Wow. Nice car. So refined. The A5 has this really smart feature that should be standard on all cars - When you put the car in reverse it turns the stereo down. I would love this feature for my MINI. So simple and yet so smart.
There may be a way to do this - I will work on it. :-)

 

Perhaps it has the Audi equivalent of PDC? I would think if there are going to be audible signals during backing up, the background sound would need to be reduced.

When I get my 2015 on order, I can test since I was forced to add the rear camera and PDC as they are additional requirements for the fully loaded package (as in the alarm system).

 

AA - I have PDC and the rear camera. The A5 had PDC also but no camera.
It just seems like a smart move to have relative silence when you are reversing as it is probably one on the most potentially dangerous things you can do in any car

 

The reduced volume in the Audi or any other brand that has it is a nice thing to have and you can control how low you want the volume to go or mute it completely while reversing, also true with the PDC, you can adjust the PDC volume and frequency so that even if you opt to leave the radio volume intact while reversing the PDC volume will be louder if you choose to.

 

Tell me about it! In 40+ years of driving, I've never had a "going forward" accident (knocking on wood as I typed). But backing up, it's "don't ask, don't tell". However, silence likely had nothing to do with it -- though I do agree it's a very good feature to have.

 

I would love that. I just got a Mazda3 and it has a camera but also rear-cross traffic alert which is so helpful. Miss my MINI, but love the features in this car!

 

Greg, if anyone can figure out a way to do this in their MINI, you can.

 

I believe a phone call mutes the audio until the call completes which would provide a good trigger. We would need to tap into and monitor the processor controlling that stuff to develop an understanding of the control signals used. Detailed service manuals would be a good start if available.

 

zwazoo and of course putting the car into reverse will activate some switches...reversing lights? Rear camera? distance sensors...

 

The fix would be to tie the signal from reverse into the audio mute signal pin that the phone call triggers. If I had a schematic showing those control lines it really wouldn't be that hard. A buffer circuit would most likely be needed to keep everything loaded properly. Otherwise some experimentation to make sure it releases properly, unmutes when moved out of reverse. Lastly, would be physical access, cable pin or circuit board connection.

The hardest part with most manufacturers is getting the information required as they really don't want it available outside of their service shops. Even then it is hard to get a portable copy. Personally, having done this type of work, I wouldn't work on my car much less recommend someone else attempt this type of mod without a schematic and certain test equipment. I have the equipment and car, need only the schematic. Hopefully, over time the service info. including schematics we would need will become available.

 

zwazoo- you and my step father (robotics engineer)! Will hound my dealership and see what I can get!

 

Gregory,

I'll see my dealer this Saturday, meeting local club also, hopefully I can find out what is available. Sounds good,

Tom