2008 AUDI S4 warning

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 th e 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 th e 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 tr iggered 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 fron t 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 deac tivated 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)
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Airbag system
206Important 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 th e vehicle is in motion, you are at greater
risk of injury should the side airbags on the front seats or the outer
rear seats* be triggered in an accident. This applies particularly to
children if they are not properly protected by a child restraint
system ⇒page 212, “Important notes on side airbags and child
safety”.
•
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. This could result in serious or potentially fatal injury
⇒ page 210, “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 (front and rear*).
•
The sensors for the airbags are lo cated 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 dama ge 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.
•
The built-in coat hooks should only be used for lightweight
clothing. Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the
pockets.
•
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 ba ckrest, and seriously reduce the
airbag's ef fectiveness.
•
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) must always be performed by a qualified
workshop. Otherwise the airbag system may fail to work
properly.WARNING (continued)
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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 in flate 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 passenge rs 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 th em (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 lo cated 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 dama ge 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 th e rear doors, these must not
obstruct or impair th e 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 trigge red. When the head-protection
airbag opens, parts of these acce ssories 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), mu st 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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Airbag system209
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 ⇒fig. 222.
– To deactivate the front passenger's airbag, insert the ignition key into the switch and turn it to position .
– The front passenger's airbag can be reactivated by turning the key to position .Deactivating front passenger 's airbag when a child
safety seat is in use
If you have no alternative but to i nstall a rearward-facing child safety
seat on the front passenger's seat you must deactivate the front
passenger's airbag beforehand.
We recommend, however, that child seats should be only fitted on
the rear seat so that the front passenger's airbag can remain func-
tional and provide protection in an accident ⇒page 210 .
Monitoring of airbag system
The airbag warning lamp will light up for a few seconds every time
the ignition is switched on.
If the front passenger's airbag ha s been deactivated via the key-
operated switch, the indicator lamp “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” will
light up constantly as a reminder ⇒page 209, fig. 223. Please refer
also to the description of the
 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster ⇒page 17 . When the front passenger's airbag is deactivated using the key-
operated switch, the seat belt warning lamp for the front passenger

⇒ page 18 is also switched off.
WARNING
•
If you have no alternative but to install a rearward-facing child
seat on the front passenger's se at, the front passenger's airbag
must be deactivated beforehand. Po tentially fatal injuries to the
child can result if the front passenger's airbag is not deactivated!
⇒ page 211, “Using a child safety seat on the front passenger's
seat”
•
If you have deactivated the fron t passenger's airbag, reactivate
it as soon as the chil d 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.Note
All the other airbags in the car will remain functional if the front
passenger's airbag has been deactivated with the key-operated
switch.
Fig. 223 Lamp indi-
cates that front
passenger's airbag has
been deactivated via
key-operated switch
AOFF
AON
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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 shou ld 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 instru
ctions 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 vehicl e is in motion.
•
Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a
normal seat belt without a child rest raint, as this could cause inju-
ries to the abdominal and neck areas.
•
Babies and children must neve r 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 o ccupy 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 ac cident, the child coul d be catapulted through
the car, causing possibly fatal injuries to itself and other occu-
pants.
2)Observe any restrictions or regulations to the contrary.
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Child safety211
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
•
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 particularly the case if the child is travelling on the front
passenger's seat and the airbag system is triggered in an accident.
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 co rrect position ⇒page 197, “How to wear seat belts
properly”. Always check that th e belt is properly positioned
according to the instru ctions 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 if the front pass enger's airbag has not been deac-
tivated ⇒page 211 .
•
Extra caution is advised if you ar e 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 ti ghtened 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
workshop.
Using a child safety seat on the front passenger's seat
Whenever possible, child safety seats should always be
installed on the rear seat.For safety reasons, we recommend that child safety seats should be
installed on the rear seats whenever possible. However, if you have
to use a child seat on the front passenger's seat when there is no
other alternative , it is most important to note the following warn-
ings:
WARNING
•
Do not use a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front
passenger's seat unless the fr ont 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 alte rnative but to use a rearward-
facing child seat on the front passenger's seat, the front
passenger's airbag must be deac tivated beforehand by means of
the key-operated switch* ⇒page 208. Failure to observe this
precaution could result in serious or potentially fatal injury.
•
Make sure that the front passen ger'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 pass enger's seat must be moved back
to the rearmost position.
WARNING (continued)
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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, he ight 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 object s 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
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Child safety213
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
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).
Child 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. 226.
Follow the manufacturer's instru ctions and observe any statutory
requirements when installing and using child restraints
⇒ page 210, “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 pass enger's airbag has not been deac-
tivated ⇒page 211 . This can result in serious or possibly fatal
injury.
Category
Weight
0
0 -10 kg
⇒ page 213
0 +
up to 13 kg
⇒page 213
1
9 - 18 kg
⇒page 214
2
15 - 25 kg
⇒page 214
3
22 - 36 kg
⇒page 214
Fig. 226 Child safety
seat: Category 0 / 0+
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