AUDI S3 2009 Manual Online
Page 81 of 324
Head  restraints 
Adjusting  head  restraints, front  seats 
The  head  restraints  must  be properly  adjusted  to  the 
occupants's  height to provide  optimal  restraint in  combi
nation  with  the  seat  restraints. 
Fig . 78  Driver's  seat 
head  restraint: 
adjusting  the  height 
The  head  restraints  on the front seats  can  be  adjusted  to 
provide  safe  support  to  head and  neck  at  the optimum 
height.  Optimally  adjusted,  the top  of  the  restraint  should 
be  level  with  the  top  of  the  head.==> 
page  131, "Proper 
adjustment  of  head  restraints". 
Raising  head  restraint 
-Grab  the sides  of  the  head  restraint. 
- Lift  the  head  restraint ==> 
page 79, fig. 78  until  the  top of 
the  restraint  is  even  with  the  top  of  your  head 
==> 
page  131 
Lowering  head  restraint 
- With  one  hand  push  down  on  the  middle  of  the  head 
restraint. 
Con tro ls and  eq uip
ment 
Seats  and  storage 
- With  the  other  hand  press  the  release  knob@ 
==> page 79, fig. 78 and  push the  head  restraint  down. You 
should 
not lower  the  top  of  the  restraint  below  the level 
of  your  eyes. 
Removing  the  head  restraint 
-Pull  the head  restraint  all  the way  up. 
- Press  the  release  button -arrow- ==> 
page 79, fig. 78  and 
pull  the  restraint  straight  up  and  out  of  the  seat. 
Installing  the  head  restraint 
- Insert  the  rods  into the guides  and  push  the  restraint 
back  in until  you  hear  it  click. 
Refer to~ page  131, "Proper  adjustment  of head  restraints"  for 
guidelines  on  how  to  adjust  the  height  of  the  front  head  restraints 
to  fit  the  occupant's  body  size. 
& WARNING 
• Driving without  head restraints  or with  head  restraints  that  are 
not  properly  adjusted  increases the  risk of  serious  or fatal  neck 
injury  dramatically. 
•  Read  and heed  all  WARNINGS ~ 
page  131. 
[ i] Tips 
Correctly  adjusted  head  restraints  and  safety  belts  are  an  extremely 
effective  combination  of  safety  features. • 
Vehicle  care 
I I irechnical data  
Page 82 of 324
Seats  and  stor ag e 
Rear  head  restraints  (outer  seating  positions) 
Fi g. 79  Ou te r  re ar 
h ea d re stra ints: 
a dju sting th e heigh t 
When  t he  rear  seats  a re no t occupied,  you  can  l ower  the 
head  rest raints  (park  p osition)  and  obtain  better  rearward 
v1s 1on. 
Moving  the  h ead  r estraints  to  the  "in-us e 
position " 
Grasp  the  sides  of  the  head  restraint  with  both  hands . 
- Move  the  head  restraint  to  the  uppermost  pos ition 
=> fig.  79 G) until  it  latches  (in -use  posit ion). 
Moving  the  head  restraints  to  the  "park 
position " 
Press  the  re lease  butto n 
=> page 80, fig.  79 @ . 
- Grasp  the  s ides  of  the  head  restraint  with  both  hands. 
- Press the  head  restraint  down  until  it  lies  against  the  seat 
back @ (park  position) . 
Removing  the  head  restraints 
- Move  t he head  restraint  upward  as  far  as  it  can  go . - Press the  button 
@ => page 80, fig.  79  and  pu
ll the  head 
restraint  out  a t the  same  t ime . 
Installing  head  r estraints 
- Pus h the  rods  for  the  head  restraint  into  the  guides  until 
they  latch  with  an  audible  click . 
Refer to=> page 131, "Proper  adjustment  of  head  restraints"  for 
guide lines  on  how  to  adjust  the  height  of  the  outer  head  restraints 
to  fit  the  occupant's  body  size . 
& WARNING 
• Drivi ng w ithout  head  re str ai nt s or  with  head  re str aint s tha t are 
no t properly  adju sted  incr ease s  the  ri sk of  seriou s or fatal  n eck 
i nj ury dr amatic ally . 
•  Read  and  h eed all  WARNING S=> 
page 13 1 
[ i ] Tips 
Correctly  adjusted  head  restraints  and  safety  belts  are an extremely 
effective  combination  of  safety  features .• 
Rear  head  restraint  (center  seating  position ) 
---o:, --~ - en - 0 -<I. _., CD 
Fig. 8 0  Center re ar 
he ad  restra int: 
a dju sting  t he height  ..  
Page 83 of 324
When  the  rear  seats  are not  occupied, you  can  lower  the 
head  restraints  (park  position)  and  obtain  better  rearward 
vision. 
Moving  the  head  restraints  to  the  "in-use 
position" 
- Grasp  the  sides  of  the  head  restraint  with  both  hands. 
- Move  the  head  restraint  to  the  uppermost  position 
=> fig.  80 G) until  it  latches  (in-use  position). 
Moving  the  head  restraints  to  the  "park 
position" 
- Press  the release  button => fig.  80 @. 
- Grasp  the  sides  of  the  head  restraint  with  both  hands. 
- Press the  head  restraint  down  until  it  lies  against  the  seat 
back @ (park  position) . 
Removing  the  head  restraints 
-Take the  screwdriver  from  the vehicle  tool kit 
=> page 270. 
-Move  the  head  restraint upward as far as  it  can  go. 
- Press  the release  button 
@ => page 80, fig.  80  and  pull 
the  head  restraint upward  as far  as  it  can  go  at  the  same 
time. 
- Insert  the  screwdriver  at  position @ into  the  recess  and 
pull  out  the  head  restraint  at  the  same  time. 
Installing  head  restraints 
- Push  the rods  for  the  head  restraint  into  the  guides  until 
they  latch  with  an  audible  click. 
Con tro ls and  eq uip
ment 
Seats  and  storage 
The  height  of  the  center  head  restraints  is  adjustable.  They should 
be adjusted  to  fit  the  occupant's body  size. Correctly  adjusted  head 
restraints  and  safety  belts  are  an  extremely  effective  safety  feature 
=> page  131. 
& WARNING 
Read and  heed  all  WARNINGS=> page 131, "Proper adjustment  of 
head  restraints". • 
Center  armrest 
The front  center  armrest  can  be  adjusted  to several  posi
tions  and contains  a storage  bin. 
Adjusting  the  armrest 
-Push  the  armrest  down. 
Fig . 81  Between  the 
front  seats: armrest 
folded  down 
-Lift  the  armrest  slowly  until  it is  in  a comfortable  posi-
tion. 
Opening  the  storage  bin 
- Pull  the  release  button => fig. 81  upward. 
Vehicle  care I I irechnical data  
Page 84 of 324
Seats  and  storage 
& WARNING 
When folded  down, the armrest  can restrict  the  driver's  move
ment.  When  driving  in conditions that  may call for  quick  maneu 
vers , fold  up the  armrest.  This  will  allow  you to  react  more  quickly 
to  avoid  an  accident. • 
Rear  seats 
General  information 
Safe  transpo rtation  of  passengers  on  the rear  seats 
requires  proper  safety  precautions. 
All  passengers  on  the  rear  seats  must  be  seated  in compliance  with 
the  safety  guidelines  explained  in=> page 
137 and=>  page 147. The 
correct  seating  position  is  safety  critical  for  front 
and rear  seat 
passengers  alike=> page 
130. 
& WARNING 
• Vehicle  occupants  in the  front and rear  seats  must always  be 
properly  restrained. 
•  Do not let  anyone ride in the vehicle  without the  head restraints 
provided . Head  restraints  help  reduce  injuries . 
•  Loose items  inside the  passenger  compartment,  can  fly 
forward  in  a  crash or  sudden  maneuver and injure  occupants . 
Always  store  articles  in the  luggage  compartment and  use the 
fastening  eyes,  especially when  the rear  seat backs  have  been 
folded  down . 
•  Read and heed  and all WARNINGS => 
page  130, "Proper seating 
positions  for  passengers  in  rear  seats ".• 
Rear  armrest 
The armrest  contains  a storage  compartment  and  a 
cupholder  for  2  drinks. 
Folding  dovvn  the  armrest 
Fig. 82  Center  of  the 
rear  seatbench:  rear 
armrest  folded  down 
-Pull  the  armrest  down  on the  front :::} fig. 82. 
Opening  the  storage  bin 
- Pull  the  handle  in front. •  
Page 85 of 324
Luggage  compartment 
Increasing  the  size  of  the  luggage 
compartment 
To increase  the  size  of  the  luggage  compartment,  both 
parts  of  the  seat  back  can  be folded  forward,  individually  or  together. 
Folding  the  seatback  forward 
U') 
"' 
"' 0 a. ., CD 
Fig . 83  Release  lever 
for  the  seatback  (left 
side) 
Fig . 84  Rear  seatback 
folded  forward  {with 
pass-through*) 
- Swing  the  outer  rear  head  restraints  forward=> page 80, 
fig.  79. 
Con tro ls  and  eq uip
ment 
Seats  and  storage 
- Push  the release  lever=> fig.  83 
@ in  the  direct ion  of the 
arrow. 
- Tilt  the  seatback  forward. 
Raising  the  seatback 
- Raise  the  seatback  until  it is  securely  latched=>& . 
When  you  can  no  longer see  the  red  mark  on  the  pin@, 
the  seat  is  latched . 
Stowing  luggage 
- For  safe  loading  and  securing  of  items  read  and  follow  the  guidelines  on=> page 
133, "Loading  the  luggage 
compartment". 
The  rear  seatback  is divided  into  two  segments  -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  center  seating  position  can work  properly  to  help 
protect  the  occupant. 
•  The  backrest  must  be  securely latched 
in position  so that  no 
items  contained  in the  luggage  compartment  can  slide forward 
upon  sudden  braking. 
•  Never  allow  safety  belts  to  become  damaged  by being  caught 
in door  or  seat hardware. 
•  Torn or frayed  safety belts  can tear  and damaged  belt  hardware 
can  break  in a crash.  Inspect  the  belts  periodically.  Belts  showing 
damage  to  webbing,  bindings,  buckles, or  retractors  must  be 
replaced. 
~ 
Vehicle  care I I Technical  data  
Page 86 of 324
Seats  and  storage 
& WARNING 
Always read  and  heed  WARNINGS => & in  uloading  the  luggage 
c ompartment " on 
page 133 . 
0 Note 
When  folding  the backre st  back  into  place, make  su re the  safe ty  belt 
does  not  get  caught,  because  it  can  be  damaged . A  damaged  belt 
can  fail  to  p rov ide  safe  restraint. • 
Fastening  eyes 
The luggage  compartmen t is e qui pped with  four  tie -down 
eyele ts  to secure  lug ga ge and  o ther  items . 
Fig. 85  Lugg age 
compartment : 
fa stening  eyes 
Use  t he fastening  e yes  to  secu re you r ca rgo pr oper ly 
=>  fig.  85  -a rr ow s-. 
- Ad here  to  all  safet y instruc tions =>  page  133,  "Stowing 
lugg age". 
In a collision,  the  laws  of  physics  mean  that  even smalle r items  that 
a re loo se  in t he vehi cle will  bec ome  he avy missiles  that  ca n ca use 
se rious  inju ry . I tems  in  the  vehicle  possess  e nergy  which  vary  with  vehicle  and  the  weight  of  the  item
. T he vehicle  speed  is the  most 
significan t factor. 
For exam ple,  in  a fronta l collision  at  a speed  of  3 0 mph  (48 km/h), 
the  forces  acting  on  a  10 lbs  ( 4,5  k g) object  are  about  20 times  the 
n ormal  w eight  of th e ite m. Th is  mea ns that  the weight  of the it em 
woul d suddenly  be about  200  lbs  (90 kg). You  can  imagine the  inju
ri es th at  a  20 0 lb s (90  kg)  item fl ying  fr ee ly t hroug h the  passe nge r 
compartment  cou ld  cause  in a co llis ion  li ke  this. 
& WARNING 
Weak , damaged  or  improper  straps  used to  secure items  to 
fastening  eyes can  fail  during  hard  braking  or  in  a collision  and  cause serious  personal  injury . 
•  Always  use  suitable  mounting  straps  and  properly  secure 
items  to  the  fastening  eyes  in the  luggage  compartment  to  help 
prevent  items  from  shifting  or flying  forward. 
•  When  the  rear  seat  backrest  is folded  down , always  use suit
able  mounting  straps  and  properly  secure  items  to  the  fastening 
eyes in the  luggage compartment  to  help prevent  item s from flying 
forward  into  the  passenger  compartment . 
•  Never  attach  a child  safety  seat  tether  strap  to  a fastening 
eye. a  
Page 87 of 324
Applies  to vehic les: w it h  ca rgo ne t 
Elastic  cargo  net 
The  cargo  net  prevents  light  objects  from  sliding  around 
in  the  luggage  compartment. 
Fig . 86  Luggage 
compartment : cargo 
net 
Fig . 87  Luggage 
compartment : cargo 
net  attached  to  hooks 
Securing  objects  to  the  luggage  compartment 
floor  with  the  net 
- Lay  out  the  cargo  net  in  the  luggage  compartment . 
- Engage  all  four  hooks  into the fastening  eyes~ fig.  86. 
- Place  objects  to  be  secured 
under the  net. 
Con tro ls and  eq uip
ment 
Seats  and  storage 
Configuring  the  net  to  contain  small  objects 
- Lay  out  the  cargo  net  in  the  luggage  compartment. 
- Engage  two  hooks  into  the fasten ing  eyes ®~ fig.  87. 
- Pull  the  net  up  and secure  the eyes @ on  the  hooks. 
Put  items 
i nto the  net. 
The  bo ttom  of  the  cargo  ne t can al so be hooked  to  the D-rings  in the 
floor  of the  rear  compartment  and  th e top  to the  eyes on the  left and 
right  side  t rim. 
& WARNING 
For  strength-related  reasons, the  mounting  hooks  can only  be 
used to  secure  objects  weighing  10  lb  (5 kg) or  less . Heavier 
objects  will  not  be  adequately  secured  -risk  of  injury!  • 
Applies  to  v ehic les: with  mo unt ing  hooks 
Mounting  hooks 
Fig . 88  Mounting 
hooks  under the rear 
parcel  shelf 
The hook  prevents  lightly loaded  bags  from  tipping  over. 
Vehicle  care I I Technical  data  
Page 88 of 324
Seats  and  storage 
& WARNING 
For strength-related  reasons,  heavy objects  must  not  be  hung  on 
the  hooks.  Heavy objects  are  not  adequately  secured  -this 
increases the  risk  of  injury.  • 
Retractable  luggage  compartment  cover 
The  luggage compartment  cover  keeps luggage  or  other 
objects  out  of  view. 
Fig. 89  Rear  lid  open 
with  luggage  compart ment  cover 
Removing  the  luggage  compartment  cover 
Detach  the  retaining  straps=> fig. 89  at the  rear  hatch G). 
-Pull  the  cover 0 horizontally  out  of  the  mount@ in the 
direction  of  the  arrow. 
Installing  the  luggage  compartment  cover 
- Push  the  cover  horizontally into  the mounts  provided 
=>  fig.  89@  on  the  side  panel until  the  cover seats. 
- Install  the  retaining  straps  in the  rear  hatch => fig.  89 
G) 
=>& . 
& WARNING 
•  The  luggage  compartment  cover  must  never  be  installed 
without  being  secured  -this  creates  an  accident  hazard. 
•  Whenever  driving,  never place any hard or heavy objects  on the 
luggage compartment  or allow  pets to  sit on the  luggage compart
ment  cover . They  could  become  a  hazard  to  vehicle  occupants  in 
the  event  of  sudden  braking  or  in an  accident. 
0 Note 
Make  sure  that  the  heating wires  in  the rear  lid  do  not  get  damaged 
by  objects  scraping  against  them. 
[  i ] Tips 
•  You can  use  the  luggage  compartment  cover  to  store  light 
weight  clothing  but  do  not  leave  any  heavy  or sharp  objects  in  the 
pockets  of  the  clothing. 
•  Remember  that placing  clothing  on  the luggage  compartment 
cover  can  block  the driver's  vision  in  the  rear  view  mirror. This  also 
applies  especially  when  you  have  to  transport large  objects. 
•  So that  stale  air  can  escape  from  the  vehicle  be sure  not  to  cover 
the  ventilation  slot between  the rear  lid  and  the  luggage  compart 
ment  cover  installed. •  
Page 89 of 324
Applies  to vehic les:  w ith  revers ible  cargo  area  floor 
Reversible  cargo  area  floor  (protective  liner ) 
Use the  protective  liner  when  transporting  dirty  or  wet 
objects . 
Reversing  the  cargo  area  floor 
-Open  the  luggage  compartment  lid. 
Fig. 90  Luggage 
compartment : cargo 
area  floor 
Fig . 91  Luggage 
compartment : protec
tive  liner 
-Raise the  cargo  area  floor  at  both  handles=> fig.  90, 
remove  it 
G) and  rotate  it  180 degrees @. 
- In sert  the  reversed  cargo  area  floor  (protective  liner) 
again  => fig.  91 . • 
Con tro ls and  eq uip
ment 
Seats  and  storage 
App lies  to vehicles: w ith  s ki sack 
Ski  sack 
The  ski  sack  allows  a maximum  of  4 pairs  of  skis  or  2 
snowboards  to  be carried  inside  the  vehicle . 
Loading 
-Open  t he  rear  hatch. 
Fig . 92  Section  of  the 
rear  seat  from  the  rear: 
ski sack  hatch  cover 
Fig.  93  Securing  the 
ski sack at  the center 
rear  seat  belt  buckle 
- Slide the release  button  for  the  pass -through  down  (with 
the  center  arm  rest)=>  fig.  92  -Arrow- and  tilt  the  pass
through  forward. 
- Remove  the  sack  from  the  luggage compartment  and 
unfold  it. 
Vehicle  care I I irechnical data  
Page 90 of 324
Seats  and  storage 
-Place the  empty  sack  in the  hatch so that  the end  with  the 
zip  fastener  is in  the  luggage  compartment. 
- Load  objects  from  the  luggage  compartment  into  the  ski 
sack. 
Securing 
- Insert  the  ski  sack  strap ~ page  87, fig.  93 @ 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 ~ 
page  87, fig.  93 @. 
- Squeeze  the  buckle and  pull  it away  from  the  cargo. 
Stowing 
- Raise  the  pass-through  until  it is  securely  latched. It  is 
secure  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  luggage compartment  so  that  it 
cannot  slide  around. 
& WARNING 
•  After  loading,  the  ski  sack must  be  secured  with  the  strap . 
•  The  safety  strap  must  fit  tightly  around  the  cargo. 
& WARNING  (continued) 
• Make  certain  that  the  safety  strap  lies  in the  middle  between 
the  bindings  of the  ski  equipment  (refer  also to  printed  message  on the  ski sack). 
[  i] Tips 
•  Place  skis  with  the  tips  pointing forward, snowboards  and  ski 
poles  with  tip  to  the 
rear in  the  ski  sack. 
•  If  there  are several  pairs  of  skis  in the  ski  sack,  make  certain  that 
the  bindings  are  at  the  same  level. 
•  Be sure  not  to  fold  up  or  store  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  additional 
cross  bars to  carry  cargo.  Both  types of  additional  equip
ment  are  available  at  your  authorized  Audi  dealer. 
- Always  read  and  follow  the  instructions provided by the 
roof  rack  manufacturer  when  the  roof  rack system  must 
be  installed. 
If a roof  rack  or  similar  luggage  carrying  equipment  is to  be 
installed,  please  note  the  following: 
Vehicles  without  roof  rails 
•  Your  vehicle  has aerodynamic  rain  gutters  molded into  the  roof. 
That  is why  only  roof  racks  specially  designed  for  the  roof  can  be  .,,