2017-2024 Audi S5 4 Door Safety User Manual
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Safety for Your Audi S5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2024)

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Safety  
151  
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152  
Safe driving  
Safe driving  
General notes  
• Belt force limiters for the front seats,  
• Belt pre-tensioners for the front seats,  
• Head restraints for all seats,  
Safety is the first priority  
• Optimised protection against injuries of the cervical vertebrae,  
• Front airbags,  
Your safety is our first priority.  
This chapter contains important information, tips, sugges-  
tions and warnings that you should read and observe for  
your own safety and the safety of your passengers.  
• Side airbags in the backrests of the front seats,  
• Head-protection airbags (sideguard system),  
• “ISOFIX” mountings* for “ISOFIX” child safety seats on the rear  
seats,  
WARNING  
• Height-adjustable head restraints on the seats,  
• Adjustable steering column.  
These individual safety features are harmonised to provide you and  
your passengers with the best possible protection in accident situ-  
ations. However, they can only be effective if you and your passen-  
gers sit in the correct position and adjust and use the safety equip-  
ment properly.  
• The information in this chapter is important for the driver of  
the vehicle and all passengers. The other chapters in this manual  
(and, where applicable, in the other literature supplied with the  
vehicle) contain further important notes which you should read  
and observe for your own safety and that of your passengers.  
• Ensure that the complete vehicle wallet is always in the vehicle.  
This is especially important when you lend or sell the vehicle to  
others.  
For these reasons, this chapter explains why these safety features  
are so important, how they can protect you, what you need to  
remember when using them, and how you and your passengers can  
gain the most benefit from them. There are also a number of impor-  
tant safety warnings which you and your passengers should always  
observe in order to minimise the risk of injury.  
Safety features  
The safety features listed here are part of the vehicle's  
occupant restraint system. They work together to help  
reduce the risk of injury in a wide variety of accident situ-  
ations.  
Safety is everyone's responsibility!  
Before every trip  
Your safety and the safety of your passengers should not be left to  
chance. In the event of an accident, the safety features incorporated  
in your vehicle are capable of reducing the risk of injury. These are  
just a few of the safety features in your Audi:  
The driver is responsible for the safety of the passengers  
and the safe operation of the vehicle at all times.  
For your own safety and the safety of your passengers,  
always note the following points before every trip:  
• Optimised three-point seat belts for all seats,  
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Safe driving  
– Never drive when your driving ability is impaired (by  
153  
– Make sure that all lights and turn signals are working  
properly.  
medication, alcohol, drugs, etc.).  
– Check the tyre pressures.  
– Obey all traffic regulations and speed limits and always  
maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front.  
– Make sure that all windows are clean and give good visi-  
bility to the outside.  
– Always adjust your speed to suit the road, traffic and  
weather conditions.  
– Secure all luggage and other items carefully ⇒ page 75.  
– Take frequent breaks on long trips. Do not drive for more  
than two hours without a stop.  
– Make sure that no objects can interfere with the pedals.  
– Adjust the front seat, head restraint and mirrors  
correctly.  
– If possible, avoid driving when you are tired or stressed.  
– Make sure that the head restraints for all passengers are  
adjusted to the correct position.  
WARNING  
• Distractions while driving or any kind of impairment to your  
– Make sure that children are protected with suitable  
driving ability increase the risk of accident and injury.  
safety seats and properly worn seat belts ⇒ page 175.  
• Do not store loose objects on the dashboard. These objects  
could fly around the interior when the vehicle is moving (under  
acceleration or whilst cornering) and distract the driver – this  
could lead to an accident.  
– Sit in the correct position in your seat and make sure that  
your passengers do the same. ⇒ page 70.  
– Fasten your seat belt correctly. Make sure that your  
passengers do the same ⇒ page 160.  
What affects driving safety?  
Safety on the road is directly related to how you drive, and  
can also be affected by the passengers in the vehicle.  
The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle and all  
its occupants. If your ability to drive is impaired in any way,  
you endanger yourself and other road users ⇒  
. There-  
fore:  
– Do not let yourself be distracted by passengers or by  
using a mobile phone, etc.  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
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Safe driving  
– Move the driver's seat forwards or backwards so that you  
can press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals all the  
Correct sitting positions  
way to the floor with your knees slightly bent ⇒  
.
Correct sitting position for driver  
– Make sure that you can comfortably reach the top of the  
steering wheel.  
The correct driving position is important for safe and  
fatigue-free driving.  
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head  
restraint is level with the top of your head ⇒ fig. 163.  
– Adjust the backrest to an upright position so that your  
back remains in contact with the upholstery.  
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒ page 160.  
– Keep both feet in the footwell so that you are in full  
control of the vehicle at all times.  
Fig. 162 Minimum  
distance between  
driver and steering  
wheel  
For detailed information on how to adjust the driver's seat, see  
⇒ page 70, “Seats and storage”.  
WARNING  
• A driver who is not sitting in the correct position or who is not  
wearing a seat belt can be fatally injured if the airbag is triggered.  
• Adjust the driver's seat so there is a distance of at least 25 cm  
between your breastbone and the centre of the steering wheel  
⇒ fig. 162.  
Fig. 163 Correct head  
restraint position for  
the driver  
• While driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands  
on the outside of the rim at about the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock posi-  
tion. This reduces the risk of injury if the driver's airbag inflates.  
For your own safety, and to reduce the risk of injury in the  
event of an accident, we recommend the following driving  
position.  
• Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or  
with your hands inside the rim or on the steering wheel hub. This  
could result in serious injuries to the arms, hands and head if the  
driver's airbag inflates.  
– Adjust the steering wheel so there is a distance of at least  
25 cm between the steering wheel and your breastbone  
⇒ fig. 162.  
• To reduce any risk of injury to the driver during a sudden brake  
application or in an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted  
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Safe driving  
155  
WARNING (continued)  
WARNING  
too far back. The airbag system and seat belts can only provide  
proper protection when the backrest is in an upright position and  
the driver is wearing the seat belt in the correct position. The  
further the backrest is tilted back, the greater the risk of injury due  
to incorrect positioning of the belt webbing or an incorrect sitting  
position.  
A passenger who is not sitting in the correct position or who is not  
wearing a seat belt can be fatally injured if the airbag is triggered.  
• Adjust the front passenger's seat so there is a distance of at  
least 25 cm between your breastbone and the dash panel.  
• Always keep your feet on the floor when the vehicle is moving;  
never rest them on the instrument panel, out of the window or on  
the seat. If you sit in an incorrect position, you increase your risk  
of injury in the event of sudden braking or an accident. If the airbag  
is triggered, you could sustain potentially fatal injuries by sitting  
out of position.  
• Adjust the head restraint properly so that it can give maximum  
protection.  
Correct sitting position for front passenger  
• To reduce the risk of injury to the front passenger in the case of  
sudden braking or an accident, the passenger should never travel  
in a moving vehicle with the backrest reclined. The airbag system  
and seat belt can only provide proper protection when the back-  
rest is in an upright position and the passenger is wearing the seat  
belt in the correct position. The further the backrest is tilted back,  
the greater the risk of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt  
webbing or an incorrect sitting position.  
The front seat passenger must sit at least 25 cm away  
from the dash panel so that the airbag has enough room  
to inflate and give maximum protection in an accident.  
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the  
event of an accident, we recommend adjusting the front  
passenger's seat as follows:  
• Always adjust the head restraints properly for maximum  
– Move the front passenger's seat as far back as possible  
protection.  
⇒
.
– Adjust the backrest to an upright position so that your  
back remains in contact with the upholstery.  
Correct sitting position for passengers in the  
rear  
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head  
Rear seat passengers should sit upright with both feet on  
the floor and wear their seat belts properly whenever the  
vehicle is moving.  
restraint is level with the top of your head ⇒ page 156.  
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the seat.  
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒ page 163.  
To reduce any risk of injury in the event of sudden braking  
or an accident, passengers in the rear seats must observe  
the following:  
In exceptional cases you can disable the front passenger's airbag  
via the key-operated switch* ⇒ page 173.  
For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's  
seat, see ⇒ page 70, “Seats and storage”.  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
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Safe driving  
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head  
restraint is level with the top of your head ⇒ page 156.  
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the rear seat.  
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒ page 163.  
– Use appropriate child restraint systems for children trav-  
elling in the vehicle ⇒ page 175.  
Fig. 165 Correctly  
adjustedheadrestraint  
(seen from the side)  
WARNING  
The head restraints must be adjusted properly to provide  
maximum protection.  
Rear passengers sitting out of position can suffer severe injuries.  
• Always adjust the head restraints properly for maximum  
protection.  
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head  
restraint is level with the top of your head ⇒ fig. 164 and  
⇒ fig. 165.  
• Seat belts only offer maximum protection when the backrest is  
in an upright position and the passengers are wearing the seat  
belts properly. By not sitting upright, rear passengers increase the  
risk of injury due to incorrect positioning of the seat belt  
webbing.  
For more information on how to adjust the head restraints, see  
⇒ page 74.  
Correct adjustment of head restraints  
WARNING  
Travelling with the head restraints removed or incorrectly  
adjusted increases the risk of severe injuries.  
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of  
the vehicle's occupant protection system. They can help  
to reduce the risk of injuries in most accident situations.  
• Incorrectly adjusted head restraints could lead to death in the  
event of a collision or accident.  
• Incorrectly adjusted head restraints can also increase the risk  
of injury during sudden or unexpected braking or other manoeu-  
vres.  
• The head restraints must always be adjusted according to the  
occupant's size.  
Fig. 164 Correctly  
adjustedheadrestraint  
(seen from the front)  
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Safe driving  
157  
• never ride in the footwell,  
Examples of incorrect sitting positions  
• never travel on a seat without wearing the seat belt,  
• never climb into the luggage compartment.  
Occupants can suffer severe or fatal injuries injuries if  
they sit in an incorrect position while the vehicle is  
moving.  
WARNING  
Seat belts can only provide maximum protection if the belt  
webbing is positioned correctly. Sitting out of position  
greatly reduces the effectiveness of the seat belts and  
increases the risk of injury since the belt webbing is not  
worn in the position for which it is designed. The driver is  
responsible for the safety of all vehicle occupants, espe-  
cially for children.  
Sitting out of position increases the risk of severe injuries.  
• Sitting out of position exposes the occupants to potentially  
fatal injuries: if the airbags inflate they can strike any occupant  
who is not in one of the designed seat positions.  
• Before starting a trip, sit in the correct position and stay in this  
position as long as the vehicle is moving. Before every trip, make  
sure all passengers are sitting in the correct positions and remain  
correctly seated at all times ⇒ page 70, “Seats and storage”.  
– Never allow anyone to sit out of position while the  
vehicle is moving ⇒  
.
The following list shows just some examples of incorrect sitting  
positions which can be dangerous to all occupants. The list is not  
complete, but will help to make you aware of possible dangers  
which can be avoided.  
Pedal area  
Pedals  
The pedals must always be free to move and must never  
be obstructed by floor mats or any objects in the footwell.  
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is moving:  
• never stand up in the vehicle,  
• never stand on the seats,  
– Make sure that the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals  
are not obstructed and can be pressed all the way down  
to the floor.  
• never kneel on the seats,  
• never travel with the backrest reclined too far,  
• never lean against the dash panel,  
• never lie down on the rear seat,  
• never sit on the front edge of a seat,  
• never sit sideways,  
– Make sure that all pedals are able to return freely to their  
original positions.  
Only use floor mats which leave the pedal area free and can be  
securely fastened in the footwell.  
• never lean out of the window,  
If one of the brake circuits should fail, increased brake pedal travel  
will be required to bring the vehicle safely to a stop.  
• never put your feet out of the window,  
• never put your feet on the dash panel,  
• never put your feet on the seat cushion,  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
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Safe driving  
Stowing luggage safely  
WARNING  
Any obstructions that restrict pedal travel can cause loss of  
vehicle control and critical situations on the road.  
Luggage compartment  
All luggage and other objects must be safely secured in  
the luggage compartment.  
• Never place objects in the driver's footwell. Such objects could  
move under the pedals and interfere with their proper function. In  
the event of sudden braking or a change of direction, you would  
not be able to use the pedals. This could result in a loss of control  
and possibly cause an accident.  
Loose items in the luggage compartment can shift suddenly  
and cause a safety hazard or impair the handling of the  
vehicle by changing the weight distribution.  
– Distribute the load evenly in the luggage compartment  
Floor mats on the driver's side  
⇒ page 75.  
Use only floor mats which can be securely fastened in the  
footwell and do not obstruct the pedals.  
– Place heavy items as far forward as possible in the  
luggage compartment and secure them properly.  
– Make sure that floor mats are securely fastened and  
– Use the fastening rings* provided ⇒ page 159 or the  
cannot interfere with the pedals ⇒  
.
luggage net* for securing heavy items.  
Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area unobstructed and are  
firmly secured to prevent them from slipping. You can obtain suit-  
able floor mats from your dealer or a specialist retailer.  
WARNING  
• Loose items in the luggage compartment can shift suddenly  
and cause a safety hazard or impair the handling of the vehicle by  
changing the weight distribution.  
WARNING  
• Always stow objects in the luggage compartment and secure  
Any obstructions that restrict pedal travel can cause loss of  
vehicle control and increase the risk of serious personal injury.  
them on the fastening rings*.  
• Transporting heavy objects may affect the vehicle's handling by  
shifting the centre of gravity – this could cause an accident. Take  
extra care when driving and adjust your speed accordingly.  
• Always make sure that floor mats are properly secured.  
• Never lay or install additional floor mats or other floor cover-  
ings over the existing floor mats; this would restrict the pedal area  
and possibly obstruct the pedals, which could cause an  
accident.  
• Never exceed the maximum axle loads or the maximum gross  
weight for the vehicle ⇒ page 281, “Performance, weights and  
dimensions”. Exceeding the permitted axle loads or gross weight  
limit can affect the vehicle's handling characteristics, and increase  
the risk of accidents, personal injuries or damage to the vehicle.  
• Never leave your vehicle unattended when the boot lid is open.  
Children could climb into the boot and close the boot lid from the  
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Safe driving  
159  
vehicle and the weight of the object. The most significant factor,  
however, is the speed of the vehicle.  
WARNING (continued)  
inside. In this case the child would be unable to get out of the  
vehicle without help. This could have fatal consequences.  
An example: An object weighing 4.5 kg is lying unsecured in the  
vehicle. During a frontal collision at a speed of 50 km/h, this object  
generates a force corresponding to 20 times its weight. That means  
that the effective weight of the object increases to about 90 kg. You  
can imagine the severity of the injuries which might be sustained if  
this “projectile” strikes an occupant as it flies through the  
passenger compartment.  
• Never allow children to play in or around the vehicle. Always  
close and lock the boot lid and all the doors when you leave the  
vehicle.  
• Never let passengers ride in the luggage compartment. All  
occupants must be properly restrained by the seat belts at all  
times ⇒ page 160.  
WARNING  
Note  
If items of luggage or other objects are secured to the fastening  
rings with inappropriate or damaged retaining cords, injuries  
could result in the event of sudden braking or a collision.  
• Air circulation in the vehicle helps reduce fogging of the  
windows. Used air escapes through ventilation slots in the rear of  
the vehicle. Make sure that these ventilation slots are not  
obstructed.  
• To prevent pieces of luggage or other objects from flying  
forward, always use appropriate retaining cords which are prop-  
erly secured to the fastening rings.  
• Suitable belts for securing loads to the fastening rings* are  
commercially available.  
• Never secure a child seat on the fastening rings.  
Applies to vehicles: with fastening rings  
Fastening rings  
Unsecured loads are a hazard to all vehicle occupants.  
There are fastening rings in the luggage compartment  
which can be used to secure luggage and other objects  
⇒ page 76.  
– Use the fastening rings to secure items safely in the  
luggage compartment ⇒  
compartment” on page 75.  
in “Loading the luggage  
During a collision or an accident, even small and light objects can  
possess so much energy that they can cause very severe injuries.  
The amount of this “kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
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Seat belts  
Seat belts  
the forces acting on the occupants and consequently the risk of  
injury.  
Why is it so important to use seat  
belts?  
Although these examples are based on a frontal collision, the phys-  
ical principles involved are the same in other types of accidents and  
for vehicles with an airbag system. This is why it is so important to  
put on the seat belts before every trip – even when “just driving  
around the corner”. Ensure that your passengers wear their seat  
Seat belts provide effective protection  
The common belief that passengers can brace their  
weight with their hands in a minor collision is false.  
belts as well ⇒  
.
Properly worn seat belts have been shown to be an effective means  
of reducing the potential for injury and improving the chances of  
survival in a serious accident ⇒ page 161, “Forces acting in a colli-  
sion”.  
For information on how children can travel safely in the car  
⇒ page 175, “Points to remember if children are travelling in the  
car”.  
Fig. 166 Driver  
protected by the prop-  
erly worn seat belt  
during a sudden brake  
manoeuvre  
WARNING  
• Seat belts must be put on before every trip – even when driving  
It is an established fact that seat belts provide good protection in  
accidents. Therefore wearing a seat belt is required by law in most  
countries.  
in town. This also applies to the rear passengers (injury risk).  
• During pregnancy, women should always ensure they wear a  
seat belt. The best way to protect the unborn child is to protect the  
mother ⇒ page 164, “Wearing and adjusting the seat belts during  
pregnancy”.  
Properly worn seat belts hold the occupants in the best position for  
maximum protection ⇒ fig. 166. The seat belts are capable of  
absorbing much of the kinetic energy arising in a collision. Also they  
help to prevent uncontrolled movements which could lead to severe  
injuries ⇒ page 161, “Important safety instructions for using seat  
belts”.  
If they wear the seat belts correctly, the passengers benefit greatly  
from the ability of the belts to reduce the kinetic energy gradually.  
The front crumple zones and other passive safety features (such as  
the airbag system) are also designed to absorb the kinetic energy  
generated in a collision. Taken together, all these features reduce  
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161  
Important safety instructions for using seat  
belts  
WARNING (continued)  
buckle of any of the belts is damaged, the belt must be replaced  
by a qualified workshop.  
There are a number of safety points concerning the seat  
belts which you should remember. This will help to reduce  
the risk of injury in an accident.  
• The seat belts must not be removed or modified in any way. Do  
not attempt to repair a damaged belt yourself.  
• Seat belts which have been worn in an accident and stretched  
must be replaced by a qualified workshop. The belt anchorages  
should also be checked.  
WARNING  
• The seat belts can only provide maximum protection if the  
seats are adjusted properly ⇒ page 70, “Seats and storage”.  
• To ensure proper protection, it is important to wear the seat  
belts in the correct position ⇒ page 163, “How to wear seat belts  
properly”. Ensure that the seat belts are worn exactly as recom-  
mended in this chapter. Belts which are not worn properly can  
increase the risk of injury in accidents considerably.  
Forces acting in a collision  
The physical principles involved in a frontal  
impact  
Very large forces are generated during a collision; these  
forces have to be absorbed.  
• Do not allow the seat belt to become twisted or jammed, or to  
rub on any sharp edges.  
• Never allow two passengers (even children) to share the same  
seat belt. It is especially dangerous to place a seat belt over a child  
sitting on your lap.  
• Do not wear the belt over hard or fragile objects (such as  
glasses or pens, etc.) because this can cause injuries.  
• Loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat over a jacket)  
Fig. 167 Passengers of  
a vehicle which is  
headed for a brick wall.  
They are not using seat  
belts.  
impairs the proper fit and function of the belts.  
• The belts must be kept clean, otherwise the retractors may not  
work properly ⇒ page 216, “Seat belts”.  
• The slot in the seat belt buckle must not be blocked with paper  
or other objects, as this can prevent the latch plate from engaging  
properly.  
• The latch plate of the belt must always be engaged in the  
correct buckle for that seat, otherwise the belt will not be fully  
effective.  
• Check the condition of the seat belts at regular intervals. If you  
notice that the belt webbing, fittings, retractor mechanism or  
Controls  
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Seat belts  
What happens to passengers not wearing  
seat belts?  
Passengers not wearing seat belts risk fatal injuries in the  
event of an accident.  
Fig. 168 The vehicle  
crashes against the  
wall  
The physical principles involved in a frontal collision are relatively  
simple:  
Fig. 169 A driver not  
wearing a seat belt can  
be thrown forwards  
Both the moving vehicle and the passengers possess energy, which  
is known as “kinetic energy” ⇒ page 161, fig. 167. The amount of  
“kinetic energy” depends on the speed of the vehicle and the weight  
of the vehicle and passengers. The higher the speed and the greater  
the weight, the more energy there is to be absorbed in an accident.  
The most significant factor, however, is the speed of the vehicle. If  
the speed doubles from 25 km/h to 50 km/h, for example, the kinetic  
energy increases by a factor of four. Because these passengers are  
not restrained by seat belts, the entire amount of kinetic energy has  
to be absorbed at the point of impact ⇒ fig. 168. This would result  
in serious or potentially fatal injury.  
Fig. 170 A rear  
passenger not wearing  
a seat belt can be  
thrown forwards  
Even at urban speeds of 30 km/h to 50 km/h, the forces acting on the  
occupants in a collision can reach the equivalent of 1 ton (1000 kg)  
or more. At greater speed these forces are even higher. A rule of  
thumb: if the speed doubles, the forces increase by a factor of four.  
In a frontal collision, unbelted passengers will be thrown forwards  
and make violent contact with the steering wheel, dashboard, wind-  
screen, etc ⇒ fig. 169. Passengers not wearing their belts risk being  
thrown out of the car, resulting in potentially fatal injuries.  
Passengers who do not wear seat belts are not “attached” to the  
vehicle. In a frontal collision they will continue to move forward at  
the speed their car was travelling just before the impact.  
The common belief that occupants can brace their weight with their  
hands in a minor collision is false. Even at low speeds the forces  
acting on the body in a collision are so great that it is not possible  
to hold yourself in the seat.  
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Seat belts  
163  
It is also important for the rear passengers to wear seat belts, as  
they could otherwise be thrown forwards violently in an accident.  
Rear passengers who do not use seat belts endanger not only them-  
selves but also the other occupants ⇒ page 162, fig. 170.  
– To fasten the belt, take hold of the latch plate and pull it  
slowly across your chest and lap ⇒  
.
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate  
seat and push it down until it is securely locked with an  
audible click ⇒ fig. 172.  
How to wear seat belts properly  
– Pull the belt to check that it is now securely fastened.  
Putting on the three-point seat belts  
The three-point inertia reel belts are tensioned automatically. The  
retractor system gives complete freedom of movement, as long as  
the pull on the belt is slow. Hard braking locks the belt. The belt will  
also lock when you accelerate, drive up or down a steep hill or in a  
sharp curve.  
Always fasten your seat belts before driving off.  
WARNING  
• Always make certain that the belt is positioned properly  
⇒ fig. 171 – risk of injury ⇒ page 163, “Adjusting the seat belts”.  
• The latch plate of the belt must always be engaged in the  
correct buckle for that seat. Otherwise the belt will not be fully  
effective and the danger of injury increases.  
Fig. 171 Positioning of  
head restraints and  
seat belts  
Adjusting the seat belts  
Always position seat belts properly for maximum safety.  
Fig. 172 Driver's seat:  
Belt buckle and latch  
plate  
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly before  
putting on the seat belt ⇒ page 70, “Seats and storage”.  
Fig. 173 Adjusting  
shoulder and lap belt  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
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164  
Seat belts  
The height of the front seat on your vehicle can be adjusted in order  
to match the position of the seat belt to your height.  
Women should always ensure they adjust the seat belt  
correctly during pregnancy.  
– Adjust the front seat and head restraint correctly before  
WARNING  
putting on the seat belt ⇒ page 70, “Seats and storage”.  
• The diagonal part of the belt should never be positioned across  
the neck, but roughly over the centre of the shoulder; it should fit  
closely against the upper part of the body. The lap part of the belt  
must be worn tightly across the hips, and not over the abdomen  
⇒ page 163, fig. 173. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up any  
slack.  
– To fasten the belt, take hold of the latch plate and pull it  
slowly down across your chest. Wear the lap portion of  
the seat belt as low as possible over the hips so that there  
is no pressure on the stomach ⇒ fig. 174, ⇒  
.
– Insert the latch plate into the buckle for the appropriate  
seat and push it down until it is securely locked with an  
audible click ⇒ page 163, fig. 172.  
• Always make sure that belt is positioned properly. Incorrectly  
worn seat belts can give rise to injuries even in a minor collision.  
• Seat belts worn too loose can result in injuries because they  
allow excessive forward movement in a crash; the occupant will  
be brought to a sudden stop by the belt webbing.  
– Pull the belt to check that it is now securely fastened.  
WARNING  
Wearing and adjusting the seat belts during  
pregnancy  
During pregnancy, women should especially make sure to wear  
the lap portion of the seat belt as low as possible across the hips  
so that there is no pressure on the stomach.  
To afford the best protection for the unborn child it is  
important for the mother to wear the seat belt properly at  
all times.  
Taking off the seat belts  
The red button releases the belt from the buckle.  
Fig. 174 Positioning  
seat belts during preg-  
nancy  
Fig. 175 The latch  
plate of the belt  
springs out of the  
buckle  
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Seat belts  
165  
– Press the red button in the seat belt buckle ⇒ page 164,  
fig. 175. The latch plate will spring out of the buckle.  
– Guide the belt back by hand so that it is taken up by the  
retractor.  
Belt tensioners  
How the belt tensioners work  
The seat belts for the driver and front passenger are  
equipped with belt tensioners.  
The seat belts on the front seats are tensioned automatically in  
frontal, side and rear-end impacts above a certain degree of  
severity. This helps to reduce the forward motion of the occupants.  
In a less severe accident, or in the event of a roll-over, the belt  
tensioners are not activated.  
WARNING  
• Any work on the tensioner system or removal and installation  
of system components for other repairs must be performed by a  
qualified workshop.  
• The belt tensioners can only be activated once. If they have  
been activated at any time, the system must be replaced.  
Note  
• Some smoke may be released when the belt tensioners are acti-  
vated. This does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle.  
• The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the  
vehicle or components of the system are scrapped. Your authorised  
Audi dealer is familiar with these regulations and will be pleased to  
pass on the information to you.  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
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166  
Airbag system  
Airbag system  
• goes out and then comes on again after the ignition is switched  
Description of airbag system  
on,  
• comes on or flickers while the car is moving.  
General notes on airbag system  
The airbag is an integral part of the car's passive safety  
system.  
WARNING  
• The airbags are not a substitute for the seat belts; they are an  
integral part of the car's overall passive safety system. The airbags  
can only offer effective protection if the occupants are wearing  
their seat belts. For this reason it is very important to wear the  
seat belts at all times ⇒ page 160, “Why is it so important to use  
seat belts?”.  
In conjunction with the three-point seat belts, the airbag system  
gives the front occupants additional protection for the head and  
chest in the event of a severe frontal collision.  
In a severe side collision the side airbags and the head-protection  
airbags reduce the risk of injury to the occupants in the areas of the  
body facing the impact ⇒  
.
• The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protec-  
tion if the occupants are seated correctly ⇒ page 70, “Seats and  
storage”.  
In addition to their normal function of protecting the occupants in a  
collision, the seat belts also hold them in a position where the  
airbags can inflate properly and provide maximum protection.  
• If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward, or are not  
seated correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are at greater  
risk of injury should the airbag system be triggered in an accident.  
The airbag system will only work with the ignition on. The airbag  
system is monitored electronically; the airbag warning lamp indi-  
cates whether the system is functioning properly.  
• Components of the airbag system are located in various parts  
of the vehicle. If repairs to other vehicle components make it  
necessary to perform work on the airbag system or to remove or  
install parts of the airbag system, this may cause damage to the  
airbag system. As a result, the airbags may not inflate correctly or  
may not be triggered at all in an accident situation. For this reason,  
you should always have the work carried out by a qualified work-  
shop.  
The main parts of the airbag system are:  
• the electronic monitoring system (control unit and sensors),  
• the two front airbags,  
• the front side airbags and head-protection airbags,  
• The airbag warning lamp in the instrument cluster.  
• If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system  
checked immediately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise the  
system may fail to trigger in an accident.  
There is a fault in the airbag system if the warning  
lamp  
• does not come on when the ignition is switched on,  
• Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in  
• does not go out about 4 seconds after the ignition is switched  
any way.  
on,  
• Never make any alterations to the front bumper or the body.  
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Airbag system  
167  
The airbag system is not triggered in minor frontal or side collisions,  
or in rear collisions or if the car overturns. In these situations the  
occupants are protected by wearing the seat belts.  
WARNING (continued)  
• The airbag system can only be activated once; if the airbag has  
been triggered, the system must be replaced. Should the airbag  
system or airbag modules have to be replaced, the qualified work-  
shop carrying out the replacement will document all details in the  
appropriate section of the Service Schedule.  
Factors determining the triggering response  
It is not possible to define the exact triggering response of the  
airbag system in all possible situations, since the circumstances in  
different types of accident will vary considerably. Important factors  
include, for example, the nature (hard or soft) of the object which  
the car hits, the angle of impact, vehicle speed and so on.  
• If you sell the vehicle, please remember to pass on the  
complete Service Wallet to the new owner. If any of the airbags  
have been deactivated, it is important that the new owner is also  
given the relevant documents.  
Whether the airbags are triggered depends primarily on the vehicle  
deceleration rate resulting from the collision. By processing the  
signals from the sensors located in the vehicle, the electronic  
control unit is immediately able to evaluate the severity of the colli-  
sion and activate the restraint systems accordingly. If the decelera-  
tion rate is below the predefined reference value in the control unit  
the airbags will not be triggered, even though the accident may  
cause extensive damage to the car.  
• The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the  
vehicle or components of the airbag or belt tensioner systems are  
scrapped.  
• In an accident in which one or more airbags are triggered the  
alternator and the starter are - for safety reasons - both discon-  
nected from the battery via a pyrotechnic circuit breaker.  
− Any repairs to the pyrotechnic circuit breaker must always  
be performed by a qualified workshop (accident risk).  
Note  
− The relevant safety requirements must be observed when  
The airbag releases a fine dust when it inflates. This is quite normal  
and does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle.  
the vehicle or the circuit breaker are scrapped.  
When are the airbags triggered?  
The airbag system is triggered in collisions with a severe  
impact.  
The airbag system is designed so that the airbags for the driver and  
front passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.  
In severe side collisions the side airbags on the impact side of the  
vehicle are triggered together with the head-protection airbag.  
The front airbags, side airbags and one of the head-protection  
airbags may be triggered together in certain types of accident.  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
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168  
Airbag system  
How the front airbags work  
Front airbags  
When fully inflated, the airbags reduce the risk of head or  
chest injury.  
Description of front airbags  
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.  
Fig. 178 Front airbags  
in inflated condition  
Fig. 176 Driver's  
airbag in steering  
wheel  
The airbag system is designed so that the airbags for the driver and  
front passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.  
In certain types of accident the front airbags, side airbags and one  
of the head-protection airbags may be triggered together.  
When the system is triggered, the airbags fill with a propellant gas  
and open out in front of the driver and front passenger ⇒ fig. 178.  
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the  
airbags have to inflate extremely rapidly (within fractions of a  
second). The fully deployed airbags cushion the forwards move-  
ment of the front occupants and help to reduce the risk of injury to  
the head and the upper part of the body.  
Fig. 177 Front  
passenger's airbag in  
dashboard  
Special openings in the airbag allow the gas to escape at a  
controlled rate to restrain the forward movement of the occupant's  
head and torso. Once the impact has been absorbed, the airbag  
deflates sufficiently for the front occupants to see forward.  
The front airbag for the driver is located in the padded hub of the  
steering wheel ⇒ page 168, fig. 176. The front airbag for the front  
passenger is in the dashboard above the glove box ⇒ fig. 177. The  
locations of the airbags are marked with the word “AIRBAG”.  
In conjunction with the three-point seat belts, the front airbags give  
additional head and chest protection for the driver and front  
passenger in the event of a severe frontal collision ⇒  
in “Impor-  
tant safety notes on the front airbag system” on page 169.  
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Airbag system  
169  
Important safety notes on the front airbag  
system  
WARNING (continued)  
deactivated. However, if you have no alternative but to use a rear-  
ward-facing child seat on the front passenger's seat, the front  
passenger's airbag must be deactivated beforehand by means of  
the key-operated switch* ⇒ page 173. Failure to observe this  
precaution could result in serious or potentially fatal injury.  
There are a number of safety points concerning the airbag  
system which you should remember. This will help to  
reduce the risk of injury in an accident.  
• Occupants sitting in the front of the car must never carry any  
objects or pets in the space between them and the airbags, or  
allow children or other passengers to travel in this position.  
• Do not cover or stick anything on the steering wheel hub or the  
soft plastic surface of the airbag unit on the passenger's side of  
the dashboard, and do not obstruct or modify them in any way.  
These parts should only be cleaned with a dry cloth (or with a  
cloth moistened with plain water). It is also important not to  
attach any objects such as cup holders or telephone mountings to  
the surfaces covering the airbag units.  
Fig. 179 Minimum  
distance from steering  
wheel  
• Any work on the airbag system or removal and installation of  
the airbag components for other repairs (such as repairs to the  
steering wheel) must be performed by a qualified workshop.  
WARNING  
• It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a  
distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dashboard  
⇒ page 169, fig. 179. The airbag system will not be able to give the  
required protection if you sit too close to the steering wheel or  
dashboard. There is also a risk of injury if the airbags are inflated.  
The front seats and head restraints must always be positioned  
correctly for the height of the occupant.  
Note  
If necessary, you can deactivate the front passenger's airbag by  
means of the key-operated switch* ⇒ page 173.  
• If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward or to the side,  
or are not seated correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are  
at greater risk of injury. Should the airbag system be triggered in  
an accident there is an even greater risk of injury.  
• Never let a child travel on the front seat without an appropriate  
restraint system. If the airbag is triggered in an accident, the child  
could sustain serious or fatal injuries ⇒ page 175, “Child safety”.  
• Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front  
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
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170  
Airbag system  
How the side airbags work  
Side airbags  
When fully inflated, the side airbags reduce the risk of  
injuries to the upper part of the body.  
Description of side airbags  
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.  
Fig. 181 Side airbags  
in inflated condition  
Fig. 180 Location of  
side airbag in driver's  
seat  
In certain types of side collisions the side airbag is triggered on the  
impact side of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 181.  
The side airbags are located in the backrest padding of the front  
seats ⇒ fig. 180. The locations of the airbags are marked with the  
word “AIRBAG”.  
The front airbags, side airbags and the head-protection airbag may  
be triggered together in certain types of accident.  
In conjunction with the three-point seat belts, the side airbags give  
the occupants additional protection for the whole upper part of the  
body (i.e. the chest, stomach and pelvis) in the event of a severe side  
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant  
gas.  
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the  
airbags have to inflate extremely rapidly (within fractions of a  
second). The airbag releases a fine dust when it inflates. This is quite  
normal and does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle.  
collision ⇒  
in “Important safety notes on the side airbag system”  
on page 171.  
In a side collision the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to the  
areas of the body facing the impact.  
When fully deployed, the airbags cushion the impact for the occu-  
pants and help to reduce the risk of injury to the whole upper part  
of the body (i.e. the chest, stomach and pelvis) on the side facing the  
door.  
If the side airbags are activated, the head-protection airbags (side-  
guard system) are always triggered at the same time for additional  
protection on the side of the vehicle facing the impact  
⇒ page 171.  
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Airbag system  
171  
Important safety notes on the side airbag  
system  
WARNING (continued)  
when it inflates out of the backrest, and seriously reduce the  
airbag's effectiveness.  
There are a number of safety points concerning the airbag  
system which you should remember. This will help to  
reduce the risk of injury in an accident.  
• Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the  
seams of the side airbag units must be repaired immediately by a  
qualified workshop.  
• Any work involving the side airbag system or removal and  
installation of the airbag components for other repairs (such as  
repairs to the seats) must always be performed by a qualified  
workshop. Otherwise the airbag system may fail to work  
properly.  
WARNING  
• If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward, or are not  
seated correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are at greater  
risk of injury should the side airbags be triggered in an accident.  
• If children are not seated correctly, they are at greater risk of  
injury in an accident. This is particularly the case if the child is  
travelling on the front passenger's seat and the airbag system is  
triggered. This could result in serious or potentially fatal injury  
⇒ page 175, “Child safety”.  
Head-protection airbags (sideguard)  
Description of head-protection airbags  
• It is important not to attach any accessories (such as cup  
holders) to the doors. This would impair the protection offered by  
the side airbags.  
The head-protection airbags work together with the side  
airbag system to give extra protection in a side impact.  
• The sensors for the airbags are located in the front doors. You  
must therefore not make any modifications to the doors or door  
trim (e.g. retrofitting loudspeakers), as this could impair the func-  
tion of the side airbags. Any damage to the front doors could lead  
to faults in the system. Repairs or any other work on the front  
doors must therefore always be carried out by a qualified work-  
shop.  
Fig. 182 Location of  
head-protection  
airbags above the  
doors  
• The built-in coat hooks should only be used for lightweight  
clothing. Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the  
pockets.  
• Do not apply excessive force to the sides of the backrests (such  
as hard knocks or kicks), as this could damage parts of the system.  
The side airbags could then fail to operate when required.  
The head-protection airbags are located above the doors on the left  
and right sides of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 182. The locations of the airbags  
are marked with the word “AIRBAG”.  
• If you intend to fit protective covers over the seats, these must  
be of the specific type approved for use on Audi seats with side  
airbags. Conventional seat covers would obstruct the side airbag  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
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172  
Airbag system  
In conjunction with the three-point seat belts and side airbags, the  
head-protection airbags give the occupants additional protection  
restraining uncontrolled movement of the head, the airbag also  
reduces the forces acting on the neck. In addition, since it covers the  
front door pillar when fully inflated, the head-protection airbag also  
gives extra protection if the car should collide with an obstacle at an  
oblique angle.  
against head and neck injuries in a severe side collision ⇒  
“Important safety notes on the head-protection airbags” on  
page 172.  
in  
Together with other design features (including cross-braces in the  
seats and the overall strength of the body structure), the sideguard  
system offers an effective further improvement to occupant protec-  
tion in side impacts.  
The front airbags, side airbags and head-protection airbags may be  
triggered together in certain types of accident.  
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the  
airbags have to inflate extremely rapidly (within fractions of a  
second). The airbag releases a fine dust when it inflates. This is quite  
normal and does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle.  
How the head-protection airbags work  
When fully inflated, the airbags reduce the risk of head or  
chest injury in a side collision.  
Important safety notes on the head-  
protection airbags  
There are a number of safety points concerning the airbag  
system which you should remember. This will help to  
reduce the risk of injury in an accident.  
WARNING  
• It is important to ensure that the area around the openings for  
the head-protection airbags remains unobstructed at all times, so  
that the airbags can inflate properly if needed.  
Fig. 183 Head-protec-  
tion airbags in inflated  
condition  
• The built-in coat hooks should only be used for lightweight  
clothing. Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the  
pockets. When using the coat hooks, do not hang the clothes on  
coat hangers.  
In certain types of side collisions the head-protection airbag is trig-  
gered together with the side airbag on the impact side of the vehicle  
⇒ fig. 183.  
• The space between the passengers and the head-protection  
airbags must never be occupied by children, other passengers or  
pets. Passengers should never lean out or put a hand or arm out of  
the window while the vehicle is in motion.  
When the system is triggered, the airbag fills with a propellant gas  
and covers the entire area in front of the side windows, including  
the door pillars. In this way the system is able to protect both the  
front and the rear occupants on the side of the vehicle where the  
impact occurs. The head-protection airbag inflates to soften the  
impact if an occupant strikes parts of the interior or objects outside  
the vehicle with their head. By reducing the head impact and  
• Do not move the sun visors out to cover the side windows if  
there is anything attached to them (such as pens or a remote  
document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 173 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17  
Airbag system  
173  
Applies to vehicles: with key-operated switch for front passenger's airbag  
WARNING (continued)  
Deactivating the front passenger's  
airbag via the key-operated switch  
control for the garage door). These objects could cause injury if the  
head-protection airbag is triggered.  
• The sensors for the airbags are located in the front doors. You  
must therefore not make any modifications to the doors or door  
trim (e.g. retrofitting loudspeakers), as this could impair the func-  
tion of the side airbags. Any damage to the front doors could lead  
to faults in the system. Repairs or any other work on the front  
doors must therefore always be carried out by a qualified work-  
shop.  
If an airbag has been deactivated, it should be reactivated  
as soon as possible so that it can continue to give the  
required protection.  
• Where sun blinds are fitted on the rear doors, these must not  
obstruct or impair the airbags in any way.  
• If unsuitable accessories are installed near the head-protection  
airbag, the protection afforded by the airbag can be seriously  
impaired if the system is triggered. When the head-protection  
airbag opens, parts of these accessories could be thrown into the  
vehicle and injure passengers ⇒ page 239.  
Fig. 184 Key-operated  
switch in glove box for  
deactivating front  
passenger's airbag  
• Any work involving the head-protection airbags, or removal  
and installation of the airbag components for other repairs (such  
as repairs to the roof liner), must always be performed by a quali-  
fied workshop. Otherwise the airbag system may fail to work  
properly.  
Fig. 185 Lamp indi-  
cates that front  
passenger's airbag has  
been deactivated via  
key-operated switch  
The key-operated switch for deactivating the front  
passenger's airbag is located in the glove box ⇒ fig. 184.  
– To deactivate the front passenger's airbag, insert the  
OFF  
A
.
ignition key into the switch and turn it to position  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 174 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17  
174  
Airbag system  
– The front passenger's airbag can be reactivated by  
WARNING (continued)  
ON  
turning the key to position A.  
• It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key-operated  
Deactivating front passenger's airbag when a child  
safety seat is in use  
switch is set to the correct position.  
If you have no alternative but to install a rearward-facing child safety  
seat on the front passenger's seat you must deactivate the front  
passenger's airbag beforehand.  
Note  
All the other airbags in the car will remain functional if the front  
passenger's airbag has been deactivated with the key-operated  
switch.  
We recommend, however, that child seats should be only fitted on  
the rear seat so that the front passenger's airbag can remain func-  
tional and provide protection in an accident ⇒ page 175.  
Monitoring of airbag system  
The airbag warning lamp will light up for a few seconds every time  
the ignition is switched on.  
If the front passenger's airbag has been deactivated via the key-  
operated switch, the indicator lamp “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” will  
light up constantly as a reminder ⇒ fig. 185. Please refer also to the  
description of the warning lamp in the instrument cluster  
⇒ page 16.  
When the front passenger's airbag is deactivated using the key-  
operated switch, the seat belt warning lamp for the front passenger  
⇒ page 17 is also switched off.  
WARNING  
• If you have no alternative but to install a rearward-facing child  
seat on the front passenger's seat, the front passenger's airbag  
must be deactivated beforehand. Potentially fatal injuries to the  
child can result if the front passenger's airbag is not deactvated!  
⇒ page 176, “Using a child safety seat on the front passenger's  
seat”  
• If you have deactivated the front passenger's airbag, reactivate  
it as soon as the child seat is no longer needed so that the airbag  
can continue to give the required protection.  
document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 175 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17  
Child safety  
175  
Child safety  
These systems have been specially developed and tested for use in  
Audi vehicles and comply with the ECE-R 44 standard.  
Points to remember if children are  
travelling in the car  
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory  
requirements when installing and using child restraints ⇒  
“Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.  
in  
Introduction  
Statistics show that children are generally safer on the  
rear seat than on the front passenger's seat.  
Important safety notes for using child safety  
seats  
Children under 12 years of age should normally travel on the rear  
4)  
seat . Children travelling on the rear seat must use a child restraint  
Correct use of child safety seats can help to reduce the  
risk of injury in an accident.  
system or the seat belts provided, depending on their age, height  
and weight. For safety reasons, the child restraint system should be  
installed behind the front passenger's seat.  
WARNING  
The physical principles involved and the forces acting in a collision  
apply to children just as much as adults ⇒ page 161, “Forces acting  
in a collision”. But, unlike adults, children do not have fully devel-  
oped muscle and bone structures. This means that children are  
subject to a greater risk of injury.  
• All vehicle occupants, especially children, must wear a seat  
belt while the vehicle is in motion.  
• Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a  
normal seat belt without a child restraint, as this could cause inju-  
ries to the abdominal and neck areas.  
To reduce this risk, children must always use special child restraint  
systems when travelling in the car.  
• Babies and children must never travel on another occupant's  
Use only child restraint systems which are officially approved under  
the European standard ECE R 44 and are suitable for the child. ECE R  
refers to the Economic Commission of Europe Recommendation,  
which categorises child restraint systems in 5 groups ⇒ page 176,  
“Child seat categories”. Child restraints that have been tested and  
approved under the ECE R 44 standard bear the ECE-R 44 test mark  
on the seat (the letter E in a circle with the test number below it).  
lap.  
• A suitable child safety seat can protect your child ⇒ page 176,  
“Child safety seats”.  
• Never allow two children to occupy one child safety seat.  
• Never leave a child without supervision in a child safety seat.  
• Never allow a child to travel in the car without a suitable child  
restraint.  
We recommend using child restraint systems from the range of  
Audi Genuine Accessories available from Audi dealers. The  
“Huckepack” range includes suitable restraint systems for all ages.  
• Never allow a child to stand up or kneel on a seat while the car  
is moving. In an accident, the child could be catapulted through  
the car, causing possibly fatal injuries to itself and other occu-  
pants.  
4)  
Observe any restrictions or regulations to the contrary.  
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document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 176 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17  
176  
Child safety  
WARNING (continued)  
WARNING  
• If children lean forward or are otherwise out of position when  
the car is moving, they are at greater risk of injury in an accident.  
This is particularly the case if the child is travelling on the front  
passenger's seat and the airbag system is triggered in an accident.  
There is then a risk of serious or potentially fatal injury.  
• Do not use a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front  
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been  
deactivated. The child seat would be directly in the path of the  
airbag as it inflates, and the child could sustain serious or fatal  
injuries if the airbag were to be deployed.  
• To ensure proper protection, it is important to wear the seat  
belts in the correct position ⇒ page 163, “How to wear seat belts  
properly”. Always check that the belt is properly positioned  
according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the  
child safety seat. Incorrectly worn seat belts can give rise to inju-  
ries even in a minor collision.  
• However, if you have no alternative but to use a rearward-  
facing child seat on the front passenger's seat, the front  
passenger's airbag must be deactivated beforehand by means of  
the key-operated switch* ⇒ page 173. Failure to observe this  
precaution could result in serious or potentially fatal injury.  
• Make sure that the front passenger's airbag is reactivated by  
means of the key-operated switch* as soon as the child seat is no  
longer needed on the front passenger's seat.  
• Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front  
passenger's seat if the front passenger's airbag has not been deac-  
tivated ⇒ page 176.  
• When using a child safety seat of the type which faces in the  
direction of travel, the front passenger's seat must be moved back  
to the rearmost position.  
• Extra caution is advised if you are installing a child safety seat  
using the same mounting bolts as the existing car seat belts. The  
bolts must be screwed in all the way to the full depth of the  
mounting holes and tightened to a torque of 50 Nm. Failure to  
observe this precaution could result in potentially fatal injury. We  
recommend having the installation performed by a qualified  
workshop.  
Child safety seats  
Child seat categories  
Only use child restraint systems that are officially  
approved and suitable for the child.  
Using a child safety seat on the front  
passenger's seat  
Child restraint systems are covered by the European standard  
ECE R 44 (issued by the Economic Commission of Europe).  
Whenever possible, child safety seats should always be  
installed on the rear seat.  
The child seats are divided into 5 categories:  
For safety reasons, we recommend that child safety seats should be  
installed on the rear seats whenever possible. However, if you have  
to use a child seat on the front passenger's seat when there is no  
other alternative, it is most important to note the following warn-  
ings:  
document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 177 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17  
Child safety  
177  
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory  
requirements when installing and using child restraints  
⇒ page 175, “Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.  
Category  
Weight  
0 - 10 kg  
0
⇒ page 177  
⇒ page 177  
+
up to 13 kg  
0
WARNING  
1
2
3
9 - 18 kg  
15 - 25 kg  
22 - 36 kg  
⇒ page 177  
⇒ page 178  
⇒ page 178  
Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front  
passenger's seat if the front passenger's airbag has not been deac-  
tivated ⇒ page 176. This can result in serious or possibly fatal  
injury.  
Children who are taller than 1.5 metres can use the existing seat  
belts without a booster cushion.  
Child safety seats: category 1  
Child restraints that have been tested and approved under the ECE  
R 44 standard bear the ECE-R 44 test mark on the seat (the letter E  
in a circle with the test number below it).  
A suitable child safety seat and a correctly worn seat belt  
can protect your child.  
Child safety seat: category 0 / 0+  
A suitable child safety seat and a correctly worn seat belt  
can protect your child.  
Fig. 187 A category 1  
forward-facing child  
seat fitted on the rear  
seat  
Babies and small children up to about 4 years of age weighing  
between 9 and 18 kg are best protected by child safety seats of the  
type where the child faces the front of the vehicle ⇒ fig. 187.  
Fig. 186 Child safety  
seat: Category 0 / 0+  
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory  
requirements when installing and using child restraints  
Babies up to about 9 months old/ 10 kg and infants up to about  
18 months old/ 13 kg are best protected by child safety seats that  
can be adjusted to a horizontal position ⇒ fig. 186.  
⇒ page 175, “Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.  
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document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 178 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17  
178  
Child safety  
in conjunction with the three-point seat belts ⇒ fig. 188 and  
⇒ fig. 189.  
WARNING  
Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front  
passenger's seat if the front passenger's airbag has not been deac-  
tivated ⇒ page 176. This can result in serious or possibly fatal  
injury.  
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory  
requirements when installing and using child restraints  
⇒ page 175, “Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.  
WARNING  
Child safety seats: category 2/3  
The diagonal part of the belt should be positioned roughly over the  
centre of the shoulder and fit closely against the upper part of the  
body. It must never be allowed to run across the neck. The lap part  
of the belt should fit closely over the hips. It must not be posi-  
tioned over the stomach. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up  
any slack.  
A suitable child safety seat and a correctly worn seat belt  
can protect your child.  
Note  
We recommend that you fit child safety seats with backrests.  
Fig. 188 A category  
2/3 forward-facing  
child seat (with back-  
rest) fitted on the rear  
seat  
Fig. 189 A category  
2/3 forward-facing  
child seat (without  
backrest) fitted on the  
rear seat  
Children up to about 12 years of age weighing between 15 and 36 kg  
but less than 1.5 metres tall are best protected by a child safety seat  
document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 179 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17  
Child safety  
179  
Fitting child safety seats  
General information  
Label on a child safety seat ⇒ fig. 190  
1
A Approval number  
2
A Manufacturer's serial number.  
The label also shows information on the use and weight class of the  
child seat.  
Fig. 190 Example of an  
approval number on a  
child safety seat  
List of recommended child restraint systems  
Weight class  
Identification  
“Huckepack”  
Audi Genuine  
accessories  
Manufacturer  
Model  
Approval number  
catalogue number  
0+  
G0 Plus  
00A.019.900.A  
Britax Römer  
Baby Safe Plus  
E1 03301146  
(up to 13 kg)  
1
G1 ISOFIX Duo Plus  
00A.019.909.B  
Britax Römer  
Duo Plus  
E1 03301133  
(9 to 18 kg)  
2
1)  
1)  
1)  
1)  
1)  
(15 to 25 kg)  
3
1)  
1)  
1)  
1)  
1)  
(22 to 36 kg)  
1)  
Under development.  
For the current range of child seats from Audi Genuine Accessories  
visit:
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 180 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17  
180  
Child safety  
Extended list of recommended child restraint systems  
Weight class  
Identification Catalogue number Manufacturer  
Model /  
Approval number  
Mode of securing seat  
1)  
0 - 1  
(up to 18 kg)  
ISOFIX RWF  
FAIR  
FAIR G0/ 1  
rearward-facing with vehi-  
cle-specific platform type A  
(RWF)  
E4 04443513  
4590.xx, 4710.xx  
4590.xx, 4610.xx  
1)  
1
ISOFIX FWF  
Universal  
FAIR  
FAIR  
FAIR G0/ 1  
forward-facing with vehicle-  
specific platform type A  
(FWF)  
E4 04443513  
E4 03443416  
(9 to 18 kg)  
FAIR G0/ 1  
standard three-point seat  
1)  
4590.xx  
2)  
belt  
1)  
manufacturer details:  
Company: FAIR srl  
Address: Strada della Cisa 249/251, I- 42040 Sorbolo Levante di Bres-  
cello (RE) / Italy.  
2)  
may also be secured with two-point seat belt.  
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Child safety  
181  
Possible alternatives for securing a child  
safety seat  
WARNING  
While the vehicle is moving, children must always be protected  
with a restraint system which is suited to their age, height and  
weight. Please refer to the chapter “Child seat categories”.  
A child safety seat can be secured on the rear seats and  
on the front passenger's seat.  
• Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front  
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been  
deactivated. This could result in potentially fatal injuries. If you  
have no alternative but to let a child travel on the front passenger's  
seat, the front passenger's airbag must be deactivated before-  
hand. Please refer to the chapter “Deactivating airbags”.  
The following alternatives are available for safely securing a child  
safety seat on the rear seats and on the front passenger's seat.  
• Child safety seats of the categories 0 to 3 can be secured with the  
standard three-point seat belts.  
• Child safety seats of the categories 0, 0+ and 1 with the “ISOFIX”  
system can be secured without seat belts using the “ISOFIX”  
retainers* ⇒ page 181.  
• Note the important information and warnings concerning the  
use of child safety seats found in the chapter “Important safety  
notes when using child safety seats” and in the installation  
instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child safety  
seat.  
Compatibility of vehicle seat positions for child safety seats  
(according to EC directive 77/541):  
Weight class  
Front passen-  
ger's seat  
Rear seats  
Applies to vehicles: with ISOFIX system  
u
u
0, 0+  
, a, b, c  
, d  
“ISOFIX” child seat mounting system  
u
u
1
2
3
, a, b, c  
, d  
Child safety seats with the “ISOFIX” system can be  
secured quickly and easily.  
u
u
, a  
u
u
, a  
u
A “universally compatible”  
a
A The front passenger's backrest must be set as far forward as  
possible or adapted to the child safety seat as required, and the  
seat height must be adjusted to its highest position.  
b
A The front passenger's airbag must be deactivated if a rearward-  
Fig. 191 The ISOFIX  
child safety seat is  
pushed into the protec-  
tive sleeves.  
facing child seat is used.  
c
A The front passenger's seat can be equipped with optional  
“ISOFIX” retainers.  
When removing or fitting the child safety seat, please be  
sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.  
d
A The rear seats can be equipped with optional “ISOFIX” retainers.  
Controls  
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document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 182 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17  
182  
Child safety  
A
B
– Fit the protective sleeves A onto the retainers A  
between the backrest and the seat cushion ⇒ page 181,  
fig. 191.  
– Push the mountings on the child safety seat into the  
protective sleeves until they engage audibly (2x)  
⇒ page 181, fig. 191.  
– Pull on the child safety seat to check whether both  
catches have engaged properly.  
Child safety seats with the “ISOFIX” system can be secured quickly  
and safely on the rear seat* or on the front passenger's seat*.  
Detailed fitting instructions are supplied with the child safety seat.  
Child seats with “ISOFIX” mountings are available from Audi dealers  
and specialist retailers.  
If required, the “ISOFIX” mounting system can be retrofitted.  
WARNING  
The retainers used here are specially designed for child safety  
seats with “ISOFIX” mountings. Do not attempt to secure other  
types of child safety seat, seat belts or other objects with these  
retainers – this could result in serious or possibly fatal injury.  
document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 183 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17  
Child safety  
183  
Controls  
Safety  
Driving tips  
General maintenance  
Self-help  
Technical data  
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