Audi A3  Setting off  Heating and cooling  Heating system / air conditioner
Applies to vehicles: with automatic air conditioner
The rotary controls are used to adjust the temperature and blower speed. The functions can be switched on and off by pressing the buttons. The LED in the corresponding button lights up when the function is switched on.
The rear window heating Link and seat heating Link are described in separate sections of this manual.
Automatic air conditioner
We recommend pressing the AUTO button and setting the temperature to 22 °C (72 °F). The air conditioner is fully automatic, and will maintain the desired temperature at a constant level. The temperature of the air supplied to the interior, the blower speed and the air distribution are regulated automatically. When the heater is on, the blower normally only switches to a higher speed once the coolant has warmed up sufficiently (this does not apply to the defrost setting).
A/C Switching air cooling on/off
The air cooling mode is switched on/off when the A/C button is pressed. When the air cooling is switched off, the air is neither cooled nor dehumidified. The windows may mist up as a result. The air cooling is switched off automatically at low outside temperatures.
AUTO Switching automatic mode on/off
The automatic mode is switched on when the AUTO button is pressed. The AUTO mode is switched off immediately when you operate any of the manual air controls. The automatic mode maintains a constant temperature inside the vehicle. Air temperature, output and distribution are regulated automatically. The "eco" mode*1) is activated if you press the AUTO button briefly while automatic mode is active. Fuel is saved in "eco" mode* because the settings respond more passively. The "eco" mode* is on when eco appears in the console display. The "eco" mode* is deactivated when you press the AUTO button again.
/ Selecting the temperature
The temperature setting can be controlled individually via the controls for the driver's and front passenger's side. The temperature can be adjusted between +16 °C (+60 °F) and +28 °C (+84 °F). Outside this range, LO or HI will appear on the air conditioner display. In the two extreme settings the air conditioner operates continuously with maximum cooling or heating output, and the temperature is not regulated automatically.
Synchronisation: By pressing the AUTO button for 2 seconds, the temperature of the passenger's side can be set to the temperature of the driver's side. The settings remain synchronised until the temperature is changed on the passenger's side.
Adjusting the blower speed
You should leave the blower on at a low setting to prevent the windows from misting up. You can adjust the blower speed manually. Press the AUTO button for automatic control of the blower speed.
Adjusting the air distribution
Buttons , and are used to adjust the air distribution. Press the AUTO button for automatic air distribution.
The round air outlets in the dashboard can be adjusted Link.
To prevent the front side windows from misting up in wet weather, we recommend opening the side air outlets, pointing them to the side and selecting the "spot" setting Link.
Foot-level air outlets underneath the front seats and adjustable air outlets at the end of the centre console are provided to heat the rear cabin.
Switching the defroster on/off
The windscreen and side windows are defrosted or demisted as quickly as possible. 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 deactivated. The temperature is regulated automatically. At setting the A/C cooling mode is automatically activated depending on the ambient temperature.
The defroster is switched off when the AUTO button is pressed.
Switching air recirculation on/off
The air recirculation mode can be switched on manually or automatically*.
  • To switch the manual air recirculation mode on/off, press the  button. The LED is lit when the function is on.
  • The automatic* air recirculation function must be activated on the MMI. Select MENU button > Car > control button Systems* > AC > Auto recirculation. The air quality sensor, which is designed for the detection of diesel and petrol exhaust fumes, automatically switches the air recirculation mode on or off depending on the level of pollution in the outside air.
In air recirculation mode, the air from the interior of the vehicle is filtered and recirculated. This setting prevents fumes etc. from entering the interior. We recommend switching on the air recirculation mode when driving through a tunnel or in traffic queues WARNING!.
The air recirculation mode is switched off when the or AUTO or button is pressed.
If the engine is cold, the air conditioner will automatically switch to air recirculation mode when the vehicle is reversing.
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.
1) This function is not available on all export versions.

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