
___ A_ ir_ b_ a-g _ s_y _s_ t_ e_ m _________________________________________________ _
& WARN ING (continued )
• Airbag work most effectively when used with properly worn
safety belt s.
• Therefore , always wear your safety belts and make sure that
everybody in your vehicle is properly restra ined .
& WARNING
A person on the front passenger seat , espe cially infants and small
c hildren, will receive serious injuries and can even be killed by
being too close to the airbag when it inflates .
• Although the Advanced Airbag System in your vehicle is
designed to turn off the front passenger airbag if an infant or a
small child is on the front passenger seat , nobody can absolutely
guarantee that deployment unde r these spe cial conditions is
impossible in all conce ivable situations that may happen during
the useful life of your vehicle.
• The Advanced Airbag System can deploy in accordance with
the "low risk" option under the U .S . Federal Standa rd if a child that
is heavier than the typical one -year old child is on the front
pas senger seat and the other cond itions for airbag deployment
are met.
• Accident statistics have shown that children are generally safer
in the rear seat area than in the front seating position .
• For their own safety , all children , espec ially 12 years and
younger, should always ride in the back properly restrained for
their age and size . •
Advanced front airbag system
Your vehicle is equipped with a front Advanced Airbag System in
c ompl ia n ce wi th Un it ed Sta tes Federa l Motor Vehicle Safet y Sta n
dard 208 as appl icab le at the time your vehicle was manufactured. T
he front Advanced Airbag System supplements the safety belts to
p rovide addit ional protecti on for the d river's a nd fro nt passenger's
heads and upper bodies in fronta l crashes . The ai rbags inflate only
in fron tal impac ts w hen the vehic le dece le ra tion is high en ough .
Th e fro nt Advanced A irbag System for t he fro nt seat occupa nts is
not a substitute for your safety belts . Rather, it is pa rt of the overall
occu pan t restra int system in your v ehicle. A lways remembe r that
the airbag system can only help to protect you, if you are sitting
uprigh t, weari ng you r sa fe ty bel t an d wea ring it proper ly . T hi s is w hy
you and your passengers must always be proper ly restrained, not
jus t beca use t he law requi res y ou t o be .
T he Advanced A irbag Syste m in your ve hicle has been cert ified to
meet the " lo w risk" requ irements fo r 3 an d 6 year -o ld chi ldren on the
passen ger side and ve ry small a dults on t he dr iver s ide. The low r isk
deployment criteria are intended to he lp reduce the risk of injury
th ro ugh in te ract io n with the front a irbag t hat ca n occur, fo r
example, by being too close to the steering wheel and instrument
p anel whe n the a irbag inflates.
I n addition, the syst em has been cert ified to comply with the
"su ppression" req uirem en ts of the Safe ty Standa rd, to turn off th e
fron t airbag for in fants 1 2 months o ld a nd youn ger who are
restrained on the front passenger seat in child restraints that are
li s ted in th e Stan dard=>
page 169 .
"Suppress ion" requires the front airbag on the passenger side to be
t urne d off if:
• a child up to about one year of a ge is restra in ed on the front
passenger seat in one of the rear -facing or forward -facing infant
re stra ints l is ted in Fed era l Motor V ehicle Safety Standard 208 w ith
whic h the Advanced Airbag System in your vehic le was ce rtified. For
a lis ting o f the child res traint s th at we re us ed to cer tify y our
vehic le 's compliance with the US Safety Standard =>
page 169,
• weight less t han a thr esho ld leve l sto red in th e contro l un it is
detected on the front passenger seat.
When a pers on is dete ct ed on th e fro nt pas senge r seat, weighi ng
more than the total weight of a ch ild that is about 1 year old ._

___ A_ ir_ b_ a-g _ s_y _s_ t_ e_ m _________________________________________________ _
& WARN ING (continued )
• Always make sure that the side airbag can inflate without inter
fe rence :
- Never install seat covers or replacement upholstery over the
front seatback s that have not been spe cifically approved by
Audi.
- Never use additional seat cushions that cover the areas
where the side airbags inflate .
- Damage to the original seat covers or to the seam
in the area
of the side airbag module must always be repaired immedi
ately by an authorized Audi dealer .
• The airbag system can be activated only once. After an airbag
ha s inflated , it must be replaced by an authorized Audi de aler or
qualified technician who has the technical information , training
and special equipment necessary .
• The airbag system can be deployed only once. After an airbag
has been deployed , it must be repla ced with new repla cement
parts designed and approved especially for your Audi model
version . Replacement of complete airbag systems or airbag
components must be performed by qualified workshops only .
Make sure that any airbag service action is entered in your Audi
Warranty
& Maintenance booklet under AIRBAG REPLACEMENT
RECORD .•
Other things that can affect Advanced Airbag
performance
Changing the vehic le's suspension system can change the way that
th e Adva nced A ir b ag Sy stem per fo rms in a cras h. For exa m ple,
using tire -rim combinations not approved by Audi, lowering the
vehic le, c hanging the st iff ne ss of th e susp ens ion , incl udi ng the
spr ings, suspension struts, s hock absorbers etc . ca n chan ge the
forces that are mea su red by the air bag sensors and sent to the elec
tronic control unit. Some suspension chan ges can, for examp le, increase the force levels
measured by the sensors and make the
airbag sys te m d eploy in c ras hes i n wh ich i t wou ld not d epl oy i f the
changes had not been made. Other kinds of changes may reduce
t he fo rce level s measu red by the se nso rs and p reve nt the ai rbag
from dep loying when it should.
T he sensors in the safety belt buckle for the driver and front
p assenge r seat te ll the e lectro nic c ont ro l m odu le if th e safety belt is
l atched or not. If the safety belt is being used, the front airbag wi ll
d eploy at a sl igh tly higher rate o f ve hic le dece lera tio n th an if the
safety be lt is not be ing used. Therefore, in a particular coll ision, it is
p os sible that an airbag wi ll no t de ploy a t a seating position where
the safety be lt is being used but wi ll inflate at the position where the
safe ty be lt is not be ing used . It i s important tha t n othing in terfe re
with the safety b elt buckles so that t he se nsors can send the cor rec t
i nfo rma tion abo ut safe ty belt use to the elec tro nic con trol u nit .
& WARNING
Changing the vehicle' s suspension including use of unapproved
tire -rim combinations can change Advanced Airbag performan ce
and increase the risk of serious personal injury in a crash.
• Never install suspension components that do not have the
same performance characteristics as the components originally
installed on your vehi cle .
• Never use tire -rim combinations that have not been approved
by Audi.
& WARNING
Items stored between the safety belt buckle and the center
console can cause the sensors in the buckle to send the wrong
information to the electronic control module and prevent the
Advanced Airbag System from working properly .
• Always make sure that noth ing can interfere w ith the safety
belt buckles and that they are not obstructed.

___ C_h_ i_ ld _ S_ a_ f_ e_ t_y ____________________________________________ _
-Always make sure that the chi ld can pr operly wear t he
lap por tion of the be lt low acr oss the thighs or pelvis and
never over the stomach or abdomen.
Children up to at least 8 years old (over 40 lbs or 18 kg) are best
protected in child safety seats designed for their age and weight.
Exper ts say that the ske le tal s tructure, particu lar ly the pe lvis, of
these children is not fully deve loped, and they must not use the
vehic le safety belts without a suitab le chi ld rest raint.
Children who are at least 4 ft. 9 in. (57 inches/1.45 meters) tall can
generally use the vehic le 's three point lap and shou lder belts . Never
use the lap belt portion of the vehic le's safety belt a lone to restrain
any chi ld, regardless of how big the child is. Always remember that
children do not have the pronounce d pelvic struc ture required for
the proper function of lap be lt portion of the vehicle's three point
lap and shou lder belts. The child' s safety abs olutely requires that a
lap belt portion of the safety belt be fastened snugly and as low as
possible aro und the pelv is. Never let the lap be lt portion of the
safety be lt pass over the child 's stomach or abdomen .
It is usua lly best to put thes e chi ldren in appropriate booster seats.
Be sure the booster seat me ets all app licable safety standards.
Booster seats raise the seating pos ition of the child and reposition
both the lap and s hou lder par ts of t he safety belt so that they pass
across the child's body in the right places. The routing of the belt
over the child's body is very important for the child 's protection,
whether or not a booster seat is used. Children age 12 and under must a lways ride in the rear seat.
In a crash, air bags must inflate wi th in a b link of an eye and with
considerab le force . In order to do its job, the airbag needs room to
inf la te so tha t it will be there to pr otec t the occ upant as the occu
pant moves forward into the airbag .
A vehicle occupant who is out of position and too close to the airbag ge ts in t he way of an inflating a irbag. When an occupant is too
close, he or she will be struck vio lent ly and will receive serious or
poss ibly even fatal inju ry. I
n order for the airbag to offer protection, it is important that all
v eh ic le occupan ts, espec ially any c hildren, who mus t be in the fron t
seat because of exceptiona l circumstances, be properly restrained
and as far away fro m the airbag as possible . By keepi ng room
between the child's body and the front of the passenger compart
ment, the ai rbag can inflate comp lete ly and provide s upplemental
p rotectio n in ce rtai n fr ontal collis ions .
& WARNING
Not u sing a booster seat , using the booster seat improperly , incor
rectly installing a boo ster seat or using the vehicle safety belt
improperly in creases the risk of serious personal injury and death
in a collision or other emergency situation . To help reduce the risk
of serious personal injury and /or death :
• Alway s make sure to position the shoulder portion of the three
point belt over the middle of child's shoulder .
• Never let the shoulder portion of the belt rest against or acro ss
the ne ck, fa ce , c hin , or throat of the child .
• Alway s make sure the lap belt portion of the three -point belt is
worn snug and pa sses as low a s po ssible across the child' s pel vis .
Never let the belt pass over the soft abdomen.
• Failure to properly route s afety belts over a ch ild's body will
cau se severe injurie s in an accident or other emergency situation
~ page 135 .
• Children on the front seat of any car , even with Advanced
Airb ags , c an be seriou sly injured or even killed when an airbag
inflates.
• Never let a child stand or knee l on any seat , fo r ex ample the
front seat .
• Never let a child ride in the cargo area of your vehicle .
• Always remembe r that a child leaning forward , sitting side
ways or out of po sition in any way during an accident can be
s truc k by a deploy ing airbag . Thi s will re sult in ser iou s per sonal
i njury or death .
~

_1--_l_ n _t _ e _ll _,ig ,_,_ e_n _t _ t_ e_ c_ h_n _o_ l_ o ~g""- y.e- __________________________________________ _
Intelligent technology
Notice about data recorded by
vehicle control modules
Your vehicle is not equipped with an Event Data Recorder (EDR),
installed by some manufacturers for the express purpose of
capturing data for retrieval after an accident or crash event . EDR's
are sometimes called "crash recorders".
Some state laws restrict the retrieval or downloading of data stored
by EDR's that were insta lled in a vehicle for the express purpose of
retrieving data after an accident or crash event without the owner's
consent .
Although your vehicle is not equipped with an EDR, it is equipped
with a number of electronic control modules for various vehicle systems such as, for example, eng ine function, emission control, as
well as for the airbags and safety belts.
These electronic control modules also record vehic le -related data
during norma l vehicle operation for diagnostic and repair purposes .
The recording capacity of the electronic cont rol modules is limited
to data (no sound is recorded) and only a small amount of data is
actually recorded over a very limited period of time and stored when
a system fault or other condition is sensed by a control unit . Some
of the data then stored may relate to vehic le speed, direction,
braking as we ll as restraint system use and performance in the
event of a crash or other condition. Stored data can only be read and
downloaded with special equip men t.
Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP)
General
The Electronic Stabili ty Program increases driving
stability.
co ::,
_1, _ __ J"u. __ 11 ... _ ,.....u.,___,lli u.. _ .x,u _ _, r-u ~~ ~!' js:..~&c:',I
I
'
1 J
F ig . 15 8 Cente r
cons ole with E SP
sw itch
With ESP, control over the veh ic le is increased in situations when
the vehicle is close to the limits of grip, such as during acce leration
and in curves. ESP reduces the risk of skidding a nd improves vehicle
stability under all road conditions . It operates at all speeds .
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), E lec tronic Differentia l Lock (EDS)
and Anti-Slip Regulation System (ASR) are integrated in the Elec
tronic Stability Program .
How ESP work s
The ESP control unit processes the fo llowing data from high-sensi
tive sensors : the rotational speed of the vehicle about its vertica l
axis, fore -and -aft and lateral acceleration forces, brake pressure and
steering angle.
Using steering ang le and vehicle speed, the direction the driver
wishes to travel is determined and continuously compared with
t,.

actual vehicle behavior. If the two do not match, for example when
th e vehicle begins to skid, ESP brakes the appropriate wheel auto
matical ly .
The vehicle is stabilized again by the forces acting on the wheel
during braking. With an oversteering vehicle (tendency for the rear
end to skid out of the curve), the brake application is mainly at the
front wheel on the outside of the curve, with an
understeering
vehicle (tendency to run wide in the curve) at the rear wheel on the
inside of the curve or additionally at the other wheels as needed.
This brake application is accompanied by noises.
ESP works in conjunction with ABS=>
page 192. If there is malfunc
tion in the ABS, ESP is also inoperative.
Activating
The ESP is automatica lly activated when the engine is started, and
it performs a self-test. As soon as the test is completed, the system
is in normal operating mode. With ASR deactivated, or with ESP/ASR
deactivated, pressing the button=>
page 188, fig. 158 returns the
system to normal operation.
Deactivating
ESP should normally be activated at all times because this ensures
optimum vehicle stability. Only in certain exceptional cases it does
make sense to deactivate Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) or the Elec
tronic Stability Program (ESP) by pressing the button =>
page 188,
fig. 158. Both deactivation stages can only be activated from normal
mode .
Deactivating ASR
Tap the switch. Deactivation is indicated by slow flashing of the ESP
lamp in the instrument cluster. In certain situations (e .g. driving
with snow chains, in deep snow or on loose ground, or when
rocking the car free), it may be necessary to deactivate ASR.
Deactivating ESP/ASR
Press the button for more than 3 seconds. Deactivation is indicated
by the ESP lamp in the ins trument cluster staying on permanently.
Controls and equip
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Intelligent technology
This
deactivates the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in addition to
ASR. No Elec tronic Stability System operation and no Anti -Slip
Regulation is available across the entire speed range; ASR and ESP
are activated only when the brakes are used for the duration of the
braking action and remain active until a stable vehicle condition has
been reached. There is no driving situation which requires ESP to be
deactivated, so this should only be done if the driver's skill and the
traffic situation permit.
& WARNING
• The limits of physics cannot be suspended by ESP. Even in vehi
cles with ESP. you should always adapt your driving to road and
traffic conditions. This is particularly true on a slippery and wet
road . Do not be tempted by the increased safety provided to take
risks -danger of an accident!
• Please note that when ASR or ESP /ASR is deactivated , the drive
wheels can spin on icy and slippery roads and the vehicle can
break away -danger of skidding!
Electronic differential lock CED1
.)
The electronic differential lock monitors the rotational
speed of the drive wheels.
General notes
The elect ronic differential lock (EDU helps the car to start moving,
accelerate and c limb a gradient on surfaces providing poor or
a lmost no grip. Without EDL, this would be difficult, if not impos
s ible.
How the system works
The EDL operates automatical ly. It monitors the rotationa l speed of
the drive wheels on an axle with the help of the ABS sensors
=>
page 192. If a noticeable difference in rotational speed between
the drive wheels on one axle is detected (e.g. on slippery ground
on
one side),
the spinning wheel is braked, thereby transferring power
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

-Intelligent technology
----'""------- ~---------------------------------------
to the other drive wheel or wheels (all-whee l drivel. This is done up
to a speed of about 60 mph (100 km/h). Noises from the brake
system signal that wheel spin is being controlled.
Driving off
When driving off, always be sure to keep road conditions in mind as
you accelerate. If one drive wheel spins because it is on a surface
with less grip, gradually increase the pressure on the accelerator
pedal until the car starts to move. The wheel less able to transfer
power spins .
Overheating of brakes
To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel from overheating if
subjected to excessive loads, the EDL cuts out temporarily. The
vehicle remains operational and behaves in the same way as a
vehicle without EDL.
As soon as the brake has cooled down, EDL switches on again auto
matically.
& WARNING
• When accelerating on slippery surfaces, such as on ice or snow,
always be careful when depressing the accelerator pedal. Even
with the EDL working, the drive wheels can spin and reduce your
ability to control your car. -Risk of crash!
• The increased safety afforded by EDL does not mean that you
can take safety risks. Always adapt your driving style to the road
conditions and traffic situation.
[ i] Tips
If a fault occurs in the ABS, the EDL is also not functioning. This is
indicated by the ABS warning light=>
page 16. •
Anti-Slip Regulat ion System (ASR)
The Anti-Slip Regulation System prevents the driven
wheels from spinning when the car is accelerating.
General notes
The Anti-Slip Regulation System (ASR) is integrated in the electronic
stabilization program (ESP) . When the vehicle starts up and acceler
ates, the wheels are prevented from spinning by adjusting the
engine power to match the amount of grip available from the road
surface.
How the system works
ASR performs automatically, i.e. without the driver's intervention.
With the aid of the ABS sensors=>
page 192, ASR monitors the
speed of the driven wheels. If the wheels start to spin, the engine
torque is reduced automatically until the tires find enough grip to
lock onto the road surface. The system is active across the entire
speed range.
Th e ASR works in conjunction with the ABS. If a malfunction should
occur in the ABS, the ASR will also be out of action.
Activating
The ESP is automatically activated when the engine is started and it
performs a self -test. You can activate a deactivated ASR if required
by pressing the=>
page 188, fig. 158 button. When it is activated,
the message
ESP/ASR on appears briefly in the display.
Deactivating
You can deactivate the ASR if required by pressing the button (for
less than 3 seconds)=>
page 188, fig . 158. With the ASR deactivated,
the ESP check light comes on, see=>
page 13. The message ASR off
appears in the display as well.
The ASR should normally be activated all the time . Only in certain
exceptional situations when some slip is desirable does it make
sense to deactivate the ASR. Examples:
• when driving with tire chains

-Intelligent technology
---""'------------ ....::....:...:~---------------------------
Brake lining wear status
Brake lining wear may be checked by visual inspection of the condi
tion of the brake pads through the openings in the wheel. If neces sary, the wheel may be removed for this inspection=> page
270,
"Wheel change" .
L1}. WARNING
• You should perform braking maneuvers for the purpose of
cleaning the brake system only if road conditions permit. Other
road users must not be put at risk -you may cause an accident!
• Before descending a steep grade, reduce speed and shift trans
mission into a lower gear or lower driving range. Do not ride the
brakes or hold the pedal down too long or too often. This could
cause the brakes to get hot and diminish braking efficiency.
• Do not "ride the brakes" by resting your foot on the pedal when
you do not intend to brake. This may cause the brakes to overheat,
premature wear and increased stopping distance.
• Under certain climatic and operating conditions such as
passing through water, driving in heavy rain or after washing the
vehicle, the effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced. In winter,
ice can accumulate on the brake pads, linings, discs and drums.
Carefully apply brakes for a test. Brakes will dry and ice coatings
will be cleaned off after a few careful brake applications.
• Driving for an extended period of time on salt-covered roads
without using your brakes can also affect braking efficiency. Clean
off accumulated salt coating from brake discs and pads with a few
careful brake applications.
• If you damage the front spoiler, or if you install a different
spoiler, be sure the air flow to the front brakes is not obstructed.
Otherwise the brake system could overheat reducing the effective
ness of the entire brake system.
• Failure of one brake circuit will impair the braking capability
resulting in an increased stopping distance. Avoid driving the
& WARNING (continued)
vehicle and have it towed to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or
qualified workshop. •
Brake booster
The brake booster adds extra braking power.
The brake booster works with vacuum pressure which is created
only when the engine is running=>& .
L1}. WARNING
• Never let the vehicle roll to a stop with the engine shut off.
• If the brake booster is not working, for example when towing
your vehicle, or because the brake booster has somehow been
damaged, the brake pedal must be pressed considerably harder to
make up for the lack of booster assistance. •
Func ... ion=ng of Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels from locking up under braking.
The ABS contributes effectively to vehicle control since it prevents
the wheels from locking when the brakes are applied. This means
that the vehicle remains steerable and is less likely to skid.
With ABS you do not need to pump the brake. Just hold the brake
pedal down.
However, do not expect that the ABS shortens braking distance
under
all circumstances . When driving on gravel or on newly fallen
snow on top of icy surfaces, braking distance may be even longer,
therefore, under these circumstances, it is especially important that
you drive slowly and with great care. .,_

How the ABS system works
An aut omatic check is made whe n a speed of ab out 4 mph (6 km/h)
is reached. When this happens, a pumping noise can be heard.
I f an individua l wheel begins to rotate too slowly in relation to
ve hicle speed and ten ds to lock, the A BS automatical ly reduces
brake pressure to prevent that wheel from locking.
T his auto matic adjust ment p rocess wil l cause a
slight vibration o f
the brake peda l and some noises to alert you that veh ic le speed
must be ada pted to e xisting roa d and traff ic c onditions.
& WARNING
Although the ABS is very effective , always remember that braking
c apability is limited by tire tra ction . Always adjust your driving
speed according to the road and traffic conditions. Do not let the
extra safety afforded by the ABS tempt you into taking e xtra risks .
The ABS cannot overcome the laws of physics.
[ i ) Tips
• I f ABS is not functioning properly, a warning light wil l come on.
See
=> page 16.
• I f a fau lt occurs in the ABS, the E DL is als o not fu ncti onin g. This
is indicated by the ABS warning light. •
Brake assistant
The brake a ssi st ant is de sig ned to a chieve th e opti mum
b ra kin g eff ec t.
The brake assistant helps to increase the effective braking power
and thus to ac hieve a s horte r stop ping dis tance. If the drive r
presses the brake pedal very quick ly, the brake assistant automati
ca lly b oosts the braki ng force to the maximu m level, up to th e point
where the anti -loc k brake function (A BS) intervenes to stop the
whee ls from loc king. You should then keep the brake pedal pressed
Controls and equip
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Intelligent technology
until
the vehicle has braked to the required speed . The brake assis
t an t swi tc h es itse lf o ff as s oon as you r eleas e the b rake pe dal.
The brake assistant wi ll not be operative if there is a malfunction in
the ABS .
& WARNING
Please remember that the accident risk always increases if you
drive too fast , espe cially in corners or on a slippery road , or if you
follow the vehicle ahead of you too closely . An increased accident
risk cannot be compensated even by the brake assistant , so
always maintain a safe speed. •
ciectro-mechanical power assist
Th e e le ctr o-me ch anic al pow er assis t helps the driv e r
w hen steerin g.
The degree of powe r ass ist is electronically matched to veh icle
speed .
The power steering system assists the driver so that he can steer the
ve hicle with re d uced p hysi ca l eff ort.
Power steering w ill not work if the eng ine is off . As a result, the
stee ring whee l wi ll be ha rd to turn .
& WARNING
If the system develops a problem , you must seek qualified profe s
sional assistance .
0 Note
If there is an electronic ma lfunction, servotronic will still function
like a conventi onal power s teer ing sy stem , pr ovi din g a constant
steerin g support force that is no longer proportionate to the vehicle
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data