2020 AUDI A8 airbag

Sitting correctly and safely

— The electrical capacity is higher than the
threshold stored in the control module
— The electrical capacity is the same as or greater
than the electrical capacity of a typical adult
The passenger's airbag is deactivated if:
— The electrical capacity is lower than the thresh-
old stored in the control module
— The electrical capacity is the same as or less
than the electrical capacity of a typical one-
year-old child in a child safety seat that has
been used for certification in accordance with
FMVSS 208
If the front passenger's airbag is activated, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON @ indicator light
will turn on. If the front passenger's airbag is de-
activated, the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF #;
indicator light will turn on.
The deployment force of the front airbags adapts
based on whether or not the safety belt is used
and the distance between the seat and the steer-
ing wheel/instrument panel. For example, if a
person is too close to the front airbag, the front
airbag will deploy with less force to help reduce
the risk of injury.
Meaning of PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF #4, ON
® indicator light
When the ignition is switched on, the system de-
tects whether the front passenger's seat is occu-
pied. PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF #; ON ®
will turn on for several seconds during this proc-
ess. Then it will indicate whether the front pas-
senger's airbag is activated or deactivated.
— PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF 8%; the front
passenger's airbag is deactivated and will not
deploy in the event of an accident.
— PASSENGER AIR BAG ON @®: the front pas-
senger's airbag is activated and could deploy in
the event of an accident.
If a change to the occupancy status of the front
passenger's seat is detected
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF #; ON @ will
flash for several seconds and will then display the
status of the front passenger's airbag.
90
Always make sure the indicator light corresponds
to the occupancy of the front passenger's seat.
— Adults or individuals with a similar stature sit-
ting in the front passenger seat: The front pas-
senger's airbag must be activated.
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON @ must remain
on.
— Individuals with a smaller stature (for exam-
ple, adolescents or smaller adults) sitting in
the front passenger seat: The front passeng-
er's airbag must be activated.
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON ® must remain
on.
— Child in a child safety seat secured on the
front passenger seat: The front passenger's air-
bag must be deactivated.
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ®, must remain
on.
— Front passenger seat is not occupied: The front
passenger's airbag must be deactivated.
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF 3, must remain
on.

Z\ WARNING
— An adult or a person with a small stature
(such as a young person or small adult) seat-
ed on the front passenger's seat will not be
protected by the passenger's airbag in the
event of a collision if the passenger's airbag
is deactivated. This increases the risk of in-
jury and death. Always make sure that
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON @ remains on
while driving. If
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON @ does not
turn on, make sure the front passenger is
sitting correctly in the seat > page 72 and
that there are no objects covering the front
passenger's seat (such as blankets or pil-
lows). If PASSENGER AIR BAG ON @
still does not turn on, the front passenger's
seat must not be used. Drive to an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility and have the airbag system inspect-
ed.
—Achild ina child safety seat on the front
passenger's seat - especially in a rear-facing
child safety seat - can receive a severe im-
pact if the front passenger's airbag deploys,

4N0012721BD
Sitting correctly and safely


which increases the risk of serious or fatal
injury. Always secure child safety seats on
the rear seats. If special circumstances re-
quire the use of a child safety seat on the
front passenger's seat, always make sure
that PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF 3; re-
mains on while driving. If
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF #¥; does not
turn on, remove the child safety seat and in-
stall it again according to the child safety
seat manufacturer instructions. If
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF %% still does
not turn on, the front passenger's seat must
not be used. Drive to an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility
and have the airbag system inspected.
— Fluids, electronic devices, or mechanical
damage on the front passenger's seat may
cause the front passenger seat occupant de-
tection to malfunction. The system may
then incorrectly detect if the front passeng-
er's seat is occupied. As a result, it could de-
ploy the front passenger’s airbag incorrectly
or fail to deploy it, which increases the risk
of serious or fatal injury. Make sure that no
wet objects (such as a wet hand towel) and
no fluids come into contact with the front
passenger's seat cushion. If the front pas-
senger's seat becomes wet, dry it immedi-
ately. Make sure no electronic devices (such
as a laptop or a retrofitted seat heater) are
on the front passenger's seat. Do not trans-
port any objects on or under the front pas-
senger's seat.
— Seat covers or protective covers may prevent
the advanced airbag system from correctly
detecting child safety seats or passengers in
the front passenger's seat. You must not use
seat covers or protective covers on the front
passenger's seat that are not specifically ap-
proved for use on Audi seats with an ad-

vanced airbag system.

Child safety seats
General information
When installing and using child safety seats, fol-
low the information in this Owner's Manual, the
applicable state and federal regulations, and the
manufacturer instructions for the child safety
seat.
You can also obtain useful and current informa-
tion from the following sources:
U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration
http://www.nhtsa.gov
http://www.safercar.gov
National SAFE KIDS Campaign
http://www.safekids.org
SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A.
http://www.carseat.org
Transport Canada Information Centre
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety
Audi Customer Experience Center
https://www.audiusa.com/help/contact-us
https://www.audi.ca/ca/web/en/models/layer/
contact.html

ZA WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries,
children must always be secured in the vehicle
with a child safety seat that is appropriate for
their body size, weight, and age.
— Children ages 12 and under must be trans-
ported using the appropriate child safety
seat. Note differences in regulations be-
tween states and countries.
— Child safety seats secured incorrectly in the
vehicle may cause serious or fatal injuries in
the event of an accident. Always secure the
child safety seat according to the manufac-
turer instructions.
— Children or babies must not under any cir-
cumstances be held on the lap of the driver
or other passengers while driving.
— Do not secure more than one child in a child
safety seat.
— Never allow a child to sit in a child safety
seat unsupervised.
— Never allow children to ride unsecured in the
vehicle or to stand or kneel on the seats
while driving. In the event of an accident, a

child could be propelled through the vehicle.

91

Sitting correctly and safely


This can cause serious or fatal injuries for
the child and passengers.
— If children use an incorrect seating position
while driving, they have a higher risk of in-
jury during a sudden braking maneuver or
accident. This especially applies to children
in the front passenger's seat or children who
have their head near the side airbag deploy-
ment area, if the airbag system is deployed
during an accident. This incorrect seating
position can cause severe or even fatal inju-
ries.
— Make sure there is enough space in front of
the child in the child safety seat. If necessa-
ry, adjust the angle and position of the seat
in front of the child safety seat.
— Applies to: vehicles with Audi tablet: If you
secure a rear-facing child safety seat on the
rear seat, remove the Audi tablet from the
backrest on the front seat.
— The rear side of a forward-facing child safety
seat should be positioned as close as possi-
ble to the backrest on the vehicle seat. If the
head restraints make it difficult to install a
child safety seat, adjust or remove them
= page 81. Reinstall the head restraints im-
mediately once the child safety seat has
been removed.
— NEVER use a rear-facing child safety seat on
a seat with an ACTIVATED FRONT AIRBAG;
this could cause DEATH or SERIOUS INJU-
RIES to a CHILD.
— Always secure child safety seats on the
rear seats. If exceptional circumstances re-
quire the child safety seat to be placed on
the front passenger's seat, then the front
passenger's airbag must be deactivated.
Always make sure that
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF 8; remains
on while driving. If
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ; does not
turn on, remove the child safety seat and
install it again according to the child safe-
ty seat manufacturer instructions. If
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF %%; still
does not turn on, the front passenger's
seat must not be used. Drive to an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service

92
Facility and have the airbag system in-
spected.
— If you must use a forward-facing child safety
seat on the front passenger's seat, move the
seat as far back as possible so that it is as
far as possible from the front passenger's
airbag. While doing this, make sure the seat
can be adjusted all the way. A child in a child
safety seat on the front passenger's seat can
receive a severe impact if the front passeng-
er's airbag deploys, which increases the risk
of serious or fatal injury.
— Replace the child safety seat after an acci-
dent because there could be damage that is
not visible.
— Even if a child is not sitting in the child safe-
ty seat, the child safety seat must be se-
cured. An unsecured child safety seat may
be thrown through the vehicle interior dur-
ing sudden braking maneuvers or an acci-
dent.
(eye ta em Seidl m imal lela)
Always secure children in a child safety seat de-
signed for the body size, weight, and age of the
child.

You can secure child safety seats in your vehicle
using the lower LATCH anchors or the safety
belts. You can also secure child safety seats to
the top tether anchor. Depending on the child
safety seat, it may also be necessary to secure it
to the top tether anchor. In Canada, securing for-
ward-facing child safety seats to the top tether
anchors is required by law.
Always transport children in the rear seats
Accident statistics show that children that are se-
cured correctly in the rear seats are safer than in
front seats. Always transport children in suitable
child safety seats secured on the rear seats.
In exceptional circumstances: transporting
children in the front passenger's seat
If exceptional circumstances require the child
safety seat to be placed on the front passenger's
seat, then the front passenger's airbag must be
deactivated. Please note the important

4N0012721BD
Sitting correctly and safely

information for this > page 89, Advanced airbag
system. If you must secure a forward-facing child
safety seat, move the front passenger's seat as
far back as possible so that it is as far as possible
from the front passenger's airbag. While doing
this, make sure the seat can be adjusted all the
way.
Only switch to a larger child safety seat when
absolutely necessary
Switch to a larger child safety seat only when ab-
solutely necessary. Secure your child using a safe-
ty belt without a child safety seat only if all of the
following statements are true:
— The child is large enough to sit upright in the
seat
— The child is able to sit with his or her back rest-
ing completely on the seat backrest
— The child is able to sit with his or her knees
bent over the edge of the seat surface
—The child is able to sit with both of his or her
feet completely touching the floor in the foot-
well
— The lap portion of the safety belt lies flat and
securely over the hip area and never over the
stomach
— The shoulder portion of the safety belt lies flat
and securely over the center of the shoulder
and the chest, and never under the arm, behind
the back, or over the neck or face.
— The child is able to maintain this seating posi-
tion throughout the entire trip
Read and follow the important information and
warnings regarding the correct use of safety belts
=> page 82.
@) Tips
— Child safety seats can also be secured to
seats with side airbags. In the event of an
accident, children can also be protected by
the side airbags if the child is correctly se-
cured in a suitable child safety seat that is
attached correctly.
— The lower LATCH anchors as well as the
safety belt may be required to correctly in-
stall some child safety seats. Using both at
the same time is permitted, provided that
the fastening systems or safety belts do not
impair those in an adjacent seating position.
—All child safety seats are constructed so that
they can be secured using the lap safety belt
in the vehicle.
— Child safety seats with a support base can
only be secured to the outer rear seats and
to the front passenger's seat.
Securing child safety seats to the lower
Pe Tule)



Fig. 80 Rear bench seat: marker points and lower LATCH
anchors
Follow the safety precautions > page 91.
In the United States and Canada, child safety
seats can be secured without safety belts using
the LATCH system. LATCH stands for Lower An-
chors and Tethers for Children. In Canada, similar
systems are called UCRA, LUAS, or UAS.
The lower LATCH anchors in your vehicle are lo-
cated on the outer seats of the rear bench seat
between the seat surface and the backrest. These
seating locations each have two lower LATCH an-
chors that can be used to secure a LATCH child
safety seat. Marking points with a > fig. 80 sym-
bol are located on the backrest of the rear bench
seat. You can locate the LATCH anchors using the
marking points.
>» Applies to: vehicles with power-adjustable rear
bench seat: Move the rear seat all the way back
and downward and position the backrest so it is
as upright as possible.
> Activate the child safety lock > page 53.
> If you secure a child safety seat to the rear seat,
secure any unused safety belts that are within
93
>

Sitting correctly and safely

reach of the child > A\ in Securing child safety
seats with a safety belt on page 95.
> Secure the child safety seat according to the
child safety seat manufacturer instructions.
> Pull on the child safety seat to check if both
sides are engaged correctly in the LATCH an-
chors.
> If possible, also secure the child safety seat to
the respective top tether anchor on the seat
=>page 95.

Z\ WARNING
The LATCH anchors in the vehicle are only de-
signed for child safety seats with the LATCH
system. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal
injury, never secure other child restraint sys-
tems, belts, or objects to the anchors.
@ Tips
The LATCH anchors are designed for a total
weight (child and child safety seat combined)
up to 65 lbs (29 kg). If the total weight is
greater than this, the child safety seat must
be secured with the vehicle safety belt.
Securing child safety seats with a safety
Ptah
Follow the safety precautions > page 91. The
front passenger’s seat is a dangerous location for
a child, even with an advanced airbag system. If
exceptional circumstances require the child safe-
ty seat to be placed on the front passenger's
seat, then the front passenger's airbag must be
deactivated. Please note the important informa-
tion for this > page 92, Correct positioning for
children and > page 89, Advanced airbag sys-
tem.

Securing child safety seats
> Applies to: vehicles with power-adjustable rear
bench seat: If you secure a child safety seat on
the rear seat, move the rear seat all the way
back and downward and adjust the backrest to
be as upright as possible.
> Activate the child safety lock > page 53.
94
> If you secure a child safety seat to the rear seat,
secure any unused safety belts that are within
reach of the child > A\, > page 96.
> If you secure a child safety seat to the front
passenger's seat, adjust the front passenger's
seat to the highest position.
> Secure the child safety seat according to the
child safety seat manufacturer instructions.
> If necessary, activate the belt retractor lock
=> page 94, Activating the belt retractor lock.
> If the child safety seat is secured on the front
passenger's seat, adjust the front passenger's
seat backrest until it rests flat against the child
safety seat. Also make sure that the upper safe-
ty belt fixture is behind the child safety seat.
> If you secure a child safety seat on the rear
seat, also secure it to the correct top tether an-
chor if possible > page 95.
Activating the belt retractor lock
If you secure a child safety seat using the vehicle
safety belt, you must activate the belt retractor
lock. Follow the child safety seat manufacturer
instructions.
The
belt retractor lock prevents the safety belt
from becoming loose while driving, which could
result in the child safety seat no longer being ad-
equately secured.
>» Secure the child safety seat according to the
child safety seat manufacturer instructions.
While doing so, pull out the safety belt. Insert
the safety belt into the belt latch that belongs
to that seat until it audibly locks.
> Pull the upper belt out completely and then al-
low it to retract. You will hear a clicking sound
while the belt is retracting. It will not be possi-
ble to pull the safety belt out any farther.
> Push the child safety seat into the seat and al-
low the belt to retract more.
> Make sure that the child safety seat cannot
move more than 1 inch (2.5 cm).
Deactivating the belt retractor lock
> Unbuckle the safety belt from the belt latch.
> Remove the child safety seat according to the
manufacturer instructions.
> Allow the safety belt to retract completely. The
belt retractor lock is deactivated.

4N0012721BD
Sitting correctly and safely


ZA WARNING
— A safety belt that is not locked by the belt
retractor lock or a locking device cannot se-
cure a child safety seat while driving or in
the event of an accident, which increases the
risk of fatal injury. Always make sure the
belt retractor lock on the safety belt is acti-
vated if the child safety seat manufacturer
instructions require it.
— Due to the risk of fatal injury, never place a
rear-facing child safety seat on the front
passenger's seat when the front passenger's
airbag is switched on.
— For the child safety seat to offer the maxi-
mum protection, it is especially important
to route the vehicle safety belt correctly. Al-
ways follow the instructions from the child
safety seat manufacturer for routing the
safety belt correctly. Incorrectly fastened
safety belts can cause injuries, even during
minor accidents.

Ad

onally securing a child safety seat to
the top tether anchor

RAZ-0091

Follow the safety precautions > page 91.
There is a top tether anchor behind every seat in
the rear bench seat to additionally secure a child
safety seat with an upper belt. Depending on the
vehicle equipment, there may be two or three top
tether anchors.
> Applies to: head restraints on the outer rear
seats: Move the head restraint behind the child
safety seat upward.
> Applies to: head restraint on the center rear
seat: Fold the head restraint downward.
> Lift the cover for the top tether anchor upward.
> Secure the child safety seat according to the
child safety seat manufacturer instructions.
> Applies to: head restraints on the outer rear
seats: Guide the upper belt on the child safety
seat under the head restraint or along both
sides of it and toward the rear (depending on
the child safety seat model).
> Applies to: head restraint on the center rear
seat: Guide the child safety seat upper belt to-
ward the rear over the head restraint.
>» Fasten the belt to the top tether anchor
=> fig. 82. While doing this, make sure the belt
is not twisted and is not running over any sharp
edges.
> Pull the belt tightly so that the child safety seat
rests at the top of the seat backrest.
> Applies to: head restraints on the outer rear
seats: If necessary, move the head restraint be-
hind the child safety seat downward.


Fig. 81 Rear shelf: top tether anchors to secure a child
safety seat with an upper belt


RAZ-0092
Z\ WARNING
The top tether anchors in the vehicle are only
designed for child safety seats equipped with
an upper strap. To reduce the risk of serious or
fatal injury, never secure other child restraint
systems, belts, or objects to the anchors.



Fig. 82 Rear shelf: securing the upper belt to the top teth-
er anchor
95

Stowing and using

— Holders for a notepad and a pen in the glove
compartment
— Storage compartments in the door trim panel
— Net in the front passenger's footwell
— Storage compartments under the center arm-
rest
— Compartments on the backrests of the front
seats
— Garment hooks in the rear
— Cell phone holder in the right rear door
— Bag hooks in the luggage compartment
— Net in luggage compartment
— Umbrella holder
> Stow heavy luggage as far forward in the lug-
gage compartment as possible.
> Use non-elastic cords attached to the tie-downs
to secure objects.


ZA WARNING
— To reduce the risk of injury, make sure all
storage compartments are always closed
while driving.
— Loose objects can be thrown around the ve-
hicle interior during sudden driving or brak-
ing maneuvers, which increases the risk of
an accident. Store objects securely while
driving.
— Only use the storage compartments in the
door trim panels to store small objects that
will not stick out of the compartment and
impair the function of the side airbags.
— Only lightweight clothing should be hung
from the garment hooks in the vehicle. Do
not use clothes hangers to hang clothing.
The pockets of the clothing must not con-
tain any heavy, breakable, or sharp-edged
objects. This could impair the effectiveness
of the side curtain airbags.
— Make sure your view toward the rear is not
blocked, for example by hanging clothing or

objects in the vehicle.

Luggage compartment
General information
All pieces of luggage or objects must be securely
fastened in the luggage compartment. Note the
following to maintain good vehicle handling:
> Distribute the load evenly in the luggage com-
partment.
100

ZX WARNING
— Loose objects can be thrown around the ve-
hicle interior during sudden driving or brak-
ing maneuvers, which increases the risk of
an accident. Always stow objects securely in
the luggage compartment and secure them
at the tie-downs. Use straps suitable for
heavy objects.
— If pieces of luggage or objects are secured
to the tie-downs with unsuitable or dam-
aged straps, this can increase the risk of in-
jury during braking maneuvers or accidents.
— When transporting heavy objects, the vehi-
cle characteristics will change due to the
shift in the center of gravity, which increases
the risk of an accident. You may need to
adapt your driving style and speed to the
current conditions.
— The cargo net is only strong enough to se-
cure light objects. Heavy objects are not ade-
quately secured. Attempting to secure heavy
objects increases the risk of injury.
— Never exceed the permitted axle and load
and vehicle weight > page 342.
— Never secure a child safety seat to the tie-
downs.
— Never leave your vehicle unattended, espe-
cially if the luggage compartment lid is
open. Children could enter the luggage com-
partment and close the luggage compart-
ment lid from the inside. This creates the
risk of fatal injury, since the children would
be locked in and may not be able to escape
by themselves.
— Do not allow children to play in or on the ve-
hicle. Close and lock the luggage compart-
ment lid as well as all other doors when you
leave the vehicle.
— Never transport passengers in the luggage
compartment. Every passenger must be cor-
rectly secured with the safety belts in the
vehicle > page 82.

Driving dynamic

EDL will switch on again automatically when con-
ditions have returned to normal.
Power steering
The ESC can also support vehicle stability
through steering.
Selective wheel torque control
Selective wheel torque control is used when driv-
ing on curves. Braking is targeted toward the
wheels on the inside of the curve as needed. This
allows more precise driving in curves.
Automatic post-collision braking system
The automatic post-collision braking system can
help to reduce the risk of sliding and of addition-
al collisions after an accident. If the airbag con-
trol module detects a collision, the vehicle is
braked by the ESC.
The vehicle does not brake automatically if one of
the following occurs:
— The driver presses the accelerator pedal, or
— The braking force generated by the pressed
brake pedal is greater than the braking force
that
would be initiated by the system
— The ESC, the brake system, or the vehicle elec-
trical system is not functioning

Z\ WARNING
— The ESC and its integrated systems cannot
overcome the limits imposed by natural
physical laws. This is especially important on
slippery or wet roads. If the systems begin
acting to stabilize your vehicle, you should
immediately alter your speed to match the
road and traffic conditions. Do not let the in-
creased safety provided tempt you into tak-
ing risks. This could increase your risk of a
collision.
— Please note the risk of a collision increases
when driving fast, especially through curves
and on slippery or wet roads, and when driv-
ing too close to objects ahead. There is still
a risk of accidents because the ESC and its
integrated systems cannot always prevent
collisions.

134

— Accelerate carefully when driving on
smooth, slippery surfaces such as ice and
snow. The drive wheels can spin even when
these control systems are installed and this
can affect driving stability and increase the
risk of a collision.
@) Tips
— The ABS and ASR only function correctly
when all four wheels have a similar wear
condition. Different tire sizes can lead to a
reduction in engine power.
— You may hear noises when the systems de-
scribed are working.
The So button for controlling the ESC is located
in the center console, in front of the selector lev-
er.


The ESC is automatically switched on when the
ignition is switched on. It may make sense in
some situations to limit the ESC so that the
wheels can spin:
— Rocking the vehicle to free it when it is stuck
— Driving in deep snow, on unpaved ground, or
with snow chains
Limiting ESC (sport mode)
—To limit the ESC, press the oF button briefly.
The B indicator light turns on.
— To completely reactivate the ESC stabilization
function, press the button again. The indicator
light turns off.
Switching off ESC
— To switch off the ESC, press and hold the Sor
button for more than three seconds. The B
and Ea indicator lights turn on.
— To completely reactivate the ESC stabilization
function, press the button again. The indicator
lights turn off.

Z\ WARNING
- When the ESC is switched off or limited,
there will be no vehicle stabilization or it will
be limited. The driving wheels could spin >