2012 AUDI Q7 suspension

possible to raise the suspension to a high leve l
above certain speeds .
When a speed of about 75 mph (120 km/h) is
exceeded for more than 30 seconds, the vehi­
cle is automatically lowe red to
low level when
in comfort and automatic mode. Ground
clearance is about 0.6 inch (15 mm) less,
compared to the
normal level.
When a speed of about 100 mph (160 km/h)
is exceeded for more than 20 seconds , the ve­
h icle is automat ica lly lowered to
highway lev­
el
when in automatic and dynamic mode.
Ground clearance is about 1.4 inches (35 mm)
less, compared to the
normal level. Road
holding is opt imized as a result of the lower
center of gravity, and fuel consumption is re­
duced as a result of reduced wind resistance .
Level adjustment
high level 2
high level 1
normal leve l
low level
highway level
Ground clearance
about 9 .4 inches
(240 mm)
about
8 inches
(205 mm)
about 7 inches (180 mm)
about 6 .5 inches
(165 mm)
about 5.7 inches (145 mm)
The segment disp lay @ in the MMI Display
c:::> page 152 or in the instrument cluster dis­
p lay
i:> page 153 shows the current vehicle
level.
Automatic
Select the automatic mode if you prefer a bal­
anced, comfortable suspension setting . The
damping characteristics are adjusted accord­
ingly.
- Automatic lowe ring: When a speed of
about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded for
more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is auto­
matically lowered by about 0.6 inch (15
mm) to the
low level, wh ich is more suitable
for highway speeds. Road hold ing is opti ­
mized as a result of the lower center of grav-
Ad aptive Air Su sp en sion 15 1
ity and fuel consumption is reduced as a re ­
sult of reduced wind resistance . When a
speed of about 100 mph (160 km/h) is ex ­
ceeded for more than 20 seconds, the veh i­
cle is automatically lowered by an addit ional
0 .8 inch (20 mm) to
highway level.
- Automat ic raising: When the vehicle is at
highway level and the speed falls below
about 80 mph (130 km/h) for more than 20
seconds, the vehicle is automatically raised
to
low level. T he ve hicle is automat ica lly
ra ised aga in to
normal level if the speed
fa lls below abo ut 44 mph (70 km/h) for a
period of 2 minutes . The vehicle is raised im ­
mediately when speed fa lls below abo ut 22
mph (35 km/h).
Dynamic
Se lect the dynamic mode if you prefer a spo r­
ty suspension setting. In t his mo de, the veh i­
cle is lowered to
low level while it is still sta­
tionary and sporty damping characteristics
are se lected . The warning light
Ill in the in­
strument cl uster will come on for a few sec­
onds just to rem ind you of the reduced ground
clearance .
If you switc h off the engine whi le the vehicle
is in the dynamic mode and then switch on the
ignition once aga in, the
Ill warning light will
also come on aga in for a few seconds as a re­
minder .
-Automa tic lo weri ng : When a speed of
about 100 mph (160 km/h) is exceeded for
more than 20 seconds, the vehicle is auto ­
matically lowered by 0 .8 inch (20 mm) to
highway level .
-Automat ic ra is ing: The veh icle is automati­
cally ra ised to
low level aga in, if the speed
fa lls below about 80 mph (130 km/h) fo r a
pe riod of 20 seconds. The veh icle is raised
immed iate ly w hen speed falls be low about
22 mph (35 km/h).
Comfort
Select the comfort mode if you desire a s us­
pension setting with a special emp hasis on
comfort . Damp ing cha racte ristics w ith a clea r
Iii-

152 Adaptive Air Suspension
emphasis on comfo rt are se lected in this
mode.
- Automatic lowering: When a speed of
about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded for
more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is auto­
matically lowered by 0.6 inch (15 mm) to
low level.
-Automatic raising: The vehicle is automati­
ca lly raised to
normal level again, if the
speed falls below about 44 mph (70 km/h)
for a period of 2 minutes . The vehicle is
raised immediately when speed falls below
about 22 mph (35 km/h) .
Offroad
Select the offroad mode when you have to
travel over poor quality sections of road (e.g. trails). In th is mode, the vehicle is ra ised to
high level 1, and damping characteristics for
poor road stretches are selected . When
switch ing to offroad mode, the Adaptive Air
Suspension indicator appears automat ically in
the instrument cluster display ¢
page 153.
The offroad mode can only be activated at
speeds below 37 mph (60 km/h). Offroad mode ends automat ically and the automatic
mode is activated when a speed of approxi­
mately SO mph (80 km/h) is exceeded.
Lift
Select the lift mode when except ionally high
ground clearance is needed at a reduced
speed. In thi s mode, the vehicle is ra ised to
high level 2. When switching to lift mode, the
Adaptive A ir Suspension indicator appears au­
tomatically in the instrument cluster display
c!) page 153.
The lift mode can be activated only at speeds
below 12 mph (20 km/h) . When a speed of
about 25 mph (40 km/h) is exceeded , the sys­
tem automatically leaves lift mode and the
offroad mode is activated. The instrument
cluster display automat ically switches the dis­
p lay to Adaptive Air Suspension to indicate re­
duced ground clearance.
MMI settings
Applies to vehicles: with Adaptive Air Suspension
Driving modes are adjusted in the MMI and
the current vehicle level is displayed .
Fig. 174 MMI Display: Sett ings
Fig. 175 MMI Display: Settings
T he ign ition must be switched on to set the
driving modes .
.,. Select: Function button
I CAR!.
Raising and lowering
If the arrow (D Q fig. 174 is white or if the ar­
rows
(D blink ¢ fig. 175, the vehicle is be ing
raised .
If the arrow @ Q fig. 17 4 is white or if the ar­
rows
(D point downward and blink¢ fig. 175,
the vehicle is being lowered.
T he respective arrow stays on/blinks until the
level change is complete. The time used for a
level change can vary, depending on the cur­
rent driving conditions.
Displaying the vehicle level
The current veh icle level is shown with seg ­
ments filled out in the segment display @. If
only the bottom segment is filled out, the ve-
hicle is at highway level.
If all segments are Ill>

filled out, the vehicle is at high level 2 and has
the greatest amount of ground clearance pos­
sib le.
Wh ile the vehicle is be ing raised or lowered,
the target level is indica ted by an arrow@
¢ fig. 174 or a white border @~ fig. 175 . The
arrow/border disappears aga in when the vehi­
cle is at the target level.
Limitation s to MMI s ettin gs
Please note that not eve ry dr iving mode can
be selected in every driving situation . For ex­
ample , it is not possible to switch to "lift"
mode at speeds above 12 mph (20 km/h) .
This mode is then shown
greyed out in the
MMI Display .
The vehicle can only be lowered when
a ll of
the vehicle's doors are closed. If one door is open, all driving modes whose level setting is
belo w the current vehicle level appear
greyed
out
in the MMI Display . If a door is opened
while the veh icle is being lowered , the lower­
ing process is inte rrupted until all doors are
closed again.
If the system is temporarily unava ilable due
to, for instance, an empty compressed air
tank, the driving modes that cannot be set ap­ pear
greyed out in the MM I Disp lay. As soon
as the system is available again, the drivi ng
modes can once more be selected in the dis­
p lay.
@ Tips
- For additional informat io n on the driving
modes ~
page 150, Chassis controls .
-When the compressed air tank is empty,
the comp ressor can be switched on by
starting the engine. The Adaptive Air
Suspension is once again available, after
waiting a few minutes.
- To prevent overload, the system switches off temporarily if several adjustments
are made in a row. The Adaptive Air Sus­pension is once again available, after
waiting a few m inutes.
Ad apti ve A ir Sus pension 15 3
Appearance in the instrument cluster
d isplay
Appl ies to vehicles: wi th Adaptive A ir Suspensio n
You can view the current vehicle level in the
instrument cluster display.
Fi g. 17 6 Disp lay: Adapt ive A ir Suspensio n
Fig. 177 Disp lay: Adapt ive A ir Suspension
Repeated, brief tapping of the I RESE T I button
on the windshield wiper lever allows you to
select whether information concerning the
trip computer, digital tachometer, navigat ion *
or "Adapt ive A ir Suspens ion" is to appear in
the instrument cluster d isp lay.
Display of the Adaptive Air S uspension is auto­
matic when the offroad or lift mode is select­
ed, or when the vehicle is automatically low­
ered in lift mode.
Rai sing and lowe ring
If arrow (Dis
white¢ fig. 176 or~ fig. 177,
the vehicle is raised .
If arrow @is
white, the vehicle is lowered .
The respective arrow stays on until the level
c hange is complete. The time required for a
level cha nge can va ry, depending on the cur -
ren t driving conditions . .,..

154 Adapti ve Air Susp en sion
Di spl ay ing the vehicl e lev el
The cu rrent vehicle level is shown w ith seg­
ments fi lled out in the segment disp lay @ . If
only the bottom segment is filled out, the ve­
hicle is at highway level. If all segments are
fi lled out, the vehicle is at high level 2 and has
the greatest amount of ground clearance pos­
sible.
While the vehicle is being raised or lowered,
the target leve l is indicated by an arrow ©
¢
fig. 176 or a white border ©¢ fig. 177. The
arrow/border disappears aga in when the vehi­
cle is at the target level.
Jacking mode when changing a flat tire
Appl ies to vehicles: with Adaptive Air Suspens ion
This mode must be activated in the MMI be­
fore raising the vehicle with a jack or on a ve ­
hicle lift.
,. Select: Funct ion button ICARI > Function
button
! SETUP I> Jacking mode . Or
,. Select : Funct ion button
ICARI > Control but ­
ton
Car sy stem s* > Serv icing & ch eck s > Air
su sp .: tire ch ang e.
The vehicle jack mode must be activated be ­
fore changing a wheel so that the automatic
control processes for the a ir suspension do
not make lifting with the vehicle jack more dif­
ficu lt.
The check lamp
II in the instrument cluster
d isplay illuminates in v ehicle jack mode.
(D) Tips
The vehicle jack mode is switched off auto­
mat ically at speeds above 9 mph (15 km/
h).
Towing a trailer
Appl ies to vehicles: with towing hitch and Adapt ive Air
Suspension
Automatic lowering is not desirable when
towing a trailer.
,. Se lect: Function button ICARI > Function
button
! SE TUP I> Towi ng mod e. Or ,.
Select: Function b utton
I CAR !> Control but ­
ton
Car s ystem s* > Vehicle setting s > Air
su sp.: towing .
As long as towing mode is activated, a vehicle
with a trai ler appears in the
adap tiv e air su s­
pen sion
main menu.
Level Ad ju stment when towing a t railer
- Before hitching up the tra ile r and before ad­
jus ting the tongue weight at the trailer, the
automatic or comfo rt mode
mu st be se lect­
ed so that the ve hicle can be at normal level
¢ page 152, MMI settings .
-If driving in dynamic mode is desired, this
mode
mu st be selected before hitching up
the trailer and before ad justing the tongue
weight. However, note that your vehicle is lowered and ground clearance is reduced.
- If you have to drive under difficult road con­
ditions, you can select offroad or lift mode,
after hitching up the trailer or after adjust­ ing the tongue weight .
- If the veh icle is at
normal level, and you se­
lect offroad mode wh ile traveling at speeds
higher than 22 mph (35 km/h), the veh icle
w ill not be ra ised . Offroad mode will appear
as the active mode in the MM I Disp lay.
- If the veh icle is in offroad mode at
high level
1 ,
it automa tically lowers to normal level
when the vehi cle is t ravel ing at speeds ex­
ceed ing approximate ly 31 mph (SO km/h) .
The vehicle is automatically raised to
high
level 1
again when the traveling speed falls
be low approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
Rest rictions when ope rating with a tr ailer
When operating w ith a trailer, the lift mode
can on ly be selected up to about 12 mph (20
km/h). Lift mode is automatically cance led
again w hen a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/
h) is exceeded.
If t he vehicle is in au toma tic , comfo rt, offroad
or lift mode before the trai ler towing mode is
activated, the dynamic mode cannot be acti­
vated.
If t he vehicle is in dynamic mode before tow -
ing opera tion is activated, it can be driven in
11>-

this mode. If the suspension is switched from
this mode to another mode, dynamic mode
cannot be re-se lected .
{D) Tips
-For vehicles with a factory installed tow­
ing hitch or a trailer hitch that was in­
stalled later accord ing to factory specifi­
cations, the system recognizes "Trailer
tow ing mode" and activates this special
mode automatically, as soon as the elec­
trical connection on the trailer socket is
connected . The mode ceases automat i­
cally when the elect rical connection to
the trailer socket is d isconnected.
- If the tra iler towing mode has been act i­
vated, the vehicle will not drop to the l ow or highway level.
Cargo mode
A pp lies to vehicles: wit h Adap tive Air S uspe nsio n
The rear of the vehicle con be lowered to
make it easier to load .
Fig. 178 Luggage compa rtment detail: Cargo mode
sw itc h
Using sw itch for activating cargo mode
~ Close all vehicle doors .
~ Open the trunk lid .
~ Press the lower pa rt of the switch@
Q fig. 178. The rear of the vehicle is low­
ered.
~ Press the uppe r part of the sw itch (D . The
rear of the vehi cle is raised aga in .
Activating cargo mode in the MMI*
~ Se lect: Function button ICAR I > Function
button
! SE TUP I> Lower f or load in g. Ad
apti ve A ir Sus pension 155
In cargo mode, the rear ax le is lowered by 2 .2
inches (55 mm), compared to the normal lev­
el.
While the ve hicl e is in ca rgo mode, the seg­
ments do not appear as filled in the segment
display.
Cargo mode is a utomatically c ance led again
when a different mode is selected in the MM I
D isplay, or when a speed of about 3 mph (5
km/ h) has been exceeded.
If the system is tempora rily unavailable due
to, for instance, an empty compressed ai r
tank, the
Lower fo r loading* function appears
greyed out in the MMI Display. As soon as the
system is available again, the function can
once more be selected in the disp lay.
While the vehicle is being lowered, the indica­
tor light @~
fig. 178 on the switch in the
luggage compartment flashes. When the car­
go level has been reached, the indicator light
comes on and remains on as long as the vehi­
cle is in cargo mode. When the vehicle is
raised agai n, the indicator l ight f las hes aga in.
(D Note
Make sure before canceling cargo mode
that there is sufficient clearance above the
vehicle and around the tru nk lid , if open .
(D Tips
-The ve hicle w ill not be lowered if one of
the vehicle doors is open, or if the com­
pressed air tank is empty . T he indicator
light on the switch flashes three times.
- When the compressed air tank is empty,
it will refill when you drive at speeds
over 25 mph (40 km/ h). The vehicle can
be lowered to cargo level when the com­
pressed air tank is adequately fille d.
- If the veh icle is i n lift or off road mode
when you act ivate cargo mode, the vehi­
cl e w ill first drop dow n to norma l level.

194 Airbag system
-If the vehicle or the circuit interrupter
is scrapped, all applicable safety pre­
cautions must be followed.
@, For the sake of the envi ronment
Undeployed airbag modu les and preten­
sioners might be classified as Perchlorate
Material -special handling may app ly, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/per­ chlorate. When the vehicle or parts of the
restraint system including airbag modules
and safety belts w ith p retens ioners are
scrapped, all applicable laws and regula­
tions must be observed. Your authori zed
Aud i dea ler is familiar wit h these requ ire­
ments and we recommend that you have
your dealer perfo rm this service for you.
Other things that can affect Advanced
Airbag performance
Changing the vehicle's suspension system can
change the way that the Advanced Airbag Sys­
tem pe rforms in a crash. For example, using
tire-r im combinations not app roved by Aud i,
lowe ring the vehicle, ch anging the stiffness of
the suspension, incl uding the springs, s uspen­
sion struts, shock absorbers etc. can change
the forces that are measured by the ai rbag
sensors and sent to the electronic control
un it. Some suspension changes can, for exam­
p le, increase the force levels measured by t he
sensors and make the airbag system deploy in
crashes in wh ich it would not dep loy if the
cha nges had not been made. Other k inds of
cha nges may reduce the force levels meas­
ure d by the sensors and preven t the a irbag
from deploying when it sho uld .
The senso rs in the safety belt buckle fo r th e
d river and front passe nger sea t tell the elec­
tronic control module if the safety belt is
l atched or not. I f the safety belt is being used,
the front airbag will deploy at a slightly high­ er rate of vehicle deceleration than if the safe­
ty belt is not being used. Therefore, in a par­
ticular collision, it is poss ible that an airbag
will not deploy at a seating position where the safety belt is being used but will inflate at the position where t
he safety be lt is not being
used. It is important that nothing interfere
with the safety be lt b uckles so that the sen­
sors can send the correct information about
safety belt use to the electronic control un it.
A WARNING
=
Changi ng the veh icle's suspension includ-
i ng use of unapp roved tire-rim combina­
tions can change Advanced Airbag per­
fo rma nce and increase the r is k of seri ous
personal injury in a cra sh.
- N ever install suspension components
that do no t have the same pe rformance
chara cter istics as the compone nts o rigi­
na lly ins talled on your vehicle .
- Never use tire-rim combinations that
have not been approved by Audi.
A WARNING
= -
It ems stored between the safety be lt
bu ckle and the cente r console can cause
the sensors in the b uckle to send the
wrong information to the e lectronic con­
trol module and prevent the Advanced Air­ bag System from working prope rly.
- Always make sure that nothing can inter­
fere with the safety belt buckles and that they are not obstructed .
Side airbags
Description of side airbags
The airbag system can provide suppl emental
protection to properly restrained occupants.
F ig . 20 0 Side air bag locat ion in th e driver's seat

on a slope w ithout the veh icle tipping over
sideways (depends on center of gravity). Maxi­ m um permitted latera l ang le: 35°
Breakover angle
I ndicates the angle up to whi ch the veh icle
can drive ove r a ramp at low speed w it h out
the unde rside of the vehicle hitting the edge
of the ramp.
- Vehicl es with out air spring s: maximum
breakover ang le: 21, 1 °
- Vehicles with adaptive air su spen sion* :
maximum b reakove r angle: 23.8° (at h igh
l evel 2)
Approach /d eparture angle
Transition from the horizontal p lane to a gra­
d ient or from a grade bac k to level ground . In ­
d ic a tes the angle up to which the vehicle can
drive onto or off a slope at low speed wi thout
striking the bumper or the underbody.
- Vehicl es without air spring s: maximum ap­
proach/depart ure angle: 21.0° (front),
23.4 ° (rear)
- Vehicl es with adaptiv e air su sp ension* :
maximum approach/departu re angle at high
l evel 2 : (front) 23,5°, (rear) 25 .4°
Ground clearance
The distance between the road surface and
the lowest po int of the ve hicle underbody .
-Vehicles w ithout air spring s: ground clear­
ance: 8 .1 in (204.8 mm)
- Vehicles w ith adapti ve air suspension *:
maximum ground clearance: 9 .4 i n
(239 .8 mm) at high level 2
A WARNING
Exceeding the stated maximum figures
can result in severe injuries or ve hicle dam­
age.
- All the information was gathered on lev­
el, firm and non-slippery road surfaces,
and unde r dry wea ther conditions.
- Ideal conditions do not p revail offroad.
Never utilize the maximum read ings to
Driving off road 233
their f ullest, always leave a safety re­
serve.
Driving tips
On poor road and offroad, there is always on ­
ly one motto: Plan ahead and drive slowly!
Please obse rve the fo ll ow ing when d riving
away from paved roads :
.,. Drive on ly on roads and offroad sections
which ma tch the design of yo ur vehicle and
your abilities as a driver. Never take r is ks!
.,. Drive slow ly and plan ahead!
.,. Take into consideration the
ground clear­
an ce
of your vehicle .
.,. Act ivate the
ESC off road mode q page 219
as needed.
.,. Use the
hill descent control q page 220
when dr iv ing down steep sections on h ills .
Unpa ved ro ads and offroad
Drive slowly on unfamiliar roads and unknown
offroad section s, and look out for unexpected
obstacles (e .g. po tholes, rocks, tree s tumps,
etc .) .
To prevent the vehicle from bottoming and
avo id damage to the underbody, you should
drive straight across severe bumps in the
ground with only one side of the veh icle so
that only two of your whee ls cross the bumps .
Drive b risk ly through sandy or marshy offroad
sec tions and do not stop, i f at all possible .
Driving throu gh wate r
Note the following to avoid vehicle damage
when d riving through water, for examp le on
flooded roads:
- The wa ter must not be any higher than the
bottom of the vehicle body .
- Do not dr ive faste r tha n walk ing speed .
Driving on a slope
If you ever find yourself not able to climb a
s lope, do not try to turn around , drive back
down in
r e ver se . Otherwise, you run the r isk
of tipp ing ove r. ..,.
•
•

234 Driving off road
If the vehicle threatens to tip over when
driving across a slope, you must immediate­
ly steer downhill in the di rection of the
slope.
D o not par k your veh icle on steep slopes or
g rades .
T o reduce t he risk of tippi ng over, dr ive o n
slopes in the d irection o f the downwa rd slope
(fa ll line) -
not cros swise .
A WARNING
After drivin g through wate r, m ud, slush ,
etc ., the brakes may be slow to take effect
because of wet brake roto rs and pads. Dry
the brakes f irst by braking carefully to re­
sto re the full braking effect.
-
(D Note
Vehicle components s uch as the engine,
transmiss io n, suspension or elect rical sys ­
tem can be severely damaged by drivi ng
thr ough wat er.
(1) Tips
- Check the depth of the wate r before dr iv­
i ng th rough it.
- Do not stop the veh icle, dr ive in reverse
or switc h the engine off whe n driving
t hr ough water .
- Keep in mind that oncoming vehicles may create waves that raise t he water
l eve l a nd make it t oo deep fo r yo ur vehi­
cle to dr ive th rough safely.
- Avoid dr iving thro ugh salt water because
i t can ca use corrosion.