2022-2023 Audi e-tron Pre Sense Warning TSB

Owners of 2022-2023 Audi e-tron and other Audi models may experience unexpected interventions from the Audi pre sense safety system. These interventions can include warnings, jolts, or even partial and emergency braking, leading to concern about the system's behavior. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 2058077/5, issued on May 13, 2021, provides a comprehensive guide for diagnosing and addressing these customer reports.

Symptoms of Unexpected Pre Sense Interventions

Customers typically report an unexpected activation of the Audi pre sense system. This can manifest in several ways:

• "Audi pre sense city warning."
• "Audi pre sense city warning jolt."
• "Audi pre sense city emergency stop."
• "Audi pre sense front warning."
• "Audi pre sense front warning jolt."
• "Audi pre sense front partial braking."
• "Audi pre sense emergency braking."
• Intervention of emergency steer assist.
• Intervention of turning assistant.

When these events occur, the "Audi pre sense" symbol typically appears in the instrument cluster, accompanied by an audible warning. Customers may also note that neither the blinkers were active nor the side windows closed during the event. If you are experiencing an Audi e-tron pre sense warning, it's important to understand the system's normal operation.

Understanding Audi Pre Sense

Audi pre sense is a suite of safety systems designed to help prevent or mitigate collisions. It utilizes various sensors and cameras to monitor the vehicle's surroundings. The system includes:

• Audi pre sense city: Focuses on detecting vehicles and pedestrians at speeds up to approximately 52 mph (85 km/h). It can warn the driver, initiate a jolt, or perform an emergency stop.
• Audi pre sense front: Operates at higher speeds and can detect preceding or stationary vehicles. It can issue warnings, jolts, and initiate partial or full emergency braking.
• Emergency steer assist: Helps the driver steer around obstacles.
• Turning assistant: Aids in preventing collisions when turning across oncoming traffic.

These systems rely on inputs from various control modules, including the J428 adaptive cruise control, R242 front camera for driver assist systems, J104 ABS control module, J769 and J770 lane change assist control modules, J533 data bus diagnostic interface, and J234 airbag control module. For detailed information on the system's limits and functions, owners should consult their vehicle's owner's manual and self-study program 637 (SSP 637), which covers Audi Q7 type 4M passenger protection and infotainment.

Diagnostic Procedure Summary

When a customer reports an unexpected Audi pre sense intervention, technicians follow a specific diagnostic process outlined in TSB 2058077/5. This process involves interviewing the customer and performing specific test programs using the ODIS diagnostic system.

Customer Interview Questions: Technicians will ask the following questions to gather details about the incident:

• When did the Audi pre sense city or Audi pre sense front intervene? (Date and time)
• Was the red Audi pre sense triangle displayed in the instrument cluster during the concern? (Yes/No)
• Did a warning tone sound at the same time a red Audi pre sense triangle was displayed? (Yes/No)
• Did the hazard warning lights turn on or did the side windows close at the same time? (Yes/No)

ODIS Test Programs: Depending on the vehicle model and year, technicians will perform one of two ODIS test programs:

1. Audi pre sense test program: Used for A4/A5/Q5 (all model years), Q7 (MY 2019 and earlier), and Q3 (MY 2019 and later). This program can be found under:

   • Test plan >> select self-test ... >> body >> electrical system >> 01 – self-diagnosis capable systems >> 0013 - adaptive cruise control – J428 >> 0013 – Technical Product Information >> Audi pre sense.
   • Alternatively, for vehicles with a front camera: Test plan >> select self-test ... >> body >> electrical system >> 01 – self-diagnosis capable systems >> 00A5 - front camera for driver assist systems – R242 >> 00A5 – Technical Product Information >> Audi pre sense. This program asks for the date of the customer concern and checks for pre sense interventions three days before and after that date, providing a list of events.

2. Data logging test program: Used for A6/A7/A8/Audi e-tron quattro (MY 2019 and later), and Q7 (MY 2020 and later). This program is found under:

   • Test plan >> select self-test... >> body >> electrical system >> 01 – self-diagnosis capable systems >> 0013 - adaptive cruise control – J428 >> 0013 – Technical Product Information >> Subsystems, marginal conditions >> data logging.
   • Alternatively, for vehicles with a front camera: Test plan >> select self-test... >> body >> electrical system >> 01 – self-diagnosis capable systems >> 00A5 - front camera for driver assist systems – R242 >> 00A5 – Technical Product Information >> Data logging. This program records data, but only a limited number of events are saved.

Interpreting Diagnostic Results and Next Steps

The TSB provides specific actions based on the results of the ODIS test programs:

• No Audi pre sense intervention recorded: If the customer had no recorded pre sense intervention and did not see the symbol, the TSB does not apply, and further analysis is needed.
• Audi pre sense basic event: If the customer saw the pre sense symbol but no warning tone, technicians should explain the operation and limits of Audi pre sense basic, referring to the owner's manual and self-study program.
• Audi pre sense rear event: If the radar sensors of the lane change assist (J769 and J770) detected a critical situation, but the TSB does not apply, technicians should explain the operation and limits of Audi pre sense rear and refer to owner's manual/self-study.
• Audi pre sense city intervention (no front intervention): If pre sense city warnings or jolts occurred on pedestrians but are not saved (due to limited storage or age), technicians should explain the system's operation and limits, and advise observing MMI adjustment options (early/medium/late/off) which influence warning timing.
• Audi pre sense city warning or Audi pre sense front warning: If the vehicle optically and acoustically warned the driver in a critical situation, technicians should explain the system's operation and limits and advise observing MMI adjustment options.
• Audi pre sense judder: If the ABS control module J104 issued an urgent warning with a judder (brief brake activation to alert the driver), technicians should explain the system's operation and limits, and advise observing MMI adjustment options.
• Audi pre sense front emergency stop: If pre sense front calculated sufficient driver braking and supported it, technicians should explain that the system assisted the driver's braking.
• Intervention of emergency steer assist or turning assistant: If the system supported the driver in evading another vehicle or preventing a collision during a turn, technicians should explain the system's operation and limits and refer to the owner's manual/self-study program.
• Audi pre sense emergency brake or Audi pre sense front emergency braking: If the system braked the vehicle automatically (ignoring judder or accelerator pedal release), and the customer feels it braked for no reason, the technician should contact Technical Assistance Center (TAC).

Important Warnings for Owners

Owners should be aware of the following guidelines regarding the diagnostic process for an Audi e-tron pre sense warning:

• The "Audi pre sense" test program should only be performed once per specific concern.
• If the concern has occurred multiple times, the "Audi pre sense" test program should not be performed more than three times in total.
• The "Data logging" test program only saves a limited number of events, meaning older events may be overwritten.

Warranty Information

Warranty claims for this issue are typically covered for up to 48 months or 50,000 miles. For Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles, coverage falls under the G10 claim type, requiring verification of ownership. All claims must adhere to the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures Manual.

Additional Resources

For more in-depth technical information on the Audi pre sense system, technicians and owners can refer to SSP 637, which details the Audi Q7 type 4M's passenger protection and infotainment systems.

NHTSA ID: 10193583