AUDI S4 2008 Owners Manual

Audi side assist149
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Audi side assistLane change assist featureApplies to vehicles: with side assistDescription
The side assist function assists the driver when changing
lanes.The side assist function employs radar sensors ⇒fig. 163 to assist
the driver in monitoring following traffic and the blind spots on both
sides of the car ⇒page 151, fig. 166. Warning lamps are incorporated in the two exterior mirrors
⇒
fig. 164. The warning lamp on the left-hand mirror assists the
driver when changing lane towards the left and the warning lamp
on the right-hand mirror assists the driver when changing lane
towards the right.
When one of these lamps lights up, this is to inform you that the
side assist has detected a vehicle on that side and calculates that a
lane change would be critical. This is the first stage of the warning,
referred to as the information mode ⇒ page 151 . This stage of the
warning is designed to be visible only when you look in the exterior
mirror.
If you operate the turn signal when the side assist has registered
what it judges to be a critical vehicle, the lamp on th e exterior mirror
will then flash several times with greater intensity. This is the
warning mode ⇒ page 151 .
Applies to vehicles: with side assistSwitching on and off
Fig. 163 Rear bumper:
Position of radar
sensors (not externally
visible)Fig. 164 Warning lamp
on exterior mirror
(driver's side)
Fig. 165 Driver's door:
Button for side assist
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Audi side assist
150
Switching on
– Press the button ⇒page 149, fig. 165. The red indicator
lamp in the button will light up.
Switching off
– Press the button again. The indicator lamp in the button will go out.The system is designed to provide assistance on motorways and
other out-of-town roads, so it only operates at speeds above about
60 km/h.
WARNING
•
Please note that the sensors ar e not always able to detect all
vehicles which may represent a po tential hazard (accident risk).
•
Please note that the side assist is not able to give adequate
warning of vehicles approaching very fast from behind, or vehicles
that you are overtaking rapidly.
•
The radar sensor's "field of vision" can be impaired by rain,
snow or a lot of water on the road. This results in vehicles not
being reliably recognised or, in some circumstances, not being
detected at all by the side assist. Al ways give your full attention to
the position of your vehicle on the road and other nearby traffic.
•
The side assist only gives a warning of approaching vehicles
and vehicles in the blind spots when road speed is above 60 km/h.
•
Please note that the side assist does not operate in tight bends
(with a radius of less than 200 metres).
•
The side assist feature is not a su bstitute for the full concentra-
tion of the driver. The driver is al ways responsible for the safety of
lane changes and other manoeuvres. Always give your full atten-
tion to the position of your vehicle on the road and other nearby
traffic.
Caution
•
To avoid impairing the function of the side assist, do not attach
any objects (e.g. stickers or bicycle carriers) in such a way that they
might interfere with the radar sensors in the rear bumper.
•
Make sure that the warning lamps on the exterior mirrors are not
obscured by stickers or other objects.Note
•
To ensure that the side assist function works properly, do not
allow snow and ice to accumulate on the rear bumper near the radar
sensors. Please observe the additional notes on ⇒page 157 .
•
The side assist function will be switched off automatically when
the electrical connector for the trailer socket is plugged in on vehi-
cles with a factory-fitted towing bracket.
•
The side assist should be switched off manually when towing a
trailer if the vehicle is equipped with a towing bracket which was not
factory-fitted.
•
The side assist system will switch off automatically if it detects
an obstruction that impairs the function of the radar sensors.
•
The warning lamps on the exterior mirrors may not be properly
visible if tinted foil is affixed to the side windows on the driver's or
passenger's side.
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Audi side assist151
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with side assistArea covered by the radar sensorsThe area covered by the radar sensors ⇒fig. 166 consists of:•
The rearward approach zone (light green area: up to about 50
metres) and
•
Blind spots (dark green area) .
The radar sensors monitor the lanes immediately to the left and
right of your vehicle. Other lanes are not covered by the sensors.Note
The side assist system is programmed for lanes of a fixed width, and
is not able to measure differing lane widths. It monitors a zone
equivalent to one normal lane width on either side. If the lanes are
narrower than this, or if vehicles are not travelling in the centre of
the lanes, the system may register vehicles that are not in fact trav-
elling in an adjacent lane ⇒page 156 .Applies to vehicles: with side assistHow the system worksWhen other vehicles are detected, the side assist system registers
their distance and how fast they are approaching. The warning lamp on the relevant exterior mirror will light up whenever the side assist
calculates that the distance and the speed differential of
approaching vehicles would be critical in the event of a lane change.
The warning lamp may light up when you are being overtaken and
when you are overtaking another vehicle.
If you are overtaking slowly, with a speed differential of less than
15 km/h, the warning lamp will light up as soon as the other vehicle
enters your blind spot and is detected by the sensors. If you are
overtaking with a speed differential which is greater than this the
lamp will not give a warning.
Applies to vehicles: with side assistInformation mode and warning modeThe side assist has two modes of operation•
The information mode and
•
The warning mode
The side assist will respond in the appropriate mode, depending on
whether or not you operate the turn signal to indicate an intended
lane change.
Information mode
As long as you do not operate the turn signal, the side assist will
merely inform you of the presence of vehicles that it has detected
and judges to be critical in the event of a lane change. The warning
lamp on the relevant exterior mirror will light up with low intensity
whenever the side assist calculates that the distance and the speed
differential of an approaching vehicle are critical.
The intensity of the warning lamp in this information mode is delib-
erately kept relatively low, so that it does not distract you while you
are looking at the road in front and do not intend to change to a
different lane. The information mode is clearly visible when you look
in the exterior mirror.
Fig. 166 Schematic
diagram: Area covered
by the radar sensors
A1
A2
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Audi side assist
152Warning mode
If you operate the turn signal when the side assist has detected a
vehicle on that side that it judges to be critical in the event of a lane
change, the warning lamp on the relevant exterior mirror will flash
brightly several times. This is the warning mode: if the lamp flashes
brightly it warns you th at you should check the situation again in the
mirror and by looking back over your shoulder ⇒ in “Safety
notes” on page 157.
Note
You can adjust the brightness of the warning lamps on the exterior
mirrors via the MMI ⇒ page 155.Applies to vehicles: with side assistSituation with vehicle approaching rapidly from behindFig. 167 side assist: Vehicles approaching rapidly from behind
Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
The sensors have not detected any vehicles. The warning lamp on
the exterior mirror does not light up ⇒ in “Safety notes” on
page 157 .
Warning lamp lights up in information mode
The sensors have detected a rapidly approaching vehicle - in this
example in the left-hand lane. Because of its approach speed, this
vehicle is already judged to be critical in the event of a lane change
even though it is still some distance away. The warning lamp on the
exterior mirror lights up in the information mode ⇒page 151 .
Warning lamp flashes in warning mode
If you operate the turn signal in situation , the warning lamp on
the exterior mirror will flash briefly several times. This calls your
attention to the presence of a vehicle which you may have over-
looked.Note
•
The faster a vehicle approaches, the earlier the warning will
appear on the exterior mirror. In all cases, the side assist will give a
warning for the vehicles it has detected at the latest when they enter
the “blind spot”.
•
If a vehicle is approaching at high speed it is possible that a lane
change may be critical, even though no warning is given.
A1A2A3
A2
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Audi side assist153
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with side assistSituation with vehicle approaching slowly from behindFig. 168 side assist: Vehicles approaching slowly from behind and vehicles in
the blind spot Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
The sensors have detected a slowly approaching vehicle - in this
example in the left-hand lane. Because it is relatively far away and
only approaching slowly, no warning will appear on the exterior
mirror ⇒ in “Safety notes” on page 157.
Warning lamp lights up in information mode
The slowly approaching vehicle is now closer. The warning lamp on
the exterior mirror lights up in the information mode.
The warning lamp on the exterior mirror will only light up if the side
assist calculates that the distance and the speed differential of
approaching vehicles would be critic al in the event of a lane change. In all cases, the side assist will light up to indicate the vehicles it has
detected at the latest when they enter the “blind spot”.
Warning lamp flashes in warning mode
If you operate the turn signal in situation , the warning lamp on
the exterior mirror will flash briefly several times. This calls your
attention to the presence of a ve hicle which you may have over-
looked.
Note
•
The faster a vehicle approaches, the earlier the warning will
appear on the exterior mirror. The si de assist will give a warning for
the approaching vehicles it has detected at the latest when they
enter the “blind spot”.
•
If a vehicle is approaching at high speed it is possible that a lane
change may be critical, even though no warning is given.
A1A2
A3
A2
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Audi side assist
154Applies to vehicles: with side assistSituation when you are slowly overtaking other vehiclesFig. 169 side assist: Other vehicles being overtaken slowly Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
The vehicle you are overtaking has not yet been detected by the side
assist. The warning lamp on the exterior mirror does not light up
⇒ in “Safety notes” on page 157.
Warning lamp lights up in information mode
The vehicle you are passing slowly (with a speed differential less
than 15 km/h) is detected by the side assist. The warning lamp on
the exterior mirror lights up in the information mode.
Warning lamp flashes in warning mode
If you operate the turn signal in situation , the warning lamp on
the exterior mirror will flash briefly several times. This calls your attention to the presence of a vehicle which you may have
overlooked.
Applies to vehicles: with side assistSituation when you are rapidly overtaking other vehiclesFig. 170 side assist: Other vehicles being overtaken rapidly Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
The vehicle you are overtaking has not yet been detected by the side
assist. The warning lamp on the exterior mirror does not light up
⇒ in “Safety notes” on page 157.
Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
The vehicle you are passing rapidly (with a speed differential greater
than 15 km/h) is detected by the side assist but is not judged to be
critical in the event of a lane change since it is dropping back
A1A2A3
A2
A1A2
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Audi side assist155
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
quickly. The warning lamp on the ex
terior mirror does not light up
⇒ in “Safety notes” on page 157.
Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
If you operate the turn signal in situation , the warning lamp on
the exterior mirror will still not give any warning ⇒ in “Safety
notes” on page 157.
Applies to vehicles: with side assistAdjusting brightness of warning lamp on exterior mirror
You can adjust the brightness of the warning lamp on the
sound system or MMI*.– Select: Function selector button > Audi side assist
> Warning lamp: brightness .The brightness of the warning lamp in both the information and
warning modes is regulated automatically according to the ambient
light level. You can also adjust the basic brightness level of the
warning lamp yourself via the function Warning lamp: brightness.
The new brightness level will be displayed briefly while you are
making the adjustment. The brightne ss level that is shown at this
point is the intensity of the lamp when it comes on in the informa- tion mode. The intensity of the lamp in the warning mode is linked
to the intensity in the information mode.
The brightness of the lamp in the
information mode should be set
so that you can see the lamp when you glance at the exterior mirror,
but are not aware of it when l ooking forwards through the wind-
screen.
If you are in very dark or very light surroundings when you adjust the
brightness of the warning lamp, the automatic brightness control
may already have reached the lowest or the brightest setting. Under
these circumstances the brightne ss of the warning lamp on the
exterior mirror may not change visibly when you alter the basic
brightness level .
If you adjust the basic brightness level while the vehicle is in in very
dark or very light surroundings, the change in the setting may only
become visible in surroundings of more moderate brightness.
Note
•
The side assist is not active while you are changing the bright-
ness setting; the brief flash of the warning lamp is only intended to
help you make the desired setting.
•
Your personal settings are stored automatically and assigned to
the remote control key which is being used.
Applies to vehicles: with side assistGeneral notesThe side assist system has inherent limitations in some situations.
For this reason, please take particular care:•
When driving through bends ⇒page 156
•
On roads with varying lane widths ⇒page 156 .
A3
A2
Fig. 171 Display:
Adjusting brightness
of warning lamp
CAR
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Audi side assist
156Applies to vehicles: with side assistWhen driving through bendsThe side assist cannot detect vehicles in tight bends (with a radius
of less than 200 metres).
When driving through a bend, the side assist may react to a vehicle
that is two lanes away and activate the warning lamp in the exterior
mirror.Applies to vehicles: with side assistLane widthsThe side assist system is designed to cover adjacent lanes of normal
width on both sides of your vehicl e (left and right), regardless of whether you are driving directly in the centre of your lane or further
to one side.
If the lane widths are reduced, the sensors may also detect vehicles
in additional lanes, especially if you are driving further to one side
of your lane
⇒fig. 173. In such situations the system may react to
vehicles travelling two lanes away, so that the side assist activates
the information or the warning mode.
Similarly, if the lanes are very wi de, it is possible that the system
may not detect vehicles in the adjacent lane because they are
outside the area covered by the sensors.
NotesApplies to vehicles: with side assistMessages in the instrument cluster displayShould the side assist be deactivated automatically, the indicator
lamp in the button will go out an d a message will appear in the
instrument cluster display:
Audi side assist not avai lable: sensors blocked
The sensors, which are not external ly visible, are incorporated on
either side of the rear bumper ⇒ page 149, fig. 163. To ensure the
proper function of the side assist system, do not attach any objects
(such as stickers or bicycle carriers, etc.) to the rear bumper in such
a way that they might obstruct th ese sensors. Should the function
of the system be impaired, the instrument cluster display will show
this message. Please check whether anything is obstructing the
sensors and remove the obstruction if necessary.
Audi side assist curr ently not available
The side assist is temporarily inoperative and cannot be switched
on (for instance if the battery is not sufficiently charged).
Fig. 172 Lanes of
normal width are
covered by the sensorsFig. 173 Narrow lanes:
side assist may react
to vehicles travelling
two lanes away
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Audi side assist157
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Audi side assist: system fault
The system should be checked by an
Audi dealership or other qual-
ified workshop.
Audi side assist not available when towing
On vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket the side assist func-
tion will be switched off automatically when the electrical connector
for the trailer is plugged in, and this message will appear in the
instrument cluster display. The side assist function may not be
switched off automatically if the towing bracket is not of the factory-
fitted type.
Applies to vehicles: with side assistSafety notesThe function of the side assist can be restricted when driving in
tight bends or over crests and in bad weather conditions.
It is possible that the radar sensors may register objects such as
high or offset roadside barrie rs as well as other vehicles.
The side assist system is programmed for lanes of a fixed width, and
is not able to measure differing lane widths. It monitors a zone
equivalent to one normal lane width on either side. If the lanes are
narrower than this, or if vehicles are not travelling in the centre of
the lanes, the system may give a warning for vehicles which it
judges to be critical, even though they are not in fact travelling in an
adjacent lane.
WARNING
•
Please note that the sensors are not always able to detect all
vehicles which may represent a potential hazard (accident risk).
•
Please note that the side assist is not able to give adequate
warning of vehicles approaching very fast from behind, or vehicles
that you are overtaking rapidly.
•
The radar sensor's "field of vision" can be impaired by rain,
snow or a lot of water on the road. This results in vehicles not
being reliably recognised or, in some circumstances, not being
detected at all by the side assist. Al ways give your full attention to
the position of your vehicle on the road and other nearby traffic.
•
The side assist only gives a warning of approaching vehicles
and vehicles in the blind spots when road speed is above 60 km/h.
•
Please note that the side assist does not operate in tight bends
(with a radius of less than 200 metres).
•
The side assist feature is not a substitute for the full concentra-
tion of the driver. The driver is always responsible for the safety of
lane changes and other manoeuvres. Always give your full atten-
tion to the position of your vehicle on the road and other nearby
traffic.Caution
To avoid impairing the function of the side assist, do not attach any
objects (e.g. stickers or bicycle ca rriers) in such a way that they
might interfere with the radar sensors in the rear bumper.
Note
For reasons of safety, the side assist system must be checked by a
qualified workshop if the positions of the radar sensors have been
affected by a rear-end collision, etc.Applies to vehicles: with side assistConformity certificationThe side assist employs radar sensors operating in one of two
frequency bands at 24 GHz. Please note that in some countries only
one of these two frequency bands is permitted. Accordingly, the
frequency band permitted in the country where the vehicle is being
WARNING (continued)
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Audi side assist
158operated must be set by a qualified workshop, or if necessary the
side assist must be deactivated.
The manufacturer certifies that, when used in the authorised
manner, the side assist conforms with the requirements of §3 and
the other relevant provisions of the “1999/5/EC Guideline issued by
the European Parliament and the European Council”.
The side assist is certified for use in the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, GB/Northern Ireland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, (San Marino, Vatica n City), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxem-
bourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slov-
enia, Spain (Andorra, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands), Sweden,
Switzerland.
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