2012 AUDI A3 seats

68 Seats and storage
The rear seatback is divided into two seg ­
ments - one third/two thirds. You can fold
down either or both parts of the seatback .
.&_ WARNING
-
- The backrest must always be securely
latched so that the safety belt of the cen­
ter seat ing pos ition can work properly to
help protect the occupant .
- The backrest must be securely latched i n
posit ion so that no items containe .d in
the luggage compartment can slide for­
wa rd upo n sudden b rak ing .
- Never allow safety belts to become dam­
aged by being caught in doo r or seat
hardware.
- Torn or frayed safety belts can tear and
damaged belt ha rdware can brea k in a
c rash . Inspect the be lts periodica lly .
Belts showing damage to we bbing, bind­
ings, b uckles, or retractors must be re ­
placed.
.&_ WARNING
Always read and heed WA RNINGS c:> .&. in
Loading the luggage comportment on
page 109.
(D Note
- If you move the fro nt seat back when the
r ear seat backrest is fo lded fo rward, yo u
could damage the head restraints on the rear seat.
- When folding the backrest back into
place, make sure the safety be lt does not
get caught, because it can be damaged.
A damaged be lt can fa il to prov ide safe
r est raint.
-
Fastening eyes
The luggage comportment is equipped with
four tie-down eyelets to secure luggage and
other items.
F ig. 7 6 Lugg age compart men t: fas tenin g ey es
.,. Use the fastening eyes to secure your cargo
properly
c:> fig. 76 - arrows -.
.,. Ad here to all safety instructions
<=> page 109, Stowing luggage.
In a co llision, t he laws o f physics mean that
even smaller items that a re loose in the vehi­
cle w ill become heavy missiles that can cause
serious injury. Items in the vehicle possess en­
ergy wh ich vary with vehicle and t he weight of
the item. The veh icle speed is the most s ignif ­
icant factor .
For example, in a frontal collision at a speed
of 30 mph (48 km/h), the forces acting on a 10 lbs (4,5 kg) object are about 20 times the
normal weight of the item . This means that
the weight of the item wou ld sudden ly be
about 2 00 lbs (90 kg). You ca n imagine the in­
j u ries tha t a 200 lbs (90 kg) item flying free ly
t hr ough the passenger comp artment cou ld
ca use in a co llision like this .
_& WARNING
Weak, damaged or improper straps used
to secure items to fasten ing eyes can fai l
d uring hard braking or in a coll is ion and
cause ser ious personal injury. -
-A lways use s uitable mount ing straps an d
properly secure items to the fasteni ng
eyes in the luggage compartment to help
prevent items from sh ifting or flying for-
~~-~

-When the rear seat backrest is folded
down, always use su itable mounting
straps and properly secure items to the
fastening eyes in the luggage compart­
ment to help prevent items from flying
forward into the passenger compart­ ment.
- Never attach a child safety seat tether
strap to a fastening eye.
Elastic cargo net
App lies to vehicles: with cargo net
The cargo net prevents light objects from
sliding around in the luggage compartment.
Fig . 77 Luggage compartmen t: cargo net
Fig. 78 Luggage compartmen t: ca rgo net attached to
hooks
Securing objects to the luggage
compartment floor with the net
.. Lay out the cargo net in the luggage com­
partment .
.. Engage all four hooks into the fastening
eyes
~ fig . 77 .
.. Place objects to be secured
under the net.
Configuring the net to contain small
objects
.. Lay out the cargo net in the luggage com­
partment.
Seats and storage 69
.. Engage two hooks into the fastening eyes
@~fig. 78.
.. Pull the net up and secure the eyes © on
the hooks.
.. Put items
into the net.
The bottom of the cargo net can also be hooked to the D-rings in the floor of the rear
compartment and the top to the eyes on the
left and right side trim .
.&_ WARNING
For stre ngth-re lated reasons, the mount­
in g hooks can only be used to secure ob­
jects weighing 10 lb (5 kg) or less. Heavier
objects will not be adequately secured -
risk of injury!
Mounting hooks
Applies to vehicles: with mounting hooks
Fig. 79 Mounting hooks under the rear pa rce l shelf
The hook prevents lightly loaded bags from
tipping over .
.&_ WARNING
For strength-related reasons, heavy ob­
jects must not be hung on the
hooks.
Heavy objects are not adequately secured -
this increases the risk of injury .

70 Seats and storage
Retractable luggage compartment cover
The luggage compartment cover keeps lug­
gage o r other objects out of vi ew .
Fi g. 80 Rear lid ope n with luggage compartment cover
Removing the luggage compartment
co ve r
.. Detach the retaining straps¢ fig. 80 at the
rear hatch
(D .
.. Pull the cover@ horizonta lly out of the
mount @in the direct ion of the arrow.
In stall ing the luggage compartment
co ver
.. Push the cover horizonta lly into the mounts
provided¢
fig. B0@on the side panel unti l
the cover seats .
.. Install the retain ing straps in the rear hatch
¢fig . 80 @ ¢_.&. .
&_ WARNING
- T he luggage compartment cover m ust
neve r be i nstalled w ithout being secured
- this c reates an acciden t ha zar d.
- Whe never dr iving, never p lace any hard
o r he avy o bjects on the luggage com ­
p art ment or allow pets to sit on t he lug­
gage compartment cover. They could be­
come a hazard to vehicle occupants in
the event of sudden brak ing or in an acci­
dent.
{[) Note
Make s ure that the heating wires in the
rea r lid do not get damaged by objects
scraping against them .
(D Tips
-Yo u can use the luggage compartment
cover to store light we ight cloth ing but
do not leave any heavy or sharp objects
in the pockets of the cloth ing.
- Remember that placing clothing on the
luggage compartment cover can block
the driver's vision in the rear view m irror.
Th is also applies espec ially when you
have to transport large objects.
- So that stale air can escape from the ve­
hicle be sure not to cover the vent ilation
slot between the rear lid a nd the lug­
gage compartment cover installed.
Ski sack
Applies to veh icles : w it h sk i sack
The ski sack allows a maximum of 4 pairs of
skis or 2 snowboards to be carried inside the
vehicle.
Fi g. 81 Sect ion of the rear seat from t he rear: sk i sac k
h atch cover
Fig. 82 Securing the ski sack at th e cente r rear seat
be lt buck le
Loading
.. Open the rea r hatch.
.. Slide the re le ase button fo r the pass ­
through down (with the cente r armrest)

¢ fig. 81 -Arrow-and tilt the pass-through
forward.
~ Remove the sack from the luggage com­
partment and unfold it.
~ Place the empty sack in the hatch so that
the end with the zip fastener is in the lug ­
gage compartment .
~ Load objects from the luggage compart­
ment into the ski sack.
Securing
~ Insert the ski sack strap¢ fig. 82@ into
the center seat belt buckle @.
~ With skiing items, place the strap in the
middle between the bindings ¢,&. .
~ Pull the loose end of the strap tight in the
direction of the arrow.
Opening the safety strap buckle
~ Take the long sides of safety strap buckle
between thumb and forefinger¢
fig. 82 @ .
~ Squeeze the buckle and pull it away from
the cargo.
Stowing
~ Raise the pass-through until it is securely
latched. It is secu re when you can no longer
see the red mark on the latch in the luggage
compartment .
~ Carefully fold up the empty (dry) ski sack.
~ Stow the ski sack in the lu ggage compart­
ment so that it cannot slide around .
A WARNING
-After loading, the ski sack must be se­
cured with the strap.
- The safety strap must fit tightly around
the cargo.
- Make certain that the safety strap lies in
the middle between the bindings of the
ski equipment (refer also to printed mes­
sage on the ski sack).
(D Tips
- Place skis with the tips pointing forward,
snowboards and ski poles with tip to the
rear in the ski sack.
Seats and storage 71
-If there are several pai rs of skis in the sk i
sack, make certain that the bindings are
at the same level.
- Be sure not to fold up or sto re the sack
when it is still damp.
Roof rack* installation
First things first
A roof rack can be used to carry additional
luggage on the roof There are two different
roof rack systems .
Separate roof racks are needed for vehicles
without roof rails . Vehicles with standard roof
rails* need add itional cross bars to carry car­
go . Both types of add itiona l equipment are
available at your authorized Audi dealer.
~ Always read and follow the instructions pro ­
vided by the roof rack manufacturer when
the roof rack system must be installed.
If a roof rack or s imilar luggage carrying
equipment is to be installed, please note the
fo llow ing :
Vehicles without roof rails
- Your vehicle has aerodynam ic rain gutters
molded into the roof. That is why only roof
racks specially designed for the roof can be
used . We recommend using roof racks from
the Audi original accessories program .
- These roof racks are the basis for a complete
roof rack system . For safety reasons, some
additional attachments are necessary to
transport luggage, bicycles , surf boards,
skis and small boats safely. A ll these com­
ponents are available at your authorized Au­
di dea ler .
Vehicle with roof rails
-The vehicle is equipped with integrated roof
railings,
which can be covered into roof rack
by ins tal ling c ross bars . Only install cross
bars specifica lly designed for this vehicle.
- These bars are the basis for a complete roof
rack system . Additional attachments are ..,.

7 2 Seats and storage
necessary to safely trans port luggage,
bicycles, surf boards, skis or small boats.
- All necessary hardware for these systems is
available from yo ur authorized Audi dealer.
When should the roof rack b e removed ?
-Before go ing through an automatic car wash
(it is bes t to ask the car wash opera to r)
- When not in use ( reduce fuel consumpt ion,
reduce wind noise and gua rd against theft)
_& WARNING
- Use of an unapproved roof rack or in cor­
rect mo unt ing of an app roved roof rack
can cause the roof rack o r the items car­
ried on it to fall
off the roof onto the
road.
- Objects falling from the roof of a ve hicle
can cause a c rash and persona l injury.
- Only mount the system between the markings shown in
r=> page 72, fig . 83
or r=>page 73, fig. 84.
-The roof rack system must be insta lled
exactly according to the instr uctions pro­
vided.
(D Note
- Any damage to the veh icle ca used by us­
ing roof racks or other types of cross bars
that have not been approved by Audi for
your vehicle, or incorrect roof rack instal­
l ation, is not covered by the Warranty.
- Always check the roof rack mount ings
and hardware before each trip and dur­ i ng a tr ip to make sure eve rything is se­
curely tightened . If necessary, retighten
the mount ings and check the ent ire sys­
tem from t im e to t im e.
- After mounting a roof rack system, or when you transport objects on the roof
of your veh icle, the height of the v ehicl e
i s n atur ally in creased. Be care ful when
driving u nder low br idges or in pa rk ga­
rages for example. This could cause
damage to the veh icle and even the loa d.
Attachment points without roof rails
App lies to vehic les : with out roof rails
The roof rack must be attached only at the lo­
cations marked .
Fig . 83 Attac hmen t po ints fo r roof rac k
The attachme nt poin ts r=> fig. 83 @ can only
be seen with the door open .
Introduction
.,. Clean the roof at the contact points for the
roof rack in order to avoid pa int scratches.
.,. Obse rve the identify ing marks on t he roof
rack for front and rear, left and right.
Roof rack front
.,. Open the front doo rs c:> &_ .
.,. Center the front of the roof rack in t he two
stamped marks at the front of the roof
r=> fig. 83 @ , r::!> & .
.,. Hand tighten the mount ing screws for the
feet alternately on the
left and right sides
of the vehicle .
.,. Using the enclosed torque wrench, tighten
the
front mounting screws securely c:> &_ .
Roof rack rear
.,. Open the rea r doors r=> £ .
.,. Place the rear of the roo f rack in the two
stamped marks at the rear of the roof
r=> fig. 83 @, r=> £.
.,. Hand tighten the mounting screws for the
feet alternately on the
left and r ight sides
of the vehicle.
.,. Us ing the enclosed to rque wre nch, t ighten
the
rear mounting screws s ecurely c:> &_ . ..,.

7 4 Seats and storage
- Always drive slowly, avo id sudden brak­
ing and maneuvers when transporting
cargo on the roof of your vehicle .
@) For the sake of the environment
Sometimes it may be easier to leave a roof
rack installed even though you are not us­
ing it . Due to the increased a ir resistance
your veh icle will unnecessar ily use more
fuel. Remove the roof rack if you are not
going to use it.
Cup holders
Cup holders in the center console
Fi g. 85 Cup ho lders a nd sto rage t ray in th e ce nte r con ·
s o le
Up to two b everages can be placed in the cen­
te r console.
A WARNING
Spilled hot liquid can cause an accident
and pe rsonal injury.
-
- Never carry any beverage containers with
hot liquids, such as hot coffee or hot tea,
in the vehicle while it is moving . In case
of an accident, s udde n bra king or other
v ehicl e mov ement, hot liq uid could s pill,
causing s ca ld ing burns . Sp illed hot liq uid
c an also ca use a n accide nt and perso nal
injury.
- Use only soft cu ps in t he cup holder. H ard
c u ps and gla sses can c ause i njur y in an
acc ident.
- N ever use the cup holder or adap ter as an
ashtray- r isk o f fire.
(D Note
Only drink conta iners with lids should be
carr ied in the cupholder. Liquid could spill
out and damage your vehicle's electron ic
equipment or stain the upho lstery, etc ..
(upholder in the rear center armrest
Fig. 86 Rea r ce nter armr est: c upho ld er extend ed
Opening the cup holder
.,. Press bot h spo ts marked with 'i @ ~ fig. 86
q &_ . The holder ex tends .
Adjusting the retain er individually
.,. Press and hold the retai ne r arm @ inwa rd
- ar row -and adj ust i t to fit the cup si ze.
The retainer arm should fit snugly around the cup or can .
The cup ho lder is de signed to secure no mo re
than two cups or can s.
A WARNING
Spi lled ho t liquid can cause an accident
and persona l injury .
-
- Never carry any beverage conta iners w ith
hot liq uids, such as hot coffee o r hot tea,
in th e vehicle while it is moving. In case
of an a cciden t, sudden braking or othe r
ve hicl e movement, hot liquid cou ld spill,
causing scalding burns . Spilled hot liquid
can also cause an acc ident a nd personal
in ju ry.
- Use on ly soft cups in the cu p holde r. Hard
cups and glasses can cause injury in a n
accident.

CD Note
Only drink containers with lids should be
carried in the cupho lder. Liqu id could spill
out and damage your veh icle's e lectronic
equ ipment or sta in the upholstery etc.
Socket
Outlets
The outlet in the front center console and in
the luggage compartment may be used for
12-volt appliances.
Fig. 87 Ce nter conso le, front: 12-vo lt out let
Fig. 88 L uggage compartmen t: 12-vo lt out let
Outlet in the front center console
.. Fold the cover for the outlet down ¢ fig. 87.
.. Plug in appliance to be used.
Outlet in the luggage compartment
.. Tap cover ¢ fig. 88.
.. Plug in appliance to be used.
The outlet may be used for 12-volt appliances
with maximum consumption of up to 100
watts, such as a f lash light, small vacuum
cleane r, etc.
Before you purchase any accessories, always
read and follow the information in
Seats and storage 75
¢ page 261, Additional accessories and parts
replacement.
A WARNING
The outlet plus any appliances plugged in­
to it remain functional even if the ignition
is switched off or the ignition key is re­
moved. Never leave children inside the ve ­
h icle w ithout supervision.
CD Note
To avoid damaging the socket, only use
plugs that fit properly.
(y Tips
When the engine is off and accessories are
still plugged in and are on, the vehicle bat­
tery can still be drained.
Storage
General overview
There are numerous places to store items in
your vehicle .
Storage in the center arm-i=>page 66
rest
Storage in the rear armrest
Glove compartment (Air
¢page 76
ventilation in the glove compartment*, CD chang-
er*)
Center console
¢page 76
Compartments in the doo r ¢page 77
trims
Storage in the footwell
¢page 77
Compartments in luggage ¢page 77
compartment
Coat hooks
¢page 78
Some of the storage locations are only found
on specif ic vehicle models or are optional
equipment .

76 Seats and storage
& WARNING
-Always remove objects from the instru­
ment panel. Any items not put away
could slide around inside the vehicle
while driving or when accelerating or
when applying the brakes or when driv­
ing around a corner.
- When you are driving make sure that
anything you may have placed in the cen­
ter console or other storage locations
cannot fall out into the footwells. In case
of sudden braking you would not be able
to brake, depress the clutch or acceler­
ate.
- Any pieces of clothing that you have
hung up must not interfere with the driv­
er's view. The coat hooks are designed
only for lightweight clothing. Never hang
any clothing with hard, pointed or heavy
objects in the pockets on the coat hooks.
During sudden braking or in an accident -
especially if the airbag is deployed -
these objects could injure any passen­
gers inside the vehicle .
Glove compartment
The glove compartment is illuminated and
can be locked .
Fig. 89 Glove compar tment
To open glove compartment
"' Pull the handle~ fig. 89 in the direct ion of
the arrow push down lid to th e fully op en
position.
1 ) Not ava ilab le o n veh icl es with Audi N avigat ion Sys­
t e m .
To close glove compartment
"' Push the glove compartment lid upward un-
til the lock engages.
The light will illuminate when the parking/
headlights are turned on and the glove com­
partment is open.
In the glove compartment lid, you will find a
place to store a pen and a pad of paper .
In the glove compartment, you will find the
CD-changer* for navigation system* . A sepa­
rate Owner's Manual is in vehicles that have a
factory-installed CD changer and navigation
system.
A WARNING
To reduce the risk of personal injury in an
accident or sudden stop, always keep the
glove compartment closed while driving.
Ga Storage compartment for small
objects
Applies to vehicles: with storage compartment in center
console
Fig. 90 Cen te r c onso le s torage compar tme nt
"' To open the compartment, press the cover
Cg ~fig. 90.
-
"' To close the compartment, push the drawer
all the way in until it clicks in place.
An additional storage compartment
1> for rela­
tively small objects is located in the center
console next to the brake lever.