AUDI A5 COUPE 2008 Owners Manual

HomeLink159
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
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Safety
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Safe driving
162Safe drivingGeneral notesSafety is the first priority
Your safety is our first priority.This chapter contains important information, tips, sugges-
tions and warnings that you should read and observe for
your own safety and the safety of your passengers.
WARNING
•
The information in this chapter is important for the driver of
the vehicle and all passengers. Th e other chapters in this manual
(and, where applicable, in the ot her literature supplied with the
vehicle) contain further importan t notes which you should read
and observe for your own safety and that of your passengers.
•
Ensure that the complete vehicle wa llet is always in the vehicle.
This is especially imp ortant when you lend or sell the vehicle to
others.
Safety features
The safety features listed he re are part of the vehicle's
occupant restraint system. They work together to help
reduce the risk of injury in a wide variety of accident situ-
ations.Your safety and the safety of your passengers should not be left to
chance. In the event of an accident, the safety features incorporated
in your vehicle are capable of reducing the risk of injury. These are
just a few of the safety features in your Audi:•
Optimised three-point seat belts for all seats,
•
Belt force limiters for the front seats,
•
Belt pre-tensioners for the front seats,
•
Head restraints for all seats,
•
Optimised protection against injuries of the cervical vertebrae,
•
Front airbags,
•
Side airbags in the backrests of the front seats,
•
Head-protection airbags (sideguard system),
•
“ISOFIX” mountings* for “ISOFIX” child safety seats on the rear
seats,
•
Height-adjustable head restraints on the seats,
•
Adjustable steering column.
These individual safety features are harmonised to provide you and
your passengers with the best possible protection in accident situ-
ations. However, they can only be effective if you and your passen-
gers sit in the correct position and adjust and use the safety equip-
ment properly.
For these reasons, this chapter explains why these safety features
are so important, how they can protect you, what you need to
remember when using them, and how you and your passengers can
gain the most benefit from them. There are also a number of impor-
tant safety warnings which you and your passengers should always
observe in order to minimise the risk of injury.
Safety is everyone's responsibility!
Before every trip
The driver is responsible for the safety of the passengers
and the safe operation of the vehicle at all times.For your own safety and the safety of your passengers,
always note the following points before every trip:
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Safe driving163
Controls
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Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Make sure that all lights and turn signals are working
properly.
– Check the tyre pressures.
– Make sure that all windows are clean and give good visi- bility to the outside.
– Secure all luggage and other items carefully ⇒page 77 .
– Make sure that no objects can interfere with the pedals.
– Adjust the front seat, head restraint and mirrors correctly.
– Make sure that the head restraints for all passengers are adjusted to the correct position.
– Make sure that children are protected with suitable safety seats and properly worn seat belts ⇒ page 185.
– Sit in the correct position in your seat and make sure that
your passengers do the same. ⇒page 70 .
– Fasten your seat belt correctly. Make sure that your passengers do the same ⇒page 170.What affects driving safety?
Safety on the road is directly related to how you drive, and
can also be affected by the passengers in the vehicle.The driver is responsible for th e safety of the vehicle and all
its occupants. If your ability to drive is impaired in any way,
you endanger yourself and other road users ⇒. There-
fore:
– Do not let yourself be distracted by passengers or by using a mobile phone, etc. – Never drive when your driving ability is impaired (by
medication, alcohol, drugs, etc.).
– Obey all traffic regulations and speed limits and always maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front.
– Always adjust your speed to suit the road, traffic and weather conditions.
– Take frequent breaks on long trips. Do not drive for more than two hours without a stop.
– If possible, avoid driving when you are tired or stressed.
WARNING
•
Distractions while driving or any kind of impairment to your
driving ability increase the risk of accident and injury.
•
Do not store loose objects on the dashboard. These objects
could fly around the interior when the vehicle is moving (under
acceleration or whilst cornering) and distract the driver – this
could lead to an accident.
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Safe driving
164Correct sitting positionsCorrect sitting position for driver
The correct driving position is important for safe and
fatigue-free driving.For your own safety, and to reduce the risk of injury in the
event of an accident, we re commend the following driving
position.
– Adjust the steering wheel so there is a distance of at least 25 cm between the steering wheel and your breastbone
⇒fig. 173. – Move the driver's seat forwards or backwards so that you
can press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals all the
way to the floor with your knees slightly bent ⇒.
– Make sure that you can comfortably reach the top of the steering wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head restraint is level with the top of your head ⇒fig. 174.
– Adjust the backrest to an upright position so that your back remains in contact with the upholstery.
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒page 170 .
– Keep both feet in the footwe ll so that you are in full
control of the vehicle at all times.
For detailed information on how to adjust the driver's seat, see
⇒ page 70, “Seats and storage”.
WARNING
•
A driver who is not sitting in the correct position or who is not
wearing a seat belt can be fatally injured if the airbag is triggered.
•
Adjust the driver's seat so there is a distance of at least 25 cm
between your breastbone and th e centre of the steering wheel
⇒ fig. 173.
•
While driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands
on the outside of the rim at about the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock posi-
tion. This reduces the risk of injury if the driver's airbag inflates.
•
Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or
with your hands inside the rim or on the steering wheel hub. This
could result in serious injuries to the arms, hands and head if the
driver's airbag inflates.
•
To reduce any risk of injury to the driver during a sudden brake
application or in an accident, neve r drive with the backrest tilted
Fig. 173 Minimum
distance between
driver and steering
wheelFig. 174 Correct head
restraint position for
the driver
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Safe driving165
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
too far back. The airbag system and seat belts can only provide
proper protection when the backre
st is in an upright position and
the driver is wearing the seat belt in the correct position. The
further the backrest is tilted back, the greater the risk of injury due
to incorrect positionin g of the belt webbing or an incorrect sitting
position.
•
Adjust the head restraint properly so that it can give maximum
protection.
Correct sitting position for front passenger
The front seat passenger must sit at least 25 cm away
from the dash panel so that the airbag has enough room
to inflate and give maximum protection in an accident.For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the
event of an accident, we recommend adjusting the front
passenger's seat as follows:
– Move the front passenger's seat as far back as possible ⇒ .
– Adjust the backrest to an upright position so that your back remains in contact with the upholstery.
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head restraint is level with the top of your head ⇒page 166 .
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the seat.
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒page 173.In exceptional cases you can disable the front passenger's airbag
via the key-operated switch* ⇒page 183 .
For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's
seat, see ⇒page 70, “Seats and storage”.
WARNING
A passenger who is not sitting in the correct position or who is not
wearing a seat belt can be fatally injured if the airbag is triggered.•
Adjust the front passenger's seat so there is a distance of at
least 25 cm between your breastbone and the dash panel.
•
Always keep your feet on the fl oor when the vehicle is moving;
never rest them on the instrument panel, out of the window or on
the seat. If you sit in an incorrect position, you increase your risk
of injury in the event of sudden brak ing or an accident. If the airbag
is triggered, you could sustain pote ntially fatal injuries by sitting
out of position.
•
To reduce the risk of injury to the front passenger in the case of
sudden braking or an accident, th e passenger should never travel
in a moving vehicle with the backrest reclined. The airbag system
and seat belt can only provide pr oper protection when the back-
rest is in an upright position and the passenger is wearing the seat
belt in the correct position. The fu rther the backrest is tilted back,
the greater the risk of injury due to incorrect positioning of the belt
webbing or an incorrect sitting position.
•
Always adjust the head rest raints properly for maximum
protection.
Correct sitting position for passengers in the rear
Rear seat passengers should sit upright with both feet on
the floor and wear their seat belts properly whenever the
vehicle is moving.To reduce any risk of injury in the event of sudden braking
or an accident, passengers in the rear seats must observe
the following:
WARNING (continued)
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166
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head restraint is level with the top of your head ⇒page 166 .
– Keep both feet in the footwell in front of the rear seat.
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒page 173.
– Use appropriate child restraint systems for children trav- elling in the vehicle ⇒page 185 .
WARNING
Rear passengers sitting out of po sition can suffer severe injuries.•
Always adjust the head restraints properly for maximum
protection.
•
Seat belts only offer maximum protection when the backrest is
in an upright position and the pa ssengers are wearing the seat
belts properly. By not sitting uprigh t, rear passengers increase the
risk of injury due to incorrect positioning of the seat belt
webbing.
Correct adjustment of head restraints
Properly adjusted head restraints are an important part of
the vehicle's occupant protection system. They can help
to reduce the risk of injuries in most accident situations.
The head restraints must be adjusted properly to provide
maximum protection.
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head
restraint is level with the top of your head ⇒fig. 175 and
⇒ fig. 176.For more information on how to adjust the head restraints, see
⇒page 76 .
WARNING
Travelling with the head rest raints removed or incorrectly
adjusted increases the risk of severe injuries.•
Incorrectly adjusted head restrain ts could lead to death in the
event of a collision or accident.
•
Incorrectly adjusted head restraints can also increase the risk
of injury during sudden or un expected braking or other manoeu-
vres.
•
The head restraints must always be adjusted according to the
occupant's size.
Fig. 175 Correctly
adjusted head restraint
(seen from the front)
Fig. 176 Correctly
adjusted head restraint
(seen from the side)
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Safe driving167
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Examples of incorrect sitting positions
Occupants can suffer severe or fatal injuries injuries if
they sit in an incorrect position while the vehicle is
moving.Seat belts can only provide maximum protection if the belt
webbing is positioned correctl y. Sitting out of position
greatly reduces the effectiveness of the seat belts and
increases the risk of injury since the belt webbing is not
worn in the position for which it is designed. The driver is
responsible for the safety of all vehicle occupants, espe-
cially for children.
– Never allow anyone to sit out of position while the vehicle is moving ⇒.The following list shows just some examples of incorrect sitting
positions which can be dangerous to all occupants. The list is not
complete, but will help to make you aware of possible dangers
which can be avoided.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is moving:•
never stand up in the vehicle,
•
never stand on the seats,
•
never kneel on the seats,
•
never travel with the backrest reclined too far,
•
never lean against the dash panel,
•
never lie down on the rear seat,
•
never sit on the front edge of a seat,
•
never sit sideways,
•
never lean out of the window,
•
never put your feet out of the window,
•
never put your feet on the dash panel,
•
never put your feet on the seat cushion,
•
never ride in the footwell,
•
never travel on a seat with out wearing the seat belt,
•
never climb into the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Sitting out of position increases the risk of severe injuries.•
Sitting out of position exposes the occupants to potentially
fatal injuries: if the airbags inflate they can strike any occupant
who is not in one of th e designed seat positions.
•
Before starting a trip, sit in the correct position and stay in this
position as long as the vehicle is moving. Before every trip, make
sure all passengers are sitting in the correct positions and remain
correctly seated at all times ⇒page 70, “Seats and storage”.
Pedal are aPedal s
The pedals must always be free to move and must never
be obstructed by floor mats or any objects in the footwell.– Make sure that the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals
are not obstructed and can be pressed all the way down
to the floor.
– Make sure that all pedals are able to return freely to their original positions.Only use floor mats which leave the pedal area free and can be
securely fastened in the footwell.
If one of the brake circuits should fail, increased brake pedal travel
will be required to bring the vehicle safely to a stop.
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168
WARNING
Any obstructions that restrict pedal travel can cause loss of
vehicle control and critical situations on the road.•
Never place objects in the driver 's footwell. Such objects could
move under the pedals and interfere with their proper function. In
the event of sudden braking or a change of direction, you would
not be able to use the pedals. This could result in a loss of control
and possibly cause an accident.
Floor mats on the driver's side
Use only floor mats which can be securely fastened in the
footwell and do not obstruct the pedals.– Make sure that floor mats are securely fastened and cannot interfere with the pedals ⇒.Use only floor mats that leave th e pedal area unobstructed and are
firmly secured to prevent them from slipping. You can obtain suit-
able floor mats from your dealer or a specialist retailer.
WARNING
Any obstructions that restrict pedal travel can cause loss of
vehicle control and increase the risk of serious personal injury. •
Always make sure that floor mats are properly secured.
•
Never lay or install additional floor mats or other floor cover-
ings over the existing floor mats; this would restrict the pedal area
and possibly obstruct the pedals, which could cause an
accident.
Stowing luggage safelyLuggage compartment
All luggage and other objects must be safely secured in
the luggage compartment.Loose items in the luggage compartment can shift suddenly
and cause a safety hazard or impair the handling of the
vehicle by changing the weight distribution.
– Distribute the load evenly in the luggage compartment ⇒page 77 .
– Place heavy items as far forward as possible in the luggage compartment and secure them properly.
– Use the fastening rings* provided ⇒page 169 or the
luggage net* for securing heavy items.
WARNING
•
Loose items in the luggage co mpartment can shift suddenly
and cause a safety hazard or impair the handling of the vehicle by
changing the weight distribution.
•
Always stow objects in the luggage compartment and secure
them on the fastening rings*.
•
Transporting heavy objects may affect the vehicle's handling by
shifting the centre of gravity – this could cause an accident. Take
extra care when driving and adjust your speed accordingly.
•
Never exceed the maximum axle loads or the maximum gross
weight for the vehicle ⇒page 295, “Performance, weights and
dimensions”. Exceeding the permitted axle loads or gross weight
limit can affect the vehicle's handling characteristics, and increase
the risk of accidents, personal injuries or damage to the vehicle.
•
Never leave your vehicle unatten ded when the boot lid is open.
Children could climb into the boot and close the boot lid from the
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