Audi A4 Owners Manual
Deluxe automatic air conditioner plusControls / Heating and cooling / Deluxe automatic air conditioner plus
Description
The air conditioner is designed to keep the passenger compartment at the temperature you find most comfortable at all times of the year.
The air conditioner provides heating and ventilation and also cools and dehumidifies the air inside the vehicle.
The air conditioner is fully automatic, and will maintain the desired temperature at a constant level. To achieve this, the temperature of the air supplied to the interior, the blower speed (volume of air delivery) and the air distribution are regulated automatically. The system also allows for the effect of strong sunlight, so there is no need for manual adjustment. For these reasons it is advisable to use the automatic mode for the comfort of all the passengers in virtually all conditions throughout the year.
Please note:
The humidity of the air is automatically reduced when the system cools the interior of the vehicle. This helps to prevent condensation on the windows.
If the humidity and temperature outside the vehicle are high, condensation can drip off the evaporator in the air cooling system and form a pool underneath the vehicle. This is normal and does not indicate a leak.
If the outside temperature is low, the blower normally only switches to a higher speed once the coolant has warmed up sufficiently (this does not apply to the defrost setting).
In order to achieve maximum engine power, the air conditioner compressor is temporarily switched off when pulling away from a standstill with full throttle.
The compressor also switches off if the coolant temperature is excessively high, to ensure adequate engine cooling under extreme loads.
Pollution filter
The pollution filter (a combined particle filter and activated charcoal filter) serves as a barrier against impurities in the outside air, including dust and pollen, and against unpleasant smells. The air is also filtered when the air recirculation mode is activated.
For the air conditioner to work with maximum efficiency, the pollution filter element must be replaced at the intervals specified in the Service Schedule.
If the vehicle is driven in areas with a high level of air pollution and the filter is no longer fully effective, it may be necessary to change the filter element more frequently.
Key-coded settings
The currently selected air conditioner settings are automatically stored and assigned to the remote control key.
Power management
To prevent the battery from becoming discharged and to maintain the necessary power level, the system will temporarily shut off the electrical components that are using a lot of power, or reduce the current they are consuming. Heating systems in particular use a large amount of electrical power. If you notice, for instance, that the rear window heater is not working, it may have been temporarily switched off by the power management function, or regulated to a lower heat output. These systems will be available again as soon as sufficient electrical power is available.
WARNING
For safety reasons it is important that all the windows are kept free of ice, snow and condensation. These can cause poor visibility and lead to an accident. Please familiarise yourself with the operating controls for the air conditioner, including the demist/defrost functions for the windows.
Caution
- • If you suspect that the air conditioner is damaged, switch it off to prevent further damage and have the system checked by a qualified workshop.
- • Repairs to the air conditioning system require specialist knowledge and special tools. For this reason, please contact a qualified workshop if the system is not working properly.
Note
- • Keep the air intake slots in front of the windscreen clear of snow, ice and leaves to ensure unimpaired heating and cooling, and to prevent the windows misting over.
- • The air from the outlets flows through the passenger compartment and out through the slots at the rear of the vehicle. Do not cover these slots with clothing or other objects.
- • The air conditioner operates most effectively with the windows and the tilting panorama roof* closed. However, if the vehicle has heated up after standing in the sun for some time, the air inside can be cooled more quickly by opening the windows for a short time.
Controls
The controls for the air conditioner at a glance.
Air conditioner controls
The left-hand display shows the temperature selected for the lefthand side, the right-hand display the temperature for the right-hand side.
The functions can be switched on and off by turning the controls or briefly pressing the buttons. The LEDs in the buttons light up when the function is switched on.
Note
• The grille on the control console, fig. 112 must be kept free. Please ensure that it is not covered by stickers or similar. Measuring sensors are located behind it.
Switching on and off
Switching on air conditioner
– Press the OFF button briefly, or
– Press the AUTO button.
Switching off air conditioner
– Press the OFF button for at least 2 seconds to switch off the air conditioner and cut off the supply of fresh air from outside the vehicle. The display will show “OFF”.
The air conditioner will switch on again if you operate the temperature control.
Note
You can press the OFF button when the ignition is switched off to activate the "residual heat" function. The system will then heat the interior using the remaining heat in the engine coolant.
Automatic mode
The standard operating mode for all seasons.
Switching on automatic mode
– Select a temperature between +16 °C (60 °F) and +28 °C (84 °F).
– Press the AUTO button.
The automatic mode maintains a constant temperature inside the vehicle and dehumidifies the air. Air temperature, air delivery and air distribution are regulated automatically to reach the desired interior temperature as quickly as possible, and then to maintain this temperature. The system automatically compensates for any variations in the outside temperature and for the effect of direct sunlight.
The automatic temperature regulation only operates at temperature settings between +16 °C and +28 °C. If a temperature below +16 °C is selected, LO appears on the display. If a temperature above +28 °C is selected, the display will show HI. In the two extreme settings the air conditioner operates continuously with maximum cooling or heating output, and the temperature is not regulated automatically.
Temperature selection
Separate temperatures can be selected for the driver's and front passenger's sides.
Rotary control for temperature selection
Display: Temperature setting
– Turn the rotary control anti-clockwise to reduce the temperature or clockwise to increase the temperature ⇒ fig. 113.
The temperature setting will be shown on the display of the air conditioner console. The temperature setting will be shown on the screen ⇒ fig. 114 for a few seconds if the sound system or MMI* is switched on.
Blower
The automatically selected blower speed can be reduced or increased manually if required.
Blower button and rotary control
Display: Blower setting
– Press the button for the blower 
.
The air conditioning system automatically regulates the blower speed according to the interior temperature. However, you can also adjust the blower speed manually.
The blower speed will be shown on the screen ⇒ fig. 116 for a few seconds if the sound system or MMI* is switched on.
Note
- • The blower speed may change automatically. This ensures that the selected temperature is reached as quickly as possible.
- • The blower speed cannot be regulated separately for the driver and front passenger sides of the vehicle.
Air recirculation mode
The air recirculation setting prevents fumes etc. from entering the interior.
Switching on the air recirculation mode
– Press the 
button ⇒
.
Switching off the air recirculation mode
– Press the 
button again, or
button, or
button.
In this setting, the air is drawn from the interior of the vehicle, filtered and continuously recirculated. We recommend using the air recirculation mode in the following circumstances:
When driving through a tunnel or in queues of traffic, to prevent fumes entering the interior of the vehicle.
WARNING
For reasons of safety you should not leave the air recirculation switched on for too long. This mode prevents fresh air from entering the vehicle, so the windows can mist over if the air cooling is switched off. Bad visibility can cause an accident.
Air distribution
The automatically programmed air distribution can be altered manually if required.
Air distribution button and rotary control
Display: Air distribution
– Press the button for Distribution
.
You can use the air distribution setting to select the air outlets you wish to
activate. In setting 
all the air is
to the footwells. In addition to this
Switch to 
for automatic control
The air distribution setting will be shown on the MMI display ⇒ fig. 118 for a few seconds if the MMI is switched on.
Defrosting
The windscreen and side windows are defrosted or demisted as quickly as possible.
– To switch on, press the 
button.
button again,
The temperature is regulated automatically. The air output is increased to maximum and most of the air comes out of the outlets below the windscreen.
The air recirculation mode is switched off when the
button is pressed.
Heated rear window
The rear window heating helps to demist the rear window.
– Press the 
button to switch the
The rear window heating only works when the engine is running. An indicator lamp in the button lights up when the rear window heater is switched on.
Depending on the outside temperature, the rear window heating switches off automatically after about 10 to 20 minutes.
The rear window heating can be switched on permanently by pressing the
button for longer than two seconds.
If the engine is started again during this period of 15 minutes, the rear window heating will be switched on for about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the exterior temperature. This means you do not have to manually switch on the rear window heating again if the vehicle has only been parked for a short time.
For the sake of the environment
Switch off the heated rear window manually as soon as the rear window is clear. By saving electrical power you can also save fuel.
AC mode
Deactivating the AC mode
– Press the AC button.
Activating the AC mode
– Press the AC button again.
In the AC mode, the air cooling system is switched on and the heating and ventilation are regulated automatically.
Note
If the LED in the AC button should continue to light up when the AC mode has been switched off (i.e. the air conditioner has been switched off) this is due to a defect in one of the air conditioner components. If a malfunction should occur, please contact a qualified workshop.
Air outlets
The air distribution setting directs the air to the outlets you select.
Dashboard: Location of air outlets
Air outlets 2 and 3
– The outlets can be opened and closed by turning the thumbwheels next to them.
– The direction of air delivery from these outlets can be adjusted horizontally
and vertically using the adjuster in the centre of each outlet grille.
The flow of air from the outlets is controlled either automatically or manually, depending on the operating mode selected. Outlets 1 to 4 can provide air which is either heated, unheated, or cooled.
Note
When the air conditioner is operating in the cooling mode, the air is directed mainly to outlets 2 and 3. To ensure an adequate cooling effect, you should not close these outlets completely.
Air outlets for rear passengers
The air outlets for the rear cabin are located in the centre console.
– The outlets can be opened and closed by turning the thumbwheels.
– The direction of air delivery from these outlets can be adjusted horizontally
and vertically using the adjuster in the centre of each outlet grille.
The flow of air from the outlets is controlled either automatically or manually, depending on the operating mode selected. All the outlets can provide air which is either heated, unheated, or cooled. The heater outlets for the rear footwells are located under the front seats.
Note
When the air conditioner is operating in the cooling mode the air is directed mainly to the outlets in the centre console. To ensure an adequate cooling effect, you should not close these outlets completely.
Economical operation of the air conditioner
Economical operation of the air conditioner will help to save fuel.
When the air conditioner is operating in the cooling mode it reduces engine power and increases fuel consumption. To ensure that the cooling mode is activated only when really necessary, please note the following points:
– Switch off the cooling mode by pressing the AC button (LED off) if you wish
to save fuel.
– You should also switch off the cooling mode by pressing the AC button (LED off)
if you open the windows or the tilting panorama roof* while driving.
– If the vehicle has heated up after standing in the sun, open the windows and doors
for a short time to cool the vehicle.
For the sake of the environment
By saving fuel you also reduce the amount of pollutants emitted from your vehicle.
