airbag AUDI A4 AVANT 2008 Owners Manual

Safety belts .................. .
Safety belt tensioner ..... ... .. .
Airbag system ........ .... .. .. .
Important th ings to know .. .... .
Front airbags .. ... .. ... ...... . .
Monitoring the Advanced Airbag
System ... ..... .... ..... .. ... .
Side airbags .... ... ...... ..... .
Side curtain airbags (SIDEGUARD™l
Child Safety .. ... ... ..... ... ... .
Important things to know .... .. .
Child safety seats ........ ... .. .
Insta lling a ch ild safety seat .... .
Addit ional Information .... ..... .
Lower anchorages and tether for
chi ldren (LA TCH) .......... ... .. .
t
181
185
187
187
191
198
203 207
210
210
215
220
223
225 Avoid damag
ing the vehicle .....
Operate your vehicle economically
and minimize pollution ......... .
Trailer towing .......... ... .. .. .
Driv ing w it h a trailer ... .... .... .
Trai ler towing t ips ....... ...... .
Vehicle care ........ ... ... .
C lean ing and protection ...... .
Genera l information ........... .
Care of exterior ....... .. .. .. ... .
Care of interior ................ .
Fuel supply and filling your fuel
tank ........ .... .. ... .... ...... .
245
245
248
248
250
253
254
254
254
261
267
Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Fuel tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Vehicle operation . . . . . . . . 235 Checking and filling . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Intelligent technology ... ...... .
Notice about data recorded by
veh icle contro l modules ....... .
Electronic Stabilization Program
(ESP) ......................... .
Braking .. ... ... ... ... ... .. ... .
Servotronic®
-advanced power
steering system . ......... .. ... . 236
236
236
239
241
Driv ing w ith your quattro® . . . . . . 242
Driving and environment . . . . . . 243
The first 1,000 miles (1,500 kml and
afterwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Cata lytic conver ter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 Engine
hood ......... ......... .
Engine compartmen t .... ... ... .
Engine oil ... ...... ... ....... .. .
Engine cooling system .. .... ... .
Brake fluid . ............... .... .
Ba ttery ...... .......... .... ... .
Windshield/headlight washer
con ta iner .. ........ ... ........ .
Tires and whee ls ..... ......... .
Tires .......... ...... .. .. ..... . 272
2 74
275
280
284
285
291
293
293
Tabl e of cont ents
Do-it-yourself service . . . 3 15
What do I do now? . ......... ... 316
Jack, tools and spare wheel . . . . . . 316
W hee l change ............... ... 318
Fuses and bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Fuses ........ ......... ..... .... 326
Bu lbs .............. ... ... ... ... 328
Eme rgency sit uations . . . . . . . . . . 330
Genera l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Starting by pushing or towing . . . . 330
Starting with jumper cables . . . . . . 330
Use of jumper cables . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Emergency tow ing with comme rcial
tow truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Lif ting the vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Technical data
General in for matio n
339
340
E xplanat ion of technical data . . . . 340
Vehicle identification . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . 341
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
irechnical data

Instruments and controls
General illustration
G) Power window switches ........................ .
0 Door handle
G) Power locking switch .......................... .
© Adjuster control fo r outside mirrors ...... .... .... .
© Light switch .. ...... .... ... .... .... .... .... ... .
© Air o utlets ........ ... .. .... .... ... .... .... .... .
0 Turn s igna l and high beam .. .... .... ......... .. .
© Instrument c luster .. ... .... .... .... ... .. .... ... .
G) Switches for
- Windshield wiper/washer . ...... .... .... ... ... .
- Trip computer ...... .... .... ... .... .... .... . .
@ Steering lock/ignition/starter switch (in the steering
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
whee l column) . ...... ... .... .... .... ... .... ... .
Electron ic Stab ilization Prog ram (ESP) switc h ...... .
Emergency flasher ....... .... .... .... .... .... .. .
Storage compartment for sma ll objects
Sound System
G love compartment ( lockab le) ... .. .... .... .... .. .
Front passenger's airbag .... .... .... .... ..... .. .
Cl imate controls .. ..... .... .... ...... .... ... .. .
Rear window defogger switc h .... .... .... .... ... .
Switch for seat heating ......................... .
Ashtray .. ....... .... ............. ...... .... .. .
Gear shift lever or selector lever (automatic transmis ­
s ion)
- Manual transmission .. ...... ....... ...... ... .
- 6-speed automa tic transm ission .. ...... .... ... .
I .
.
® -mu t1tronic ................................ .
65
59
91
72
131
80
12
85
38
135
236 79
123
122
191
126
131
132
119
142
1 4 3
14 9
Controls and equip ­
ment • I I • • I
Instrum ents and controls
Cupho lder
Park ing brake lever ............................ .
Electrical socket ............................... .
Storage compartment
Memory buttons (driver's seat) .. ...... .... ... ... .
Re lease lever for t he e ngine hood ...... .... ... ... .
Data Link Connector fo r On Board D iagnostic (OBD Ill
Cruise control .... .... .... .... ....... .... .... .. .
Steering wheel with:
- Horn
D. ' . b - nversa1r ag . ................ .... ......... .
@ Adjustab le steering co lumn .. ...... .... .... .... . .
@ Recessed she lf for vehic le literature .............. .
118
137
121
100
272 27
140
191
134
123 •

Warning/indicator lights
Overview
The warning/indicator lights indicate different functions
or a p ossible malfunction.
Fig . 9 Instrume nt cluste r wi th warn ing/ ind ica tor l ights
Your vehicle is equipped with several important warning and indi ­
cator lights to help you monitor the continued reliable operation of
your vehicle
=> & .
AIR
BAG
Controls and equip ­
ment U
SA mod els:
Ma lfunction Indicato r lamp {MIU => page 20
Canad a mo del s:
Malfunction lndictor Lamp {MIU => page20
Airbag system => page 20
Inst rum ents and w arning /indi cator li ght s
Tire pressure monitoring system* => page20
CRUISE
USA model s: => page21 Cruise contro l activated
-ti(') Can ada mod els: => page21 Cruise control activated
U SA m odel s: => page 21 Anti-lock brake system {ABS)
Canad a model s: => page 21 Anti-lock brake system {ABS)
~ Safety belt => page22
·-
¢ Left turn signal => page22
Electronic stabi lization program => page22 {ESP)
D Generator => page22
D High beam => page 23
Electronic power control => page23
BRAKE
U SA model s: => page23 Brake system, parking brake set
CCD>
Canad a model s: => page23 Brake system, parking brake set •
c> Right turn signal => page 22 .,,
irechnical data

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
& WARNING
• Failure to heed warning lights and other important vehicle
information may result in serious personal injury or vehicle
damage .
• Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe
distance off the road, stop the engine, and turn on the emergency
flasher
=> page 79.
• The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially
hazardous area. Before you check anything in the engine compart­
ment, stop the engine and let it cool down . Always exercise
extreme caution when working under the engine hood
=> page 265 , "Engine compartment"
[ i] Tips
Many functions are monitored by the Auto-Check system
=> page 28. Malfunctions or faults will be identified either with a red
symbol (priority 1 - Danger!) or with a yellow symbol (priority 2 -
Warning). •
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
~ (USA models)/ 0 (Canada models)
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU is part of the On-Board Diag ­
nostic (OBD II) system. The
symbol ~ lights up when the ignition is
turned on and will turn off after the engine has started and has
settled at constant idle speed . This indicates that the MIL is working
properly.
The warning light illuminates when there is a malfunction in the
eng ine electronic system. Contact your authorized Audi dealer and
have the malfunction corrected.
For more information
=> page 27. •
Airbag system ~
This warning/indicator light monitors the airbag and the
tensioner systems.
The I warning light illuminates for a few seconds each time you
switch on the ignition.
If the
~i warning light does not go out, or if it illum inates while you
are driving, or if it starts to flash, then there is a malfunction some ­
where in the system. If the light does not illuminate when you
switch on the ignition, this also means there is a malfunction.
& WARNING
If you have a malfunction in the airbag system, contact your autho­
rized Audi dealer immediately. Otherwise the airbag or the belt
tensioner may not work properly in an accident. •
Tire pressure monitoring system -telltale
indicator lamp
U)
The warning/indicator light appears in the event of a
significant loss of air pressure.
The (1) warning/indicator light illuminates for a few seconds after
the ignition is turned on as function check and then goes out.
If the
(l) symbol appears, pressure is too low in at least one tire.
When the system detects a malfunction, the warning/indicator light
will flash for approximately one minute and then remain continu­
ously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle starts up as long as the malfunction exists. Contact your
authorized Audi dealer and have the malfunction corrected.
For more information
=> page 47. •

Opening and clo sing
& W ARNI NG (c onti nued )
• Do not le ave ch ildr en in side th e vehicle uns upervi sed. In an
em erge ncy it would be i mpos sible to open t he doors from the
out side w it h out the key .
[ i] Tips
• In the event of a crash with airbag deployment all locked doors
wi ll be automatically unlocked to give access to the vehicle occu­
pants from the outside .
• If the power locking system should fail, you can still open the
fue l tank flap in an emergency =>
page 271.
• You are well advised not to keep va luables inside an unattended
vehicle, visible or not. Even a properly locked vehicle cannot provide
the security of a safe!
•
Keyless entry remote control
General description
The remote controls allows you to :
• lock or unlock the vehicle
• selectively unlock the rear lid.
The turn signals will flash briefly whenever you lock or unlock the
veh ic le . Also, the interior light will come on or go off whenever you
open or close the driver's door.
T he transmitter and battery are located in the head of the remote
control. The receiver is located inside the vehicle. The maximum
effective range depends on several things. Remember, if the battery
is weak, the effective range decreases .
The remote-contro l key contains a fold-out key that you can use to
manually lock or unlock the vehicle and to start the engine . I
f you need to replace the remote control, or if you need to have it
repaired, you must see your authorized Audi dealer. Only then can
you use the key again .•
Unlocking and locking the vehicle with the
remote control
How the remote cont rol works.
To unlock the vehicle 0
- Press button @.
Fig. 4 9 Rem ote
co ntrol: fu nct ion
b utto ns
- Press bu tton @ two times within two seconds to unlock
all doors and th e rear lid .
To lock the v ehi cle 6
- Press button ® => & in "General description" on
page
55.
- Watch that a ll turn signal lights flash once .

• USA models: illumin ation of the in strument clu ste r (gauge s and
needle s), dash and center con sole around the gear shift lever i s
c ontrolled by a light sen sor l oca ted in the in strument panel . The
instrument panel illum ination will automatic ally become dimmer
a s the d aylight f ade s aw ay a nd e ventuall y will go out completel y
wh en out side light is very low . Thi s is to remind you , the driver , to
s witch on the he adlight s before it get s too dark.
• Canada model s: instrument panel illum ination will sta y br ight
rega rdle ss of the inten sity of ambient light . Al ways be aw are of
changes in outside light conditions while you are driving . Respond
in time to fading daylight by tu rning the light switch to position
1[D
(or "AUTO" if your car is equipped with this feature) to turn on your
he adlight s.
•
App lies to veh icle s: w it h xe non head lig hts
Xenon headlights
After sta rting the engine, the xenon head lights are automatica lly
adjusted to the load and angle of the veh ic le ( for example, during
accel eration and braking) . This prevents oncoming traffic from
experienc ing unnecessary headlight glare from your xenon head ­
lights.
I f the system is not operating properly, a warning symbol in the
Auto-Check Control is
displayed=> page 34. •
Controls and equip ­
ment
Cl ea r vision
Emergency flasher ~
The emergency flasher ma kes other motorists aware that
you or your vehicle are in an emergency situation .
Fig. 77 Ce nter
co nso le: e merg en cy
fl as he r sw it ch
- Press the switch &1. ~ fig. 77, to switch t he eme rgency
flasher on or off.
When the emergency flasher is on, all four turn signal blink at the
same time. The turn signal indicator lights ¢
9 in the instrument
c luster, as we ll as the light in the emergency flasher
switch ~ blink
likewise.
The emergency flasher wi ll automatically switch on if you are in an
accident where the airbag has deployed .
[ i] Tip s
You shou ld switch on the emergency flasher when :
• you are the las t vehicle standing in a traffic jam so that any other
vehicles coming can see you, or when
• your vehicle has broken down or you are in an emergency situa -
tion, o r when _.,

Seats and storage
General recommendations
Why is your seat adjustment so important? The safety belts and the airbag system can only provide
maximum protection if the front seats are correctly
adjusted.
There are several different ways you can adjust the driver's seat and
the front passenger's seat so that it conforms to your body size. It is
especially important that the seat be adjusted properly so that:
• you can easily and quickly reach all the switches and controls in
the instrument panel
• your body is properly supported thus reducing physical stress
and fatigue
• the safety belts and Airbag system can offer maximum protec­
tion=> page 187
In the following chapters, you will see exactly how you can best
adjust your seats.
There are special regulations and instructions for installing a child
safety seat on the front passenger's seat. Always heed the informa ­
tion regarding child safety provided
in => page 210, "Child Safety".
& WARNING
Incorrect seating position of the driver and all other passengers
can result in serious personal injury.
• Always keep your feet on the floor when the vehicle is in motion
- never put your feet on top of the instrument panel, out of the
window or on top of the seat cushion! This applies especially to
the passengers. If your seating position is incorrect you increase
the risk of injury in the case of sudden braking or an accident. If
Controls and equip ­
ment
Seats and storage
& WARNING (continued)
the airbag inflates and the seating position is incorrect this could
result in personal injury or even death.
• It is important for both the driver and front passenger to keep
a distance of at least 10 inches (25
cml between themselves and
the steering wheel and/or instrument panel. If you're sitting any closer than this, the airbag system can protect you properly. In
addition to this, the front seats and head restraints must be
adjusted to your body height so that they can give you maximum
protection.
• Always try to keep as much distance as possible between your­
self and the steering wheel or instrument panel.
• Do not adjust the driver's or front passenger's seat while the
vehicle is moving . Your seat may move unexpectedly, causing
sudden loss of vehicle control and personal injury.
If you adjust
your seat while the vehicle is moving, you are out of position. •
Driver's seat
The correct seat position is important for safe and relaxed
driving.
We recommend that you adjust the driver's seat in the
following manner:
-Adjust the seat in fore and aft direction so that you can
easily push the pedals to the floor while keeping your
knee slightly
bent:=> & in "Why is your seat adjustment
so important?".
-Adjust the seatback so that when you sit with your back
against the seatback, you can still grasp the top of the
steering wheel.
...,

Seats and storage
-Position the head restraints according to the occupant's
height. For maximum protection, the upper edge of the
head restra ints should be at least at eye level, or higher
=:> page 105, fig. 106.
& WARNING
Never place any objects in the driver's footwell. An object could
get into the pedal area and interfere with pedal function . In case
of sudden braking or an accident, you would not be able to brake
or accelerate! •
Front passenger's seat
Always move the front passenger seat into the rearmost
position.
To avoid contact with the airbag while it is unfolding, do not
sit any closer to the instrument panel than necessary and
always properly wear the three point safety belt provided.
We recommend that you adjust the driver's seat in the
following manner:
-Adjust the front passenger seat into the rearmost posi­
tion of the fore and aft adjustment range
=:> & in "W hy
is your seat adjustment so important?" on page
95.
-Adjust the backrest to the upright position . Do not
recline.
-Adjust the head restraint so the upper edge of the
restraint is level with the top of your head, but no lower
than eye
level =:> page 105, fig. 106.
-Place your feet on the floor in front of the passenger's
seat. •
Adjusting the front seats manually
Applies to veh icles: with manua l seat adjustment
Adjustment actions
Position, angle and shape of the manual seats can be
adjusted to provide safe and comfortable seating.
Fig . 96 Adjustment
controls: locations on
driver's seat
Reed and heed all WARNINGS =:> & before you adjust your
seat.
Moving the front seats forward or backward
-Lift the lever G) =:> fig. 96 and slide the seat to the desired
position.
-Release the lever and then move the seat further until
you feel and hear it engage.
Adjusting the seat height
-Pull the lever 0 up and pump it to raise the seat.
-Push the lever down and pump it to lower the seat.

Adjusting the lumbar support*
-Press the corresponding depression on the switch shell
© to adjust the height and curvature of the lumbar
support, see
~ page 99.
Adjusting the seatback angle
- Lean forward to take your weight off the seatback.
- Turn the hand wheel © in the direction you want the
seatback to tilt.
Various controls on the manual seats provide a wide range for indi ­
vidual
adjustments~ page 96, fig. 96 .
G) Moving the seat forward or backward
0 Adjusting the seat h eight
© Adjusting the lumbar support *~ page 99
© Adjusting the seatback angle
& WARNING
• Never adjust the driver's or front passenger seat while the
vehicle is moving. If you do this while the vehicle is moving, you
will be out of position. Always adjust the driver's or front
passenger seat when the vehicle is not moving.
• Be careful when adjusting the seat height. Check to see that no
one is in the way, or serious injury could result!
• To reduce the risk of injury in the case of sudden braking or
accident, front passengers must never ride in a moving vehicle
with the seatback reclined. Safety belts and the airbag system
only offer maximum protection when the seatback is upright and
the safety belts are properly positioned on the body. The more the
seatback is reclined, the greater the risk of personal injury from an
incorrect seating position and improperly positioned safety belts!
Controls and equip ­
ment
Seats and storage
[ i] Tips
Some of the controls are fitted on certain models only or they are
optional equipment. •
Adjusting the front power seats
Applies to veh ic les: w ith power se ats
Power seat adjustment
The power seats can be adjusted in various ways to
provide safe and comfortable seating .
Fig. 97 Adjustment
switches : locations on
driver 's seat
...
irechnical data

App lies to vehic les: wit h powe r seats
Adjusting the seatback
Fig . 99 Driver 's seat :
switch for seatback
adjustment
- Push or pull the top of the switch in the same direction
you like the seatback to
tilt~ fig. 99.
& WARNING
• Never adjust the seatback while the vehicle is moving. If you
adjust your seatback while the vehicle is moving, you will be out
of position. Always adjust the seatback when the vehicle is not
moving.
• To reduce the risk of injury in the case of sudden braking or
accident, front passengers must never ride in a moving vehicle
with the seatback reclined. Safety belts and the airbag system
only offer maximum protection when the seatback is upright and
the safety belts are properly positioned on the body. The more the
seatback is reclined, the greater the risk of personal injury from an
incorrect seating position and improperly positioned safety
belts! •
Controls and equip ­
ment
Seats and storage
Lumbar support
The lumbar support can be adjusted to fit the natural
curvature of the occupant's spine.
Adjusting the curvature
Fig . 100 Front seat:
switch for lumbar
adjustment
- Push the front of the switch plate ~ fig. 100 in order to
i nc rease the curvature.
- Push the rear of the switch plate in order to decrease the
curvature.
Adjusting the height
- Push on the top of th e sw itch plate in o rder to move the
support h igher.
- Push on the bottom of the sw itch plate in order to move
the support lower.
..,_
irechnical data