mark555055a

I am looking at used S3s and i'm wondering if there is a way to identify if a car has adaptive cruise control from pictures?

SYMAWD

It will have a camera at the top of the windshield (triangular shaped at the top of the glass). Or if the cruise control stalk is visible, it will have a distance setting.

mark555055a

Thanks. It looks like it needs to have both of those things from what i am seeing. Both of the cars below look to have the camera thingy, but only one has a distance button on the cruise stalk.

https://www.carmax.com/car/16489237
https://www.carmax.com/car/16659199#&gid=1&pid=10

SYMAWD

I forgot for 2015, lane keep assist was a stand alone option which is why the 1st one has the camera. For other model years, I believe the 2 were bundled together.

mark555055a

Good to know, thanks. The search continues.

Raidin

I don't think adaptive cruise uses the camera, but the radar unit instead. I believe the camera is for the lane keep system, among whatever else.

If you look at the bottom of the grill, dead center, you may see on some cars (like the red one in the links) a small window where the radar lens sits. The red car shows it has it, but not the black car.

nate

This is correct. Lane departure assist uses the camera in the windshield behind the rear view mirror. ACC uses the radar module in the front grill.

SYMAWD

Unless you look at a 17+ where all S3s have a radar sensor for Pre sense.

Raidin

Just went and looked at the S3 configurator. Good point, it's standard now. Seems to be exclusive to the S3 though. Still, now a person has to check the interior to be sure for the newer ones.

Tommykazi

Hey Mine's a 2017 s3. Whats the easiest way to check if you have ACC or not.