air condition AUDI A3 2020 Owner´s Manual

8V2012721BK
Assist systems

Which functions can be controlled?
When you switch adaptive cruise control on, you
can set the current speed as the “control speed”
= page 120, Switching on and off.
When driving, you can stop cruise control
= page 122 or change the speed > page 121 at
any time.
You can also set the distance to the vehicle ahead
and set the adaptive cruise control driving pro-
gram > page 123.
er l eieleurlsela)
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control/Audi pre
sense front



Fig. 109 Front of vehicle: sensor
The radar sensor area > fig. 109 must not be cov-
ered with stickers, deposits or any other obstruc-
tions as it may impair the function of the adap-
tive cruise control or the pre sense front. For in-
formation on cleaning, see > page 342. The
same applies for any modifications made in the
front area.
The function of the adaptive cruise control sys-
tem or pre sense front is limited in some condi-
tions:
— Vehicles can only be detected when they are
within the sensor range > page 118, fig. 108.
—The system has a limited ability to detect
vehicles that are a short distance ahead, off to
the side of your vehicle or moving into your
lane.
— Objects that are difficult to detect such as mo-
torcycles, vehicles with high ground clearance
or an overhanging load are detected late or not
detected at all.
— When driving through curves > page 120.
— When the vehicle is stationary > page 120.


Z\ WARNING
Always pay attention to the traffic around you
when adaptive cruise control is switched on.
As the driver, you are still responsible for your
own speed and the distance to other vehicles.
The adaptive cruise control is used to assist
you. The driver must always take action to
avoid a collision. The driver is always responsi-
ble for braking at the correct time.
— For safety reasons, do not use adaptive
cruise control when driving on roads with
many curves, when the road surface is in
poor condition and/or in bad weather (such
as ice, fog, gravel, heavy rain and hydroplan-
ing). Using the system under these condi-
tions could result in a collision.
— Switch adaptive cruise control off temporari-
ly when driving in turning lanes, on express-
way exits or in construction zones. This pre-
vents the vehicle from accelerating to the
stored speed when in these situations.
— The adaptive cruise control system will not
brake by itself if you put your foot on the ac-
celerator pedal. Doing so can override the
speed and distance regulation.
— Adaptive cruise control does not respond to
people, animals, or crossing or oncoming
objects.
— The function of the radar sensors can be af-
fected by reflective objects such as guard
rails, the entrance to a tunnel, heavy rain or
ice

@) Note
The sensor can be displaced by impacts or
damage to the bumper, wheel housing and
underbody. This can impair the adaptive
cruise control. Have an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility check their
function.
@) Tips
For an explanation on conformity with the
FCC regulations in the United States and the
Industry Canada regulations, see > page 377.
119

Assist systems

sense basic, the front safety belts are also re-
versibly tensioned when needed. The pre sense
front is also active when adaptive cruise con-
trol* is switched off.

ZA\ WARNING
Also follow the general instructions found in
= A in General information on page 119.
G) Tips
— Certain pre sense functions switch off when
driving in reverse.
— The pre sense functions may not be availa-
ble if there is a malfunction in the ESC sys-
tem or the airbag control module.
— Note that the reversible belt tensioner on
the front passenger's side deactivates when
the front passenger's airbag is deactivated.
— Certain Audi pre sense front functions are
unavailable or have limited availability for
approximately 20 seconds after starting the
vehicle (may be longer depending on the
driving situation).
— Switch the pre sense off when you are not
using public streets or when loading the ve-
hicle onto a vehicle carrier, train, ship, or
other type of transportation. This can pre-
vent an undesired intervention from the pre
sense system.
ONT ees
Applies to: vehicles with Audi pre sense basic

The pre sense basic functions are activated at a
speed of approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) or
higher.
The following functions can be triggered under
certain conditions within the limits of the sys-
tem:
—Tensioning of the safety belts (for example,
during heavy braking): the front safety belts
have reversible belt tensioners. If a collision
does not occur, the safety belts loosen slightly
and are ready to trigger again.
— Initiating the closing of the windows and the
panoramic glass roof* (for example when un-
der- or oversteering).
126
Audi drive select*: the trigger times are adjusted
depending on the mode selected.
Audi pre sense front
Applies to: vehicles with Audi pre sense front

RAH-8970
Audi pre sense


Fig. 120 Instrument cluster: approach warning
Description
Within the limits of the system and depending
on the situation and speed, pre sense front can
warn you about impending collisions with sta-
tionary, stopped, and moving vehicles and ini-
tiate appropriate braking measures.
If detection is not possible, then pre sense front
does not react.
The following functions trigger in conjunction
with pre sense basic at corresponding vehicle
speeds:
— Reversible tensioning of the front safety belts
— Closing the windows and panoramic glass roof*
Early warning/acute warning
The system can provide visual and audible warn-
ings when dangerous situations are detected. The
early warning may occur if:
—a vehicle driving ahead brakes strongly,
— your vehicle is traveling at speeds between ap-
proximately 20 to 50 mph (30 to 85 km/h) and
it approaches a stationary vehicle.
— your vehicle is traveling at speeds between ap-
proximately 20 to 155 mph (30 to 250 km/h)
and it approaches a vehicle that is clearly trav-
eling more slowly or a vehicle in your direction
of travel that is stopped.
When this warning occurs, it may only be possi-
ble to avoid a collision by swerving or braking >

Assist systems

— If the lanes are narrow or if you are driving on display in the exterior mirror may be incor-
the edge of your lane. If this is the case, the rect.
system may have detected a vehicle in another —For an explanation on conformity with the
lane that is not adjacent to your current lane. FCC regulations in the United States and the
— If you are driving through a curve. Side assist Industry Canada regulations, see
may react to a vehicle that is one lane over from => page 377.
the adjacent lane.
— If side assist reacts to other objects (such as Switching on and off
high or displaced guard rails). Applies to: vehicles with Audi side assist
— In poor weather conditions. The side assist
Th te b itched on/off in the Info- Furiedionsara limited. e system can be switched on/off in the Info
tainment system.
Do not cover the radar sensors > fig. 127 with
stickers, deposits, bicycle wheels or other ob-
jects, because they will impair the function. For
information on cleaning, see > page 342.
If the system is activated, the displays in the ex-
terior mirrors will turn on briefly when the igni-
tion is switched on.
> Select in the Infotainment system: [MENU] but-
AN WARNING ton > Vehicle > left control button > Driver as-
— Always pay attention to traffic and to the sistance > Audi side assist. Off switches the
area around your vehicle. Side assist cannot system off.
replace a driver's attention. The driver alone
is always responsible for lane changes and Setting the display brightness
similar driving maneuvers. Applies to: vehicles with Audi side assist
—Insome situations, the system may not
The display bright be adjusted in the In-
function or its function may be limited. For Meee ea anor eee ee oN et


exainple: fotainment system.
—If vehicles are approaching or being left > Select in the Infotainment system: [MENU] but-
behind very quickly. The display may not ton > Vehicle > left control button > Driver as-
turn on in time. sistance > Audi side assist.
8V2012721BK
— In poor weather conditions such as heavy
rain, snow or heavy mist.
— On very wide lanes, in tight curves, or if
there is a rise in the road surface. Vehicles
in the adjacent lane may not be detected
because they are outside of the sensor

range.

() Note
The sensors can be displaced by impacts or
damage to the bumper, wheel housing and
underbody. This can impair the system. Have
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility check their function.
@ Tips
— If the window glass in the driver's door or
front passenger's door has been tinted, the
> Adjust the brightness to a level where the dis-
play in the information stage will not disrupt
your view ahead. If you change the brightness,
the display in the exterior mirror will briefly
show the brightness level in the information
stage.
The brightness of the warning stage is linked to
the brightness in the information stage and is ad-
justed along with the information stage.
The display brightness adjusts automatically to
the brightness of the surroundings, both in the
information and in the warning stage. In very
dark or very bright surroundings, the automatic
adjustment will set the display to the minimum
or maximum level. In such cases, you may notice
no change when adjusting the brightness, or the
change may only be noticeable once the sur-
roundings change.
133

8V2012721BK
Driving safety

Driving safety
Basics
SER Nails mali
Please remember - safety first!
The individual safety features of your vehicle can
work together as a system to help protect you
and
your passengers in a wide range of accidents.
These features cannot work as a system if they
are not always correctly adjusted and correctly
used.
This chapter contains important information,
tips, instructions and warnings that you need to
read and observe for your own safety, the safety
of your passengers and others. We have summar-
ized here what you need to know about safety
belts, airbags, child restraints as well as child
safety. Your safety is for us priority number 1. Al-
ways observe the information and warnings in
this section - for your own safety as well as that
of your passengers.
The information in this section applies to all
model versions of your vehicle. Some of the fea-
tures described in this sections may be standard
equipment on some models, or may be optional
equipment on others. If you are not sure, ask
your authorized Audi dealer.

ZA WARNING
— Always make sure that you follow the in-
structions and heed the WARNINGS in this
Manual. It is in your interest and in the in-
terest of your passengers.
— Always keep the complete Owner's Litera-
ture in your Audi when you lend or sell your
vehicle so that this important information
will always be available to the driver and
passengers.
— Always keep the Owner's literature handy so
that you can find it easily if you have ques-
tions.

Important things to do before driving
Safety is everybody's job! Vehicle and occupant
safety always depends on the informed and care-
ful driver.
For
your safety and the safety of your passen-
gers, before driving always:
> Make sure that all lights and signals are operat-
ing correctly.
> Make sure that the tire pressure is correct.
> Make sure that all windows are clean and afford
good visibility to the outside.
> Secure all luggage and other items carefully
= page 60, > page 60.
> Make sure that nothing can interfere with the
pedals.
> Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors
correctly for your height.
> Instruct passengers to adjust the head re-
straints according to their height.
> Make sure to use the right child restraint cor-
rectly to protect children > page 278, Child
safety.
» Sit properly in your seat and make sure that
your passengers do the same > page 54, Front
seats.
> Fasten your safety belt and wear it properly. Al-
so instruct your passengers to fasten their safe-
ty belts properly > page 245.
What impairs driving safety?
Safe driving is directly related to the condition of
the vehicle, the driver as well as the driver’s abili-
ty to concentrate on the road without being dis-
tracted.
The driver is responsible for the safety of the ve-
hicle and all of its occupants. If your ability to
drive is impaired, safety risks for everybody in the
vehicle increase and you also become a hazard to
everyone else on the road > /\. Therefore:
> Do not let yourself be distracted by passengers
or by using a cellular telephone.
> NEVER drive when your driving ability is im-
paired (by medications, alcohol, drugs, etc.).
> Observe all traffic laws, rules of the road and
speed limits and plain common sense.
237

Driving safety

> ALWAYS adjust your speed to road, traffic and
weather conditions.
> Take frequent breaks on long trips. Do not drive
for more than two hours at a stretch.
> Do NOT drive when you are tired, under pres-
sure or when you are stressed.

ZX WARNING
Impaired driving safety increases the risk of
serious personal injury and death whenever a
vehicle is being used.
Safety systems monitoring
The Ba indicator light in the instrument cluster
monitors the safety systems such as the airbags
(including the control modules, sensors, and wir-
ing) and the belt tensioners. It turns on when you
switch the ignition on and turns off after several
seconds.

If the Ea indicator light does not turn on when
the ignition is switched on, does not turn off af-
ter several seconds, or turns on or flashes while
driving, there may be a malfunction in one of the
safety systems. Drive to an authorized Audi deal-
er or authorized Audi Service Facility immediately
to have the malfunction corrected.

Z\ WARNING
Have the malfunction in the safety systems in-
spected immediately. Otherwise, there is a
risk that the systems may not activate during
an accident, which increases the risk of seri-
ous or fatal injury.

238
Correct passenger
seating positions
Proper seating position for the driver
The proper driver seating position is important
for safe, relaxed driving.

B4G-0375



Fig. 198 Correct seating position
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of in-
jury in the event of an accident, we recommend
that you adjust the driver's seat to the following
position:
> Adjust the driver's seat so that you can easily
push the pedals all the way to the floor while
keeping your knee(s) slightly bent > A\.
> Adjust the angle of the seatback so that it is in
an upright position so that your back comes in
full contact with it when you drive.
> Adjust the steering wheel so that there is a dis-
tance of at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the
steering wheel and your breast bone © fig. 198.
If not possible, see your authorized Audi deal-
ership about adaptive equipment.
> Adjust the steering wheel so that the steering
wheel and airbag cover points at your chest and
not at your face.
> Grasp the top of the steering wheel with your
elbow(s) slightly bent.
> For adjustable head restraints: Adjust the head
restraint so the upper edge is as even as possi-
ble with the top of your head. If that is not pos-
sible, try to adjust the head restraint so that it
is as close to this position as possible. Move the
head restraint so that it is as close to the back
of the head as possible.
> Fasten and wear safety belts correctly
=> page 248.

8V2012721BK
Airbag system

Airbag system
Important information
area e eo MIT a a Lee)
sitting properly
Airbags are only supplemental restraints. For
airbags to do their job, occupants must always
properly wear their safety belts and be in a prop-
er seating position.
For your safety and the safety of your passen-
gers, before driving off, always:
> Adjust the driver's seat and steering wheel
properly > page 238,
> Adjust the front passenger's seat properly
=> page 239,
> Wear safety belts properly > page 248,
> Always properly use the proper child restraint
to protect children > page 278.
Ina collision, airbags must inflate within the
blink of an eye and with considerable force. The
supplemental airbags can cause injuries if the
driver or the front seat passenger is not seated
properly. Therefore in order to help the airbag to
do its job, it is important, both as a driver and as
a passenger to sit properly at all times.
By keeping room between your body and the
steering wheel and the front of the passenger
compartment, the airbag can inflate fully and
completely and provide supplemental protection
in certain frontal collisions > page 238, Correct
passenger seating positions. For details on the
operation of the seat adjustment controls
=> page 54.
It's especially important that children are proper-
ly restrained > page 278.
There is a lot that the driver and the passengers
can and must do to help the individual safety fea-
tures installed in your Audi work together as a
system.
Proper seating position is important so that the
front airbag on the driver side can do its job. If
you have a physical impairment or condition that
prevents you from sitting properly on the driver
seat with the safety belt properly fastened and
reaching the pedals, or if you have concerns with
regard to the function or operation of the Ad-
vanced Airbag System, please contact your au-
thorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop, or
call Audi Customer Relations at 1-800-822-2834
for possible modifications to your vehicle.
When the airbag system deploys, a gas generator
will fill the airbags, break open the padded cov-
ers, and inflate between the steering wheel and
the driver and between the instrument panel and
the front passenger. The airbags will deflate im-
mediately after deployment so that the front oc-
cupants can see through the windshield again
without interruption.
All of this takes place in the blink of an eye, so
fast that many people don't even realize that the
airbags have deployed. The airbags also inflate
with a great deal of force and nothing should be
in their way when they deploy. Front airbags in
combination with properly worn safety belts slow
down and limit the occupant's forward move-
ment. Together they help to prevent the driver
and front seat passenger from hitting parts of
the inside of the vehicle while reducing the forces
acting on the occupant during the crash. In this
way they help to reduce the risk of injury to the
head and upper body in the crash. Airbags do not
protect the arms or the lower parts of the body.
Both front airbags will not inflate in all frontal
collisions. The triggering of the airbag system de-
pends on the vehicle deceleration rate caused by
the collision and registered by the electronic con-
trol unit. If this rate is below the reference value
programmed into the control unit, the airbags
will not be triggered, even though the car may be
badly damaged as a result of the collision. Vehi-
cle damage, repair costs or even the lack of vehi-
cle damage is not necessarily an indication of
whether an airbag should inflate or not.
Since the circumstances will vary considerably
between one collision and another, it is not possi-
ble to define a range of vehicle speeds that will
cover every possible kind and angle of impact
that will always trigger the airbags. Important
factors include, for example, the nature (hard or
soft) of the object which the car hits, the angle of
impact, vehicle speed, etc. The front airbags will >
253

8V2012721BK
Airbag system

about children and Advanced Airbags
=> page 278.
Even though your vehicle is equipped with an Ad-
vanced Airbag System, make certain that all chil-
dren, especially those 12 years and younger, al-
ways ride in the back seat properly restrained for
their age and size. The airbag on the passenger
side makes the front seat a potentially dangerous
place for a child to ride. The front seat is not the
safest place for a child in a forward-facing child
seat.
It can be a very dangerous place for an in-
fant or a child in a rearward-facing seat.
The Advanced Airbag System in your vehicle has
been certified to comply with the requirements
of United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard (FMVSS) 208, as well as Canada Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 208 as applica-
ble at the time your vehicle was manufactured.
According to requirements, the front Advanced
Airbag System on the passenger side has been
certified for “suppression” for infants of about
12 month old and younger and for “low risk de-
ployment” for children aged 3 to 6 years old (as
defined in the standard).
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light in the instru-
ment panel tells you when the front Advanced
Airbag on the passenger side has been turned off
by the electronic control unit.
Each time you switch on the ignition, the PAS-
SENGER AIR BAG OFF light will come on for a
few seconds and:
— will stay on if the front passenger seat is not
occupied,
—will stay on if the electrical capacitance meas-
ured by the capacitive passenger detection sys-
tem for the front passenger seat equals the
combined capacitance of an infant up to about
one year of age and one of the rearward-facing
or forward-facing child restraints listed in Fed-
eral Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 with
which the Advanced Airbag System in your vehi-
cle was certified. For a listing of the child re-
straints that were used to certify your vehicle's
compliance with the U.S. Safety Standard
=> page 280.
— will stay on if there is a small child or child re-
straint on the front passenger seat,
— will go off if the front passenger seat is occu-
pied by an adult as registered by the capacitive
passenger detection system > page 265, Moni-
toring the Advanced Airbag System.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light comes on
when electrical capacitance registered on the
front passenger seat is equal to or less than the
combined capacitance of a typical 1 year-old in-
fant and one of the rearward-facing or forward-
facing child restraints listed in Federal Motor Ve-
hicle Safety Standard 208 with which the Ad-
vanced Airbag System in your vehicle was certi-
fied.
If the total electrical capacitance registered on
the front passenger seat is more than that of a
typical 1 year-old child but less than the weight
of a small adult, the front airbag on the passen-
ger side can deploy (the PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF light does not come on).
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light does not
come on, the front airbag on the passenger side
has not been turned off by the electronic control
unit and can deploy if the control unit senses an
impact that meets the conditions stored in its
memory.
For example, the airbag may deploy if:
—asmall child that is heavier than a typical 1
year-old child is on the front passenger seat (re-
gardless of whether the child is in one of the
child seats listed > page 280), or
—a child who has outgrown child restraints is on
the front passenger seat.
If the front passenger airbag is turned off, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light comes on in the
instrument cluster and stays on.
If the front passenger airbag deploys, the Federal
Standard requires the airbag to meet the “low
risk” deployment criteria to reduce the risk of in-
jury through interaction with the airbag. “Low
risk” deployment occurs in those crashes that
take place at lower decelerations as defined in
the electronic control unit > page 265, PASSEN-
GER AIR BAG OFF light.
255
>

Airbag system


— Never hold the steering wheel at the 12
o'clock position or with your hands any-
where inside the steering wheel or on the
steering wheel hub. Holding the steering
wheel the wrong way increases the risk of
severe injury to the arms, hands, and head if
the driver airbag deploys.

ZA\ WARNING
Objects between you and the airbag will in-
crease the risk of injury in a crash by interfer-
ing with the way the airbag unfolds and/or by
being pushed into you as the airbag inflates.
— Always make sure nothing is in the front air-
bag deployment zone that could be struck
by the airbag when it inflates.
— Objects in the zone of a deploying airbag can
become projectiles when the airbag deploys
and cause serious personal injury.
— Never hold things in your hands or on your
lap when the vehicle is in use.
— Never place accessories or other objects
(such as cup holders, telephone brackets,
note pads, navigation systems, or things
that are large, heavy, or bulky) on the doors;
never attach them to the doors or the wind-
shield; never place them over or near or at-
tach them to the area marked ,, AIRBAG“ on
the steering wheel, instrument panel or the
seat backrests; never place them between
these areas and you or any other person in
the vehicle.
— Never attach objects to the windshield
above the passenger front airbag, such as
accessory GPS navigation units or music
players. Such objects could cause serious in-
jury in a collision, especially when the air-
bags inflate.
— Never recline the front passenger seat to
transport objects. Items can also move into
the deployment area of the side airbags or
the front airbag during breaking or in a sud-
den maneuver. Objects near the airbags can
fly dangerously through the passenger com-
partment and cause injury, particularly
when the seat is reclined and the airbags in-
flate.

258
Z\ WARNING
A person on the front passenger seat, espe-
cially infants and small children, will receive
serious injuries and can even be killed by be-
ing too close to the airbag when it inflates.
— Although the Advanced Airbag System in
your vehicle is designed to turn off the front
passenger airbag if an infant or a small child
is on the front passenger seat, nobody can
absolutely guarantee that deployment un-
der these special conditions is impossible in
all conceivable situations that may happen
during the useful life of your vehicle.
— The Advanced Airbag System can deploy in
accordance with the ,,low risk“ option for 3-
and 6-year-old children under the U.S. Fed-
eral Standard if a child with electrical capac-
itance greater than the combined capaci-
tance of a typical one-year old infant re-
strained in one of the forward facing or rear-
ward-facing child seats with which your ve-
hicle was certified is on the front passenger
seat and the other conditions for airbag de-
ployment are met.
— Accident statistics have shown that children
are generally safer in the rear seat area than
in the front seating position.
— For their own safety, all children, especially
12 years and younger, should always ride in
the back properly restrained for their age
and
size.
Advanced front airbag system
Your vehicle is equipped with a front Advanced
Airbag System in compliance with United States
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, as
well as Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
(CMVSS) 208 as applicable at the time your vehi-
cle was manufactured.

The front Advanced Airbag System supplements
the safety belts to provide additional protection
for the driver's and front passenger's heads and
upper bodies in frontal crashes. The airbags in-
flate only in frontal impacts when the vehicle de-
celeration is high enough.

8V2012721BK
Airbag system

The front Advanced Airbag System for the front
seat occupants is not a substitute for your safety
belts. Rather, it is part of the overall occupant re-
straint system in your vehicle. Always remember
that the airbag system can only help to protect
you, if you are sitting upright, wearing your safe-
ty belt and wearing it properly. This is why you
and
your passengers must always be properly re-
strained, not just because the law requires you to
be.
The Advanced Airbag System in your vehicle has
been certified to meet the “low risk” require-
ments for 3 and 6 year-old children on the pas-
senger side and very small adults on the driver
side. The low risk deployment criteria are intend-
ed to help reduce the risk of injury through inter-
action with the front airbag that can occur, for
example, by being too close to the steering wheel
and instrument panel when the airbag inflates.
In addition, the system has been certified to
comply with the “suppression” requirements of
the Safety Standard, to turn off the front airbag
for infants 12 months old and younger who are
restrained on the front passenger seat in child re-
straints that are listed in the Standard
=> page 280, Child restraints and Advanced front
airbag system.
“Suppression” requires the front airbag on the
passenger side to be turned off if:
—achild up to about one year of age is restrained
on the front passenger seat in one of the rear-
facing or forward-facing infant restraints listed
in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208
with which the Advanced Airbag System in your
vehicle was certified. For a listing of the child
restraints that were used to certify your vehi-
cle's compliance with the US Safety Standard
=> page 280,
—a person is detected on the front passenger
seat that has an electrical capacitance that is
more than the total electrical capacitance of a
child that is about 1 year old restrained in one
of the rear-facing or forward-facing infant re-
straints (listed in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 208 with which the Advanced Airbag
System in your vehicle was certified), the front
airbag on the passenger side may or may not
deploy.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light comes on
when the electronic control unit detects a total
electrical capacitance on the front passenger seat
that requires the front airbag to be turned off. If
the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light does not
come on, the front airbag on the passenger side
has not been turned off by the control unit and
can deploy if the control unit senses an impact
that meets the conditions stored in its memory.
If the total electrical capacitance registered on
the front passenger seat is more than that of a
typical 1 year-old, but less than the weight of a
small adult, the front airbag on the passenger
side may deploy (the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
light does not come on).
For example, the airbag may deploy if:
—asmall child that is heavier than a typical 1
year-old child is on the front passenger seat (re-
gardless of whether the child is in one of the
child seats listed S page 280),
—a child who has outgrown child restraints is on
the front passenger seat.
If the front passenger airbag is turned off, the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light in the center of
the instrument panel will come on and stay on.
If the front passenger airbag deploys, the Federal
Standard requires the airbag to meet the “low
risk” deployment criteria to help reduce the risk
of injury through interaction with the airbag.
“Low risk” deployment occurs in those crashes
that take place at lower decelerations as defined
in the electronic control unit > page 265.
Always remember: Even though your vehicle is
equipped with Advanced Airbags, the safest place
for children is properly restrained on the back
seat. Please be sure to read the important infor-
mation in the sections that follow and be sure to
heed all of the WARNINGS.

ZA\ WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury when an airbag in-
flates, always wear safety belts properly. >

259

Airbag system

The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light will show
the status of the front seat passenger's frontal
Advanced Airbag a few seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on and the airbag indicator
light goes off. The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
light:
— will stay on if the front passenger seat is not
occupied;
—will stay on if the electrical capacitance meas-
ured by the capacitive passenger detection sys-
tem for the front passenger seat equals the
combined capacitance of an infant up to about
one year of age and one of the rearward-facing
or forward-facing child restraints listed in Fed-
eral Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 with
which the Advanced Airbag System in your vehi-
cle was certified; For a listing of the child re-
straints that were used to certify your vehicle's
compliance with the U.S. Safety Standard
=> page 280.
— will go out if the front passenger seat is occu-
pied by an adult as registered by the capacitive
passenger detection system.
— The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light must come
on and stay on if the ignition is on and...
—a car bed has been installed on the front pas-
senger seat, or
—arearward-facing child restraint has been in-
stalled on the front passenger seat, or
—a forward-facing child restraint has been instal-
led on the front passenger seat,
—and if the electrical capacitance registered on
the front passenger seat is equal to or less than
the combined capacitance of a typical 1 year-
old infant and one of the rearward-facing or
forward-facing child restraints listed in Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 with which
the Advanced Airbag System in your vehicle was
certified.
If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the
front airbag will not deploy, and the PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF light will stay on. Never installa
rearward-facing child restraint on the front pas-
senger seat, the safest place for a child in any
kind of child restraint is at one of the seating po-
sitions on the rear seat > page 254, Child re-
266
straints on the front seat - some important
things to know and > page 278, Child safety.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG light comes
on...
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light comes on
when one of the conditions listed above is met,
be sure to check the light regularly to make cer-
tain that the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light
stays on continuously whenever the ignition is
on. If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light does
not appear on and does not stay on all the time,
stop as soon as it is safe to do so and
— reactivate the system by turning the ignition off
for more than 4 seconds and then turning it on
again;
— remove and reinstall the child restraint. Make
sure that the child restraint is properly installed
and that the safety belt for the front passenger
seat has been correctly routed through the
child restraint as described in the child restraint
manufacturer's instructions;
— make sure that the convertible locking retractor
on the safety belt for the front passenger seat
has been activated and that the safety belt has
been pulled tight.
— make sure that no electrical device (such as a
laptop, CD player, electronic games device,
power inverter or seat heater for child seats) is
placed or used on the front passenger seat if
the device is connected to the 12-volt socket or
the cigarette lighter socket;
— make sure that no seat heater has been retrofit-
ted or otherwise added to the front passenger
seat;
— make sure that nothing can interfere with the
safety belt buckles and that they are not ob-
structed;
— make sure that there are no wet objects (such
as a wet towel) and no water or other liquids on
the front passenger seat cushion.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG light still does
not come on...
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light still does
not come on and does not stay on continuously
(when the ignition is switched on),