Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 96 number 13-60 dated May 23, 2013. Audi Lane Change Assistant (Side Assist) deactivates or is sporadically inoperative when the vehicle is driven in slow-moving, stop-and-go traffic or when it is driven for long periods of time on open roads that have no traffic. A warning message is seen in the instrument cluster driver information system stating ?Audi side assist unavailable: Sensors blocked?. The system is able to be activated approximately ten minutes after the traffic condition is removed, or after an ignition cycle. Audi Lane Change Assistant can be activated without issue. No obstructions can be found. DTCs are stored in the Lane Change Assistance control module. No damage is found to the rear bumper area, inside and outside (If any damage is found, it is not covered under warranty). The control unit mounting brackets are securely fastened to the lower rear bumper, and they are not lose or broken. If a loose bracket is found, repair as necessary using the ElsaWeb Repair Manual. Submit a separate warranty claim, as this TSB does not cover this repair. The software of the Lane Change Assistance control module can deactivate the Audi Side Assist system in certain normal driving conditions because the nature of these driving conditions make it difficult for the Audi Side Assist system to track vehicles.
