2013 AUDI A7 service

44 Clear vision
& 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
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
theheadlightssothatyoucanseeahead 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.
{D) Tips
- The light sensor* for automatic head­
light 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 prevent malfunc­
tions or failures .
- 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.
- 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 are in an emer­
gency situation .
Fig. 34 Ce nte r co nso le: em erg en cy flash er sw itc h
.. Press the switch I:;,,. ~fig. 34 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 indicator lights
B Nin the instrument
cluster, as well as the light in the emergency
flasher switch
I:;,,. 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.
@ 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: !CAR ! function button> (Car)* sys­
tems
control button > Vehicle settings > Ex-
terior lighting. ..,.

48 Clear vis ion
© -Single wipe . If you hold the lever in this
position longer, the wipers switch from slow
wiping to fast wip ing.
® -Clean the windshield . T he wipers wipe
one time after several seconds o f driv ing to
remove water drop lets . You can switch this
function off by moving the lever to position ®
within 10 seconds after the afterw ipe. The af­
terw ipe funct ion is react ivated the next time
you switch the ig nition on .
C leaning the headlights *. The headlight wash­
er system* operates on ly when the headlights
are on. If you move the lever to pos ition ®,
the head lights and the nig ht vision assistant
camera* are washed in intervals .
A WARNING
- The ra in sensor is only des igned to assist
and support the drive r.
It remains entire­
ly the dr iver's respons ibility to monito r
o utside wea ther conditions and to man­
ually activate the wipers as soon as rain
or drizzle reduces visib ility through the
windshield.
- The windshie ld must not be treated with
water-repe llent materials. They can in­
crease glare under poor visib ility condi­
t ions such as wetness, darkness, or when
the sun is low on the horizon. In addi­
t io n, they can cause the wi ndshield wip­
ers to chatter .
- Properly fu nctioning windshie ld w iper
blades are required fo r a clear view and
safe dr iv ing
c::> page 48, Replacing
windshield wiper blades .
(D Note
- In the case of frost, check whether the
winds hield wiper b lades a re frozen to
the windshie ld. Switching on the wind­
s h ield wipers can damage the wipe r
blades!
- Prior to using a car wash, the windshield
wipe r system must be switched off (lever
i n position @). This helps to prevent un­
i ntent ional sw itching on and damage to
the windshie ld w iper system. - Do not
use the w ipers to clear a frosted
w indow . Us ing the wipers as a conven­
ient ice scrape r will destroy the wiper
blades.
(D Tips
- The windshie ld w ipers are switched off
w hen the ignit ion is off. Activate the
w indshield wipers after the ign ition is
switched back on by moving the w ind­
shield wiper lever to any position .
- Worn or d irty windshield wiper blades
result in streaking. This can affect the
rain sensor function . Check your wind­
shield wiper blades regularly.
- The washer fluid nozz les of the wind­
shield washe r system a re heated at low
tempe rat ures when the ignition is on .
- Whe n stopping temporarily, e.g . at a
traffic light, the set speed of the wind­
shield w ipe rs is automatically reduced by
one speed.
Replacing windshield wiper blades
Wiper blades in good condition help keep the
windshield clear .
Fig. 42 Remov ing w indsh ie ld wiper b lades
Service position
.,. Switch the windsh ie ld w ipers o ff (position
@ c::>fig. 41).
.,. Switch the ignition off and move t he wind ­
shie ld w iper lever to position ©
c::> fig. 41.
Or
.,. Select in the MMI: ICAR I function bu tton >
(Car) * system s control b utton > Servicing &
check s > Wiper service position > On . The ..,.

windshield wipers move into the service
position .
Removing the wiper blade
• Fold the windshield wipe r arm away from
the windshie ld.
• Press the locking knob@<>
fig. 42 on the
wiper blade . Hold the wiper blade f irm ly .
• Remove the wiper blade in the direction of
the arrow.
Installing the wiper blade
• Inse rt the new wiper b lade into the mo unt
on the w iper arm @ until you hear it latch
into place .
• Place the w ipe r arm back on the windshie ld .
• Switch the ignition on .
• Press the w indshield wiper lever.
Or • Select :
ICAR I function button > (Car )* s ys­
tems
control button > Se rvic ing & checks >
Wiper service position > Off .
A WARNING
- If the windshield wipe rs smear the wind­
shield, clean the w iper blades with w ind­
shield washe r fl uid . If the wiper blades
are extremely d irty, yo u can also clean
th em with a soft sponge or cloth.
- For yo ur safety, you should repla ce the
w ipe r blades o nce or twice a year. See
yo ur a uthori zed Au di dealer fo r repl ace­
me nt blades.
(D Note
- The w indshield wiper blades must on ly
b e fo lded away when in the se rv ice po si­
tion! Otherw ise, you risk d amaging the
p ain t on the hood or the windshield wip ­
er motor.
- You s hould not move yo ur vehicle or
press the windshie ld wiper lever when
the wiper arms are folded away from the
windsh ield. The w indshield w ipers would
move back into the ir original position
and could damage the hood and w ind­
s h ield .
Clear vi sion 49
- T o help p revent damage to the wiper sys ­
tem, always loosen blades wh ich are fro­
zen to the winds hield before operating
wipers.
- To hel p pr event damage to wiper b lades,
do not use gaso line, kerosene , paint
thinner, or other solvents on or near the
wiper blades.
- To help prevent damage to the w iper
arms or other components, do not at­
tempt to move t he wipers by hand .
(D Tips
-Commercial hot waxes app lied by a uto­
matic car washes affect the cleanability
of the windshie ld.
- You can also use the service position, for
example, if you want to p rotect the
w indshield from icing by using a cover .
- You cannot activate the serv ice position
when the hood is ope n.
Mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors
Fi g. 43 Fo rward sect io n of d river' s armr est: power mir·
ro r controls
Turn the knob to t he desired positio n:
Q/P -In this pos ition, yo u can adjust t he
driver's an d fro nt passenge r's exte rior mi rrors
by turning the knob i n the desired d irection.
Qiil -The mirrors are heated depending on the
outside tempe rature .
8 -The exterior mirrors fold in . In the MMI,
you can select if the mir ro rs fo ld in automati-
ca lly when you lock t he veh icle <>
page 35. ~

100 Audi side assist
-Improper reliance on the side assist sys­
tem can cause collisions and serious
personal injury:
- Never rely only on side assist when
changing lanes.
- Always check rear view mirrors to make
sure that it is safe to change lanes.
- Side assist cannot detect all vehicles un­
der all conditions- danger of accident!
- Please note that side assist indicates
there are approaching vehicles, or
vehicles in your blind spot, only after
your vehicle has reached a driving speed of at least 19 mph (30 km/h).
- In certain situations, the system may not
function or its function may be limited.
For example:
- if veh icles are approaching or being left
behind very quickly . The display may
not turn on in time.
- in poor weather conditions such as
heavy rain, snow or heavy mist .
- on very wide lanes, in tight curves or if
there is a rise in the road surface.
Vehicles in the adjacent lane may not
be detected because they are outside
of the sensor range.
(D Note
The sensors can be displaced by impacts or
damage to the bumper, wheel housing and
underbody. This can affect the system.
Have your authorized Audi dealer or au­
thorized Audi Service Facility check their
function.
@ Tips
- If the window glass in the driver's door
or front passenger's door has been tint­ ed, the display in the exterior mirror may
be misinterpreted.
- For Declaration of Compliance to United
States FCC and Industry Canada regula­
tions¢
page 292.
Activating and deactivating
Applies to vehicles: rnit s ide ass ist
Fig. 105 Driver's door: Side ass ist butto n
.. Press the button c> & in General informa­
tion on page 99
to switch the system on/off.
The LED in the button turns on when side
assist is switched on.
Adjusting the display brightness
Applies to vehicles: wit h side assist
The brightness setting con be adjusted via the
MMI.
.. Select: !CAR ! function button> (Car)* sys­
tems control button > Driver assist > Audi
side assist .
The display brightness adjusts automatically
to the brightness of the surroundings, both in
the information and in the warning stage. In
very dark or very bright surroundings, the dis­
play is already set to the minimum or maxi­
mum level by the automatic adjustment. In
such cases, you may notice no change when
adjusting the brightness, or the change may
only be noticeable once the surroundings
change.
Adjust the brightness to a level where the dis­
play in the informa tion stage will not disrupt
yo ur view forward. If you change the bright­
ness, the display in the exterior mirror will
briefly show the brightness leve l in the infor­
mation stage. The brightness of the warning
stage is linked to the brightness in the infor­
mation stage and is adjusted along with the
information stage adjustment .

@ Tips
-Side assist is not active while you are
making the adjustment.
- Your settings are automatically stored
and assigned to the remote control key
being used.
Driver messages
App lies to vehicles: with side assist
If side assist switches off by itself, the LED in
the button turns off and a message will ap­
pear in the instrument cluster display:
Audi side assist: Currently unavailable. No
sensor vision
The radar sensors' vision is affected. Do not
cover the area in front of the sensors with bike
wheels, stickers, dirt or other objects. Clean
the area in front of the sensors, if necessary
c>fig. 104 .
Audi side assist: Currently unavailable
Side assist cannot be switched on temporarily
because there is a malfunction (for example,
the battery charge level may be too low).
Audi side assist: System fault!
The system cannot guarantee that it will de ­
tect vehicles correctly and it is switched off .
The sensors have been displaced or are faulty.
Have the system checked by an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility
soon.
Audi side assist: Unavailable when towing.
Side assist switches off automatically when a
factory-installed trailer hitch is connected to
the electrical connector on the trailer. There is
no guarantee the system will switch off when
using a retrofitted trailer hitch. Do not use
side assist when towing a trailer.
Audi side assist 101

Safety belt preten­
sioners
How safety belt pretensioners work
In fron t, side and rear-end collisions above a
parti cular severi ty and in a rollover, safety
b e lts ar e te nsion ed automatically .
Reversible safety belt tensioners
The safety belts on the front seats are equip­
ped wit h power reve rsible tensioners . T he fo l­
l ow ing f un ct ions are available w hen the dr iv ­
e r' s/fron t passenger 's sa fety bel ts are fas­
tened :
- Automatic tensioners: at the start of a d rive,
the safety be lts automatically adjust to the
passenge r aft er a certai n time period o r ve­
hicle speed. To switch the automa tic ten­
s ioners off, select the fo llow ing in the M MI:
I CAR I funct ion button > (Car )* systems > Ve·
hide sett ings
> Seats > Driver 's seat or Pas ­
senger's seat
> Automat ic belt tensione r >
Off.
-In certa in driving situations, the safety belts
may t ighten with a reversib le tensioning
function
¢ page 194.
-The safety belts may also tighten w ith this
r evers ible tension ing funct ion in mino r colli­
s ions .
Pyrotechnic safety belt pretensioners
The safety be lts are equipped with safety be lt
pretensioners. The system is activated by sen­
s o rs in fron t, side and rear-end collisions of
great severity and in a rollover . Th is tightens
the bel t and takes up be lt slack ¢&.
in Service
and disposal of safety belt pre tensioner on
page 148.
T aking up the s lack helps to redu ce
forward occup ant movemen t during a colli ­
sion.
A WARNING
- It is possib le for the pre tensioners to de­
ploy i ncor rect ly .
- T he pyrotechnic sys tem can only provide
protection for one co llision. If the pyro -
Safety belts 14 7
technic pretensioners deploy, the preten­
sioning system must be replaced .
(D Tips
The pyro technic safety be lt pretensioners
ca n only deploy once .
- T he safety bel t pretensioners do not de­
ploy in minor frontal and s ide collisions,
in rear-end co llisions, i n rollovers and in
co llisions involving very little impact
f o rce.
- A fine dust is released w hen the py ro­
technic safety be lt pretensioners dep loy.
Th is is normal and is not caused by a fire
in the vehicle.
- The re levant safety requi rements must
be observed when the vehicle or compo­
nents of the system are scrapped . A
qualified dealership is fam iliar with
these regulations and will be please d to
pa ss o n the information to yo u.
- Be sure to observe all safety, env iron­
ment al and ot her regu la tio ns if t he ve hi­
cle or ind ividu al p ar ts of t he system, par­
t ic ular ly the s afe ty belt or airbag, are to
be disposed. We recommend you have
your authorized A udi dealer perform this
service fo r you .
Service and disposal of safety belt
pretensioner
The safety belt pretens ione rs are parts of the
saf ety be lts on your Aud i. Insta lling, remov­
i ng, se rv ici ng o r repair ing of be lt pre tension­
ers can dam age the safe ty belt sy stem and
prevent it from working correctly in a co lli­
sio n.
T he re a re some impo rtan t thi ngs you have to
kn ow to m ake su re th at the effectiveness o f
t h e sys tem w ill not be impaired and tha t dis­
ca rded components do not cause injury o r pol -
lu te the environment . ..,_ •
•

148 Safety belts
,8. WARNING
Improper care, servicing and repair proce­
dures can increase the risk of personal in­
jury and death by preventing a safety belt pretens ioner from act ivat ing when needed
or act ivat ing it unexpectedly:
- The be lt pretensioner system can be acti­
vated only once. If belt p retens ioners
have been act ivated, the system must be
replaced.
- Never repa ir, adjust, or change any parts
of the safety belt system.
- Safety belt systems includ ing safety be lt
pretensione rs cannot be repaired. Spe­
ci al p rocedures a re required for removal,
installation and disposal of this system.
- For any work on the safety belt system,
we strongly recommend that you see
your authorized Audi dealer or qualified
technician who has an Audi approved re­ pair manual, training and specia l equip­
ment necessary.
@ For the sake of the environment
Undep loyed airbag modu les and preten ­
sioners might be classified as Perchlorate Material -specia l hand ling may apply, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/haza rdou swaste/per­ chlorate. When the vehicle or parts of the
restraint system including airbag modules
safety belts w ith pretens ioners are scrap­
ped, all applicable laws and regulat ions
must be observed. Your autho rized Aud i
deale r is familiar with these requ irements
and we recommend that you have your
dea ler perform this service for you.

-Have the airbag system inspected by
your Audi dealer before transporting
anyone on the front passenger seat.
(D Tips
If the capacitive passenger detection sys­
tem determines that the front passenger seat is empty, the frontal airbag on the
passenger side will be turned off, and the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light will stay
on .
Repair, care and disposal of the airbags
Parts of the airbag system are installed at
many different places on your Audi. Installing,
removing, servicing or repairing a part in an
area of the vehicle can damage a part of an
airbag system and prevent that system from
working properly in a collision.
There are some important things you have to know to make sure that the effectiveness of
the system will not be impaired and that dis­
carded components do not cause injury or pol­
lute the environment.
A WARNING
Improper care, servicing and repair proce­
dures can increase the risk of personal in­
jury and death by preventing an airbag from deploying when needed or deploying
an airbag unexpectedly:
- Never cover, obstruct, or change the
steering wheel horn pad or airbag cover
or the instrument panel or modify them
in any way .
- Never attach any objects such as cup
holders or telephone mountings to the
surfaces covering the airbag units.
- For cleaning the horn pad or instrument
panel, use only a soft, dry cloth or one
moistened with plain water. Solvents or
cleaners could damage the airbag cover
or change the stiffness or strength of the
material so that the airbag cannot de­
ploy and protect properly.
Airbag system 165
- Never repair, adjust, or change any parts
of the airbag system.
- All work on the steering wheel, instru­
ment panel, front seats or electrical sys­
tem (including the installation of audio
equipment, cellular telephones and CB radios, etc .) must be performed by a
qualified technician who has the training
and special equipment necessary.
- For any work on the airbag system, we
strongly recommend that you see your
authorized Audi dealer or qualified work­
shop.
- Never modify the front bumper or parts
of the vehicle body.
- Always make sure that the side airbag
can inflate without interference:
- Never install seat covers or replace­
ment upholstery over the front seat­
backs that have not been specifically
approved by Audi.
- Never use additional seat cushions that
cover the areas where the side airbags
inflate.
- Damage to the original seat covers or
to the seam in the area of the side air­
bag module must always be repaired
immediately by an authorized Audi
dealer.
- The airbag system can deploy only once .
After an airbag has been deployed, it
must be replaced with new replacement
parts designed and approved especially
for your Audi model version. Replace­ ment of complete airbag systems or air­
bag components must be performed by
qualified workshops only. Make sure that
any airbag service action is entered in
your Audi Warranty
& Maintenance book­
let under
AIRBAG REPLACEMENT RE­
CORD .
-For safety reasons in severe accidents,
the alternator and starter are separated
from the vehicle battery with a pyrotech­
nic circuit interrupter.
- Work on the pyrotechnic circuit inter­
rupter must only be performed by a
qualified technicians who have the ...
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