2008 AUDI A4 AVANT belt

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Driving Safely
General notes
Safe driving habits
Please remember -safety first!
This chapter contains important information, tips, suggestions and
warnings that you need to read and observe for your own safety, the safety of your passengers and others. We have summarized here
what you need to know about safety belts, airbags, child restraints as well as child safety. Your safety is for us
priority number 1. Always
observe the information and warnings in this section
-for your own
safety as well as that of your passengers.
The information in this section applies to all model versions of your
vehicle. Some of the features described in this sections may be
standard equipment on some models, or may be optional equip ­
ment on others. If you are not sure, ask your authorized Audi dealer .
& WARNING
• Always make sure that you follow the suggestions and heed
the WARNINGS in this Manual. It is in your interest and in the interest of your passengers.
• Always keep the complete Owner's Literature in your Audi
when you lend or sell your vehicle so that this important informa­
tion will always be available to the driver and passengers.
• Always keep the Owner's literature handy so that you can find
it easily if you have questions. •
Safety equipment
The safety features are part of the occupant restraint
system and work together to help reduce the risk of injury
in a wide variety of accident situations.
Your safety and the safety of your passengers should not be left to
chance. Advances in technology have made a variety of features
available to help reduce the risk of injury in an accident. The
following is a listing of just a few of the safety features in your Audi:
• sophisticated safety belts for driver and all passenger seating
positions,
• safety belt pre-tensioners for the outboard seating positions,
• safety belt height adjustment systems for the front seats,
• front airbags,
• side airbags in the front seats and outer rear seats* ,
• side curtain airbags (SIDEGUARD),
• special LATCH anchorages for child restraints,
• head restraints for each seating position,
• adjustable steering column.
These individual safety features can work together as a system to
help protect you and your passengers in a wide range of accidents.
These features cannot work as a system if they are not always prop ­
erly adjusted and properly used .
Safety is everybody's responsibility! •

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Important things to do before driving
Safety is everybody's job! Vehicle and occupant safety
always depends on the informed and careful driver.
For your safety and the safety of your passengers, before
driving always:
- Make sure that all lights and signals are operat ing
correctly.
- Make sure that the tire pressure is correct.
- Make sure that all windows are clean and afford good
visibility to the outside.
- Secure all luggage and other items
carefully=> page 122.
-Make sure that nothing can interfere with the pedals.
- Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors correctly for your height .
- Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints
according to their height.
- Make sure to use the right child restraint correctly to
protect
children => page 210, "Child Safety".
- Sit properly in your seat and make sure that your passen ­
gers do the
same => page 95, "General recommenda­
tions".
- Fasten your safety belt and wear it properly. Also instruct
your passengers to fasten their safety belts properly
=> page 176. •
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first
Vehicle operation
What impairs driving safety?
Safe driving is directly related to the condition of the
vehicle, the driver as well as the driver's ability to concen­
trate on the road without being distracted.
The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle and all
of its occupants. If your ability to drive is impaired, safety
risks for everybody in the vehicle increase and you also
become a hazard to everyone else on the road
=>& .There ­
fore:
Do not let yourself be distracted by passengers or by
using a cellular telephone .
NEVER drive when your driving ability is impaired (by
medications, alcohol, drugs, etc.).
- Observe all traffic laws, rules of the road and speed limits
and plain common sense .
- ALWAYS adjust your speed to road, traffic and weather
conditions.
- Take frequent breaks on long trips. Do not drive for more
than two hours at a stretch.
- Do NOT drive when you are tired, under pressure or when
you are stressed .
& WARNING
Impaired driving safety increases the risk of serious personal
injury and death whenever a vehicle is being used. •
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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Proper occupant seating positions
Proper seating position for the driver
The proper driver seating position is important for safe,
relaxed driving.
Fig . 162 The correct
distance between
driver and stee ring
whee l
Fig . 163 Correc t head
restraint position for
driver
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the
event of an accident, we recommend that you adjust the
driver's seat to the following position :
- Adjust the driver's seat so that you can easily push the
pedals all the way to the floor while keeping your knee(s)
slightly
bent =>& .
-Adjust the angle of the seatback so that it is in an upright
position so that your back comes in full contact with it
when you drive .
- Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a distance of at
least 10 inches (25 cm) between the steering wheel and
your breast
bone => fig. 162. If not possible, see your
authorized Audi dealership about adaptive equipment.
- Adjust the steering wheel so that the steering wheel and airbag cover points at your chest and not at your face.
- Grasp the top of the steering wheel with your e lbow(s)
slight ly bent .
- Adjust the head restraint so that the upper edge is as
even with the top of your head as possible but no lower
than eye level and so that it is as close to the back of your
head as
possible=> fig. 163.
- Fasten and wear safety belts
correctly=> page 7 81.
- Always keep both feet in the footwell so that you are in
control of the vehicle at all times.
For detailed information on how to adjust the driver's seat, see
~ page 97 .

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& WARNING
Drivers who are unbelted, out of position or too close to the airbag
can be seriously injured by an airbag as it unfolds. To help reduce
the risk of serious personal injury:
• Always adjust the driver's seat and the steering wheel so that
there are at least 10 inches (25 cm) between your breastbone and
the steering wheel.
• Always hold the steering wheel on the outside of the steering
wheel rim with your hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions
to help reduce the risk of personal injury if the driver's airbag
inflates.
• Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position or with
your hands at other positions inside the steering wheel rim or on
the steering wheel hub. Holding the steering wheel the wrong way
can cause serious injuries to the hands, arms and head if the
driver's airbag inflates
• Pointing the steering wheel toward your face decreases the
ability of the supplemental driver's airbag to protect you in a colli­
sion.
• Always sit in an upright position and never lean against or
place any part of your body too close to the area where the airbags
are located.
• Before driving, always adjust the front seats and head
restraints properly and make sure that all passengers are properly
restrained.
• Never adjust the seats while the vehicle is moving . Your seat
may move unexpectedly and you could lose control of the vehicle.
• Never drive with the backrest reclined or tilted far back! The
farther the backrests are tilted back, the greater the risk of injury due to incorrect positioning of the safety belt and improper
seating position.
• Children must always ride in child safety seats
~ page 210.
Special precautions apply when installing a child safety seat on
the front passenger seat
~ page 187 . •
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first
Vehicle operation
Proper seating position for the front
passenger
The proper front passenger seating position is important
for safe, relaxed driving.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the
event of an accident, we recommend that you adjust the
seat for the front passenger to the following position:
- Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible.
There must be a minimum of 10 inches (25 cm) between
the breastbone and the instrument
panel=> &.
-Adjust the angle of the seatback so that it is in an upright
position and your back comes in full contact with it
whenever the vehicle is moving.
- Adjust the head restraint so that the upper edge is as
even with the top of your head as possible but not lower
than eye level and so that it is as close to the back of your
head as
possible => page 171.
-Keep both feet flat on the floor in front of the front
passenger seat.
- Fasten and wear safety belts
correctly=> page 181.
For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's
seat, see
~ page 95.
& WARNING
Front seat passengers who are unbelted, out of position or too
close to the airbag can be seriously injured or killed by the airbag
as it unfolds. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
.,,
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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&, WARNING (continued)
• Passengers must always sit in an upright position and never
lean against or place any part of their body too close to the area
where the airbags are located.
• Passengers who are unbelted, out of position or too close to the
airbag can be seriously injured by an airbag as it unfolds with
great force in the blink of an eye.
• Always make sure that there are at least 10 inches (25 cm)
between the front passenger's breastbone and the instrument
panel.
• Each passenger must always sit on a seat of their own and
properly fasten and wear the safety belt belonging to that seat.
• Before driving, always adjust the front passenger seat and
head restraint properly.
• Always keep your feet on the floor in front of the seat. Never
rest them on the seat, instrument panel, out of the window, etc.
The airbag system and safety belt will not be able to protect you properly and can even increase the risk of injury in a crash.
• Never drive with the backrest reclined or tilted far back! The
farther the backrests are tilted back, the greater the risk of injury due to incorrect positioning of the safety belt and improper
seating position.
• Children must always ride in child safety
seats => page 210.
Special precautions apply when installing a child safety seat on
the front passenger seat
=> page 187. •
Proper seating positions for passengers in
rear seats
Rear seat passengers must sit upright with both feet on
the floor consistent with their physical size and be prop­
erly restrained whenever the vehicle is in use.
To reduce the risk of injury caused by an incorrect seating
position in the event of a sudden braking maneuver or an
accident , your passengers on the rear bench seat must
always observe the following :
- Make sure that the seatback is securely latched in the
upright position =>
page 104.
- Adjust the head restraint so that the upper edge is as
even with the top of your head as possible but no lower
than eye level =>
page 171.
-Keep both feet flat in the footwell in front of the rear seat.
- Fasten and wear safety belts properly =>
page 181.
-Make sure that children are always properly restrained in
a child restraint that is appropriate for their size and age
=>
page 210.
& WARNING
Passengers who are improperly seated on the rear seat can be
seriously injured in a crash.
• Each passenger must always sit on a seat of their own and
properly fasten and wear the safety belt belonging to that seat.
• Safety belts only offer maximum protection when the seatback
is securely latched in the upright position and the safety belts are
properly positioned on the body. By not sitting upright, a rear seat
passenger increases the risk of personal injury from improperly
positioned safety belts!
_,.

/b, WARNING (continued)
• Always adjust the head restraint properly so that it can give
maximum protection.
•
Proper adjustment of head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraints are an important part
of your vehicle's occupant restraint system and can help to reduce the risk of injuries in accident situations.
Fig . 164 Correctly
adjusted head restraint
viewed from the side
The head restraints must be correc tly adjusted to ach ieve
the best protect ion .
- Adjust the head restraint so that the upper edge o f the
restraint is level with the top of your head, but no lower
than eye level and so it is as close to the back of your
head as poss ible
~ fig . 164.
Adjus ting head re straints ~ page 105.
Safety first
Driving Safely
LJ}. WARNING
Driving without head restraints or with improperly adjusted head
restraints increases the risk of serious injuries in a collision. To
help reduce the risk of injury :
• Always drive with the head restraints in place and properly
adjusted .
• Every person in the vehicle must have a properly adjusted head
restraint.
• Always make sure each person in the vehicle properly adjusts
their head restraint . Each head restraint must be adjusted
according to occupants' size so that the upper edge is as even
with the top of the person's head, but no lower than eye level and
so it is as close to the back of to the head as possible.
• Never attempt to adjust head restraint while driving . If you
have driven off and must adjust the driver headrest for any reason,
first stop the vehicle safely before attempting to adjust the head
restraint.
• Children must always be properly restrained in a child restraint
that is appropriate for their age and
size ~ page 210. •
Examples of improper seating positions
The occupant restraint system can only reduce the risk of
injury if vehicle occupants are properly seated .
Improper seating positions can cause serious injury or
death . Safety belts can only work when they are properly
positioned on the body. Improper seating positions reduce
the effectiveness of safety belts and will even increase the r isk of injury and death by moving the safety belt to critical
areas of the body . Improper seating positions also increase
the risk of ser ious injury and death when an airbag deploys
and strikes an occupant who is not in the proper seat ing
.,_
irechnical data

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Safety belts
General notes
Always wear safety belts!
Wearing safe ty belts correctly saves lives!
T hi s ch apter explain s why s afe ty belts ar e necess ary , h ow
they w ork an d how t o ad just an d wear th em corr ectly.
- Read all the inf ormat ion that follows a nd heed all of the
i ns tru ction s and WARNINGS.
LJ}. WARNING
Not wearing safety belts or wearing them improperly increases
the risk of serious personal injury and death .
• Safety belts are the single most effective means available to
reduce the risk of serious injury and death in automobile acci­
dents . For your protection and that of your passengers , always
wear the safety belts properly when the vehicle is moving .
• Pregnant women , injured, or physically impaired persons must
also use safety belts . Like all vehicle o ccupants , they are more
likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts . The
best way to protect a fetus is to protect the mother - throughout
the entire pregnancy . •
Number of seats
Y o ur Aud i has a total of fi ve seati ng po siti ons: tw o in t he fr ont and
three in t he rear . E ac h seating position has a safety b elt.
LJ}. WARNING
Not wearing safety belts or wearing them improperly increases
the risk of serious personal injury and death.
• Never strap more than one person , including small children,
into any belt . It is especially dangerous to place a safety belt over
a child sitting on your lap.
• Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are safety
belts available.
• Be sure everyone riding in the vehicle is properly restrained
with a separate safety belt or child restraint . •
Safety belt warning light ~
Your vehicle has a warn ing system for the d river and (on
USA models only) f ront seat passenger to re mind you
a b ou t the i mpor tanc e o f b uckl in g -up.
Fig . 166 Safety belt
warning light in the instrument cluster -
enlarged
.,.

Before driving off, always:
-Fasten your safety belt and make sure you are wearing it
properly.
- Make sure that your passengers also buckle up and prop­ erly wear their safety belts.
- Protect your children with a child restraint system appro-
priate for the size and age of the children.
The warning light {} in the instrument cluster lights up when the
ignition is switched on as a reminder to fasten the safety belts . In
addition, you will hear a warning sound.
After the ignition is switched on, the warning tone will come on for about 6 seconds a long with a{} warning light in the instrument
cluster if either the driver or (on USA models only) front seat
passenger has not fastened their safety belt. As soon as the driver
and front seat passenger have fastened the safety belt, the warning
tone will stop and the warning light will go out.
I f both the driver and front seat passenger have not buckled -up
within about 24 seconds after the warning tone has stopped, the
warning tone will sound again for about 6 seconds. The warning
tone will sound repeatedly for about 6 seconds at 24 second inter­
vals until both the driver and front passenger have buckled-up. The
safety belt warning system is active for about 5 minutes and during
this time the warning light in the instrument cluster will stay on .
Fasten your safety belt now and make sure that your passengers
also properly put on their safety belts.
•
Safety first
Safety belts
Why safety belts?
Frontal collisions and the law of physics
Frontal crashes create very strong forces for people riding
in vehicles.
"' "' 9 w
"' a,
Fig. 167 Unbelted
occupants in a vehicle
heading for a wall
Fig . 168 The vehicle
crashes into the wall
jlJ>
Technical data