2008 AUDI A4 door

Airbag system207
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Head-protection airbags (sideguard)Description of head-protection airbags
The head-protection airbags work together with the side
airbag system to give extra protection in a side impact.The head-protection airbags are located above the doors on the left
and right sides of the vehicle ⇒page 207, fig. 220. The locations of
the airbags are marked with the word “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the three-point seat belts and side airbags, the
head-protection airbags give the occupants additional protection
against head and neck injuries in a severe side collision ⇒ in
“Important safety notes on the head-protection airbags” on
page 208.
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.
How the head-protection airbags work
When fully inflated, the airbags reduce the risk of head or
chest injury in a side collision.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. 221.
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
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.
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
Fig. 220 Location of
head-protection
airbags above the
doors
Fig. 221 Head-protec-
tion airbags in inflated
condition
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Airbag system 208second). The airbag releases a fine dust when it inflates. This is quite
normal and does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle.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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
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
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.
•
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 277.
•
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.
Applies to vehicles: with key-operated switch for front passenger's airbagDeactivating the front passenger's airbag via the key-operated switchIf an airbag has been deactivated, it should be reactivated
as soon as possible so that it can continue to give the
required protection.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 222 Key-operated
switch in glove box for
deactivating front
passenger's airbag
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Towing a trailer 232Towing a trailerDriving the vehicle with a trailer or
caravanTechnical requirements
The towing bracket must comply with certain technical
requirements.Your car is intended mainly for transporting passengers and
luggage. However, if suitably equipped, it can also be used to tow a
trailer or caravan.
If the car is supplied with a factory-fitted towing bracket it will
already have the necessary technical modifications and meet the
statutory requirements.
A 13-pin socket is provided to make the electrical connection
between the car and the trailer. If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you can
use an adapter cable. This is available from Audi dealers.
WARNING
If a towing bracket is retrofitted, the installation should be carried
out by a qualified workshop.•
In particular in high outside temperatures it is not possible to
drive up long steep gradients without a suitable cooling system.
The engine would then overheat.
•
Incorrect installation can result in a safety risk.
Points to check before towingTrailer weights
Never exceed the maximum permitted trailer weights ⇒page 323.If you do not load the trailer up to the maximum permitted trailer
weight, you can then climb correspondingly steeper gradients.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes
up to 1000 m above sea level. With increasing altitude the engine
power and therefore the car's climbing ability are impaired because
of the reduced air density, so the maximum trailer weight has to be
reduced accordingly. The weight of the car and trailer must be
reduced by 10% for every further 1000 m (or part thereof). This
figure refers to the combined weight of the (loaded) vehicle and
(loaded) trailer.
The figures for the draw bar weight that appear on the identification
plate of the towing bracket are for certification purposes only. The
correct figures for your specific vehicle, which may be lower than
these figures for the towing bracket, are given in the registration
documents. Also refer to ⇒page 323.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near to the
axle as possible. Loads carried in the trailer must be secured to
prevent them slipping.
Where possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted
draw bar weight on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not
exceed the specified limit.
Tyre pressure
Check the tyre pressures on your car and adjust for “full load” condi-
tions (refer to the sticker listing the tyre pressures on the end face
of the driver's door). It may also be necessary to adjust the tyre pres-
sures on the trailer according to the recommendations of the trailer
manufacturer.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer
with the standard mirrors. If this is not the case you should have
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Care of vehicle and cleaning 246Plastic partsPlastic parts will come clean with regular washing. If this is not suffi-
cient, plastic parts should only be treated with a special solvent-free
plastic cleaning agent. Do not use paint cleaners, polishes or wax on
plastic parts.Paint damageMinor damage to the paint, such as scratches or stone chips, should
be touched up without delay before the metal starts to corrode. Suit-
able touch-up brushes or sprays for your car can be obtained from
an Audi dealer.
The number of the original paint finish on the vehicle is given on the
data sticker ⇒page 321.
If corrosion is already visible it must be thoroughly removed by a
qualified workshop.Windows
Clear vision is an essential safety factor.The windscreen must not be cleaned with insect remover or wax,
otherwise the windscreen wipers will not function properly
(juddering).
Traces of rubber, oil, grease or silicone can be removed with a
window cleaning solution or a silicone remover. Wax residue can
only be removed with a special cleaner. Your Audi dealer will be able
to provide you with more detailed information.
The windows should also be cleaned on the inside at regular inter-
vals.
Use a separate cloth or chamois to dry the windows. Cloths used for
waxing and polishing contain residues that will cause smears on the
glass.
WARNING
Do not use water-repellent coatings on the windscreen. In bad visi-
bility conditions such as light rain, low sun or when driving at
night these coatings can cause increased dazzle, which is a
serious safety hazard. Such coatings can also cause the wiper
blades to judder.
Caution
•
Remove snow and ice from windows and mirrors with a plastic
scraper only. To avoid scratches caused by dirt on the glass, the
scraper should only be pushed in one direction and not moved to
and fro.
•
The heating element for the rear window is located on the inner
side of the window. To avoid damaging the heating element, do not
put stickers on the inner side of the window.
•
Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from
windows and mirrors. This could cause the glass to crack!
Rubber seals (weatherstrips)The weatherstrips will remain pliable and last longer if they are
occasionally treated with a suitable care product (for example sili-
cone spray). This will also prevent premature ageing and leaks. The
doors will be easier to open as well. If they are kept pliable, the door
seals will be less likely to freeze up in the winter.WheelsThe wheels require regular attention to preserve their appearance.
It is important to remove road salt and brake dust by washing the
wheels at regular intervals, otherwise the finish will be impaired.
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Care of vehicle and cleaning247
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data After washing, the wheels should only be cleaned with an "acid-
free" cleaning agent for alloy wheels. This is available from Audi
dealers and specialist retailers. Never leave the cleaning agent on
the rims for any longer than specified in the instructions before
rinsing it off. If the wheel cleaner fluid contains acid it can attack the
surfaces of the wheel bolts.
Car polish or other abrasive agents should not be used. If the
protective paint coating is damaged by stone chips etc., the
damaged area should be touched up immediately.
WARNING
Please note when cleaning the wheels that water, ice and road salt
can impair the effectiveness of the brakes – this can cause an
accident.Care of interiorSound system / MMI* display screen and MMI control console*The display screen can be cleaned with a soft cloth and a special
“LCD cleaner” (available from retailers of electrical goods). Moisten
the cloth with a small amount of the cleaning fluid.
Clean the MMI control console with a fine brush first to prevent any
dirt from getting in between the control buttons and the housing.
We then recommend wiping the MMI control console using a cloth
moistened with washing-up liquid and water.
Caution
To avoid scratching the screen, do not wipe the display with a dry
cloth.
•
To avoid any possibility of damage, do not let any liquid get
inside the control console.
Plastic parts and leatherettePlastic parts and leatherette can be cleaned with a damp cloth. If
this is not sufficient, plastic parts and leatherette should only be
treated with a special solvent-free plastic cleaner.Textile covers and trim partsTextile covers and trim parts (e.g. seats, door trim) should be
cleaned regularly with a vacuum cleaner. This will remove surface
dirt which could otherwise be rubbed into the textile material
during use. Do not use steam cleaners, as the steam could carry the
dirt deeper into the textile material.
Normal cleaning
We recommend that you use a soft sponge or lint-free, micro-fibre
cloth for normal cleaning. Only use brushes on floor coverings and
mats, as other textile surfaces could become damaged.
In the case of normal surface dirt you can use a foam cleaner. Use a
sponge to spread the foam on the textile surface and to work it into
the material lightly. However, make sure that the textile material
does not become soaking wet. Then dab off the foam with a dry and
absorbent cloth (e.g. a micro-fibre cloth) and vacuum off any
residue once the surface is completely dry.
Removal of stains
To treat stains caused by spilled drinks (coffee, fruit juice or similar)
make up a solution with a mild detergent for sensitive fabrics and
apply it with a sponge. If the stains are difficult to remove, a
washing paste can be applied directly onto the stain and worked
into the fabric. The surface will then have to be wiped with clear
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Checking and topping up fluids 254Checking and topping up fluidsBonnetReleasing the bonnet
The bonnet is released from inside the vehicle.– Open the driver's door.
– Pull the lever under the dashboard in the direction indi-
cated (arrow) ⇒fig. 250.The bonnet springs out of its lock.
Opening the bonnetBefore opening the bonnet make sure that the windscreen
wiper arms are not lifted away from the glass. Otherwise the
paint may get damaged.
– Lift the bonnet slightly ⇒.
– Press the release catch under the bonnet upwards
⇒fig. 251. This will release the arrester hook.
– Open the bonnet.The bonnet is held open by two gas-filled struts.
WARNING
To avoid the risk of being scalded, never open the bonnet if you see
steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment. Wait
until no steam or coolant can be seen before opening the bonnet.
Fig. 250 Detail of foot-
well on driver's side:
Release lever
Fig. 251 Release catch
under the bonnet
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Wheels and tyres 268Wheels and tyresWheelsGeneral notes–When driving with new tyres, be especially careful during
the first 500 km.
– If you have to drive over a kerb or similar obstacle, drive
very slowly and as near as possible at a right angle to the
kerb.
– Inspect the tyres regularly for damage (cuts, cracks or
blisters, etc.). Remove any foreign bodies embedded in
the treads.
– Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immedi-
ately.
– Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
– Replace any missing valve caps as soon as possible.
– Mark the wheels before taking them off so that they
rotate in the same direction when put back.
– When removed, the wheels or tyres should be stored in a
cool, dry and preferably dark place.New tyres
New tyres do not give maximum grip straight away and should
therefore be “run in” by driving carefully and at moderate speeds for
about the first 500 km. This will also help to make the tyres last
longer.
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, according to the type and
make of tyre and the tread pattern.Concealed damage
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily visible. If you notice
unusual vibration or the car pulling to one side, this may indicate
that one of the tyres is damaged. Reduce speed immediately if there
is any reason to suspect that damage may have occurred. Inspect
the tyres for damage. If no external damage is visible, drive slowly
and carefully to the nearest qualified workshop and have the car
inspected.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on
tyres with directional tread. Always note the direction of rotation
indicated when mounting the wheel. This guarantees optimum grip
and helps to avoid aquaplaning, excessive noise and wear.
Tyre service life
Correct inflation pressures and sensible driving habits
will increase the service life of your tyres.– Check the tyre pressures at least once a month.
Fig. 261 Open driver's
door (LHD vehicle) with
sticker listing tyre
inflation pressures
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Wheels and tyres269
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– The tyre pressures should only be checked when the
tyres are cold. The slightly raised pressures of warm tyres
must not be reduced.
– The pressures must be altered to suit major changes in
the load being carried.
– Avoid fast cornering and hard acceleration.
– Inspect the tyres for irregular wear from time to time.Tyre pressure and vehicle loading
The tyre pressure must be adjusted according to the load the vehicle
is carrying. We recommend adhering to the tyre pressure specifica-
tions for a maximum load. The tyre inflation pressures are listed on
a sticker on the end face of the driver's door ⇒page 268, fig. 261.
However, if you prefer an extra-smooth ride and the vehicle is not
fully loaded, you can select the tyre pressure for a normal load (no
more than three people travelling in the vehicle). However, should
you wish to drive with a full load you must increase the tyre pressure
to the specified maximum.
Under-inflation or over-inflation will reduce the life of the tyres
considerably and also impair the car's handling. Correct inflation
pressures are very important, especially at high speeds. The pres-
sures should therefore be checked at least once a month and before
starting a journey.
Do not forget the spare wheel* when checking the tyre pressures.
Keep the spare tyre inflated to the highest pressure required for the
road wheels.
Driving habits
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking (squealing
tyres) all increase tyre wear.Wheel balancing
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors
encountered in normal driving can cause them to become unbal-
anced, which results in steering vibration.
Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause
excessive wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must
also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted or if a tyre is repaired.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the
safety of the vehicle. If you notice excessive tyre wear, contact your
Audi dealer.
WARNING
•
Always adapt the tyre pressure accordingly when the vehicle
load changes.
•
Under-inflated tyres flex more and can overheat at continuous
high speeds. This can cause tread separation and tyre blow-out,
which could result in an accident.For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase the fuel consumption.
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