JT4

I just had this discussion with my service advisor when I picked up my Allroad after they repaired my heating issue..

He explained that when the system is set to "Auto" the center vents are NOT functional, he couldn't really explain why but that is the way it's designed.. He also said that when in Auto, you may occasionally feel more air being directed towards either the upper vents or floor vents.. He said this is all based on what the interior sensors are reading, and where they feel more warm or cold air is needed..

bob m

Glad it all worked out and glad they had a good explanation that everything is working the way the Audi engineers designed it to work. Sometimes we have to do a little digging to find out even how the simple things work.

On my wife's 2006 Outback, there are 4 simple ***** - one from OFF to HIGH, one for TEMPERATURE, one for which VENT/VENTS you want to blow the air and one for AC ON or off. No fancy sensors self directing the airflow, just a simple, intuitive system that works well and quickly.

JT4

I agree, and I too sometimes miss how well the "simple things" worked in the past...

MOJOBUG

Any chance this is why I can't get any heat to the back seat passengers no matter what temp they set their zone to? I can't get any air to come out of the vents in the back...

cuke2u

As we've been enjoying some unseasonal warm weather in the UK, 21c, I can tell you that when the CC is cooling the interior the centre vents do come on, mine is always set to auto as well.

RickNY

Warm air rises, cold air falls.. With that in mind -- auto climate systems do this -- When heating, it blows mostly (if not solely) from the floor vents.. When cooling, from the center and side vents.

For the rear seats, heat comes from the vents under the front seats.. For cooling, they come out of the vents in the console.

Also, depending on outside temperature, it may be blended somewhat between top and bottom.