Get Safety -> Safe driving Guide for Audi S5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2024)

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152

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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154

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

Safety -> Safe driving for Your Audi S5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2024)

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