audiworld2

Hello,

I was curious if anyone knows if it's possible to retract the MMI screen when the car is on. I was at a dealership today and it only appeared that I could turn off the screen, but the "popped-out" screen would stay up. I would really like to retract the whole screen when I want and just use the virtual cockpit, having nothing in my field of view over the dash.

The Audi rep said it didn't retract for recent safety reasons with back-up camera systems. Just looking for confirmation if this is true.

Additionally, has anyone heard of someone "hacking" an Audi to force screen retraction or other functions? I'm very curious if this is even technically possible.

Thanks!

snagitseven

lentiman

Q7 MKII forum: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q7-...iscussion-211/

superswiss

As said, you are in the wrong forum, but to answer your question, mechanically it is technically a retractable display, but because of the new rear view camera law that became effective earlier this year, displays are no longer allowed to retract on new cars due to the delay in deploying them when the car is put in reverse and the chance of somebody driving over a child before the camera image becomes visible. All newly designed cars have fixed displays now. Retractable displays was largely a fad.

BuckarooBanzai

There is a button in the center stack to manually retract it (last button on the right in the top row of buttons under the vents). Once you press that button it will stay hidden unless you are backing up or you have CarPlay enabled and a call/message comes in. It will then auto-retract afterwards. I've had a few long-term loners for the new generation and, like you, find hiding the screen to be far less distracting.

BuckarooBanzai

So yeah... I guess they updated software or something recently. Drove a loaded Prestige today and the screen won't go down. Maybe they realized that all the extra up-and-down action was a recipe for a lot of failed motors while in-warranty?

ean2007

New 2019 Q7 owner. Has anyone had any luck figure this one out ?

PARealtor

seems like its something set by the factory that cant be overridden. Thank you US govt for their silly back up camera screen rules.

ean2007

surely it can be modified. It still retracts with the button when the engine is off.

Audi-Q

I can confirm your findings! I was just at my local dealer (in this corner of the world) and their "Delivery Specialist" was just informing another customer that very thing! He said it's because it would take up to 3 sec for the parking cameras to come on if the screen was down. 2018 was the last year that the screen can be retracted while the car is moving, he added. Audi considers that delay to be too long for the safe operation of their vehicles. THIS WAS WHEN I JUMPED IN! If safety is their No. 1 concern then why doesn't the parking cameras come on automatically when your car is traveling are under 15km and not when its almost too late to use them when moving forward. It is not safe, and too taxing for the driver, to try and find then push the camera button manually when he/she is half-way into a tight turn! Another thing, WHY IS the camera button placed in one of the hardest place to find, get to, and press while driving? If anything, it should be located on an edge (1st or last) of the button pack instead of near the middle! WTF! Further, these cameras should also remain on when traveling under 15km NOT 10km. Most parking lot maneuvers actually happens above 10km and under 15km. You ever noticed the cameras turn off when you need them most in the parking lot? It is arguably worst for people like me who have had that "LUXURY OF SAFETY" for the pass 10yrs in my 2010 Lexus LX 570! Once under 10km all the cameras come on automatically even BEFORE I needed them! I use them to easily plan my routes/moves into tight spots even BEFORE I get there! NOW! I go in blind, then realizing the cameras no longer comes on automatically, I have to look and hunt for the camera button THAT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A NINE BUTTON PACK! After pushing the correct button, I have to find and turn the "big ****" 2 times to the right, then finally push it down to get to the most useful screen for close-in maneuvers. All this while, I am supposed to be paying full attention to everything else around me?! WOW, talking about taking 5 steps backwards in safety! On a related topic, Audi's titling backup mirror is a joke compare to what Lexus is doing! In my 2010 LX 570, BOTH mirrors tilts (it's way more useful than you might think - I know so). Further, for each of the 3 driver memories, BOTH mirror's tilt angles and their LEFT AND RIGHT PANNING angles are memorized as well! Audi: Only passenger side mirror tilts and with no left and right adjustment and even worst, no individual driver memory. Driver side: (cameras can help but not always) need to roll the window down and let in bad weather elements just so you can stick your head out, usually multiple times, into the cold, wind, rain, snow, and/or hail for quick checks. Nice!

Addendum; Have you notice that "the top of dash" placement of the screen is actually not a good thing? To often, very bright ambient lights from behind the screen makes it very difficult to see, even at the brightest settings. In-dash display naturally eliminates most of this problem.

As for hacking, my preferences would be as follows; turn on all cameras <= 10km, keep cameras on <= 15km, make both mirrors tilt when backing up then, retract the display while driving. Since the MMI is software controlled it can be hacked if you can get to the coding. As for altering long codes, I am also hoping...