Our 2009 Audi A4 has a rearview camera. I really do like rearview cameras in general, as they make backing out of crowded park spaces and driveways less worrisome. This is true even on our A4, which actually has decent outward rear visibility.
I've noticed that our A4's display screen, in particular, is high resolution -- the view is crisper and more detailed than most other backup displays I've encountered. Is it the camera or the display that makes it look better? Not sure.
Like on our departed Q7, the screen's yellow lines bend as you turn the wheel to help show your intended path as you backup. The camera comes bundled with the navigation system, though, so the privilege of seeing more will cost you $2,500. Our A4 doesn't have the ability to play DVDs though its screen, either, though our own Al Austria tells me the new Q5's MMI will allow DVD playback.
In a belated announcement, our A4's It's Not A Tumor tire (for the Govenator version, click here) was replaced last week. Cost us $306.12 ($256 parts, $25 labor) at our favored tire shop, Stokes Tires Pros in Santa Monica.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
adantium says:
11:35 AM, 02/26/09
I would have tried to have the tire repaired under warranty first before paying for the repair outta pocket. Then again my Pockets aren't as deep.
carguy622 says:
11:45 AM, 02/26/09
The display quality is probably a combination of a higher resolution screen with a better lens. A better camera with a low resolution screen would not let you see the benefit of the better camera, and vise versa. After all, if you only improve one end of the equation it benefits neither.
redliner says:
11:51 AM, 02/26/09
Comming soon to a car near you...
Back-up cameras in full 1080p High Definition.
blueguydotcom says:
11:52 AM, 02/26/09
My mother-in-law's prius has one of these. She backed right into a parked car across from my house last Monday. How? She said she was worried about the other cars in our driveway. Huh? Even with a camera you backed into a car?!
ahightower says:
12:02 PM, 02/26/09
No warranty coverage on that tire?
cx7lover says:
12:35 PM, 02/26/09
From what it looked like that damage on the tire wouldn't be warrantied.
mercedesfan says:
02:29 PM, 02/26/09
I agree with you completely Brent. I never cared about backup cameras until I bought a car that had one. It just gives you that extra little bit of security that you aren't going to run into a small child or something.
The real reason I love the system in my car is that when I put it in reverse to parallel park (which I have always been terrible at, I know pathetic) it calculates where the car should be in the spot based upon front and rear sensors and guides me in by turning the steering angle lines red if I am turning too sharply or not enough. It helps me to keep my dignity when driving clients around.
adavis2493 says:
03:17 PM, 02/26/09
Problem with the A5 is that the position of the rear wheels, and lack of mud-flaps it that any sort of dirt of rain splashes the back, making the Camera dirty and hard to see out of. That is only the A5/S5 though.
bigfan2000 says:
05:39 PM, 02/26/09
A backup camera on an A4. That is pathetic - if you can't back that up, turn in your driver's license.
I get nearly the same effect from the $15 stick-on rear guard window lens on my Suburban (http://www.dyersonline.com/Products/6x8-Rearguard-Window-Lens__56487.aspx), and I don't have to worry about it breaking.
stephen987 says:
06:23 PM, 02/26/09
Sorry, but what ever happened to turning around and looking?
hansverner says:
07:03 PM, 02/26/09
Audi A4 station wagon = badge conscious VW buyers
newenglandA4 says:
08:06 PM, 02/26/09
Wow ... very harsh comments. I have this car and love it. Never had a backup camera before, it has taken me sometime to get used to. It is great for those tight parking lots spaces .... not a necessity on this car but a great feature to have. I am surprised by the clarity of the monitor. So far I have but on about 5300 miles in the harsh New England weather. Amazing traction/gas mileage/comfort. I am very happy with my decision to buy this car.
bmwbig6 says:
07:10 AM, 02/28/09
Some of you sound like a bunch of Luddites. :)
Turning around and looking won't help you spot everything. There are a number of things the wide-angle camera lens will catch that your rubbernecking won't (either because of size, location, or movement). Things like crouching children, pets, toys, and other obscured objects like hydrants, utility boxes, trailer hitches, etc. It's not a replacement for turning around and looking, but I'll take all the help I can get (including the radar sensors that increase beeping frequency with obstacle proximity).
The camera also takes the guess-work out of parallel parking or reversing into a parking space correctly on the first try.
You don't have to use the camera if you don't want to, and it's optional so it's not like Audi makes you pay for it either.
Debunker says:
06:21 PM, 02/28/09
I have to agree with the previous two posters. I even have to wonder whether some of the "critics" have actually driven the cars they so authoritatively comment on. I mean, if you don't want an Audi, that's certainly fine. As for the "badge snob" reference, would someone kindly provide me with a list of cars that will not offend, as I could use the guidance.