2008 AUDI A4 height

Airbag system 204Important safety notes on the front 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
•
It is important for the driver and front passenger to maintain a
distance of at least 25 cm from the steering wheel or dashboard
⇒fig. 217. 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.
•
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 210, “Child safety”.
•
Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been 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 208. Failure to observe this
precaution could result in serious or potentially fatal injury.
•
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.
•
Any work on the airbag system or removal and installation of
the airbag components for other repairs (such as repairs to the
steering wheel or removal of seats) must be performed by a qual-
ified workshop.Note
If necessary, you can deactivate the front passenger's airbag by
means of the key-operated switch* ⇒page 208.
Fig. 217 Minimum
distance from steering
wheel
WARNING (continued)
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 204 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Child safety 210Child safetyPoints to remember if children are
travelling in the carIntroduction
Statistics show that children are generally safer on the
rear seat than on the front passenger's seat.Children under 12 years of age should normally travel on the rear
seat
2). Children travelling on the rear seat must use a child restraint
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.
The physical principles involved and the forces acting in a collision
apply to children just as much as adults ⇒page 195, “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 213,
“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 dealers. The
“Huckepack” range includes suitable restraint systems for all ages. These systems have been specially developed and tested 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 213,
“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.
2)Observe any restrictions or regulations to the contrary.
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 210 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Child safety 212Applies to vehicles: with side airbagsImportant notes on side airbags and child safety
Children must never sit too close to the opening for the
side airbag.The side airbags offer increased protection in a side-on collision.
In order to be effective, the side airbags need to inflate very quickly
(within fractions of a second) ⇒page 205, “How the side airbags
work”.
The airbag inflates with such force that injury can be caused if the
occupant is not sitting upright, or if there are any objects close to
the opening for the side airbag.This applies particularly to children if they are travelling in a way
which does not comply with the statutory safety regulations.
Incorrect position – danger of injury from the side
airbag
If the side airbag were to inflate in an accident, it would strike the
child on the head and most likely cause serious injury ⇒fig. 224.
Correct position – properly restrained in a suitable
child safety seat
The child is correctly seated in a suitable child restraint system on
the rear seat ⇒fig. 225. There is enough space between the child
and the opening for the side airbag.
In an accident, the airbag would be able to inflate completely to
offer maximum protection.
WARNING
To help prevent serious injury, children travelling in the vehicle
must always be protected with a restraint system which is suited
to their age, height and weight.•
The child's head must always be well away from the opening
for the side airbag. There is a risk of suffering injury.
•
Do not leave or place any objects in the space next to the side
airbag. There is a risk of suffering injury.Note
If required, you can have the side airbags for the rear passengers
deactivated by a qualified workshop.
Fig. 224 Not properly
restrained, and too
close to the opening
for the side airbagFig. 225 Correctly
seated in a suitable
child safety seat
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 212 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Child safety 218Possible alternatives for securing a child safety seat
A child safety seat can be secured on the rear seats and
on the front passenger's seat.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 218.
Compatibility of vehicle seat positions for child safety seats
(according to EC directive 77/541):
“universally compatible”
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.
The front passenger's airbag must be deactivated if a rearward-
facing child seat is used.
The front passenger's seat can be equipped with optional
“ISOFIX” retainers.
The rear seats can be equipped with optional “ISOFIX” retainers.
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”.•
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”.
•
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.
Applies to vehicles: with ISOFIX system“ISOFIX” child seat mounting system
Child safety seats with the “ISOFIX” system can be
secured quickly and easily.When removing or fitting the child safety seat, please be
sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Weight class
Front passen-
ger's seat
Rear seats
0, 0+
u, a, b, c
u, d
1
u, a, b, c
u, d
2
u, a
u
3
u, a
u
AuAaAbAcAd
Fig. 231 The ISOFIX
child safety seat is
pushed into the protec-
tive sleeves.
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 218 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Towing a trailer233
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data additional mirrors fitted. Both exterior mirrors should be mounted
on hinged extension brackets. Adjust the mirrors to give sufficient
vision to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting a journey, check the headlight beam settings with
the trailer hitched up. If necessary, alter the height of the headlight
beams by means of the headlight range control ⇒page 60.
Power supply
When you remove the ignition key the power supply to the trailer is
interrupted.
Removable ball joint coupling
Vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket are equipped with a
removable ball joint coupling. It is carried under the floor panel on
the left-hand side of the luggage compartment and is secured by a
strap.
Note
We recommend having the car serviced between the normal inspec-
tion intervals if it used frequently for towing a trailer.Applies to vehicles: with towing bracketTrailer stabilisation system
Trailer stabilisation helps to reduce the risk of the vehicle
skidding when towing a trailer.The trailer stabilisation system is operational only when the ESP is
switched on and there is no malfunction in the ESP ⇒page 17.
When is the trailer stabilisation system activated?
Trailer stabilisation is active when the following requirements are
met:•
The ESP must NOT be switched off ⇒page 222,
•
The trailer connector must be properly secured in the vehicle
socket.
•
Vehicle speed must be higher than approx. 60 km/h.
How trailer stabilisation works:
In many cases, the driver can stabilise a swaying trailer by manually
braking the vehicle.
However, if the ESP detects that the trailer is swaying and this is
affecting the towing vehicle, it will automatically brake the vehicle
to stabilise the trailer by slowing it down. The warning lamp
 will
light up in the instrument cluster. If possible, do not turn the
steering wheel at this stage.
In order to warn traffic behind you, the brake lights will come on
during this automatic braking operation.
A trailer weighing less than 70% of the kerb weight of the towing
vehicle may sway quite considerably without the trailer stabilisation
system intervening. This can happen when the swaying movements
of the light-weight trailer are not or hardly passed on to the towing
vehicle and are therefore not detected by the ESP.
If the system for activating the trailer brake lights is defective, this
will be indicated in the instrument cluster display ⇒page 37, “Bulb
monitor ”.
Requirements for correct functioning of the trailer
stabilisation system
If these conditions are not met in full, the trailer stabilisation system
will only intervene to a limited extent or not at all ⇒.
•
The electrical connection between the towing vehicle and the
trailer must be functioning correctly, without any defects.
•
The load on the trailer must be properly secured.
•
The tyre pressures on both the vehicle and the trailer must be
adapted to the load that is being carried.
•
Where possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted
draw bar weight.
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 233 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Wheels and tyres271
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Never use tyres whose actual size exceeds the dimen-
sions of the factory-approved makes of tyre.
– If you wish to fit the vehicle with non-standard rims or
tyres, it is advisable to consult an Audi dealer before
purchasing them.The tyres and wheel rims are an essential part of the vehicle's
design. The tyres and rims approved by Audi are specially matched
to the characteristics of the vehicle and make a major contribution
to good roadholding and safe handling ⇒.
The sizes of the rims and tyres approved for your vehicle are listed
in the vehicle's documents (e.g. EC Certificate of Conformity or COC
document
3)). The vehicle documents vary depending on the
country of residence.
Understanding the tyre designations makes it easier to choose the
correct tyres. For example, radial ply tyres have the following tyre
designations marked on the sidewall:
225 / 50 R 17 94 Y
This contains the following information:
The manufacturing date is also indicated on the tyre sidewall
(possibly only on the inner side of the wheel):
DOT ... 1006...means, for example, that the tyre was produced in the 10th week of
2006.
Please note that with some types of tyres, the actual tyre size can
differ from the nominal size marked on the tyre (for instance 225/50
R 17 94 Y), and there may be significant differences in the contours
of the tyres, even though the tyres are marked with the same
nominal size designation. When replacing the tyres, it is therefore
important to make sure that the actual size of the new tyres does
not exceed the dimensions of the factory-approved makes of tyre.
Failure to observe this requirement can affect the clearance needed
for the tyres. This could result in contact between the tyres and
suspension components or bodywork. The brake lines could also be
damaged and the vehicle's safety could be severely impaired ⇒.
When using tyres with the maximum permitted nominal dimen-
sions, this can also void the vehicle's registration.
If you use tyres that are approved by Audi you can be sure that the
actual tyre dimensions will be correct for your vehicle. If you decide
to fit a different type of tyre, you must obtain the appropriate manu-
facturer's certificate from the tyre retailer to confirm that the tyres
are suitable for your vehicle. Keep this certificate in a safe place.
Your local Audi dealer will be able to advise you on which tyres may
be fitted to your vehicle.
On vehicles with four-wheel drive, all four tyres must always be
fitted with tyres of the same type, make and tread pattern, as other-
wise the driveline can be damaged by continuous variations in the
wheel speeds. For the same reason, only use a spare wheel* with
the same tyre dimensions as the normal road wheels.
It the spare tyre* is not the same type as the tyres fitted on the car
(for example if the car has winter tyres or wide-section tyres) you
should only use the spare tyre if a puncture occurs, and then only
for a short period of time. In this case, please drive with extra care.
Refit the normal road wheel as soon as possible.
It is best to have all servicing of wheels and tyres performed by a
qualified workshop. They have the necessary special tools and
3)COC = certificate of conformity
225
Tyre width in mm
50
Height/width ratio in %
R
Tyre construction: Radial
17
Rim diameter in inches
94
Load rating code
Y
Speed rating code letter
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 271 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

General notes 320General notesExplanation of technical dataWhere not otherwise indicated or separately listed, all technical
data apply to vehicles with standard equipment for the German
market. Other figures may apply for special versions and export
models.
Please note that the details listed in the vehicle's registration docu-
ments can be taken as correct.
Engine data
The figures for engine power output are determined according to
EU standards.
Performance figures
The performance figures were measured without equipment which
may influence performance, such as mudflaps or extremely wide-
section tyres.
Kerb weight (unladen weight)
These figures (kerb weight according to the currently applicable
version of EU Directive 92/21/EEC) apply to the vehicle with the tank
90% full, with no special equipment. The figures include an addi-
tional 75 kg to allow for the weight of the driver.
When towing a trailer, the gross vehicle weight may be exceeded by
up to 30 kg and the maximum rear axle weight may be exceeded by
up to 80 kg.
Maximum trailer weights
The maximum trailer weights are calculated in accordance with the
currently applicable version of EU Directive 92/21/EEC.
The figures for a trailer with brakes, on gradients up to 8% are appli-
cable only up to a maximum speed of 80 km/h (even though higher
speeds may be permitted when towing a trailer in some countries).The figures for a trailer with brakes on gradients up to 12% and for
the weight of car and trailer on gradients up to 12% are applicable
up to a maximum speed of 100 km/h. This maximum speed must not
be exceeded even in countries where higher speeds are permitted.
Maximum draw bar loading
The vertical load exerted by the trailer drawbar on the ball joint of
the towing bracket must not exceed 80 kg.
In the interest of safety, we recommend applying the maximum
permitted draw bar weight. The stability of the trailer could be
adversely affected if too little weight is applied.
If the maximum permitted drawbar weight cannot be obtained, e.g.
when using small or light trailers, statutory regulations require that
the drawbar weight be at least 4% of the actual trailer weight (for
single-axle trailers or twin-axle trailers with an axle spacing less
than 1.0 m).
Dimensions1) The height of the vehicle depends on the tyres and suspension.
Take care not to damage low-mounted parts of the car (such as the
spoiler or exhaust system) on steep ramps, uneven road surfaces or
roadside kerbs, etc.
This applies especially when the vehicle is fully laden.Length
mm
4703
Width
mm
1826
Width across mirrors
mm
1953
Height, unladen
1)
mm
1417-1437
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 320 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Index 338
Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Seat height (manual) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Seat belt height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . 199
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Adjusting seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
During pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Height adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Putting on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Taking off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Front (deluxe automatic air conditioner) .
114
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Seat memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Selector lever
Manual release (multitronic®) . . . . . . 168
Selector lever positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Service position for windscreen wipers . 67
servotronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
side assist
Area covered by sensors . . . . . . . . . . 151
Changing settings in the MMI . . . . . . 155
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
How the system works . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Information and warning modes . . . 151
Messages in instrument cluster display .
156Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Switching on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Single journey memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Sitting position
Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . 191
Rear passengers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Ski bag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Sockets
230 Volt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Spare key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Spare parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Spare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Speed warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 23
Starting the engine
After fuel tank has been run dry . . . . 252
Jump-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Spare key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Starting with jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Status messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 36
Locking the steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Steering wheel height adjustment
(manual) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Storage compartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91Stretch net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Sun blinds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Sun roof
Convenience open/close function . . . . 54
Opening and closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Supplementary heater
Deluxe automatic air conditioner . . . 101
Deluxe automatic air conditioner plus . . .
110
Suspension control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Switches on driver's door
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . 118, 120
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
TTailgate
SeeBoot lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Tank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
tiptronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162, 166
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Total journey memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Tow-away protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Towing
Automatic braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Trailer stabilisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Towing away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Towing bracket
Parking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 338 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09