2008 AUDI S5 warning

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Airbag system 166Airbag systemDescription of airbag systemGeneral notes on airbag system
The airbag is an integral part of the car's passive safety
system.In conjunction with the three-point seat belts, the airbag system
gives the front occupants additional protection for the head and
chest in the event of a severe frontal collision.
In a severe side collision the side airbags and the head-protection
airbags reduce the risk of injury to the occupants in the areas of the
body facing the impact ⇒.
In addition to their normal function of protecting the occupants in a
collision, the seat belts also hold them in a position where the
airbags can inflate properly and provide maximum protection.
The airbag system will only work with the ignition on. The airbag
system is monitored electronically; the airbag warning lamp indi-
cates whether the system is functioning properly.
The main parts of the airbag system are:•
the electronic monitoring system (control unit and sensors),
•
the two front airbags,
•
the front side airbags and head-protection airbags,
•
The airbag warning lamp in the instrument cluster.
There is a fault in the airbag system if the warning
lamp
•
does not come on when the ignition is switched on,
•
does not go out about 4 seconds after the ignition is switched
on,
•
goes out and then comes on again after the ignition is switched
on,
•
comes on or flickers while the car is moving.
WARNING
•
The airbags are not a substitute for the seat belts; they are an
integral part of the car's overall passive safety system. The airbags
can only offer effective protection if the occupants are wearing
their seat belts. For this reason it is very important to wear the
seat belts at all times ⇒page 160, “Why is it so important to use
seat belts?”.
•
The seat belts and airbags can only provide maximum protec-
tion if the occupants are seated correctly ⇒page 70, “Seats and
storage”.
•
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 airbag system be triggered in an accident.
•
Components of the airbag system are located in various parts
of the vehicle. If repairs to other vehicle components make it
necessary to perform work on the airbag system or to remove or
install parts of the airbag system, this may cause damage to the
airbag system. As a result, the airbags may not inflate correctly or
may not be triggered at all in an accident situation. For this reason,
you should always have the work carried out by a qualified work-
shop.
•
If a fault should occur in the airbag system, have the system
checked immediately by a qualified workshop. Otherwise the
system may fail to trigger in an accident.
•
Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in
any way.
•
Never make any alterations to the front bumper or the body.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Airbag system167
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•
The airbag system can only be activated once; if the airbag has
been triggered, the system must be replaced. Should the airbag
system or airbag modules have to be replaced, the qualified work-
shop carrying out the replacement will document all details in the
appropriate section of the Service Schedule.
•
If you sell the vehicle, please remember to pass on the
complete Service Wallet to the new owner. If any of the airbags
have been deactivated, it is important that the new owner is also
given the relevant documents.
•
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the
vehicle or components of the airbag or belt tensioner systems are
scrapped.
•
In an accident in which one or more airbags are triggered the
alternator and the starter are - for safety reasons - both discon-
nected from the battery via a pyrotechnic circuit breaker.
−Any repairs to the pyrotechnic circuit breaker must always
be performed by a qualified workshop (accident risk).
−The relevant safety requirements must be observed when
the vehicle or the circuit breaker are scrapped.
When are the airbags triggered?
The airbag system is triggered in collisions with a severe
impact.The airbag system is designed so that the airbags for the driver and
front passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.
In severe side collisions the side airbags on the impact side of the
vehicle are triggered together with the head-protection airbag.
The front airbags, side airbags and one of the head-protection
airbags may be triggered together in certain types of accident.The airbag system is not triggered in minor frontal or side collisions,
or in rear collisions or if the car overturns. In these situations the
occupants are protected by wearing the seat belts.
Factors determining the triggering response
It is not possible to define the exact triggering response of the
airbag system in all possible situations, since the circumstances in
different types of accident will vary considerably. Important factors
include, for example, the nature (hard or soft) of the object which
the car hits, the angle of impact, vehicle speed and so on.
Whether the airbags are triggered depends primarily on the vehicle
deceleration rate resulting from the collision. By processing the
signals from the sensors located in the vehicle, the electronic
control unit is immediately able to evaluate the severity of the colli-
sion and activate the restraint systems accordingly. If the decelera-
tion rate is below the predefined reference value in the control unit
the airbags will not be triggered, even though the accident may
cause extensive damage to the car.
Note
The airbag releases a fine dust when it inflates. This is quite normal
and does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle.
WARNING (continued)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Airbag system169
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Important 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
⇒page 169, fig. 179. 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 175, “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 173. 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) must be performed by a qualified workshop.Note
If necessary, you can deactivate the front passenger's airbag by
means of the key-operated switch* ⇒page 173.
Fig. 179 Minimum
distance from steering
wheel
WARNING (continued)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Airbag system171
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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 airbags be triggered in an accident.
•
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 175, “Child safety”.
•
It is 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.
•
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 backrest, and seriously reduce the
airbag's effectiveness.
•
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.
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 ⇒fig. 182. The locations of the airbags
are marked with the word “AIRBAG”.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 182 Location of
head-protection
airbags above the
doors
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Airbag system 172In 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 172.
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. 183.
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
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.
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
Fig. 183 Head-protec-
tion airbags in inflated
condition
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Airbag system173
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Technical data 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 239.
•
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.The key-operated switch for deactivating the front
passenger's airbag is located in the glove box ⇒fig. 184.
– To deactivate the front passenger's airbag, insert the
ignition key into the switch and turn it to position .
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 184 Key-operated
switch in glove box for
deactivating front
passenger's airbagFig. 185 Lamp indi-
cates that front
passenger's airbag has
been deactivated via
key-operated switch
AOFF
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Airbag system 174
– 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 install 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 175.
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 has been deactivated via the key-
operated switch, the indicator lamp “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” will
light up constantly as a reminder ⇒fig. 185. Please refer also to the
description of the
 warning lamp in the instrument cluster
⇒page 16.
When the front passenger's airbag is deactivated using the key-
operated switch, the seat belt warning lamp for the front passenger
 ⇒page 17 is also switched off.
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. Potentially fatal injuries to the
child can result if the front passenger's airbag is not deactvated!
⇒page 176, “Using a child safety seat on the front passenger's
seat”
•
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.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.
AON
WARNING (continued)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Child safety175
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Child 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
4). 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 161, “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 176,
“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 176,
“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.
4)Observe any restrictions or regulations to the contrary.
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