AUDI R8 2007 Owners Manual
Page 121 of 210
Airbag system119
Controls
Safety
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Technical data collision ⇒ in “Important safety notes on the side airbag system” 
on page 119.
In a side collision the side airbags reduce the risk of injury to the 
areas of the body facing the impact.
How the side airbags work
When fully inflated, the side airbags reduce the risk of 
head or chest injury.In certain types of side collisions the side airbag is triggered on the 
impact side of the vehicle ⇒fig. 100.
In certain types of accident the front airbags and the side airbags 
may be triggered together.
When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant 
gas.
In order to provide the desired extra protection in an accident, the 
airbags have to inflate extremely rapidly (within fractions of a 
second). The airbag releases a fine dust when it inflates. This is quite 
normal and does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle.
The fully deployed airbags cushion the impact of the occupants and 
help to reduce the risk of injury to the head and upper part of the 
body on the side facing the door.
Important safety notes on the side airbag system
There are a number of safety points concerning the airbag 
system which you should remember. This will help to 
reduce the risk of injury in an accident.
WARNING
•
If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward, or are not 
seated correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are at greater 
risk of injury should the side airbag system be triggered in an acci-
dent.
•
If children are not seated correctly, they are at greater risk of 
injury in an accident. This is particularly the case if the child is 
travelling on the front passenger's seat and the airbag system is 
triggered in an accident. This could result in serious or potentially 
fatal injury ⇒page 122, “Child safety”.
•
It is also important not to attach any accessories (such as cup 
holders) to the doors. This would impair the protection offered by 
the side airbags.
•
The sensors for the airbags are located in the front doors. You 
must therefore not make any modifications to the doors or door 
trim (e.g. retrofitting loudspeakers), as this could impair the func-
tion of the side airbags. Any damage to the front doors could lead 
to faults in the system. Repairs or any other work on the front 
doors must therefore always be carried out by a qualified work-
shop.
•
Do not apply excessive force to the sides of the backrests (such 
as hard knocks or kicks), as this could damage parts of the system. 
The side airbags could then fail to operate when required.
•
If you intend to fit protective covers over the seats, these must 
be of the specific type approved for use on Audi seats with side 
airbags. Conventional seat covers would obstruct the side airbag 
when it inflates out of the backrest, and seriously reduce the 
airbag's effectiveness.
Fig. 100  Side airbag in 
inflated condition
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Page 122 of 210
Airbag system 120•
Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the 
seams of the side airbag units must be repaired immediately by a 
qualified workshop.
•
Any work involving the side airbag system or removal and 
installation of the airbag components for other repairs (such as 
repairs to the seats) should always be performed by a qualified 
workshop. Otherwise the airbag system may fail to work 
properly.
Deactivating the airbagsDeactivating airbags
If airbags have been deactivated, they should be reacti-
vated as soon as possible so that they can continue to 
give the required protection.There are two ways of deactivating the airbags: you can deactivate 
the front passenger's airbag yourself by means of the key-operated 
switch ⇒page 120. The other airbags can be deactivated by your 
Audi R8 dealer.
Deactivating front passenger's airbag when a child 
safety seat is in use
If you have no alternative but to install a rearward-facing child safety 
seat on the front passenger's seat you must deactivate the front 
passenger's airbag beforehand.
Monitoring of airbag system
The airbag warning lamp will light up for a few seconds every time 
the ignition is switched on.
WARNING
•
Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front 
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been 
deactivated – this can result in potentially fatal injuries to the child 
⇒page 123.
•
Make sure that the front passenger's airbag is reactivated by 
means of the key-operated switch as soon as the child seat is no 
longer needed on the front passenger's seat.
Applies to vehicles: with key-operated switch for front passenger's airbagKey-operated switch for front passenger's airbag
The front passenger's airbag can be deactivated with the 
key-operated switch.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 101  Key-operated 
switch for deactivating 
front passenger's 
airbag
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Page 123 of 210
Airbag system121
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
The key-operated switch for deactivating the front 
passenger's airbag is located in the glove box ⇒page 120, 
fig. 101.
– To deactivate the front passenger's airbag, insert the 
ignition key in the switch and turn it to position  .
– The front passenger's airbag can be reactivated by 
turning the key to position  .If the front passenger's airbag has been deactivated via the key-
operated switch, the indicator lamp “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” will 
light up constantly as a reminder ⇒page 121, fig. 102. Please refer 
also to the description of the AIRBAG warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster ⇒page 17.
WARNING
•
If you have no alternative but to install a rearward-facing child 
seat on the front passenger's seat, the front passenger's airbag 
must be deactivated beforehand – otherwise this can result in 
potentially fatal injuries to the child.
•
If you have deactivated the front passenger's airbag, reactivate 
it as soon as the child seat is no longer needed so that the airbag 
can continue to give the required protection.
•
It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the key-operated 
switch is set to the correct position.
Fig. 102  Lamp indi-
cates that front 
passenger's airbag has 
been deactivated via 
key-operated switch
A0
A1
WARNING (continued)
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Page 124 of 210
Child safety 122Child safetyPoints to remember if children are 
travelling in the carIntroductionThe physical principles involved and the forces acting in a collision 
apply to children just as much as adults ⇒page 110, “Forces acting 
in a collision”. But, unlike adults, children do not have fully devel-
oped muscle and bone structures. This means that children are 
subject to a greater risk of injury.
To reduce this risk, children must always use special child restraint 
systems when travelling in the car.
Use only child restraint systems which are officially approved under 
the European standard ECE R 44 and are suitable for the child. ECE R 
refers to the Economic Commission of Europe Recommendation, 
which categorises child restraint systems in 5 groups ⇒page 123, 
“Child seat categories”. Child restraints that have been tested and 
approved under the ECE R 44 standard bear the ECE-R 44 test mark 
on the seat (the letter E in a circle with the test number below it).
We recommend using child restraint systems from the range of 
Audi Genuine Accessories available from Audi R8 dealers. The 
“Huckepack” range includes suitable restraint systems for all ages. 
These systems have been specially designed for use in Audi vehicles 
and comply with the ECE R 44 standard.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory 
requirements when installing and using child restraints ⇒ in 
“Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.
Important safety notes for using child safety seats
Correct use of child safety seats can help to reduce the 
risk of injury in an accident.
WARNING
•
All vehicle occupants, especially children, must wear a seat 
belt while the vehicle is in motion.
•
Children who are less than 1.5 metres tall must not wear a 
normal seat belt without a child restraint, as this could cause inju-
ries to the abdominal and neck areas.
•
Babies and children must never travel on another occupant's 
lap.
•
A suitable child safety seat can protect your child ⇒page 123, 
“Child safety seats”.
•
Never allow two children to occupy one child safety seat.
•
Never leave a child without supervision in a child safety seat.
•
Never allow a child to travel in the car without a suitable child 
restraint.
•
Never allow a child to stand up or kneel on a seat while the car 
is moving. In an accident, the child could be catapulted through 
the car, causing possibly fatal injuries to itself and other occu-
pants.
•
If children lean forward or are otherwise out of position when 
the car is moving, they are at greater risk of injury in an accident. 
This is especially the case if the airbag is activated during an acci-
dent. There is then a risk of serious or potentially fatal injury.
•
To ensure proper protection, it is important to wear the seat 
belts in the correct position ⇒page 112, “How to wear seat belts 
properly”. Always check that the belt is properly positioned 
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Child safety123
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the 
child safety seat. Incorrectly worn seat belts can give rise to inju-
ries even in a minor collision.
•
Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front 
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been 
deactivated.
•
Extra caution is advised if you are installing a child safety seat 
using the same mounting bolts as the existing car seat belts. The 
bolts must be screwed in all the way to the full depth of the 
mounting holes and tightened to a torque of 50 Nm. Failure to 
observe this precaution could result in potentially fatal injury. We 
recommend having the installation performed by a qualified work-
shop.
•
Do not use a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front 
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been 
deactivated. The child seat would be directly in the path of the 
airbag as it inflates, and the child could sustain serious or fatal 
injuries if the airbag were to be deployed.
•
However, if you have no alternative but to use a rearward-
facing child seat on the front passenger's seat, the front 
passenger's airbag must be deactivated beforehand by means of 
the key-operated switch. Failure to observe this precaution could 
result in serious or potentially fatal injury.
•
Make sure that the front passenger's airbag is reactivated by 
means of the key-operated switch as soon as the child seat is no 
longer needed on the front passenger's seat.
•
When using a child safety seat of the type which faces in the 
direction of travel, the front passenger's seat must be moved back 
to the rearmost position.
Child safety seatsChild seat categories
Only use child restraint systems that are officially 
approved and suitable for the child.Child restraint systems are covered by the European standard 
ECE R 44 (issued by the Economic Commission of Europe).
The child seats are divided into 5 categories:
Children who are taller than 1.5 metres can use the existing seat 
belts without a booster cushion.
Child restraints that have been tested and approved under the ECE 
R 44 standard bear the ECE-R 44 test mark on the seat (the letter E 
in a circle with the test number below it).
WARNING (continued)
Category
Weight
0
0 - 10 kg
⇒page 124
0+
up to 13 kg
⇒page 124
1
9 - 18 kg
⇒page 124
2
15 - 25 kg
⇒page 125
3
22 - 36 kg
⇒page 125
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Child safety 124Child safety seat: category 0 / 0+
A suitable child safety seat and a correctly worn seat belt 
can protect your child.Babies up to about 9 months old/ 10 kg and infants up to about 
18 months old/ 13 kg are best protected by child safety seats that 
can be adjusted to a horizontal position ⇒fig. 103.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory 
requirements when installing and using child restraints 
⇒page 122, “Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.
WARNING
Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front 
passenger's seat if the front passenger's airbag has not been deac-
tivated ⇒page 122. This can result in serious or possibly fatal 
injury.
Child safety seats: category 1
A suitable child safety seat and a correctly worn seat belt 
can protect your child.Babies and small children up to about 4 years of age weighing 
between 9 and 18 kg are best protected by child safety seats of the 
type where the child faces the front of the vehicle ⇒fig. 104.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory 
requirements when installing and using child restraints 
⇒page 122, “Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.
WARNING
Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front 
passenger's seat if the front passenger's airbag has not been deac-
tivated ⇒page 122. This can result in serious or possibly fatal 
injury.
Fig. 103  Child safety 
seat: Category 0 / 0+
Fig. 104  A category 1 
forward-facing child 
seat fitted on the 
passenger seat
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Child safety125
Controls
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Technical data
Child safety seats: category 2/3
A suitable child safety seat and a correctly worn seat belt 
can protect your child.Children up to about 12 years of age weighing between 15 and 36 kg 
but less than 1.5 metres tall are best protected by a child safety seat 
in conjunction with the three-point seat belts ⇒fig. 105.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe any statutory 
requirements when installing and using child restraints 
⇒page 122, “Important safety notes for using child safety seats”.
WARNING
The diagonal part of the belt should be positioned roughly over the 
centre of the shoulder and fit closely against the upper part of the 
body. It must never be allowed to run across the neck. The lap part 
of the belt should fit closely over the hips. It must not be posi-
tioned over the stomach. Pull the belt tight if necessary to take up 
any slack.
Note
We recommend that you fit child safety seats with backrests.
Fig. 105  A category 
2/3 forward-facing 
child seat (with back-
rest) fitted on the 
passenger seatFig. 106  A category 3 
forward-facing child 
seat (without backrest) 
fitted on the passenger 
seat
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Child safety 126Fitting child safety seatsGeneral information
Label on a child safety seat ⇒fig. 107
 Approval number
 Manufacturer's serial number.
The label also shows information on the use and weight class of the 
child seat.
List of recommended child safety seats
For the current range of child seats from Audi Genuine Accessories 
visit: http://www.audi.com
Fig. 107  Example of an 
approval number on a 
child safety seat
A1A2
Weight class
Identification
“Huckepack”
Audi
Genuine Accessories
catalogue number
Manufacturer
Model
Approval number
0+
(up to 13 kg)
G0 Plus
00A.019.900.A
Britax Römer
Baby-Safe Plus
E1 033 01146
1
(9 to 18 kg)
G1 ISOFIX Duo Plus
00A.019.909.B
Britax Römer
Duo Plus
E1 033 01133
2
(15 to 25 kg)
G3 Plus
00A.019.906
Britax Römer
Kid Plus
E1 033 01169
3
(22 to 36 kg)
G3 Plus
00A.019.906
Britax Römer
Kid Plus
E1 033 01169
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Child safety127
Controls
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General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data Extended list of recommended child restraint systems
1)manufacturer details:
Company: FAIR srl
Address: Strada della Cisa 249/251, I- 42040 Sorbolo Levante di Bres-
cello (RE) / Italy.
http://www.fairbimbofix.comPossible alternatives for securing a child safety seat
A child safety seat can be secured on the passenger's 
seat.The following alternatives are available for safely securing a child 
safety seat on the passenger seat:•
Child safety seats of the categories 0 to 3 can be secured with the 
standard three-point seat belts.
•
Child safety seats of the categories 0, 0+ and 1 with the “ISOFIX” 
system can be secured without seat belts using the “ISOFIX” 
retainers ⇒page 128.
Compatibility of vehicle seat positions for child safety seats 
(according to EC directive 77/541):u “universally compatible”
a The front passenger's backrest must be set as far forward as 
possible or adapted to the child safety seat as required, and the 
seat height must be adjusted to its highest position.
b The front passenger's seat can be equipped with optional 
“ISOFIX” retainers (this does not apply to bucket seats).
c The front passenger's airbag must be deactivated if a rearward-
facing child seat is used.
WARNING
While the vehicle is moving, children must always be protected 
with a restraint system which is suited to their age, height and 
weight. Please refer to the chapter “Child seat categories”.•
Never install a rearward-facing child safety seat on the front 
passenger's seat unless the front passenger's airbag has been 
Weight class
Identification
Catalogue number
Manufacturer
Model / 
Mode of securing seat
Approval number
1
(9 to 18 kg)
ISOFIX FWF
Universal
4590.xx., 4610.xx
1)
4590.xx
1)
FAIR
FAIR
FAIR G0/I ISOFIX
forward-facing with special 
platform type SP (FWF) 
FAIR G0/I ISOFIX 
standard three-point seat 
belt  
E4 044 43513 
E4 034 43416  
Weight class
Front passenger's seat
0, 0+ 
u, a, b, c
1
u, a, b, c
2
u, a
3
u, a
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Child safety 128deactivated. This could result in potentially fatal injuries. Deacti-
vate the passenger's airbag. Please refer to the chapter “Deacti-
vating airbags”.•
Note the important information and warnings concerning the 
use of child safety seats found in the chapter “Important safety 
notes when using child safety seats” and the installation instruc-
tions provided by the manufacturer of the child safety seat.
Applies to vehicles: with ISOFIX system“ISOFIX” child seat mounting system
Child safety seats with the “ISOFIX” system can be 
secured quickly, easily and safely.
When removing or fitting the child safety seat, please be 
sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
– Fit the protective sleeves   onto the retainers   
between the backrest and the seat cushion ⇒fig. 108.
– Push the mountings on the child safety seat into the 
protective sleeves until they engage audibly (2x) 
⇒fig. 109.
– Pull on the child safety seat to check whether both 
catches have engaged properly.Child safety seats with the “ISOFIX” system can be secured quickly, 
easily and safely on the passenger seat. Detailed fitting instructions 
are supplied with the child safety seat. Child seats with “ISOFIX” 
mountings are available from Audi R8 dealers and specialist 
retailers.
WARNING
The retainers used here are specially designed for child safety 
seats with “ISOFIX” mountings. Do not attempt to secure other 
types of child safety seat, seat belts or other objects with these 
retainers – this could result in serious or possibly fatal injury.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 108  Retainers (B) 
for ISOFIX child safety 
seats between back-
rest and seat cushion 
of passenger seat
Fig. 109  The ISOFIX 
child safety seat can be 
secured after fitting 
the protective sleeves.
AA
AB
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