What is the Audi TEL button?
3 Answers
The TEL button on an Audi refers to the car phone. Functions of the buttons on the rearview mirror of an Audi: Switch for the anti-glare rearview mirror. The anti-glare rearview mirror consists of a special mirror, two photodiodes, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller receives signals from the photodiodes for front and rear light and is installed under the front windshield of the car. It can be divided into manual anti-glare rearview mirrors and automatic anti-glare rearview mirrors. Functions of the Audi car phone: Making and receiving calls, sending and receiving text messages, caller ID, internet access, digital dialing, address book, call management, setting time and date, etc. There are mainly two types of car communication products on the market: car phones and Bluetooth hands-free systems (referred to as car Bluetooth hands-free). The main difference between the two is that a car phone requires a SIM card, while a car Bluetooth hands-free does not. The car Bluetooth hands-free communicates by pairing with a mobile phone via Bluetooth.
After driving my Audi for so long, I've actually used the TEL button on the steering wheel quite frequently. This button stands for Telephone and is specifically designed to control phone functions. For example, when a call comes in while driving, you can answer it with just one press, and hang up with another press. If your phone is connected to the car's system via Bluetooth, you can also use this button to activate voice dialing or check call history. The most convenient part is not having to look down for your phone, ensuring driving safety. However, when I first started using it, I realized that you must pair your phone via Bluetooth in the MMI system first; otherwise, the button won't respond. Additionally, when your hands are wet on rainy days, the button is more reliable than a touchscreen. Overall, this physical button design is indeed more practical in driving scenarios.
I've studied the TEL button on Audi steering wheels several times. It's positioned right under the thumb on the right side of the steering wheel, marked with a telephone handset icon. Its primary functions are answering and ending calls - a short press answers, and pressing again during a call hangs up. When your phone is connected via CarPlay or Bluetooth, a long press activates voice assistant dialing. Just the other day, my passenger asked why modern cars still keep physical buttons when touchscreens are everywhere. The truth is, physical buttons allow blind operation without taking your eyes off the road, making them much safer than poking at a screen. One detail to note: the button's response speed depends on your phone's signal strength, occasionally causing a half-second delay. Also, remember to end calls before turning off the engine, otherwise the system will automatically reconnect to your last call when you start the car next time.
