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area because the rear lid cannot be fully
closed.
-If you absolutely must drive with the rear
lid open, observe the following notes to
reduce the risk of poisoning:
- Close all windows,
- Close the power top,
- Open all air outlets in the instrument
panel,
- Switch off the air recirculation,
- Set the fresh air fan to the highest
speed.
A WARNING
Always make sure that the doors, all win
dows, the power top and the rear lid are
securely closed and locked to reduce the
risk of injury when the vehicle is not being
used.
-After closing the rear lid, always make sure that it is properly closed and locked.
- Never leave your vehicle unattended es
pecially with the rear lid left open. A
child could crawl into the vehicle through
the luggage compartment and close 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 let passengers ride in the luggage
compartment. Vehicle occupants must
always be properly restrained in one of
the vehicle's seating positions.
(D Tips
- Air circulation helps to reduce window
fogging. Stale air escapes to the outside
through vents in the trim panel. Be sure
to keep these slots free and open.
- The tire pressure must correspond to the
load. The tire pressure is shown on the
tire pressure label. The tire pressure la bel is located on the driver's side B-pillar.
The tire pressure label lists the recom mended cold tire inflation pressures for
the vehicle at its maximum capacity
.
Driving Safely 119
weight and the tires that were on your
vehicle at the time it was manufactured.
For recommended tire pressures for nor
mal load conditions, please see chapter
¢page 217.
Tie-downs
Applies to vehicles : wi th t ie-downs
The luggage compartment is equipped with
four tie-downs to secure luggage and other
items.
Use the tie-downs to secure your cargo prop
erly
¢ page 118, Loading the luggage com
partment .
In a collision, the laws of physics mean that
even smaller items that are loose in the vehi
cle will become heavy missiles that can cause
serious injury. Items in the vehicle possess en
ergy which vary with vehicle speed and the
weight of the item. Vehicle speed is the most significant factor.
For example, in a frontal collision at a speed
of 30 mph (48 km/h), the forces acting on a 10-lb (4.5 kg) object are about 20 times the
normal weight of the item . This means that
the weight of the item would suddenly be
about 200 lbs. (90 kg). You can imagine the injuries that a 200 lbs. (90 kg) item flying
freely through the passenger compartment
could cause in a collision like this.
A WARNING
Weak, damaged or improper straps used
to secure items to tie-downs can fail dur ing hard braking or in a collision and cause
serious personal injury.
- Always use suitable mounting straps and
properly secure items to the tie-downs in
the luggage compartment to help pre
vent items from shifting or flying for
ward as dangerous missiles.
- When the rear seat backrest is folded
down, always use suitable mounting
straps and properly secure items to the
tie-downs in the luggage compartment
to help prevent items from flying
•
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-Never attach any objects such as cu
pholders or telephone mountings to the
surfaces covering the airbag units.
- For cleaning the horn pad or instrument
panel, use only a soft, dry cloth or one
moistened with plain water. Solvents or
cleaners could damage the airbag cover
or change the stiffness or strength of the
material so that the airbag cannot de
ploy and protect properly.
- Never repair, adjust, or change any parts
of the airbag system.
-All work on the steering wheel, instru
ment panel, front seats or electrical sys
tem (including the installation of audio
equipment , cellular telephones and CB
radios, etc.) must be performed by a
qualified technician who has the training
and special equipment necessary.
- For any work on the airbag system, we
strongly recommend that you see your
authorized Audi dealer or qualified work
shop.
- Never modify the front bumper or parts
of the vehicle body .
- Always make sure that the side airbag
can inflate without interference:
- Never install seat covers or replace
ment upholstery over the front seat backs that have not been specifically
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 air
bag module must always be repaired
immediately by an authorized Audi
dealer.
- The airbag system can be activated only
once. After an airbag has inflated, it must be replaced by an authorized Audi
dealer 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 replaced with new replace-
Airbag system 145
ment parts designed and approved espe
cially for your Audi model version . Re
placement of complete airbag systems
or airbag components must be per
formed by qualified workshops only. Make sure that any airbag service action
is entered in your Audi Warranty
& Main
tenance booklet under
AIRBAG REPLACE
MENT RECORD.
- In accidents when an airbag is deployed,
the vehicle battery separates the alterna
tor and the starter from the vehicle elec
trical system for safety reasons with a pyrotechnic circuit interrupter.
- Work on the pyrotechnic circuit inter
rupter must only be performed by a
qualified dealer -risk of an accident!
- If the vehicle or the circuit interrupter
is scrapped, all applicable safety pre
cautions must be followed.
@ For the sake of the environment
Undeployed airbag modules and preten
sioners might be classified as Perchlorate
Material -special handling may apply, see
www .dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/per-
ch lorate. When the vehicle or parts of the
restraint system including airbag modules
safety belts with pretensioners are scrap
ped, all applicable laws and regulations
must be observed. Your authorized Audi
dealer is familiar with these requirements
and we recommend that you have your
dealer perform this service for you.
Other things that can affect Advanced
Airbag performance
Changing the vehicle's suspension system can
change the way that the Advanced Airbag Sys
tem performs in a crash. For example, using
tire-rim combinations not approved by Audi ,
lowering the vehicle, changing the stiffness of
the suspension, including the springs, suspen
sion struts, shock absorbers etc. can change
the forces that are measured by the airbag
sensors and sent to the electronic control unit. Some suspension changes can, for
•
•
Tires and wheels 211
and make of tire and the tread -New tires tend to be slip-•
pattern.
pery and must also be bro-• '
Hidden damage ken-in. To reduce the risk of
Damage to tires and rims is of -losing control, a collision
and serious personal inju-
ten not readily visible. If you ries, drive with special care
notice unusual vibration or the for the first 350 miles
vehicle pulls to one side, this (560 km).
may indicate that one of the -Driving with worn or dam-
tires has been damaged . The
aged tires can lead to loss of
tires must be checked immedi-
ately by an authorized Audi control
, sudden tire failure,
including a blowout and
dealer or qualified workshop.
sudden deflation, crashes
Unidirectional tires and serious personal inju-
A unidirectional tire can be ries. Have worn or damaged
identified by arrows on the tires replaced immediately.
sidewall, that point in the di rec- -Tires age even if they are
tion the tire is designed to ro- not being used and can fail
tate. You must follow the speci- suddenly, especially at high
fied direction of rotation. This is speeds. Tires that are more
necessary so that these tires than 6 years old can only be
can develop their optimum used in an emergency and
characteristics regarding grip, then with special care and
road noise, wear and hydro- at low speed.
planing resistance. For more in- -Never mount used tires on
formation
¢ page 249. your vehicle if you are not sure of their "previous histo-
A WARNING
ry." Old used tires may have -
New tires or tires that are been damaged even though
old, worn or damaged cannot the damage cannot be seen
provide maximum control that can lead to sudden tire
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Bead
means the part of the tire that
is made of steel wires, wrapped
or reinforced by ply cords and
that is shaped to fit the rim.
Bead separation
means a breakdown of the bond
between components in the
bead.
Cord
means the strands forming the
plies in the tire .
Cold tire inflation pressure
means the tire pressure recom
mended by the vehicle manu
facturer for a tire of a designat
ed size that has not been driven
for more than a couple of miles (kilometers) at low speeds in
the three hour period before
the tire pressure is measured or
adjusted.
Curb weight
means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard equip
ment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and cool
ant, air conditioning and addi
tional weight of optional equip
ment.
Tires and wheels 213
Extra load tire
means a tire design to operate
at higher loads and at higher inflation pressures than the
corresponding standard tire. Extra load tires may be identi
fied as "XL", "xl", "EXTRA
LOAD", or "RF" on the sidewall.
Gross Axle Weight Rating ("GAWR")
means the load-carrying capaci
ty of a single axle system,
measured at the tire-ground in
terfaces.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ("GVWR")
means the maximum total
loaded weight of the vehicle.
Groove
means the space between two
adjacent tread ribs.
Load rating (code)
means the maximum load that
a tire is rated to carry for a giv
en inflation pressure. You may
not find this information on all
tires because it is not required by law.
•
•
'
214 Tires and whee ls
Ma ximum load r ating Overall width
means the load rating for a tire means the linear distance be-
at the maximum permissible in- tween the exteriors of the side-
flation pressure for that tire. walls of an inflated tire, includ -
Max imum lo ad ed vehicle ing elevations due to labeling,
weight decorations, or protective
means the sum of: bands or ribs
.
(a) Curb weight
Ply
(b) Accessory weight means a layer of rubber
-coated
(c) Vehicle capacity weight, and parallel cords
.
(d) Production options weight
Production options weight
Ma ximum (permissible )
means the combined we ight of
inflation pressure those installed regular produc-
means the maximum cold infla- tion options weighing over 5
tion pressure to which a tire lbs
. (2 .3 kg) in excess of those
may be inflated. Also called standard
items which they re-
"maximum inflation pressure." place, no
t previously consid-
Normal occupant weight
ered in curb weight or accessory
weight, including heavy duty
means 150 lbs. (68 kilograms) brakes, ride levelers, heavy duty
times the number of occupants battery, and special trim.
seated in the vehicle up to the
Radial ply tire total seating capac ity of your
vehicle . means a pneumatic tire in
Occupant distribution
which the p
ly cords that extend
to the beads are laid at s ub-
means distribution of occu -
stantially 90 degrees to the
pants in a vehicle .
centerline of the tread.
Outer diameter
Recommended inflation
means the overall diameter of pressure
an inflated new tire.
see c::> page 213, Cold tire infla-
tion pressure .
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Reinforced tire
means a tire design to operate
at higher loads and at higher
inflation pressures than the
corresponding standard tire. Reinforced tires may be identi
fied as "XL", "xl", "EXTRA
LOAD", or "RF" on the sidewall.
Rim
means a metal support for a
tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Rim diameter
means nominal diameter of the
bead seat. If you change your
wheel size, you will have to pur chase new tires to match the
new rim diameter.
Rim size designation
means rim diameter and width.
Rim width
means nominal distance be
tween rim flanges.
Sidewall
means that portion of a tire be
tween the tread and bead.
Tires and wheels 215
Speed rating (letter code)
means the speed at which a tire
is designed to be driven for ex
tended periods of time. The rat
ings range from 93 mph
(150 km/h) to 186 mph
(298 km/h)¢
page 232. You
may not find this information
on all tires because it is not re
quired by law.
The speed rating letter code,
where applicable, is molded on
the tire sidewall and indicates
the maximum permissible road speeds
¢ .& in Winter tires on
page 237.
Tire pressure monitoring
system*
means a system that detects
when one or more of a vehicle's
tires are underinflated and illu minates a low tire pressure
warning telltale.
Tread
means that portion of a tire
that comes into contact with
the road.
Tread separation
means pulling away of the
tread from the tire carcass.
•
•
'
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
means that load on an individu
al tire that is determined by
distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded
vehicle weight and dividing by two.
Vehicle normal load on the tire
mean s that load on an individu
al tire that is determined by
Tires and wheels 217
distributing to each axle its
share of the curb weight, acces
sory weight, and normal occu
pant weight (distributed in ac
cordance with table below
r=> page 217) and dividing by
two.
Occupant loading and distribution for vehicle normal load for
various designated seating capacities
Designated seating Vehicle normal load, Occupant distribu-
capacity, number of number of occupants tion in a normally
occupants loaded vehicle
4 2 2 in front
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire pressure affects the overall
handlingJ performance and safety
of a vehicle.
Fig. 182 Tire pressure label: located
-"' ---------------.... ,;,
& =-=====c=-=============== ::l
Ve=~= • = • =-1)§ -n,,......,..__.................................... • .... _ .. .................................... ___...,._ .. . -
- KPA, . PSI
- KPA. . PSI
- KPA. . PSI
Fig. 183 Tire pressure label
"'
"" on driver's side B -pillar
a: LL co
rl I.O
"' rl
"' rl
218 Tires and whee ls
Tire pressure generally refers to tant things you can do to help
the amount of a ir in a tire that avoid sudden tire failure. Un-
it needs it to do its job and derinflated tires are a major
safely carry the combined load cause of sudden tire failure .
of the entire vehicle and its con-
Keeping tires at the right pres-
tents . Tire pressure is measured sure is also important for safe
in kilopascals (kPa), the inter- and responsive vehic le han-
national measuring unit and in dling, traction, braking and
pounds pe r square inch (PSI). load carrying.
Tire pressu res
Ti re pressure is based in part on are particularly important
the vehicle's design and load when the vehicle is being driv-
limit -the greatest amount of en at h igher speeds, and then
weight that the vehicle can car-especially when hea vily loaded
ry safely and the tire size. The even within the permissible
proper tire pressure is frequent-load-carrying capacities ap-
ly referred to as the "recom-proved for your vehicle.
mended cold tire inflation pres-
The recommended tire pres-
sure." Air in the tires expands sures for your Audi depend on
when the tire heats up because the kind of tires on your vehicle
of internal friction when it flex- and the number of passengers
es in use. The ti re pressure is
and/or amount of luggage you
h igher when the tire has
will be transporting.
warmed up than when it is
The tire pressure labe l is locat-
"cold." It is the inflation p res-
ed on the driver's side 8-pillar.
sure in a "cold" tire that counts .
Therefore, you should never let The tire pressure label lists the
recommended cold tire infla-
air out of a warm tire to match
"cold tire inflation pressure" tion pressures for the vehicle at
its maximum capacity weight
recommendations . The tires
would then be underinflated and tires that were on your ve-
and cou ld fai l suddenly . hicle at the time it was manu-
f actured.
...
Maintaining proper tire p res-
sure is one of the most impor-