2007 AUDI R8 Owners Manual

Airbag system119
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data collision ⇒ in “Important safety notes on the side airbag system”
on page 119.
In a side collision the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to the
areas of the body facing the impact.
How the side airbags work
When fully inflated, the side airbags reduce the risk of
head or chest injury.In certain types of side collisions the side airbag is triggered on the
impact side of the vehicle ⇒fig. 100.
In certain types of accident the front airbags and the side airbags
may be triggered together.
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.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the impact of the occupants and
help to reduce the risk of injury to the head and upper part of the
body on the side facing the door.
Important safety notes on the side airbag system
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
•
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 airbag system be triggered in an acci-
dent.
•
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 in an accident. This could result in serious or potentially
fatal injury ⇒page 122, “Child safety”.
•
It is also important not to attach any accessories (such as cup
holders) to the doors. This would impair the protection offered by
the side airbags.
•
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.
•
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.
•
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
when it inflates out of the backrest, and seriously reduce the
airbag's effectiveness.
Fig. 100 Side airbag in
inflated condition
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Airbag system 120•
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) should always be performed by a qualified
workshop. Otherwise the airbag system may fail to work
properly.
Deactivating the airbagsDeactivating airbags
If airbags have been deactivated, they should be reacti-
vated as soon as possible so that they can continue to
give the required protection.There are two ways of deactivating the airbags: you can deactivate
the front passenger's airbag yourself by means of the key-operated
switch ⇒page 120. The other airbags can be deactivated by your
Audi R8 dealer.
Deactivating front passenger's airbag when a child
safety seat is in use
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.
Monitoring of airbag system
The airbag warning lamp will light up for a few seconds every time
the ignition is switched on.
WARNING
•
Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been
deactivated – this can result in potentially fatal injuries to the child
⇒page 123.
•
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.
Applies to vehicles: with key-operated switch for front passenger's airbagKey-operated switch for front passenger's airbag
The front passenger's airbag can be deactivated with the
key-operated switch.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 101 Key-operated
switch for deactivating
front passenger's
airbag
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Airbag system121
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
The key-operated switch for deactivating the front
passenger's airbag is located in the glove box ⇒page 120,
fig. 101.
– To deactivate the front passenger's airbag, insert the
ignition key in the switch and turn it to position .
– The front passenger's airbag can be reactivated by
turning the key to position .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 ⇒page 121, fig. 102. Please refer
also to the description of the AIRBAG warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster ⇒page 17.
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 – otherwise this can result in
potentially fatal injuries to the child.
•
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.
•
It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key-operated
switch is set to the correct position.
Fig. 102 Lamp indi-
cates that front
passenger's airbag has
been deactivated via
key-operated switch
A0
A1
WARNING (continued)
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Child safety 122Child safetyPoints to remember if children are
travelling in the carIntroductionThe physical principles involved and the forces acting in a collision
apply to children just as much as adults ⇒page 110, “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.
To reduce this risk, children must always use special child restraint
systems when travelling in the car.
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 123,
“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).
We recommend using child restraint systems from the range of
Audi Genuine Accessories available from Audi R8 dealers. The
“Huckepack” range includes suitable restraint systems for all ages.
These systems have been specially designed for use in Audi vehicles
and comply with the ECE R 44 standard.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory
requirements when installing and using child restraints ⇒ in
“Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.
Important safety notes for using child safety seats
Correct use of child safety seats can help to reduce the
risk of injury in an accident.
WARNING
•
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.
•
Babies and children must never travel on another occupant's
lap.
•
A suitable child safety seat can protect your child ⇒page 123,
“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.
•
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.
•
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 especially the case if the airbag is activated during an acci-
dent. There is then a risk of serious or potentially fatal injury.
•
To ensure proper protection, it is important to wear the seat
belts in the correct position ⇒page 112, “How to wear seat belts
properly”. Always check that the belt is properly positioned
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Child safety123
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data 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.
•
Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been
deactivated.
•
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 work-
shop.
•
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.
•
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. 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.
•
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.
Child safety seatsChild seat categories
Only use child restraint systems that are officially
approved and suitable for the child.Child restraint systems are covered by the European standard
ECE R 44 (issued by the Economic Commission of Europe).
The child seats are divided into 5 categories:
Children who are taller than 1.5 metres can use the existing seat
belts without a booster cushion.
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).
WARNING (continued)
Category
Weight
0
0 - 10 kg
⇒page 124
0+
up to 13 kg
⇒page 124
1
9 - 18 kg
⇒page 124
2
15 - 25 kg
⇒page 125
3
22 - 36 kg
⇒page 125
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Child safety 124Child safety seat: category 0 / 0+
A suitable child safety seat and a correctly worn seat belt
can protect your child.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. 103.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory
requirements when installing and using child restraints
⇒page 122, “Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.
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 122. This can result in serious or possibly fatal
injury.
Child safety seats: category 1
A suitable child safety seat and a correctly worn seat belt
can protect your child.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. 104.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory
requirements when installing and using child restraints
⇒page 122, “Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.
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 122. This can result in serious or possibly fatal
injury.
Fig. 103 Child safety
seat: Category 0 / 0+
Fig. 104 A category 1
forward-facing child
seat fitted on the
passenger seat
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Child safety125
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Child safety seats: category 2/3
A suitable child safety seat and a correctly worn seat belt
can protect your child.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
in conjunction with the three-point seat belts ⇒fig. 105.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory
requirements when installing and using child restraints
⇒page 122, “Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.
WARNING
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.
Note
We recommend that you fit child safety seats with backrests.
Fig. 105 A category
2/3 forward-facing
child seat (with back-
rest) fitted on the
passenger seatFig. 106 A category 3
forward-facing child
seat (without backrest)
fitted on the passenger
seat
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Child safety 126Fitting child safety seatsGeneral information
Label on a child safety seat ⇒fig. 107
Approval number
Manufacturer's serial number.
The label also shows information on the use and weight class of the
child seat.
List of recommended child safety seats
For the current range of child seats from Audi Genuine Accessories
visit: http://www.audi.com
Fig. 107 Example of an
approval number on a
child safety seat
A1A2
Weight class
Identification
“Huckepack”
Audi
Genuine Accessories
catalogue number
Manufacturer
Model
Approval number
0+
(up to 13 kg)
G0 Plus
00A.019.900.A
Britax Römer
Baby-Safe Plus
E1 033 01146
1
(9 to 18 kg)
G1 ISOFIX Duo Plus
00A.019.909.B
Britax Römer
Duo Plus
E1 033 01133
2
(15 to 25 kg)
G3 Plus
00A.019.906
Britax Römer
Kid Plus
E1 033 01169
3
(22 to 36 kg)
G3 Plus
00A.019.906
Britax Römer
Kid Plus
E1 033 01169
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