fold seats AUDI S3 2009 Owners Manual

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

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. •

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

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

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

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 .,,

Ashtray
Rear ashtray
1.-~-.,
I I
Fig. 98 Rear ashtray
To open ashtray
-Open the cover ~ &.
To empty ashtray
- Hold the ashtray housing=> fig. 98 and lift out .
To reinstall ashtray
-Open the ashtray cover, insert the ashtray and press
down.
& WARNING
Never put waste paper in the ashtray. Hot ashes or other hot
objects in the ashtray could set waste paper on fire .•
Con tro ls and eq uip­
ment
Seats and storage
Cigarette lighter /socket
Outlets
The outlet in the front center console and in the luggage
compartment may be used for 12-volt appliances.
Outlet in the front center console
Fig. 99 Center
console, front: 12-volt
outlet
Fig .
100 Luggage
compartment : 12-volt
outlet
- Fold the cover for the outlet down ~ fig. 99.
- Plug in appliance to be used.
Outlet in the luggage compartment
-Tap cover ~ fig. 100.
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

___ D_ r _i_v _i_n -=g =--- S_ a_ f_ e____, ly'----------------------------------------------------
Proper occupant seating positi ·ons
Proper seating position for the driver
The proper driver seating position is important for safe,
relaxed driving.
Fig . 128 The correct
distance between
driver and steering
wheel
Fig . 129 Correct head
restraint position for
driver
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury 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=:>& . - 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 distance of at
least 10 inches (25 cm) between the steering wheel and
your breast bone=:> fig. 128. If not possible, see your
authorized Audi dealership 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.
- Adjust the head restraint so that the upper edge is as
even with the top of your head as possible but no lower
than eye level and so that it is as close to the back of your
head as possible=:> fig. 129.
- Fasten and wear safety belts correctly=:>
page 141.
- Always keep both feet in the footwell so that you are in
control of the vehicle at all times.
For detailed information on how to adjust the driver's seat, see
=>
page 75, "Adjusting front seats manua lly" or=> page 76,
"Adjusting the power seat".
& WARNING
Drivers who are unbelted, out of position or too close to the airbag
can be seriously injured by an airbag as it unfolds. To help reduce
the risk of serious personal injury:
• Always adjust the driver's seat and the steering wheel so that
there are at least 10 inches (25 cm} between your breastbone and
the steering wheel. .,_

________________________________________________ D_r_iv _ i _n_ g~ S_ a_ fe_ ly __ lllll
& WARNING (continued)
• Always hold the steering wheel on the outside of the steering
wheel rim with your hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions
to help reduce the risk of personal injury if the driver's airbag
inflates.
• Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position or with
your hands at other positions inside the steering wheel rim or on
the steering wheel hub. Holding the steering wheel the wrong way
can cause serious injuries to the hands, arms and head if the
driver's airbag deploys .
• Pointing the steering wheel toward your face decreases the
ability of the supplemental driver's airbag to protect you in a colli­
sion.
• Always sit in an upright position and never lean against or
place any part of your body too close to the area where the airbags
are located.
• Before driving, always adjust the front seats and head
restraints properly and make sure that all passengers are properly
restrained .
• Never adjust the seats while the vehicle is moving. Your seat
may move unexpectedly and you could lose control of the vehicle .
• Never drive with the backrest reclined or tilted far back! The
farther the backrests are tilted back, the greater the risk of injury
due to incorrect positioning of the safety belt and improper
seating position.
• Children must always ride in child safety seats~
page 169.
Special precautions apply when installing a child safety seat on
the front passenger seat~
page 147. •
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first
Vehicle operation
Proper seating position for the front
passenger
The proper front passenger seating position is important
for safe, relaxed driving.
For your own safety and to reduce the ris k of injury in the
event of an accident, we recommend that you adjust the
seat for the front passenger to the following pos ition:
- Adjust the angle of the seatback so that it is in an upright
position and your back comes in full contact with it
whenever the vehicle is mov ing.
- Adjust the head restraint so that the upper edge is as
even with the top of your head as possible but not lower
than eye level and so that it is as close to the back of your
head as possible::::;,
page 131.
Keep both feet flat on the floor in front of the front
passenger seat.
- Fasten and wear safety belts correctly::::;,
page 141.
For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's
seat, see~ page
74.
& WARNING
Front seat passengers who are unbelted, out of position or too
close to the airbag can be seriously injured or killed by the airbag
as it unfolds. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury :
• Passengers must always sit in an upright position and never
lean against or place any part of their body too close to the area
where the airbags are located.
• Passengers who are unbelted, out of position or too close to the
airbag can be seriously injured by an airbag as it unfolds with
great force in the blink of an eye. ..
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

_________________________________________________ S_ a_f _e _t .:..y _ b_ e_lt_ s __ llll
• With the front seats, the height adjustment of the seat can also
be used to adjust the position of the safety belts. •
Improperly worn safety belts
Incorrectly positioned safety belts can cause severe inju­
ries.
Wearing safety belts improperly can cause serious injury or
death. Safety belts can only work when they are correctly positioned on the body. Improper seating posit ions reduce
the effectiveness of safety belts and w ill even increase the
risk of injury and death by moving the safety belt to critical
areas of the body . Improper seating positions also increase
the r isk of serious injury and death when an airbag deploys
and strikes an occupant who is not in the correct seating position. A driver is responsible for the safety of all vehicle
occupants and especially for children. Therefore:
-Never permit anyone to assume an incorrect sitting posi -
tion in the vehicle while traveling~& .
The following lists only some examples of improperly worn safety
bel ts that will increase the risk of serious injury and death. Our hope
is that these examples will make you more aware of seating posi­
tions that are dangerous.
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is moving:
• never wear the shoulder belt under your arm
• never let the shoulder belt pass over your neck
• never wear the safety belt loosely
• never place the lap belt portion of the safety belt across your
abdomen ~& -
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
& WARNING
Improperly worn
safety belts increase the risk of serious personal
injury and death whenever a vehicle is being used.
• Always make sure that all vehicle occupants are correctly
restrained and stay in a correct seating position whenever the
vehicle is being used.
• Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other important infor­
mation ~
page 140. •
Safety belt pretensioners
How safety belt pretensioners work
In front, side and rear end collisions above a particular
severity, safety belts are tensioned automatically.
The safety belts are equipped with safety belt pretensioners . The
system is activated by sensors in front, side and rear -end collisions
of great severity . This tightens the belt and takes up belt slack~ &
in "Service and disposal of safety belt pretensioner " on
page 146.
Taking up the slack helps to reduce forward occupant movement
during a collision.
0 Note
Never let the belt remain over a rear seat back that has been folded
forward.
[ i] Tips
The safety belt pretensioners can only be activated once.
• In minor frontal and side collisions, in rear -end collisions, in a
rollover and in accidents involving very little impact force , the safety
belt pretensioner are not activated . .,_
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data