S4 Ventilation

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Gray S

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Hi
I'm looking at trading my B8.5 S4 Avant for a nearly new B9 S4 Avant and going to see a car tomorrow which has virtually all the items I want, but none of the ones I'm not interested in.
I noticed on previous B9 loan cars you didn't seem to be able to get air to the windscreen and your face at the same time - I like air to my face plus some air to the windscreen in damp weather (common in Devon) to ensure it does not start to mist up. I mentioned this when I recently tried a B9 S4 and the dealer said there is still sufficient air to the screen to keep it clear even though the controls are just set to the face (why they can't have a separate button for floor, screen and face as in other cars I don't know).
So does the screen stay clear, or do you need to press the demist to keep clear every so often, or forgo air to the face as we did in some cars 25 years ago?
If so I might just keep my B8.5, its only done a very low mileage and in better condition than some demos that I've looked at; but am tempted by the optional virtual cockpit on the B9s.
 
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Not had a problem, you should always leave climate on auto and let it do its thing. If the windscreen is frosty or steamed up I just use the high setting until it's clear.
I would never judge the b9 by its ability to clear the screen as it is so much better than the b8 in everyway...
 
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In my humble experience I have to say that I think the front screen ventilation is a bit poor on the B9! I've noticed it missed quite often regardless of wearher/outside temp.
Having owned all generations of A4's to date I'd even go as far to say it's the worst I've ever experienced for clearing the screen.
Can't believe Audi still haven't stored quick clear heated front screens for the UK market!
I love the one we have in the wife's fiesta!

But not really a major issue for me, still enjoy the S4 and I also had a B8.5 S4 prior.
 
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Gray S said:
Hi
I'm looking at trading my B8.5 S4 Avant for a nearly new B9 S4 Avant and going to see a car tomorrow which has virtually all the items I want, but none of the ones I'm not interested in.
I noticed on previous B9 loan cars you didn't seem to be able to get air to the windscreen and your face at the same time - I like air to my face plus some air to the windscreen in damp weather (common in Devon) to ensure it does not start to mist up. I mentioned this when I recently tried a B9 S4 and the dealer said there is still sufficient air to the screen to keep it clear even though the controls are just set to the face (why they can't have a separate button for floor, screen and face as in other cars I don't know).
So does the screen stay clear, or do you need to press the demist to keep clear every so often, or forgo air to the face as we did in some cars 25 years ago?
If so I might just keep my B8.5, its only done a very low mileage and in better condition than some demos that I've looked at; but am tempted by the optional virtual cockpit on the B9s.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm.

Good question. I've been thinking about this recently too. Pretty quick at getting rid of ice and mist on start up but you're right. On way to work, my hands are pretty cold (I'm POSITIVE they've chosen an alloy that gets FREEZING for the steering wheel as way of subliminal poking to get the heated wheel next time ), and I turn air flow from feet and screen to feet and face/hands.

But, not sure if it's just me 'thinking' the screen needs the air or just being overly conscious it could mist up but I do find myself reverting the flow back to feet and screen once my hands have warmed up. On Auto obviously for flow speed. But your question has made me realise it's something I do every day haha. In short, I agree, not a reason to not get the new S4. It's better than my B8.5 was (albeit less character) but yeah you're right, the airflow is actually quite irritating and never 'just right' like my old one was.


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Thanks for the responses, I've had to postpone my trip to see the car due to an urgent business issue, however, I have raised the ventilation issue with the dealer. He assures me that if you have the ventilation in manual mode you can have air to the face and screen on the drivers side at the same time without going to full demist, it sounds that you may only get air to the screen on the passenger side without air to the face but that would not be a problem.

If any of you kind gentlemen, or ladies, would like to check this out on your B9 it would be much appreciated.
 
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Gray S said:
Thanks for the responses, I've had to postpone my trip to see the car due to an urgent business issue, however, I have raised the ventilation issue with the dealer. He assures me that if you have the ventilation in manual mode you can have air to the face and screen on the drivers side at the same time without going to full demist, it sounds that you may only get air to the screen on the passenger side without air to the face but that would not be a problem.

If any of you kind gentlemen, or ladies, would like to check this out on your B9 it would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...

So what setting would you need to switch to? Can't see face and screen or am I monging it?


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Thundercliffe81 said:
Hmmmm.

Good question. I've been thinking about this recently too. Pretty quick at getting rid of ice and mist on start up but you're right. On way to work, my hands are pretty cold (I'm POSITIVE they've chosen an alloy that gets FREEZING for the steering wheel as way of subliminal poking to get the heated wheel next time ), and I turn air flow from feet and screen to feet and face/hands.

But, not sure if it's just me 'thinking' the screen needs the air or just being overly conscious it could mist up but I do find myself reverting the flow back to feet and screen once my hands have warmed up. On Auto obviously for flow speed. But your question has made me realise it's something I do every day haha. In short, I agree, not a reason to not get the new S4. It's better than my B8.5 was (albeit less character) but yeah you're right, the airflow is actually quite irritating and never 'just right' like my old one was.


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Click to expand...

Is a heated steering wheel an option on the A4 uk market?
 
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Thundercliffe81
I don't know what setting they used, from what I recall on the car I tried there didn't seem to be a position that gave face and screen at the same time, from what Audi Stratford on Avon seemed to say was that when the two sides were not synchronized it then gave the option of face and screen on one side only. I don't fancy travelling 180 miles each way to find out they're wrong. I've just had another dealer call about an S4 which I had enquired about, but on asking the same question I just got sales speak.
 
happytalk73 said:
That's a shame. I didn't see it on options list. I've ordered black edition which comes with FB wheel.

I'm guessing heated wheel is round?
Click to expand...

Hmmmm. Good point. I think it was actually yeah. Not showing now is it?


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@Gray S
I'm just about to go and sit in my car and give it a try (assuming I've understood correctly what you are trying to establish)
Stratford are my local dealers, I've had many cars from them - who are you talking to?
 
I set the drivers side to face and the passenger to screen - is this what you mean?
with the fan speed set to middle there's still a reasonable amount of air blowing from the central dash vent, onto the drivers side of the windscreen.

Like others, I usually just leave mine on Auto, with the occasional max button when the windscreen mists up
IMG 5233
 
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Keef

Thanks, I think that must be what Kye at Stratford Audi means, if it works OK to stop misting up on both sides of the screen and giving me fresh air then I'll probably be giving him another call soon, although my wife cannot understand why I want a new car (at least I've mentioned this time)! I assume Stratford Audi are good if you've bought several cars from them.
 
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I didn't try to actually demist the screen as i was just sat in the car on my drive - so not a real world test!
Like all dealerships, they have good and bad moments - I've only ever had new order cars from them so cant comment on used sales.
I had a big falling out with them a few years back - but since then, the sales guy I go to has been excellent!
 
There are so many variables involved to cause mist inside your car, baromatic pressure, humidity, moisture or water introduced, even what your own skin temperature is at. So sitting inside a car testing whether the screen is misting up is very non-scientific..
 
cuke2u said:
There are so many variables involved to cause mist inside your car, baromatic pressure, humidity, moisture or water introduced, even what your own skin temperature is at. So sitting inside a car testing whether the screen is misting up is very non-scientific..
Click to expand...

I'd love to go for a pint with you mate.
 
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Just out of curiosity as I’ve been thinking the black button behind the steering wheel on the trim is the steering wheel heat button... ive seen it on nearly every a4 ive come across.. what is that button for then?
 
Trip computer to zero it
 
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