2012 AUDI A8 sensor

44 Clear vision
Highway light function* (vehicles with LED
headlights) -this function adapts the lighting
for highway driving based on vehicle speed.
.&_ WARNING
- Automatic headlights are only intended
to assist the driver. They do not relieve
the driver of his responsibility to check
the headlights and to turn them on man­
ually according to the current light and
visibility conditions. For example, fog
cannot be detected by the light sensors.
So always switch on the headlights §.0
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.
- Please observe legal regulations when
using the lighting systems described.
(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
- The light sensor* for automatic dynamic
headlight range control* is located in the
rear view mirror mount. You should
therefore not apply any stickers to the
windshield in this area in order to pre­
vent malfunctions or failures .
- In the event of a light sensor malfunc­
tion, the driver is notified in the instru­
ment cluster display¢
page 21 .
- You will hear a warning tone if you open
the driver door when the exterior lights
are switched on.
- In cool or damp weather, the inside of
the headlights, turn signals and tail
lights can fog over due to the tempera­
ture difference between the inside and
outside. They will clear shortly after switching them on. This does not affect
the service life of the lighting.
Emergency flasher
The emergency flasher makes other motorists
aware that you or your vehicle ore in an emer ­
gency situation.
,--~
,_'
. ;.' --- --~-.sc-
Fig. 35 Center console: emergency flasher switch
.,. Press the switch 11 ¢ fig. 35 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
s ignal ind icator lights
ea in the instrument
cluster, as well as the light in the emergency
flasher switch
11 blink likewise. The emergen­
cy flasher also works 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.

48 Clear vis ion
Extending /retracting th e re ar window
s h ad e*
• To extend or retract the sun shade from the
cockpit ,
press the rn button in the center
console
c> fig . 41 .
• To extend or retract the sun shade from the
r e ar of th e vehicle,
press the liiil button in
the door
c> fig . 42 .
Extending the re ar door sun shade s*
• Close the window in the rear door.
• To extend the sun shade
from the d rive r's
s eat ,
pull the left/right rear power window
switch~ in the driver's door .
• To extend the sun shade from the
rear of
th e v ehi cle,
pull the power window sw itch
~ in the left/right rear door.
Re tra cting the re ar doo r sun shades*
• To retract the sun shade from the driv er's
sea t,
press the left/right rear power window
switch~ in the driver's door .
• To retract the sun shade from the
re ar of
th e vehi cle,
press the power window swit ch
~ in the left/ right rear door .
You can adj ust the settings for the rear sun
shade so the shade ret ra cts automa tically
when you selec t the reve rse gear. Select:
CAR
function button > C ar sys tems control button
> Vehicle set tings > Aut omatic rear blind >
On. T he sett ings are automat ica lly stored and
assigned to the remote control key . The sun
shade extends again as soon as the veh icle be­
g ins traveling forward at a speed greater than
9 mph (1S km/h), as long as the ignition has not been switched off in th e mea ntime .
& WARNING
When lowe ring or raisi ng the sunshade,
make s ure there is no thing in its way and
t ha t it has a free path to trave l. This could
cause personal injury.
{D) Tips
- Pressing the b utton rn several times
consecutively can tr igger the overload
protection . The sun shade can only be ex- tended/retracted again after a brief wait­
ing period.
- The rear window sun shade on ly func­
tions when the vehicle interior is warmer
than 14°F (-10°C) .
Vanity mirror in the rear
Applies to vehicles: with vanity mirrors in the rear
Fig. 43 Rear hea dliner: van it y m irror
• Press the b utton to fold the m irror open.
The mir ro r li ght ing turns on automatically.
• To c hange the mir ro r's ang le, move it for ­
ward/back with your hand .
Wiper and washer
system
Switching the windshield wipers on
Fig . 44 Winds hield w iper leve r
Move the windshie ld wiper lever to the corre­
sponding posit ion :
@ -Windshield wipers off
(D -Rain sensor mode. The windshield wipers
switch on once the vehicle speed exceeds ap­
proximate ly 2 mph (4 km/h) and it is raining.
The higher the rain sensor sensit ivity is set
(sw itch @ to the right), the earlier the

windshield wipers react to moisture on the
windshield. You can deactivate rain sensor
mode in the MMI, which will then activate in­
termittent mode. Select:
ICARI function but­
ton
> Car systems control button > Driver as­
sist > Rain sensor> Off.
In intermitten t
mode, you can adjust the interval time using
the switch @.
@-Slow wiping
@-Fast wiping
©-Single wipe. If you hold the lever in this
position longer, the wipers switch from slow
wiping to fast wiping.
® -Clean the windshield . The wipers wipe
one time after several seconds of driving to
remove water droplets. You can switch this
function off by moving the lever to position ®
within 10 seconds after the afterwipe. The af­
terwipe function is reactivated the next time
you switch the ignition on.
Cleaning the headlights. The headlight wash­
er system* only functions when the lights are
sw itched on. The headlights and the night vi­
sion 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 are also cleaned every time you hold the lever in position @for longer than 8 seconds .
A WARNING
- The rain sensor is only designed to assist
and support the driver.
It remains entire­
ly the driver's responsibility to monitor
outside weather conditions and to man­
ually activate the wipers as soon as rain
or drizzle reduces visibility through the
windshield.
- The windshield must not be treated with
water-repellent materials. They can in­
crease glare under poor visibility condi·
tions such as wetness, darkness, or when
the sun is low on the horizon. In addi­
tion, they can cause the windshield wip­
ers to chatter.
- Properly functioning windshield wiper
blades are required for a clear view and
Clear vision 49
safe driving ¢ page 50, Replacing
windshield wiper blades.
(D Note
- In the case of frost, check whether the
windshield wiper blades are frozen to the windshield. Switching on the wind­
shield wipers can damage the wiper
blades!
- Prior to using a car wash, the windshield
wiper system must be switched off (lever
in position @). This helps to prevent un­
intentional switching on and damage to
the windshield wiper system.
- Do not use the wipers to clear a frosted
window . Using the wipers as a conven­
ient ice scraper will destroy the wiper
blades.
@ Tips
- The windshield wipers are switched off
when the ignition is off . Activate the
windshield wipers after the ignition is
switched back on by moving the wind­
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.

Audi adapt ive crui se c ontrol an d bra kin g guard 8 7
Audi adaptive cruise
control and braking
guard
Introduction
App lies to vehicles: with Audi adaptive cruise control
The adaptive cruise control system assists the
driver by regu lating 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 . Th is he lps to make driv­
ing more comfortable both on long highway
stretches and in stop-and-go traffic.
The braking guard system can warn you about
an impending collision and initiate braking maneuvers ¢
page 93.
Adaptive cruise control and Audi braking
guard have technica l limitations that you
must know, so p lease 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 Audi adaptive cruise control
Fig. 86 Front of the veh icle: sensors and video came ra
The areas that conta in the radar and ultrason ­
ic sensors and the v ideo camera ¢
fig. 86
must neve r be covered by stickers or other ob­
jects or obstructed w ith dirt, insects, snow or
ice that will interfere w ith the adaptive cruise
control system and Audi braking guard. For in­
formation on cleaning , refer to ¢
page 205.
The same applies for any modifications made
in the front area.
T he function of the Adaptive cruise cont ro l
system and A udi braking guard is limited un­
der some conditions.
- Objects can on ly be detected when they are
w ith in sensor range
¢page 89, fig. 89 .
-The system has a limited ability to detect
objects that are a shor t distance ahead,
off
to the side of your vehicle or moving into
your lane.
- Some kinds of ve hicles 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 a ll.
- Stationary objects¢
page 88.
-When driving throug h curves ¢ page 88.
& WARNING
Always pay attent ion to traffic when adap ­
tive cruise contro l is switched on and brak­
ing g uard is active. As the driver, you are
still respons ible for start ing and for ma in­
taining speed and distance to other ob­
jects . Braking guard is used to assist you .
The driver must a lways take action to avo id
a collis ion. The driver is a lways responsible
for braking at the co rrect time.
- Improper use of adaptive cru ise control
can cause collisions, other acc idents and
serio us pe rsonal in jury.
- Never let the comfort and conven ience
that adaptive cruise control and Audi
braking guard offer dist ra ct you from the
need to be a lert to t raff ic condi tions and
the need to remain in full con trol of yo ur
vehicle at a ll times,
- Always remember that the adaptive
cruise contro l and Audi braking guard
have limits -they will not s low the vehi ­
cle down or maintain the set d istance
when you drive towards an obstacle or
something on or near the road that is not
mov ing, such as vehicles stopped in a
traffic jam, a stalled or disabled vehicle .
I f regis tered by the radar sensors,

88 Audi adapti ve cruise control and bra king gu ard
vehicles or obstacles that are not moving
can trigger a collision warning and if con­
firmed by the v ideo camera, an acute col­
lis ion warn ing .
- For safety reasons, do not use adaptive
cruise co ntrol when driving on roads with
many curves, when the road surface is in
poor condit ion and/or in bad weather
(such as ice, fog, gravel, heavy rain and
hydroplan ing) . Using the system under
these cond it ions cou ld result in a co lli ­
sion .
- Swi tch adap tive c ruise control off tempo­
rar ily when driv ing in turning lanes, on
expressway exits or in construction
zones . This prevents the vehicle from ac­
celerat ing to the set speed when in these
situations.
- The adapt ive cruise control system wi ll
not brake by itse lf if you put your foot on
the accelerator pedal. Doing so can over­
ride the speed and d istance regulation .
- When approaching stationary objects such as stopped traff ic, adaptive cruise
co ntrol will not respond and braking
guard w ill have limited function.
- The adapt ive cruise control system and
braking guard do not react to people, an­
imals, objects c rossing the road or on­
coming objects .
- The function of the radar senso rs can be
affected by reflective objects such as
guard rai ls , the entrance to a tunnel,
heavy rain or ice.
- Never follow a ve hicle so closely that you
cannot stop your vehicle safe ly. The
adaptive cruise contro l canno t slow or
brake the vehicle safely when you follow
another vehicle too closely. Always re­
member that the automatic braking
function cannot br ing the vehicle to a
sudden or emergency stop under these condit ions.
- To prevent unintended operation, always switch ACC off when it is not being used. (D Note
The sensors can be displaced by impacts or
damage to the bumper, wheel housing and
underbody. That cou ld affect the adaptive
cruise control system and brak ing guard.
Have your authorized Aud i dea ler or au ­
thorized Audi Service Facility check their
funct ion .
In curves
Applies to vehicles: with Audi adaptive cru ise contro l
I
Fig. 87 Ex ampl e: dri ving in to a curve
When d riving into a curve c> fig. 87 and out of
a curve, the ad aptive cruise control may react
to a vehicle in the next lane and apply the
brakes. You can override or prevent the brak­
i ng by pressing the acce lerator pedal b riefly .
' Stationary objects
Applies to vehicles: with Audi adaptive cruise control
Fig. 88 Exampl e: objec t ch anging l anes and sta tio nar y
object
T he adaptive cru ise control system only reacts
to objects that a re mov ing o r that the system
has already detected as moving . For examp le,
if a vehicle @, which has already been detect-
ed by the adaptive c ruise contro l, tu rns off o r
ch anges lane and ano ther stationary veh icle .,.

Audi adaptive cruise control and braking guard 93
Audi braking guard
Description
Applies to vehicles: with Audi adaptive cruise control
Fig. 96 Instrument cluster: approach warning
Audi braking guard uses radar sensors and a
video camera. It also functions within the lim­
its of the system when adaptive cruise control
is switched off.
What can Audi braking guard do?
When detected in time, the system can assess
situations when a vehicle ahead brakes sud­
denly or if your own vehicle is traveling at a
high speed and approaching a vehicle up
ahead that is moving more slowly . Audi brak­
ing guard does not react if it cannot detect
the situation.
The system advises you of various situations:
- The
distance warning 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 collis ion. The indicator
light
I i n the display comes on .
- The
approach warning is given when a de­
tected vehicle up ahead in your lane is mov ­
i ng much more slowly than you are or if it
brakes sharply . When this warning is given,
it may only be possible to avoid a collision
by swerving or braking sharply. The indicator
light
I and indicator in the display will warn
you about the danger
c::> fig . 96. You will a lso
hear an acoustic signal.
If you do not react fast enough or do not react
at all to the situation, Aud i braking guard will
11
This is not ava ilable in som e coun tri es.
intervene by braking and the message braking
guard intervention
will appear.
- If a coll is ion is imminent, the system wi ll
first provide an
acute warning by briefly and
sharply applying the brakes.
- If you do not react to the acute warning,
braking guard can brake with increas ing
force within the limits of the system. This
reduces the vehicle speed in the event of a
collision.
- The system can initiate complete dece lera­
tion shortly before a collision
1>. Full deceler­
ation at high speeds occurs only in vehicles
with adaptive cruise control and side assist
(pre sense plus).
- If the Audi braking guard senses that you
are not braking hard enough when a colli­
sion is immi nent, it can increase the braking
force.
- The pre sense functions also engage when a
collision is imm inent
c::> page 185 .
Which function s can be controlled?
You can switch Audi braking guard and the
distance/approach warning on or off in the
MMI c::> page 94, Settings in the MMI.
A WARNING
Lack of attention can cause collisions, oth­
er accidents and serious personal injuries .
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 responsib le for braking at the
correct time.
- Always pay close attention to traffic,
even when the Audi 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 veh icle and
veh icles up ahead.
- Audi brak ing guard works within limits
and will not respond outside the system
lim its, for example when approaching a

94 Audi adap tive cruise control and br aking guard
stopped vehicle or stationary obstacle
(end of a traffic jam or veh icle that has
broken down in traffic).
- Always remember that the radar sensor
for the Audi 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 barri­
ers or tunnel entrances may impair the
func tion of the radar sensor.
{D) Tips
- You can cancel the braking w ith increas­
i ng force that is initiated by the system
by braking yo urself, by accelerating no­
ticeab ly or by swerving.
- Audi braking guard error messages
¢page 94.
- Keep in mind that braking gua rd can
brake u nexpectedly. Always secure any
ca rgo or objec ts th at yo u are transport­
i ng to reduce the risk of damage or in­
ju ry.
Settings in the MMI
Applies to vehicles: with Audi adaptive cruise co ntrol
.. Se lect: I CARI function button > Ca r sys tem s
control button > Drive r assist > Audi b rak­
ing guard .
System -
Switch Audi braking g uard On and
Off . When you switch the ignition on, the
message
Aud i braking gua rd off appears if
the system is switched off.
Ea rly warnin g -The distance and approach
warn ings in the display can be switched
On /
Off .
(D Tips
- Your settings are automatically stored
and ass igned to the remote control key being used at the times the settings are
made.
- If you switch the ESC to sport mode, A u­
di braking gua rd switc hes off a utomat i­
cally r=:>page
189.
- Switch A udi braking guard off when you
are loading the vehicle onto a vehicle car­
rier, train, ship or other type of transpor­
tat ion. This can prevent undesired warn­
ings from the braking guard system.
Messages
Applies to vehicles: with Aud i adaptive cru ise contro l
ACC unavailable
ACC and b raking gua rd: unavailable
T he system cannot detect moving vehicles up
ahead correctly and is switched off. The sen­
sors have been displaced or a re not working
proper ly . The Audi pre sense functions may a l­
so be affected. Drive to your authorized Audi
dealer or authorized A udi service facility im­
med iate ly to have the malfunction corrected.
ACC: unavaila ble at thi s time. No sen sor vi­
sion
ACC and braking guide: un ava ilabl e at thi s
time . No s ensor vi sion
Th is message appears if the sensor v iew is ob­
structed, for examp le by leaves, snow, heavy
spray o r d irt. Clean the sensors
r=;, page 87,
fig. 86 .
ACC: unavailabl e at this time. Inclin e too
s teep
The road exceeds the max imum possible an­
gle for proper adaptive cru ise control opera­
t ion. Adaptive cru ise cont rol is switched off.
ACC: only selector lever pos itions D , S or M
available
Se lect the D, Sor M selector lever position .
ACC: un available at thi s time . Parking brake
s et
T he adapt ive cru ise control system switches
off au tomatically if the par king b rake is set. .,.

Audi side assist Lane Change Assistant
Description
App lies to vehicles: with si de assist
Fig . 10 1 Sensor detection range
Fig. 102 Disp lay on the exterior mirror
Side assist he lps you monitor yo ur blind spot
and traffic behind your veh icle. W ith in the
limits of the system, it warns you about vehi­
cles that are coming closer or that are travel­
i n g with you with in sensor range
(D
c::, fig . 101: if a lane change is class ified as crit­
ical, the display @ in the exterior mirror
c::> fig. 102 turns on.
The display in the left exterior mirror provides
assistance when making a lane cha nge to t he
l eft, while the display in the right exter ior mir­
r or p rov ides assistance when making a lane
change to t he right.
Information stage
As long as you do not activate the turn signal,
side assist
informs you about vehicles that are
detected and class ified as crit ica l. The display
i n the respec tive mirro r turns o n, but is d im .
Aud i side assist 99
The display remains d im intentionally in the
information stage so that your view toward
the front is not disturbed .
Warning st age
If you activate the turn signal, s ide assist
warns you about veh icles that are detected
and classified as critical. The display in the re ­
spective mirror blinks brightly . If this hap­
pens, check traff ic by glancing in the rearview
mirror and over your shoulder¢
A in General
information on page 100.
@ Tips
- You can adjust the brightness of the dis­
play @¢
page 101.
-Please refer to the instructions fo r tow­
ing a trailer located in¢
page 100.