repeated or prolonged exposure to elec­
tro lyte can cause irritation to the resp ira ­
tory system, espec ially among people
with asthma or other respiratory cond i­
tio ns. Get fresh ai r immediately by leav­
ing the vehicle or, if that is not possible,
open windows and doors all the way.
- If electrolyte gets into the eyes, flush
them tho ro ughly wi th la rge amoun ts of
clean water for at least 15 m in utes;
medica l attention is recommended .
-If elec trolyte contacts s kin, f lush affec t­
ed area with clean water for at least 15
minutes and then wash affected area
with soap and water; medical attention
is recommended . Thoroughly wash af­
fected clothing and shoes before reuse.
- If swa llowed and person is conscious,
rinse mouth w ith water for at least 15
minutes . Do not induce vom iting un less
instructed to do so by medical professio ­
nal. Get medical attention immedia tely .
(D Note
Liquid electrolyte leaking from broken mir­
ror glass will damage any p lastic surfaces
it comes in contact with . Clean up spilled
electrolyte immediately with clean water
and a sponge.
Clear vis ion 49
(D Tips
- Switching
off the dimming function of
the inside rear view mirror also deacti­
vates the automatic dimming function of the exter ior mirrors.
- The automatic dimming mirrors do not dim when the interior lighting is turned
on or the reverse gear is selected.
-Automatic d imming for the mirror only
operates properly if the light striking the
inside m irror is not hindered in any way .

50 Seat s a nd s tor ag e
Seats and storage
General recommen­
dations
Why is your seat adjustment so
important?
The safety belts and the airbag system can
only provide maximum protection if the front
seats are correctly adjusted.
There are various ways of adjust ing the front
seats to provide safe and comfortable support
for the driver and the front passenger . Adjust
you r seat prope rly so that :
- you can easily and quick ly reach all the
switches and controls in the instrument
panel
-your body is prope rly supported thus reduc­
ing physical stress and fatigue
- the safety be lts and a irbag system can offer
maximum protection
¢ page 142 .
In the following sec tions, you will see exactly
how you can best adjust you r seats .
There are special regulations and instructions
for insta lling a child seat on the front pas­
senger's seat. Always fo llow the information
regarding ch ild safety provided in
q page 168, Child Safety.
A WARNING
Incorrect seating position of the driver and
all other passengers can result in serious
personal in jury.
- Always keep your feet on the floor when
the vehicle is in motion -never p ut your
f eet on top of the instrument panel, out
of the w indow or on top of the seat cush­
ion . Th is app lies especially to the passen­
gers .
If your seating posi tion is incorrect,
yo u increase the r isk of injury in the case
of sudden braking or an acc ident.
If the
a irbag infla tes and the seating positio n
is incorrect, this could result in personal
injury o r even death.
- It is import ant for bo th the driver and
front passenger to keep a distance of at least 10 inches (25 cm) between them­
selves and the steering wheel and/or in­
strument panel. If you're s itting any
closer than th is, the a irbag system can­
not protect you properly . In addition, the
front seats and head restraints must be
adjusted to your body height so that they
can give you max imum protect ion.
- Always try to keep as much distance as
possible between yourself and the steer­
ing wheel o r inst rument pane l.
- Do not adjust the driver's o r front pas­
senger's seat whi le the vehicle is moving.
Your sea t may move unexpected ly, caus­
ing sudden loss of vehicle cont rol and
personal injury . If you adjust yo ur seat
while the veh icle is moving, yo u are out
of posit ion.
Driver's seat '
The correct seat position is important for safe
and relaxed driving.
We recommend tha t you adjus t the dr iver's
seat in the fo llowing manner :
.,. Adjust t he seat in fo re and aft direction so
t ha t you can eas ily pus h the peda ls to the
floor w hile keeping your knees sl igh tly bent
q A in Why is your seat adjustment so im ­
portant? on page 50.
.. Adjust the back rest so that when you sit
w ith your back against t he backrest, you can
still grasp the top of the steering wheel.
.. Adjust the head restraint so the upper edge
is as even as poss ible with the top of your
head . If that is not poss ible , try to adjust
t he head restraint so that it is as close to
t his pos it ion as possib le
q page 52.
A WARNING
Neve r place any objects in the dr iver's foot ­
well. An object could get into the pedal
area and interfere with pedal function . In
case of sudden braking or an acc ident, you
would not be able to brake or accelerate .

Front passenger's seat
Always move the front passenger seat into the rearmost position.
To avoid contact with the airbag while it is de­
ploying, do not sit any closer to the instru­
ment panel than necessary and always wear
the three-point safety belt provided adjusted
correctly. We recommend that you adjust the
passenger's seat in the following manner:
.. Move the front passenger seat into the rear­
most position of the fore and aft adjustment
range
~ .&. in Why is your seat adjustment
so important? on page 50.
• Bring the backrest up to an (almost) upright
position.
Do not ride with the seat reclined .
.. Adjust the head restraint so the upper edge
is as even as possible with the top of your
head. If that is not possible, try to adjust
the head restraint so that it is as close to
th is position as possible ¢
page 52.
.. Place your feet on the floor in front of the
passenger's seat .
Front seats
Controls
The operating logic for the switches corre­
sponds to the construction and function of
the seat.
Fig. 45 Front seat: adjusting the seat
@ -adjusting lumbar support*: press the but­
ton in the corresponding position¢.&,.
@ -Moving the seat forward/back: press the
button forward/back ¢ ,&. .
@ -Mov ing the seat up/down: press the but­
ton up/down ¢,&. . To adjust the front section
Seats and storage 51
of the seat, press the front button up/down
¢ ,&. .To adjust the rear section of the seat,
press the rear button up/down ¢,&. .
© -Backrest forward/back: press the button
forward/back
~ ,&. .
A WARNING
-
-Never adjust the driver's or front pas­
senger's seat whi le the vehicle is moving.
If you do this while the veh icle is moving,
you will be out of position. Always adjust
the dr iver's or front passenger's seat
when the vehicle is not moving.
- Be careful when adjusting the seat
he ight. Check to see that no one is in the
way, or serious injury cou ld result!
- Because the seats can be electrically ad­
justed with the ignition off, never leave
children unattended in the vehicle. Unsu­
pe rvised use of the electric seat adjust­
ments may cause serious injury .
- To reduce the risk of injury in the case of
sudden braking or accident, front pas­
sengers must never r ide in a moving ve­
hicle with the backrest reclined. Safety
be lts and the airbag system on ly offer
maximum protection when the backrest
is upright and the safety belts are prop­
erly positioned on the body. The more
the backrest is reclined, the greater the risk of personal injury from an incorrect
seating position and improperly posi­
tioned safety belts.
Armrest
There is a storage compartment under the
armrest.
Fig. 46 Cockp it : center armrest