support when driving (driver assistance
systems). In addition, your vehicle offers
comfort or entertainment functions which
are also made possible with electronic con-
trol units.
Electronic control units contain data memo-
ries which can permanently or temporarily
store technical information on vehicle con-
dition, component stress, service require-
ments as well as technical incidents and
faults.
This information generally documents the
condition of a component, a module, a system
or of the environment such as:
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operating states of system components
(e.g. fluid levels, battery status, tyre pres-
sure)
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status messages of the vehicle or its indi-
vidual components (e.g. wheel revolu-
tions/speed, deceleration in movement,
lateral acceleration, display of seat belts
fastened)
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malfunctions and defects in key system
components (e.g. the lights and brakes)
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information on incidents in which the
vehicle is damaged
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reactions of the systems in specific driv-
ing situations (e.g. deployment of an air-
bag, use of stability control systems)
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ambient conditions (e.g. temperature, rain
sensor)
In addition to the provision of control unit
functions, this data serves to detect and rec-
tify faults as well as to optimise vehicle
functions by the manufacturer. Most of this
data is volatile and is only processed in the
vehicle itself. Only a small proportion of the
data is stored in event or error memories.
When service work is done on your vehicle,
the technical data from the vehicle can be
read out by service network staff or third
parties. Service work is, for example, repair
work, maintenance, warranty claims and
quality assurance measures. The data is read
out using the legally prescribed OBD (Euro-
pean On-board Diagnostics) connector in the
vehicle. The respective workshop of service
network or third parties collect, process and
use the data. The data documents technical
states of the vehicle, help in finding errors
and in improving quality and are transferred
to the manufacturer if necessary. In addition,
the manufacturer is subject to product lia-
bility. For this purpose, the manufacturer
requires technical data from vehicles.
Error memories in the vehicle can be reset by
a service outlet during repairs or service
work.
Depending on the equipment selected, you
can enter data in comfort and infotainment
functions of the vehicle.
This includes, for example:
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multimedia data, such as music, films or
photos for playback in an integrated mul-
timedia system
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address book data for use in an integrated
hands-free system or an integrated navi-
gation system
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navigation destinations entered
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data on the use of Internet services
This data can be saved locally in the vehicle
or it is located on a device which you have
connected to the vehicle. As long as this data
is saved in the vehicle, you can delete it at
any time. Transfer of this data to third par-
ties only occurs at your request, especially
as part of online services according to the
settings you have selected.
You can save comfort settings/individuali-
sation in the vehicle and change them at any
time.
Depending on the equipment, these include,
for example:
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settings for seat and steering wheel posi-
tions
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suspension and air-conditioning settings
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individualisation such as interior lighting
As long as your vehicle is suitably equipped,
you can connect your mobile phone or
another mobile end device with the vehicle.
You can operate these devices via the control
elements integrated in the vehicle. Images
and sound from the mobile phone can played
back via the multimedia system. At the same
time, certain information is transferred to
your mobile phone.
This includes, depending on the type of inte-
gration, for example:
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general vehicle status
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position data
This allows the use of selected mobile phone
apps, e.g. navigation or music playback.
There is no further interaction between
mobile phone and vehicle; in particular there
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>> Introduction.
