2009 AUDI S3 ESP

• In cool or damp weather conditions the headlights may fog over
temporarily on the inside.
- The critical factor is the temperature difference between the
interior and the exterior of the headlight lens.
- With the main beams switched on, the light -emitting area will
be free of condensation after a short time, however the edges of
the glass may still be fogged .
- The rear lights and turn signals may also be affected.
- This physical phenomenon has no effect on the life of your
vehicle's lighting system .•
A pplies to vehic les : wit h ligh t sens or p ack age
Sensor activated head- and tail light control
In the "AUTO" position light sensors switch the head- and
tail lights on and off.
Fig. 48 Instrument
panel : light switch in
AUTO position
The sensor-activated low beams have the same characteris ­
tics as the headlights ~
page 52.
Activating
-Tur n t he light switch ~ fig . 48 to position AUTO.
Con tro ls and eq uip­
ment
Clear vision
Deactivating
- Turn the light switch to position 0.
In the switch position AUTO the automatic head-and taillight
control
is activated. The corresponding symbol on the light switch
is lit.
With automatic headlights, the high -beam function is also available,
but with one restriction: If you have not switched the high beams
back to low beams during automatic headlight operation (for
examp le, after driving through a tunnel), only the low beams come
on the next time automatic headlights are switched on . To use the
high beams, you first have to pull the high beam lever back and then
push the lever forward again .
Parking lights, headlights, fog lights and the rear fog light can be
switched on manually using the light switch=>
page 52 .
Light sensors located in the inside mirror housing and stem
constantly check the light conditions surrounding the vehicle. If
ambient brightness falls below a factory set value (e .g . when driving
into a tunnel), the head-and taillights including the license plate
illumination are automatically turned on . When ambient br ightness
increases again, the external lights are turned off again=>
If:::..
Light sensor malfunction
If there is a light sensor malfunction, the symbol comes on in the
display. For safety reasons, the low beams are turned on perma­
nently with the switch in
AUTO. However, you can continue to turn
the ligh ts on and off using the light switch . Have the light sensor
checked as soon as possible at a dealership.
& WARNING
• Automatic head -and taillight control is only intended to assist
the drive r. This feature does not relieve the driver of his responsi­
bility to check the headlights and to turn them on manually
according to the current light and visibility conditions. For
example, fog and rain cannot be detected by the light sensors. .,
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

Clear vision
& W ARNIN G (con tinued )
Conseq uently , alwa ys swit ch the headl ights i o on under these
weather condition s and when driving in the da rk .
• Cra she s ca n happen when you c annot see the road ahe ad and
when you c annot be seen by other motori sts .
• Alway s turn on the headlights so that you c an see ahead and
s o that ot hers can see you r ca r from the back.
[ i ] Tips
• In the AUTO mode, the low beams are turned off when the igni­
tion is turned off. The remaining l ights are turned off when the key
is taken out of the igni tion lock.
• Do not attach stickers to the windshie ld in front of the sensors as
this can disable the automatic head- and tail light control and the
automatic glare -dimming of the rearview mirror(s) .
• Always observe the specific local regulations for your area when
to use your lights .
• In the event of a light sensor malfunction , the driver information
display will show the symbol . If a ligh t sensor malfunction is indi ­
cated, you must use the light switch to turn the low beams on and
off. •
App lies to t he market: USA mode ls
Applies to vehicles: with daytime ru nni ng lights and bi-xeno n ligh ts
Daytime running lights (DRL)
The daytime running lights are turned on autom atically
when the ignition is switched on .
®r @'
Activating functions
F ig . 4 9 Swit ch for
d ayt ime running li ghts
- Move the r ight thum bwhe el @ "DRL" =} fig. 49 to posi-
tio n
G).
Deactivating functions
- Move t he r ig ht thum bwhee l "DRL" to po siti on @ .
The day time running lights ca n be turned on or off using this func­
tion. If the function is active, the daytime running lights are turned
o n aut omatically when the ignition is switched on.
The daytime running lights are activated
only when the light switch
=> fig . 49 @ is at the O or AUTO* posi tion.
& WARNING
Never u se dayt ime running light s to see where you are goin g. They
are not bright enough and will not let you see far e nough ahead for
safety , especially at dusk or when it is dark. Be aware of change s _..

& WARNING (continued)
in outside light conditions when you are driving and respond by
switching on your low beams
io.
0 Note
Always be aware of changes in outside light conditions while you
are driving . Respond in time to fading daylight by turning the light
switch to position
io (or "AUTO" if your car is equipped with this
feature)
to turn on your headlights. •
Applies to the market: Canada models
Daytime running lights (Canada models only)
When you turn on the ignition the daytime running lights
will come on automatically.
The daytime running lights are activated only when the light switch
@=> page 54, fig . 49 is either at the O or the ;oo:c position. When the
ignition is switched on, there is a difference between vehicles with
bi-xenon lights and halogen lamps :
• On vehicles with bi -xenon lights only the daytime running lamps
in the headlights will come on .
• On vehicles with halogen lights the front fog lights, side marker
lights and tail lights come on automatically
& WARNING
Never use daytime running lights to see where you are going. They
are not bright enough and will not let you see far enough ahead for
safety, especially at dusk or when it is dark. Be aware of changes
in outside light conditions when you are driving and respond by
switching on your low beams
io.
Controls and equip ­
ment
Clear vision
0 Note
• With the light switch at the O or ooo:c position, only your front fog
lights remain turned on when it turns dark outside. Even though
your instruments appear well lit, the road ahead of you is not. The light pattern provided by fog lights alone is not sufficient for safe
driving in poor light or darkness. Therefore:
• Always be aware of changes in outside light conditions while
you are driving. Respond in time to fading daylight by turning the light switch to position
io (or "AUTO" if your car is equipp ed with
this feature)
to turn on your headlights.
[ i] Tips
The daytime running lights function cannot be turned off.•
Applies to vehic les : w ith Ada ptive ligh t
Adaptive light
When driving around bends, the relevant area of the road
is better illuminated.
Fig . 50 Adaptive light
when driving
The benefit of adaptive light is that the curve and the edge of the
road are better illuminated=> fig . 50 . The adaptive light is controlled
automa tically , depending on vehicle speed and steering wheel
angle. _,,,,
I • •

& WARNING (continued)
• For safety reasons, the windshield wiper blades should be
replaced once or twice a year. •
Mirrors
Manual anti -glare adjustment
Standard setting
- Move the small lever (located on the bottom edge of the
mirror) to the front.
Anti-glare setting - Move the small lever (located on the bottom edge of the
mirror) to the rear. •
Applies to veh icles: w it h a utom ati cally dim mi ng in sid e m ir ro r
Automatically dimming inside mirror
The automatic dimming function can be turned on and off
if required.
Controls and equip ­
ment
Fig . 69 Inside rear
view mirror
Clear vision
Disabling auto dimming
- Press button @=> fig. 69
briefly, -the green indicator
light ® goes out.
Activating/reactivating auto dimming Press button @
briefly, -the green indicator light ®
goes on.
Automatic dimming function
The automatic dimming function is activated every time the ignition
is turned on. The green indicator light is lit to indicate auto dimming
is active.
When dimming is activated, the inside mirror will darken
automati­
cally
in response to the amount of light striking the mirror (such as
headlights from rearward approaching vehicles). Even in dimming
mode, the mirror surface turns bright when:
• the interior light is switched on
• reverse gear is engaged .
& WARNING
Broken glass of automatic dimming mirror can cause electrolyte
fluid leakage . Electrolyte fluid can irritate skin, eyes, and respira­
tory system.
• Repeated or prolonged exposure to electrolyte can cause irrita­
tion to the respiratory system, especially among people with
asthma or other respiratory conditions . Get fresh air immediately
by leaving the vehicle or, if that is not possible, open windows and
doors all the way.
• If electrolyte gets into the eyes, flush them thoroughly with
large amounts of clean water for at least 15 minutes; medical
attention is recommended.
• If electrolyte contacts skin, flush affected area with clean water
for at least 15 minutes and then wash affected area with soap and ._
I • •

and farther away than when seen in a flat mirror. If you use this
mirror to esti mate distances of fo llowing vehicles when changing
lanes, you cou ld es timate incorrectly and cause an accident .
[ i] Tip s
If there shou ld be a malfunction in the electrica l system, you can
sti ll adjust the outside mirrors by pressing the edge of the mirror .•
Ap plie s to v ehicl es: wit h autom atic dim ming for out side m irro rs
Automatic dimming for outside mirrors
The outside mirrors are dimmed together with the automatic
dimming of the inside mir ror . When the ignition is switched on, the
mirrors darken automatical ly depending on the light striking them
(e .g. head lights from the rear) .
When the interior lighting is switched on and when reverse gear is
engaged , the mirrors are swi tched back to their original brightness
(not dimmed).
& WARNING
Broken glas s of automatic dimming mirror can c ause electrolyte
fluid le akage. Electrolyte fluid can ir ritate s kin , eyes , and re spir a­
tory system .
• Repeated or prolonged e xposure to ele ctro lyte can cau se irrita­
tion to the respi ratory sy stem , e specially among people with
asthm a or other respir atory co ndition s. G et fresh a ir i mmediately
by leaving the veh icle or , if that is not po ssible , open windows and
do ors all the way.
• If electrolyte get s into the eyes , flush them thoroughly with
large amounts of clean wate r fo r at least 15 minut es; medi cal
attention i s recommended .
• If ele ctrolyte cont acts sk in , flu sh affe cted are a with clean w ater
for at lea st 15 minute s and then wash affected area with soap and
Controls and equip ­
ment
Cl ea r vision
& WAR N IN G ( continued )
water; medic al attent ion is re commend ed . Thoroughly wash
affected clothing and shoes before reu se .
• If swallowed and person i s cons ciou s, rinse mouth w ith w ater
for at lea st 1 5 minute s. Do not indu ce vomitin g unles s instructed
to do so by medic al profession al. Get medi cal attent ion immed i­
ately.
0 Note
Electrolyte leaki ng from a broken mirror g lass at tacks the veh ic le
paint and plastic surfaces . C lean up spilled electrolyte immediately
with c lear water and a sponge.
[ i ] Tips
• If automatic dimming for the inside mirror is swit ched off , the
out side m irrors are also not dimmed automati cally.
• Automatic di mming for the mirror only operates proper ly if the
sunshade * for the rear window is retracted, or the light striking the
ins ide mirror is not hindered by other ob jects. •
I • •

Seats and storage
Seats and storage
General recommendations
Why is your seat adjustment so important?
The safety belts and the airbag system can only provide
maximum protection if the front seats are correctly
adjusted.
There are several different ways you can adjust the driver's seat and
the front passenger's seat so that it conforms to your body size. It is
especially important that the seat be adjusted properly so that:
• you can easily and quickly reach all the switches and controls in
the instrument panel
• your body is properly supported thus reducing physical stress
and fatigue
• the safety belts and airbag system can offer maximum protec ­
tion=>
page 147
In the following chapters, you will see exactly how you can best
adjust your seats.
There are special regulations and instructions for installing a child safety seat on the front passenger's seat. Always heed the informa ­
tion regarding child safety provided in=>
page 769, "Child Safety".
L1}. WARNING
Incorrect seating position of the driver and all other passengers
can result in serious personal injury.
• Always keep your feet on the floor when the vehicle is in motion
- never put your feet on top of the instrument panel, out of the
window or on top of the seat cushion! This applies especially to
the passengers. If your seating position is incorrect you increase
the risk of injury in the case of sudden braking or an accident. If
& WARNING (continued)
the airbag inflates and the seating position is incorrect this could
result in personal injury or even death.
• It is important for both the driver and front passenger to keep
a distance of at least 10 inches (25 cm) between themselves and
the steering wheel and/or instrument panel. If you're sitting any closer than this, the airbag system cannot protect you properly. In
addition to this, the front seats and head restraints must be
adjusted to your body height so that they can give you maximum
protection.
• Always try to keep as much distance as possible between your­
self and the steering wheel or instrument panel.
• Do not adjust the driver's or front passenger's seat while the
vehicle is moving . Your seat may move unexpectedly, causing
sudden loss of vehicle control and personal injury. If you adjust
your seat while the vehicle is moving, you are out of position. •
Driver's seat
The correct seat position is important for safe and relaxed
driving.
We recommend that you adjust the driver's seat in the
following manner:
- Adjust the seat in fore and aft direction so that you can easily push the pedals to the floor while keeping your
knees slightly bent=>
& in "Why is your seat adjustment
so important?".
- Adjust the seatback so that when you sit with your back
against the seatback, you can still grasp the top of the
steering wheel.
~

Seats and storage
Applies to vehicles : w ith m anual seat a djustm en t
Adjusting the manual seats
Po sition, angle and shape of the manual seats can be
adjusted to provide safe and comfortable seating.
Reed and heed all WARNINGS =:> & before you adjust your
seat.
Moving the front seats forward or backward
- Li ft the lever =:>
page 75, fig. 73 (D and slide the seat to
the desired p osition.
- Release the lever and then move the seat further until
you feel and hear it engage.
Adjusting the seat height
- Pull the lever @ up and pump it to raise the seat.
-Push the lever down and pump it to lower the seat .
Adjusting the seatback angle
- Lean forward to take your weight off the seatback.
- Turn the hand wheel© in the direction you want the
seatback to tilt.
& WARNING
• Never adjust the driver's or front passenger's seat while the
vehicle is moving . If you do this while the vehicle is moving , you
will be out of position . Always adjust the driver's or front
passenger's seat when the vehicle is not moving .
• Be careful when adjusting the seat height . Check to see that no
one is in the way, or serious injury could result!
& WARNING (continued)
• To reduce the risk of injury in the case of sudden braking or
accident, front passengers must never ride in a moving vehicle
with the seatback reclined. Safety belts and the airbag system
only offer maximum protection when the seatback is upright and
the safety belts are properly positioned on the body . The more the
seatback is reclined, the greater the risk of personal injury from an
incorrect seating position and improperly positioned safety
belts! •
Adjusting the power seat
Applies to vehi cles : wi th p ow er dr iv e r s eat
Adjustment switches
For an intuitive operation, the switches @ and @ are
distinctly shaped and posi tioned to reflect their adjust­
ment functions.
Fig . 7 4 Adjustment
switches: locations on
driver's seat
Push or pul l either switch in exactly the same direction you like the
co rresponding part of the seat to move. .,,

Seats and storage
& WARNING
When folded down, the armrest can restrict the driver's move­
ment. When driving in conditions that may call for quick maneu ­
vers , fold up the armrest. This will allow you to react more quickly
to avoid an accident. •
Rear seats
General information
Safe transpo rtation of passengers on the rear seats
requires proper safety precautions.
All passengers on the rear seats must be seated in compliance with
the safety guidelines explained in=> page
137 and=> page 147. The
correct seating position is safety critical for front
and rear seat
passengers alike=> page
130.
& WARNING
• Vehicle occupants in the front and rear seats must always be
properly restrained.
• Do not let anyone ride in the vehicle without the head restraints
provided . Head restraints help reduce injuries .
• Loose items inside the passenger compartment, can fly
forward in a crash or sudden maneuver and injure occupants .
Always store articles in the luggage compartment and use the
fastening eyes, especially when the rear seat backs have been
folded down .
• Read and heed and all WARNINGS =>
page 130, "Proper seating
positions for passengers in rear seats ".•
Rear armrest
The armrest contains a storage compartment and a
cupholder for 2 drinks.
Folding dovvn the armrest
Fig. 82 Center of the
rear seatbench: rear
armrest folded down
-Pull the armrest down on the front :::} fig. 82.
Opening the storage bin
- Pull the handle in front. •