2021 AUDI A6 ground clearance

Driving


— Applies to: vehicles with an inclinometer: Do
not rely only on the inclinometer when as-

sessing the driving situation.
Offroad driving
Applies to: allroad

Your vehicle is not an offroad vehicle. Note the
following points when driving offroad:
— Drive slowly and carefully.
—To reduce the risk of underbody damage, pay
attention to the vehicle's ground clearance and
drive across raised areas of the ground with the
wheels on one side of the vehicle, instead of al-
lowing the center of the vehicle to pass over the
raised areas.
—To reduce the risk of becoming stuck, drive
through sandy or swampy areas at a steady
speed and without stopping, if possible.
If necessary, use the following functions:
— Audi drive select* offroad mode > page 112
— Hill hold assist* > page 110
—Inclinometer* > page 109
— Raising the vehicle > page 113
— Limit ESC > page 117

ZA\ WARNING
Only drive in terrain that is suitable for the ve-
hicle and your driving ability.

@ For the sake of the environment
Avoid actions that are damaging to the envi-
ronment. Show respect for the natural envi-
ronment and remain on marked routes.
@ Tips
Clean your vehicle after driving offroad. Dirt
and stones falling off your vehicle can affect
other road users.
Driving through water
If you must drive through water, follow these in-
structions:
— Check the stability of the ground, the current,
and the water depth. If the ground is unstable,
110
there is a strong current, or there are waves,
the water must only reach up to the lower edge
of the body at the most.
— Deactivate the Start/Stop system.
— Drive carefully and no faster than at walking
speeds to prevent the front of the vehicle from
creating waves, because they could splash
above the lower edge of the body. Oncoming
vehicles could also create waves.
— Do not stop the vehicle while in the water.
— Drive in reverse.
— Do not turn the engine off.

ZA WARNING
After driving through water, press the brake
pedal carefully to dry the brakes so that the
full braking effect will be restored.
@) Note
Vehicle components such as the engine, drive
system, suspension, or electrical system can
be severely damaged by driving through wa-
ter.
(i) Tips
If possible, avoid driving through salt water
because it increases the risk of corrosion. Use
fresh water to clean any vehicle components
that come into contact with salt water.
Hill descent assist
Applies to: vehicles with hill hold assist

The “2 button is located in the function bar on
the lower display. It lights up when the system is
turned on.
Hill descent assist can assist you when driving
down hills by maintaining a constant vehicle
speed by automatically braking all four wheels.
You can adjust the speed using the accelerator
and brake pedals. The regulation depends on the
hill and the vehicle speed.
> Switching on: press “2.
> Switching off: press “2 again.

4K0012721BE
Driving dynamic

Depending on the setting, the drive power at the
rear axle will be distributed with the sport differ-
ential* to be more sporty or moderate
> page 116.
In RS models, the sport differential is adjusted
using a separate menu item.
Steering
The power steering will adapt. Light steering is
suitable for long trips on highways or smooth
driving around curves, for example.
Suspension
The suspension adjusts to be tighter or more
comfort-oriented when it comes to compensat-
ing for uneven spots on the road.
The vehicle ground clearance is adjusted by the
air suspension* based on the setting.
Engine sound
The engine sound adapts and can be subtle to
sporty. In the automatic setting, the engine
sound depends on the selected driving program.
quattro with sport differential
Applies to: RS models
Depending on the setting, the drive power at the
rear axle will be distributed with the sport differ-
ential* to be more sporty or moderate
=>page 116.
ESC
Applies to: RS models
The ESC sport mode can be activated. Also refer
to the important information regarding driving
with ESC limited > page 117.
Suspension
Adaptive dampers
Applies to: vehicles with suspension control
The adaptive dampers are an electronically-con-
trolled damping system. The firmness of the sus-
pension will adapt to the driving conditions and
the driving situation. The settings depend on the
selected Audi drive select* mode.
PN Taetey lard fe) a)
Applies to: vehicles with air suspension
The air suspension is an electronically-controlled
suspension and leveling system. The firmness of
the suspension will adapt to the driving condi-
tions and the driving situation. The system balan-
ces out changes in load. The vehicle level will also
adapt gradually to the vehicle speed in order to
reduce the wind resistance at high speeds and in-
crease the ground clearance at low speeds. The
settings depend on the selected Audi drive se-
lect* mode.
Displaying the vehicle level
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Audi drive select.
The filled-in boxes represent the current vehicle
level. The more boxes that are filled in, the high-
er the ground clearance. The box that corre-
sponds with the current vehicle level will flash
while the vehicle is lifting or lowering. The target
level is highlighted in color.
Raising the vehicle
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Audi drive select.
> Press Raise to reach the highest vehicle level
and thus the maximum ground clearance.
> Press Lower to lower the vehicle down again.
The Audi drive select* mode will be changed if
necessary when the vehicle is raised.
The vehicle will lower at speeds of approximately
22 mph (35 km/h) and below. This function may
only be used temporarily when increased ground
clearance is necessary. It is not intended for long
drives.
@) Note
— Also refer to the information about ground
clearance > page 114.
— When transporting the vehicle on a road
carrier, rail carrier, ship carrier, or other car-
rier, it may only be secured at the running
surfaces of the tires (circumference). Secur-
ing the vehicle at the axle components, sus-
pension struts, or towing eyes is not
113
>

Driving dynamic

permitted because the pressure in the air
suspension struts can change during trans-
port. The vehicle might not be secured suffi-
ciently if this happens.
Ground clearance
The vehicle height and clearance can be influ-
enced by the following factors:
— Change in temperature
— Change in load
— Change to the Audi drive select* mode
— Lifting and lowering via the air suspension*

ZA WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, make sure no one
gets pinched when the vehicle level is chang-
ing, for example when cleaning the under-
body or the wheel housings.
@) Note
Always make sure there is enough clearance
above and below the vehicle. This is especially
important for entrances with height restric-
tions, for example, before driving into under-
ground garages. You could also scrape the
ground when driving over the edges of curbs
or on steep ramps, which could damage your
vehicle.
Messages
B Air suspension: malfunction! You may con-
tinue driving slowly at max. XX mph (km/h)

There is a malfunction. Driving stability may be
limited. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility immediately. Do not
drive faster than the speed given in the message.
E@ Air suspension: malfunction! Safely stop ve-
hicle. Steering and ground clearance limited
There is a malfunction. Do not continue driving.
Secure the vehicle against rolling before exiting
the vehicle > page 97. Avoid turning the steering
wheel, because the vehicle ground clearance may
be so low that turning the steering wheel could
114
result in damage to the wheels and wheel hous-
ings.
1 o | Suspension: malfunction! You can continue
driving
There is a malfunction. See an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for as-
sistance.
B Air suspension: vehicle too low. Limited
ground clearance
The vehicle ground clearance is very low. Wait un-
til the air suspension system has restored normal
ground clearance. Have an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility repair the mal-
function immediately if the indicator light does
not turn off after a significant period of time.
B Air suspension: malfunction! Please contact
Service
There is a malfunction. The driving stability may
be limited and the ground clearance may be low.
See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for assistance.
Audi drive select: automatic suspension low-
ering. See owner's manual
The vehicle level is adjusted to the setting stored
for the active personal profile > page 32.
Audi drive select: automatic suspension lift.
See owner's manual
The vehicle level is adjusted to the setting stored
for the active personal profile > page 32.
Steering
Electromechanical steering supports the driver's
steering movements by electronically adapting
the power steering depending on the vehicle
speed. The settings depend on the selected Audi
drive select* mode.
Progressive steering
Applies to: vehicles with progressive steering
The driving dynamic and driving stability are in-
creased by the steering ratio based on the steer-
ing wheel angle. The steering is very direct when

Trailer towing

you are operating the vehicle. Contact an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facili-
ty for more information.
Before you start driving, check all lighting equip-
ment on the trailer while it is hitched to the vehi-
cle.
The headlight range control automatically ad-
justs the light range of the headlights.
Safety chains
Make sure the safety chains are correctly applied
when pulling a trailer. The chains should hang
enough so that the trailer can drive around
curves. However, they must not touch the
ground.
Air suspension
Applies to: vehicles with air suspension
The Audi drive select* comfort mode > page 112
must be selected before you adjust the tongue
weight on the trailer and hitch the trailer >@,
=> page 114.
Likewise, the vehicle cannot be raised manually
using the Raise function > page 114.
The air suspension trailer mode must be switched
on.
Applies to MMI: select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Air suspension:
trailer.
Switch trailer mode off again when you are no
longer towing a trailer.
When using rear carrier systems that are mount-
ed directly on the trailer hitch ball head, you can
also switch trailer mode off manually.
If you must drive on roads that are in poor condi-
tion, you can raise the vehicle again after hitching
the trailer or after adjusting the tongue weight
=> page 114.
Applies to: allroad: You can also increase ground
clearance by selecting the Audi drive select* off-
road or allroad modes > page 112.
Vehicle levels below the values set in the comfort
level will no longer be available, even if you are
lowering the vehicle manually.
120

ZA\ WARNING
Applies to: vehicles with air suspension
— Never turn off trailer mode while driving
when a trailer is hitched, because then the
restrictions for controlling the vehicle level
will be turned off.
— Driving with a trailer on unpaved roads when
the vehicle is raised may change the vehicle
handling. Adapt your speed.
— Note that the vehicle will lower automatical-
ly at certain speeds if you have lifted the ve-
hicle manually.
C) Note
— Applies to: vehicles with air suspension: Se-
lect the Audi drive select* comfort mode.
Otherwise, the tongue load specified for
your vehicle will no longer be applicable.
— Attachments retrofitted on the vehicle may
cause damage, especially on the trailer
hitch ball head. In cases of damage, have
the function checked by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
@) Tips
— Block the wheels with chocks when parking
on inclines if the trailer is loaded.
— Audi recommends having the vehicle in-
spected between the inspection intervals if
you tow a trailer frequently.
— Avoid driving with a trailer during the vehi-
cle break-in period.
Pie Rie Relig
Driving with a trailer requires extra caution.

Speed
Adhere to the legal speed limits. Follow the legal
regulations that are applicable in the country
where you are operating the vehicle.
As the speed increases, the driving stability of
the trailer decreases. Therefore you should not
exceed the maximum legal speed limit when
there are unfavorable road, weather, and/or wind
conditions. This especially applies when driving
downhill.

4K0012721BE
Driver assistance

— The system does not react to a stationary vehi-
cle in the same lane if it expects that you can
easily drive around the stationary vehicle by
turning the steering wheel.
— The system cannot react to stationary objects,
such as vehicles at the end of a traffic jam, es-
pecially when traveling at high speeds.
— The system has a limited ability to detect
vehicles that are a short distance ahead, off to
the side of your vehicle, or moving into your
lane.
— Objects that are difficult to detect, such as mo-
torcycles, vehicles with high ground clearance,
or vehicles with an overhanging load, may be
detected late or not detected at all.
— The system does not respond to people, ani-
mals, or objects that are crossing or approach-
ing from the opposite direction.

ZA WARNING
Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 122.



Display overview
Applies to: vehicles with adaptive cruise assist
RAZ-0205.
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Fig. 100 Instrument cluster: driver assistance display
Indicator lights and messages in the speedome-
ter @ -@ inform you about the driving situation
and the settings. In the Driver assistance display
@- @, you can find more detailed informati
about the system. The displays depend on th
country and equipment.
Display in the speedometer
on
€
The display in the speedometer is not available in
all layouts*.
@ Marking for the set speed
@® Current vehicle speed
@ Available speed range for adaptive cruise as-
sist (example)
Image in the Driver assistance display
The display only appears when the Driver assis-
tance display is open in the on-board computer
=> page 17.
Messages and settings
Your vehicle
Detected vehicle driving ahead
Messages and settings
Set target distance
©O©©QOCO® If you fall below the set distance, the dis
tance bars turn red from the bottom upward.
Lane departure warning availability
©© Availability of lane guidance for adaptive
cruise assist
Indicator lights
A - The speed/distance control is active. No
vehicles were detected ahead. The stored speed
is maintained.
A - The speed/distance control is active. A vehi-
cle was detected ahead. The system controls
speed and distance from the vehicle driving the
ahead, and accelerates and brakes automatically.
EB - The speed/distance control is active but the
vehicle is not ready to drive. A vehicle was de-
tected ahead. Your vehicle is stationary and will
not start driving automatically.
Ba - The speed/distance control is active but the
vehicle is not ready to drive. No vehicles were de-
tected ahead. Your vehicle is stationary and will
not start driving automatically.
B.- The automatic braking is not enough to
maintain a sufficient distance from a vehicle
139
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