steering AUDI S7 2016 Owner's Guide

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-The camera lens en larges and distorts the
field of v ision. The object appears both a l­
tered and inaccurate on the screen.
- In certain situations, peop le or objects in
the display appear closer or farther away:
- For objects that do not touch the ground, such as the bumper of a parked vehicle, a
trailer h itch or the rear of a tru ck . Do no t
use the help lines in this case .
- I f driven from a leve l surface onto a n in ­
cline, or a downward s lope .
- I f driven toward p rotruding objects.
- I f the ve hicle is ca rrying too much load in
the rear.
(D Note
- Always read and follow the applicable warn­
i ngs
c:> © in General information on
page 114 .
-The orange colored orientat ion lines in the
Infotainment d isplay show the vehicle path
depend ing on the steering wh eel angl e. The
fron t of the vehicle fro nt swi ngs out more
th an the rear of the vehicle. Maintain plenty
of distance so that your outside mi rror or a
corner of you r vehicle does not collide with
any obstacles .
Switching on/off
Applies to vehicles: with rearview camera
Sw itching on
.,. Shift into reverse, or
.,. Press the
PwA button in the center console
c:> page 115, fig. 122. A short confirmation
tone sounds and the LED in the button turns
on .
Sw itching b etwe en the r ear view camer a and
optical di splay
.,. Press the Graphic control button®
c:, page 117, fig. 12 7 to see the opt ica l display .
.,. Press the
Rear view cont ro l button to see the
rearview camera image.
Sw itching off
.,. Drive forward faster than 10 km/h, or
.,. press the
P,1
1! button, or
P arking systems
.,. Switch the ignition off .
@ Tips
- The visua l display in the left pa rt of the dis­
play shou ld help you detect the crit ica l vehi­
cle a reas .
- Yo u can change the vo lume and pi tch of the
signa ls as well as the display
c:, page 124.
Cross parking
Appl ies to vehicles : wit h rearv iew camera
This view may be used when parking in a garage
or in a parking space .
Fig . 127 In fotainment: aiming at a parking spot
F ig . 12 8 Infota inment: align ing the vehicle
.,. Turn the Infotainment on and shift into reverse
gear.
.,. The orange colored orientation lines
(D show
the direction of travel of the vehicle. Turn the steering whee l until the orange or ientation
lines appea r in the pa rking space
c:> fig. 127 .
Use the markings @to help you estimate the
d istance from an obsta cle. Each marking repre­
sents approximate ly 3 ft (1 m). The blue area
represen ts an extension of the vehicle 's o utline
by app rox ima tely 16 ft (5 meters) to the rear. ..,
117

Parking systems
• While driving in reverse gear, adjust the steer­
ing wheel angle to fit the parking space with
the a id of the orange orientation lines ~
A in
General information on page 116,
c::> (D in Gen­
eral information on page 117.
® displays the
rear bumper . Stop the vehicle, at the latest,
whe n the red orientation line@ borders an ob­
ject .
Parallel parking
Applies to vehicles: with rearv iew camera
This view may be used when parallel parking
along the side of a street.
F ig. 129 In fotainme nt: blue surface a lig ned w it h park ing
spot
F ig . 1 30 In fota inme nt: co nta ct of the b lue curved line w it h
the c urb
Parking on the right is described here. It is identi­
cal whe n pa rking on the left.
If there is an obstacle next to the park ing space
(such as a wall), refer to "Information for pa rk ing
next to obstacles"
c::> page 118 .
• Activate the turn s ignal.
• Position your vehicle next to a parked vehicle in
front of the desired park ing space . The distance
118
to this vehicle should be approximately 3 ft (1
m).
• Turn the Infotainment on and shift into reverse
gear. The parking system is turned on and the
cross parking view is displayed .
• Press the control button on the Infota inment
un it ©
c::> fig. 129 . The parallel parking indica­
tor is d isp layed .
• Backup and align your veh icle so the blue area
@ borders on the rea r end of the vehicle beh ind
you or on the parking space line
c::> A in Gener­
al information on page 116,
c::> (D in General in­
formation on page 117 .
The blue area repre­
sents an extension of the vehicle's outline by
approx imately 16 ft (5 meters) to the rear. The
long side of the blue area should be on the
curb . The entire b lue area must fit into the
parking space.
• With the vehicle stopped, turn the steering
wheel to the right as far as it will go.
• Backup into the park ing spot. When the b lue
curve
c::> fig. 130 is near the curb c::> A in Gener­
al information on page 116,
stop the vehicle
c::> Q) in General information on page 117 .
• With the vehicle stopped, turn the steering
wheel to the left as far as it w ill go.
• Continue to back into the parking space until
the vehicle is parked parallel to the curb
c::> A
in General information on page 116, c::> (D in
General information on page 117.@
disp lays
the rear bumper. Stop the vehicle, at the la test,
when the red orientat ion line @ borders an ob­
ject . Keep an eye on the fron t of your vehicle
while doing this.
Parking next to obstacles
When there is an obstacle (such as a wall) next to
the parking space, choose a space with more
space on the s ides. Position the long side of the
blue surface so that there is sufficient space from
the obstacle . The surface must not be touching.
You w ill also need to start turn ing the steering
whee l much earlier . The blue curve
c::> fig. 130
must not touch the obstacle, but rather there
should be enough distance.

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CD Note
Keep enough distance from the curb to avoid
damage to the rims.
@ Tips
The left or right orientation lines and sur faces
will be displayed, depending on the turn sig­ na l being used .
Peripheral cameras
Introduction
Applies to vehicles: with periphera l cameras
W ith this equipment, die parking system plus* is
supp lemented w ith various peripheral cameras
¢ page 115. Depending on veh icle equ ipment,
you are provided with the following views:
Around the vehicle, front corner and rear corner, in front of the veh icle and beh ind the veh icle.
General information
Ap plies to vehicles: with perip hera l cameras
Fig . 131 Loca tion of periphe ral cameras
Depending on the vehicle equ ipment, the periph­
eral cameras are found in the rad iator grille, in
the l uggage compa rtment lid and on both exteri­
or mirrors*
¢ fig. 131 . Make sure that the lenses
are not covered by depos its or any other obstruc­
tions as it may impair the system. For informa·
t ion on cleaning, refer to¢
page 205.
In the Surround ing mode, black corners are
shown in the vehicle si lhouette . Objects in these
areas are outside of the camera 's field of view
and are not detected.
P arking systems
The accuracy of the o rientation lines and the blue
s u rfaces is reduced if the adaptiv e air suspen­
s ion* is faulty, if the vehicle is lifted or if the
D y·
nam ic mode is activated ¢ page 101.
A WARNING
-Always read and follow the applicable warn·
i n gs ¢
A in General information on
page 114 .
-If the position or the installat ion angle of a
camera was changed, after a coll is ion for ex ­
ample, do not continue to use the system
for safety reasons. Have it checked by your
Aud i dea le r o r autho rized Audi Servi ce Faci li ­
ty .
- Keep in mind that the image in the disp lay is
d istorted if the exterio r mirro r hous ing has
been manually adjusted.
- Use the
Rear mode and the co rn er vi ew
( re ar )
mode only when the luggage com­
partment lid is fu lly closed . Otherwise the
image in the d isplay w ill be disto rted .
- The vehicle surro undings are shown using
the camera images . The vehicle image is
shown by the system. Objects and obstacles
above the camera are not d isplayed.
- Camera lenses enlarge and distort the field
of vision. The objects appear both altered
and inaccurate on the screen.
CD Note
-Always read and follow the applicable warn ­
ings
¢ CJ.) in General information on
page 114 .
-The Infotainment display shows the direc­
tion in which the rear of the vehicle is travel­
ing based on the steering whee l ang le . The
front of the vehicle front swings out more
than the rear of the vehicle. Maintain p lenty
of distance so that your outside mirror or a
co rne r of your vehicle does not collide w ith
any obstacles .
© Tips
If the 8/rr;!)/c::; symbol appears in the d is­
play and the respective display a rea is grayed
out, then the power exter ior mir ro rs were
fo lded in or the dr iver's door/front
119

Parking systems
.,. Se lect the @symbol with the control knob .
You can choose between three different views in
this mode .
.. To cross park, parallel park or position the vehi­
cle in front of a trailer* , press the control but­
ton ® on the cont rol panel repeatedly until the
symbol for the des ired mode is selected.
Cross parking
Applies to vehicles: w ith per ip hera l cameras
This view may be used when parking in a garage
or in a parking space.
F ig . 139 In fo tain me nt: aiming at a parking spot
Fig. 140 In fota inme nt: ali gning th e vehicle
Requirement : Cross parking is selected
c::;,page 121.
.. The orange colored orientation lines (D show
the direction of trave l of the vehicle . Turn the
steering wheel unti l the orange orientation
lines appear in the parking space
¢fig. 139.
Use the markings @to he lp you estimate the
distance from an obstacle . Each marking repre ­
sents about 1 meter . The blue area represents
an extension of the vehicle's outline by approxi­
mately S meters to the rea r.
122
.. While driving in reverse gear, adjust the steer­
ing wheel angle to fit the parking space with
the aid of the orange or ientation lines
c::;, A in
General informa tion on page 119 ,
c::;,(D in Gen­
eral informa tion on page
119 .@ displays the
rear bumper . Stop the vehicle when the red ori ­
entation line@) borders an obstacle
c::;, &. in
General information on page 116 .
Parallel parking
Applies to vehicles: with peripheral cameras
This view may be used when parallel parking
along the side of a street.
Fig. 141 Infota in m ent : blue s urface aligned wit h park ing
spot
Fig. 142 Infota in m ent: contac t of the blu e curve d line wit h
the curb
Parking on the r ight is descr ibed here . It is ident i­
cal when parking on the left.
If there is an obstacle next to the parking space
(such as a wall), refer to Information for park ing
next to obstacles
c::;, page 123.
.,. Activate the turn signal.
.,. Posit ion your vehicle next to a parked vehicle in
front of the desired parking space . The distance .,.

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to this vehicle should be approximately 3 ft (1
m) .
.. Turn the Infotainment on and shift into reverse
gear. The parking system is turned on and the
cro ss park ing view is d isplayed .
.. Press the contro l button on the Infotainment
unit @
c::>page 118, fig . 129. T he par all el park­
ing
ind icator is displayed .
.. Back up and align you r vehicle so the b lue area
@ borders on the rear end of the vehicle behind
you or on the parking space line
c::> .&. in Gener ­
al information on page 119,
c::> (j) in General in ­
formation on page 119 .
The blue area repre­
sents an extension of the vehicle 's outline by
approximately
16 ft (5 meters) to the rear . The
long side of the blue area should be on the
curb . The entire blue area must fit into the
parking space .
.. With the vehicle stopped, turn the steer ing
wheel to the right as far as it w ill go .
.. Back in to the park ing space u ntil the b lue curve
c::> page 118, fig. 130 touches the curb c::> .&. in
General information on page 119,
c::> (D in Gen ­
eral information on page 119 .
Stop the vehicle.
.. With the vehicle stopped, turn the steer ing
wheel to the left as far as it will go .
.. Continue to back into the park ing space unt il
the vehicle is parked parallel to the curb
c::> ,&
in General information on page 119, c::> (D in
General information on page 119. @
displays
the rear bumper . Stop the vehi cle, at the latest,
when the red or ientation line @borders an ob­
ject . Keep an eye on the front o f you r vehicle
whi le doing this .
Parking n ext to obstacles
When there is an obstacle (such as a wall) next to
the park ing space, choose a sp ace with more
space on the sides. Position the long side o f the
b lue area so that there is sufficient space from
the object . The area must not be on the curb. You
will also need to start turning the steering wheel
much earlier. The blue curve
c::> page 118, fig . 130
must not touch the obstacle, but rather there
should be enough distance .
Parking systems
(D Tips
The left or right orientation lines and s urfaces
will be d isp layed, depending on the turn s ig­
nal be ing used.
Trailer mode
Applies to vehicles: with peripheral cameras and trailer hitch
This view assists you in positioning the vehicle in
front of a trailer .
Fig. 14 3 Infota inmen t: rear mode
Requirement: Trailer mode is selected
c::> page 121 .
.. Now you can posit ion your veh icle in front of
the trailer
c:> .&. in General information on
page 119,
c::> (D in General information on
page 119 .
The orange colored orientation line
denotes the expected path toward the trailer
hitch . Use the bl ue li nes to he lp you est imate
t he distance to the trailer h itch.
Setting the mode
Applies to vehicles: with peripheral cameras
.. Select: I CAR I function button > (Car )* Syst em s
contro l butto n > Driver a ssist > Parking aid >
Change to front /re ar > Auto or M anual.
Auto -
This view behind the vehicle (Rea r mode)
is disp layed automatically when you shift into re­
verse. This view in front of the vehicle
( Front
mode) is displayed automatically when you shift
into the forward gears.
Manu al -When you switch the system on, the
view behind the ve hicle
(Re ar mode) is always
displayed and it does not switch to the
F ro nt
mode when a forward gear is selected.
123

Driving safety
Driving safety
Basics
Safe driving habits
Please remember -safety first!
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.
A 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 .
Safety equipment
The safety features are part of the occupant re­
straint system and work together to help reduce
the risk of injury in a wide variety of occident sit­
uations.
Your safety and the safety of your passengers
should not be left to chance. Advances in tech­
nology have made a variety of features available
to help reduce the risk of injury in an accident.
126
The following is a list of just a few of the safety
features in your Audi:
-sophisticated safety belts for driver and all pas-
senger seating positions,
- safety belt pretensioners,
- safety belt force limiters for the front seats,
- safety belt height adjustment systems for the
front seats,
- front airbags,
- knee airbags for the front seats*
- side airbags in the front seats and outer rear
seats*,
- side curtain airbags with ejection mitigation
features,
- special LATCH anchorages for child restraints,
- head restraints for each seating position,
- adjustable steering column.
These individual safety features, can work to­ gether 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.
Safety is everybody's responsibility!
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 outs ide .
... Secure all luggage and other items carefully
~ page 63, ~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.

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.. Make sure to use the right child restraint cor­
rect ly to protect children ¢
page 167, Child
safety .
.. Sit properly in your seat and make sure that
your passengers do the same ¢
page 52, Gen­
eral information.
.. Fasten your safety belt and wear it properly . Al­
so instruct your passengers to fasten their safe­
ty belts properly ¢
page 135.
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 respons ible for the safety of the ve­
hicle and all of its occ upan ts. If your ability to
drive is impaired , safety r isks for everybody in the
vehicle increase a nd you also become a hazard to
everyone else on the road ¢,A .Therefore:
.. Do not let yourself be distracted by passengers
or by using a cellular telephone .
.. NEVER drive when your driv ing ability is im­
paired (by medications, alcohol, drugs, etc.).
.. Observe all traffic laws, rules of the road and
speed limits and plain common sense.
.,. ALWAYS adjust your speed to road, traffic and
weather cond itions.
.. Take frequent breaks on long trips. Do not dr ive
for more than two hours at a stretch .
.. Do NOT drive when you are t ired, under pres­
sure or when you a re stressed.
_& WARNING
Impaired driving safety increases the risk of
serious personal injury and death whenever a
vehicle is being used.
.
Driving safety
Correct passenger
seating positions
Proper seating position for the driver
The proper driver seating position is important
for safe, relaxed driving .
Fig. 144 Correct se ating 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 pos ition:
.. 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
fu ll contact wi th it when you dr ive .
.. Adjust the steer ing wheel so that there is a dis­
tance of at least 10 inches (25 cm) between the
steering whee l and your breast bone¢
fig. 144.
If not possible, see your authorized A udi 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 steer ing wheel with your
elbow(s) slightly bent .
.. For adjustable head restra ints: Adjust the head
restraint so the upper edge is as even as possi­
b le 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 138. IJJ,-
127

Driving safety
"'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 53.
.&_ WARNING
Drivers who are unbelted , out of position or
too close to the airbag can be seriously in­
jured by an airbag as it unfolds. To help re­
duce 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.
- Always adjust the driver's seat and the
steering wheel so that there are at least
4 inches (10 cm) between the knees and the lower part of the instrument panel.
- Always hold the steering wheel on the out ­
side of the steering wheel rim with your
hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock posi­
tions to help reduce the risk of personal in­
jury 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 inflates.
- Pointing the steering wheel toward your
face decreases the ability of the supplemen­
tal 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
properly and make sure that all passengers
are properly restrained .
- For adjustable head restraints: before driv­
ing, always also adjust the head restraints
properly .
- Never adjust the seats while the vehicle is
moving. Your seat may move unexpectedly
and you could lose control of the vehicle .
128
-
-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 seats
¢
page 167 . Special precautions apply
when installing a child seat on the front pas­ senger seat¢
page 143.
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 risk of in­
jury in the event of an accident, we recommend
that you adjust the seat for the front passenger
to the following position:
"' 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 moving.
"'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
c:> page 129 . Move the head restraint so that it
is as close to the back of the head as possible.
"' Keep both feet flat on the floor in front of the
front passenger seat .
"'Fasten and wear safety be lts correctly
¢ page 138.
For detailed information on how to adjust the
front passenger's seat, see
¢ page 52 .
.&_ 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 per­
sonal injury :
- Passengers must always sit in an upright po­
sition and never lean against or place any part of their body too close to the area
where the airbags are located.
Ill>

Safety belts
-Failure to pay attention to the warning light
that come on, could lead to personal injury.
Why use safety belts?
Frontal collisions and the law of physics
Frontal crashes create very strong forces for peo­
ple riding in vehicles.
F ig. 147 Unbelted occupants in a vehicle heading for a wall
Fig . 148 The vehicle crashes into the wall
The physical principles are simple. Both the vehi­
cle and the passengers possess energy which var­ies with vehicle speed and body weight. Engi­
neers call this energy "kinetic energy."
The higher the speed of the vehicle and the
greater the vehicle's weight, the more energy
that has to be "absorbed" in the crash.
Vehicle speed is the most significant factor.
If the
speed doubles from 15 to 30 mph (25 to 50 km/
h), the energy increases 4 times!
Because the passengers of this vehicle are not us­
ing safety belts¢
fig . 147, they will keep moving
at the same speed the vehicle was moving just
before the crash, until something stops them -
here, the wa ll
c> fig. 148.
136
The same principles apply to people sitting in a
vehicle that is invo lved in a frontal collision. Even
at city speeds of 20 to 30 mph (30 to 50 km/h),
the forces acting on the body can reach one ton
(2,000 lbs, or 1,000 kg) or more. At greater
speeds, these forces are even higher .
Peop le who do not use safety belts are also not
attached to their vehicle. In a fronta l co llision
they will also keep moving forward at the speed
their vehicle was travelling just before the crash.
Of course, the laws of phys ics don't just apply to
frontal coll is ions, they determine what happens
in all kinds of accidents and collisions.
What happens to occupants not wearing
safety belts?
In crashes unbelted occupants cannot stop
themselves from flying forward and being in­
jured or killed. Always wear your safety belts!
Fig. 149 A driver not wearing a safety belt is violently
thrown forwar d
Fig. 150 A rear passenge r not wea ring a safety belt will fly
forward and strike the drive r
Unbelted occupa nts are not able to resist the t re­
mendous forces of impact by holding tight or
bracing themselves. Without the benefit of safe ­
ty restraint systems, the unrestrained occupant
will slam violently into the steering wheel, .,.

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N \!) ,....,
Airbag system Important information
Importance of wearing safety belts and
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
r:> page 12 7,
.,. Adjust the front passenger's seat properly
9 page 53,
.,. Wear safety belts properly r::> page 137 ,
.. Always properly use the proper child restraint
to protect children
r:> page 167.
In a 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 passeng er is not seated
properly . Therefo re in order to help the ai rbag to
do its job, it is important, both as a driver and as
a passenger to si t 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
r:> page 12 7, Correct
passenger seating positions .
For details on the
operation of the seat adjustment controls
r::> page 53.
It's especially important that children are proper ­
ly restrained
r:> page 167.
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
Airbag system
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
thori zed 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
whe ther an airbag should infla te 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 ..,.
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