lffll.___A_ u_ d_i_ s_ id_ e_ a_s _s_ i_ s _t _________________________________________________ _
Deactivating
- Press the button again . T he indicator light o n the b utton
goes out.
The system works at speeds faster tha n 19 mph (30 km/h) .
& WARNING
• Imp roper reliance on the side assist system can cause collisions
and seriou s per sonal injury:
- Never rely only on s ide ass ist when changing lanes.
- Alway s che ck rear view mirror s to m ake sure that it i s safe to
change lanes.
• Side a ssist cannot detect all vehicles under all condition s
danger of accident!
• Side a ssi st cannot detect vehicle s in time to alert you when
they approach from beh ind at very high speed, or fall drop back
very quickly .
• The radar sen sor's
v is ion can be reduced or entirely blocked by
rain , snow, and heavy spray . This can result in side as sis t not
adequately detecting vehicle s or , in some cases, not detecting
them at a ll. Alway s keep an eye on the dir ection you are traveling
and the rele vant area around the vehicle.
• Please note that side assist indicates there are approaching
vehicles , or vehicles in you r blind spot, only after you r vehicle has
reached a driving speed of at lea st 19 mph (30 km/h).
• Side assist signal doe s not work around t ight corners (turning
radius les s than 328 feet , or 100 m).
• Side assist is no replacement for the driver 's full attention . The
driver alone is respon sible for lane change s and s imilar driving
maneuvers. Always keep an eye on the direction you are traveling
and the relevant area around the vehicle.
0 Note
• T o ensure that you do not adversely affe ct s ide as sist , do not block
the area on the rear b umper where the radar sensors are located with
fo reign objects (such as st ic kers or b icycle ra cks).
• Make s ure that the signal light on the o utside mi rror is not
bloc ked by stic ke rs or othe r items.
[I) Tips
• Side ass ist automatica lly deac tivates if it detects that the radar
sensors are blocked=>
page 144. The indicator light on the button
goes out.
• Th e area on the bumper w he re the radar sensors are located must
c ons istent ly rema in free of snow, i ce, a nd he avy soiling so that s ide
assist can function properly. Follow the add itiona l notes on
=>
page 144.
• Add it iona l tinting on t he front side windows can ma ke it harder to
see and correctly u nders tand the s ig nal light on the outs ide mirro r.
• For Decla ration of Compliance to United States FCC and Industry
Canada regulations=>
page 349. •
Applies to vehicl es : w it h side ass ist
Sensor detection area
, D i
Fig. 131 S chem ati c
illustrat io n : S ensor
detection are a
~
Driving Safely ---------------------"~'----
Important things to do before driving
Safety is everybody's job! Vehicle and occupant safety
always depends on the informed and careful driver.
For your safety and the safety of your passengers, before
driving always:
- Make sure that all lights and signals are operating
correctly.
- Make sure that the tire pressure is correct.
- Make sure that all windows are clean and afford good visi-
bility to the outside.
- Secure all luggage and other items carefully::::>
page 93.
-Make sure that nothing can interfere with the pedals.
- Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors correctly for your height .
- Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints according to their height.
- Make sure to use the right child restraint correctly to
protect children ::::,
page 219, "Child Safety".
- Sit properly in your seat and make sure that your passen gers do the same::::,
page 75, "General recommenda
tions".
- Fasten your safety belt and wear it properly. Also instruct
your passengers to fasten their safety belts properly
=:> page 187. •
Controls and equip
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
What impairs driving safety?
Safe driving is directly related to the condition of the
vehicle, the driver as well as the driver's ability to concen
trate on the road without being distracted .
The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle and all
of its occupants. If your ability to drive is impaired, safety
risks for everybody in the vehicle increase and you also
become a hazard to everyone else on the road::::,,& . There
fore:
Do not let yourself be distracted by passengers or by using
a cellular telephone.
NEVER drive when your driving ability is impaired (by
medications, alcohol, drugs, etc.).
- Observe all traffic laws, rules of the road and speed limits
and plain common sense .
- ALWAYS adjust your speed to road, traffic and weather
conditions.
- Take frequent breaks on long trips. Do not drive for more than two hours at a stretch.
- Do NOT drive when you are tired, under pressure or when
you are stressed .
& WARNING
Impaired driving safety increases the risk of serious personal
injury and death whenever a vehicle is being used.•
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data
-Driving Safely 1---- ---:!....::..-=....:...'=.::,!.._ _______________________ _
& WARNING (continued)
• Always make sure that there are at least 10 inches (25 cm)
between the front passenger's breastbone and the instrument
panel.
• Each passenger must always sit on a seat of their own and
properly fasten and wear the safety belt belonging to that seat.
• Before driving, always adjust the front passenger seat and
head restraint properly.
• Always keep your feet on the floor
in front of the seat. Never
rest them on the seat, instrument panel, out of the window, etc.
The airbag system and safety belt will not be able to protect you properly and can even increase the risk of injury in a crash.
• Never drive with the backrest reclined or tilted far back! The
farther the backrests are tilted back, the greater the risk of injury
due to incorrect positioning of the safety belt and improper
seating position.
• Children must always ride in child safety seats=>
page 219.
Special precautions apply when installing a child safety seat on
the front passenger seat=>
page 197. •
Proper seating positions for passengers in
rear seats
Rear seat passengers must sit upright with both feet on
the floor consistent with their physical size and be prop
erly restrained whenever the vehicle is in use.
To reduce the risk of injury caused by an incorrect seating
position in the event of a sudden braking maneuver or an
accident , your passengers on the rear bench seat must
always observe the following :
- Make sure that the seatback is securely latched in the
upright position ~
page 83.
-The rear head restraints must be raised fully upward when
passengers ride in the rear seats~
page 181.
- Keep both feet flat in the footwell in front of the rear seat.
- Fasten and wear safety belts properly~
page 191.
-Make sure that children are always properly restrained in a
child restraint that is appropriate for their size and age
~ page 219.
& WARNING
Passengers who are improperly seated on the rear seat can be seri
ously injured in a crash.
• Each passenger must always sit on a seat of their own and
properly fasten and wear the safety belt belonging to that seat.
• Safety belts only offer maximum protection when the seatback
is securely latched in the upright position and the safety belts are
properly positioned on the body. By not sitting upright, a rear seat
passenger increases the risk of personal injury from improperly
positioned safety belts!
• Always adjust the head restraint properly so that it can give
maximum protection. •
• ....__D_ r_iv _i_ n_, g=-- S_ a _ f_e _,Ly _ ______________________________________________ _
The following bulletins list only some sample positions that will
increase the risk of serious injury and death. Our hope is that these
examples will make you more aware of seating positions that are
dangerous.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is moving:
• never stand up in the vehicle
• never stand on the seats
• never kneel on the seats
• never ride with the seatback reclined
• never lie down on the rear seat
• never lean up against the instrument panel
• never sit on the edge of the seat
• never sit sideways
• never lean out the window
• never put your feet out the window
• never put your feet on the instrument panel
• never rest your feet on the seat cushion or back of the seat
• never ride in the footwe ll
• never ride in the cargo area
& WARNING
Improper seating positions increase the risk of serious personal
injury and death whenever a vehicle is being used.
• Always make sure that all vehicle occupants stay in a proper
seating position and are properly restrained whenever the vehicle
is being used. •
Pedal area
Pedals
The pedals must always be free to move and must never
be interfered with by a floor mat or any other object.
Make sure that all pedals move freely without interference and that
nothing prevents them from returning to their original positions.
Only use floor mats that leave the pedal area free and can be secured
with floor mat fasteners.
If a brake circuit fails, increased brake pedal travel is required to bring
the vehicle to a full stop.
& WARNING
Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss of vehicle control
and increase the risk of serious injury .
• Never place any objects in the driver's footwell. An object could
get into the pedal area and interfere with pedal function. In case
of sudden braking or an accident, you would not be able to brake
or accelerate!
• Always make sure that nothing can fall or move into the
driver's footwell. •
Floor mats on the driver side
Always use floor mats that can be securely attached to
the floor mat fasteners and do not interfere with the free
movement of the pedals.
- Make sure that the floor mats are properly secured and
cannot move and interfere with the pedals~& .
• ....__D_ r_iv _i_ n_, g=-- S_ a _ f_e _,Ly _ ______________________________________________ _
in. WARNING
Improperly stored luggage or other items can fly through th e
vehicle c au sing seriou s per sonal injury in the event of hard braking
or an accident . To h elp reduce the risk of serious personal injury :
• Always put objects, for examp le, luggage or other heavy items
in the luggag e compartment .
• Alway s secure objects in the luggage compartment using the
tie -down eyelets and suitable straps.
& WARNING
Heavy loads will influence the way your vehicle handles. To help
reduce the ri sk of a loss of control leading to seriou s personal
injury:
• Always keep in mind when tran sporting heavy objects, that a
c hange in the center of gr avity can also cause changes in vehicle
handling:
-Always di stribute the load as evenly as po ssible.
- Place heavy objects as far forward in the luggage compart-
ment as po ssible.
• Never e xceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating or the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating specified on the safety compliance sticker on the
left door jamb . Exceeding permissible weight standards can cause
the vehicle to slide and handle differently .
• Please observe information on safe driving =>
page 176 .
in. WARNING
To help prevent poisonous exhaust gas from being drawn into the
vehicle, always keep the rear lid closed while driving.
• Never transport objects larger than those fitting completely
into the luggage area because the rear lid cannot be fully closed.
& WARNING (c on tinued )
• If you absolutely must drive with the rear lid open , ob serve the
following note s to reduce the risk of poisoning:
- Close all windows ,
- Close the power roof*,
- Open all air outlet s in the instrument panel,
- Switch off the air recirculation ,
- Set th e fresh air fan to the high est speed .
in. WARNING
Always make sure that the doo rs , all windows, the power roof*
and the rear lid are securely clo sed and locked to reduce the risk of
i njury when the vehicle is not be ing used.
• After closing the rear lid, always make sure that it is properly
closed and locked.
• Never leave your vehicle unattended especially with the rear lid
left open. A child could c rawl into the vehicle through the luggage
c ompartment and clo se the rear lid becoming trapped and unable
to get out . Being trapped in a vehicle can lead to serious personal
injury.
• Never let children play in or around the vehicle.
• Never l et pa ssengers ride in the luggage compartment. Vehicle
occupants must always be properly restrained in one of the
vehicle 's seating positions .
(I) Tips
• Air circulation helps to re d uce win dow fogging. Sta le air es capes
to the outside through vents in the trim panel, on the left s ide of the
lugg age compa rtmen t. B e sur e to keep these s lots free and ope n.
• Th e tire pressure m ust correspond to the load . The tire pressure is
shown o n the tir e pressu re label. The tire pressu re label is loc ated o n .,_
& WARNING (continued)
• Never let any person ride with their feet on the instrument
panel or sticking out the window or on the seat.
• Never remove a safety belt while the vehicle is moving. Doing
so will increase your risk of being injured or killed.
• Never wear belts twisted.
• Never wear belts over rigid or breakable objects in or on your
clothing, such as eye glasses, pens, keys, etc., as these may cause
injury.
• Never allow safety belts to become damaged by being caught
in door or seat hardware.
• Do not wear the shoulder part of the belt under your arm or
otherwise out of position .
• Several layers of heavy clothing may interfere with correct
positioning of belts and reduce the overall effectiveness of the
system.
• Always keep belt buckles free of anything that may prevent the
buckle from latching securely.
• Never use comfort clips or devices that create slack in the
shoulder belt. However, special clips may be required for the
proper use of some child restraint systems.
• Torn or frayed safety belts can tear, and damaged belt hard
ware can break in an accident. Inspect belts regularly. If webbing, bindings, buckles, or retractors are damaged, have belts replaced
by an authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop.
• Safety belts that have been worn and loaded in an accident
must be replaced with the correct replacement safety belt by an
authorized Audi dealer. Replacement may be necessary even if
damage cannot be clearly seen. Anchorages that were loaded
must also be inspected.
• Never remove, modify, disassemble, or try to repair the safety
belts yourself.
Safety first Vehicle OP-eration
Safety belts
& WARNING (continued)
• Always keep the belts clean. Dirty belts may not work properly
and can impair the function of the inertia reel=>
page 271,
"Safety belts". •
Safety belts
Fastening safety belts
Seat first -everybody buckle up!
Fig. 176 Belt buckle
and tongue on the
driver's seat
To provide maximum protection , safety belts must always be
positioned correctly on the wearer's body.
- Adjust the front seat and head restraint properly
=>
page 75 , "General recommendations" .
- Make sure the seat back of the rear seat bench is in an
upright position and securely latched in place before using
the belt =>& .
- Hold the belt by the tongue and pull it evenly across the
chest and pelvis=>& . _,.
•
Vehicle care Do-it-yourselt service iTechnical data
........ _A_ i_rb _ a_,g,:;._ s_, y'- s_ t_e _m ________________________________________________ _
& WARNING (conti nued)
• Never recline the front passenger's seat to transport objects.
Items can also move into the area of the s ide airbag or the front
airbag during braking or in a sudden maneu ver. Objects near the
airbags can become projectiles and cause injury, particularly when
the seat is reclined .
& WARNING
The fine dust created when airbags deploy can cause breathing
problems for people with a history of asthma or other br eathing
conditions.
• To reduce the risk of breathing problems, those with asthma or
other respiratory conditions should get fresh air right away by
getting out of the veh icle or opening windows or doors.
• If you are in a colli sion in which airbags deploy, wa sh your
hands and face with mild soap and water before eating .
• Be careful not to get the dust into your eyes, or into any cuts or
scratches.
• If the residue should get into your eyes, flush them with
water .•
Monitoring the Advanced Airbag
System
Airbag monitoring indicator light f!G
Two separate indicat ors m onit or the func tion of the
Advanc ed A irb ag Sys tem: the airbag mo nit ori ng in dic ato r
li g ht and the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light.
The Advanced Airbag System (incl uding the electronic control unit,
sensor circui ts and system wiring) is mo nito red cont inuous ly to make
sure that it is f unctioning p roper ly whenever the ignition is on. Each time you t
urn on the ignit ion, the a irbag monitoring indicator light
:A
w ill come o n fo r a few secon ds (self diagnos tic s).
The system must be inspected when the indicator light ~:
• does not come on when the ignition is switched on,
• does not go out a few seconds aft er you have switc hed on the igni
tion, or
• comes on while driving.
If an airbag system malfunction is detected, the indicator light w ill
fir st start flashing to c atch t he d river's attention and then stay on
continuously to serve as a constant reminder to have the system
inspec ted immedia tely .
If a ma lfunct io n occ urs that t urns the fron t air bag on the passenger
side off, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF li ght will come on and stay on
w henever the igni tion is on.
& WARNING
An airbag system that is not functioning properly cannot provide
supplemental protection in a frontal crash.
• If the airbag indicator light comes on , it means that there may
be something wrong with the Advanced Airbag System . It i s
possible that the airbag will inflate when it is not supposed to, or
will not inflate when it should.
• Have the airbag system inspected immediately by your Aud i
dealer. •
Airbag system Ill
----------------=--=---
"AIRBAG". It expands between the side tr im panel and the passenger.
I n order to he lp prov ide th is addi tion al pro te ct ion, the s ide a irbag
must inflate within a fract ion of a second at very high speed a nd with
great force . The supp lementa l sid e airbag co uld inju re you if your
seat ing position is not proper or upr ight or if items are located in the
area where the s upplementa l s ide a irbag expands . This applies espe
c ially to children=>
page 219, "Child Safety". S upplementa l side
airbags inflate between the occupant and the door panel on the side
o f the ve hicl e that is st ru ck in ce rtai n side co llision=> fig. 186 .
Although they are not a soft pillow, they can "cush ion" the impact
and in th is way they can help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper
part of the body.
A fine dust may develop when the airbag deploys. This is normal and
does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle. •
Important safety instructions on the side
airbag system
Airbags are only supplemental restrain ts. Always pr op
erly wear safe ty belts and ride in a proper seating posi
tion .
There is a lot that yo u and your passengers must know and act accord
ing ly to help the safety be lts and a irbags do the ir job to provide
supplementa l protection .
& WARNING
An inflating side ai rbag can cau se serious or fatal injury. Improp
e rl y wearing safety belts and improper seating pos itions increase
the risk of se rious pe rsonal injury a nd death whenever a vehicle is
being used .
• In order to reduce the ri sk of injury when the supplemental
s ide airbag inflates:
Controls and equip
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
& WA
RNING (continued )
-Alway s sit in an upr ight po sition and never lean again st the
area where the supplem ental side airbag is locat ed .
- Ne ver let a child or an yone el se rest their head against the
s ide trim panel in the area wh ere the supplemental side airbag
inflates.
- Alw ays make sure th at s afet y belts are worn correctly,
- Do not let anyone sitting in the front seat put their hand or
a ny other parts of their body out of the window.
• Alway s make sure that the side airbag can inflate without
interfe rence .
- N ever in stall seat covers or replac ement uphol stery over the
front seat back s that have not been specifically approved by
Audi.
- Never use additional seat cu shion s that co ve r the area s
wher e the side airbags deploy.
- Damage to the original seat co ver s or to the seam in the area
of the side airbag mod ule must a lway s be repaired immedi
ately by an authorized Audi dealer.
• Obje ct s between you and the airbag can in crea se the risk of
injur y in an accident by inte rfer ing with the wa y the airbag unfold s
or by being pushed int o you as the a irbag inflates .
- Ne ver pla ce or attach a cce sso ries or other object s (such a s
c upholders, t elephon e brack ets, or even larg e, bulky objects )
on t he d oor s, over or near the area marked "AIRBAG " on the
s e at ba ckrests .
- Su ch obje ct s and a cc es sories can be come dangerou s proj ec
tiles and cause injury when th e supplemental side airbag
deplo ys.
- Nev er ca rry any objects or pets in the d eployment space
between them and the airbag s or allow childr en or other
pas seng ers to tra vel in this position .
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data