airbag AUDI S8 2009 User Guide

-Seats and storage "-------=---------------
Coat hooks
Fig
. 124 Coat hook
above left rear seat
There are fold-out coat hooks over each rear door.
- To open, touch the top of the coat hook=> fig. 124.
& WARNING
• Hang clothes in such a way that they do not impair the driver's
v1s1on.
• The coat hooks must only be used for lightweight clothing . Do
not leave any heavy or sharp edged objects in the pockets which
may interfere with the side curtain airbag deployment and can
cause personal injury in a crash.
• Do not use coat hangers for hanging clothing on the coat hooks
as this can interfere with proper deployment of the side curtain
airbags in an accident.
• Do not hang heavy objects on the coat hooks, as they could
cause personal injury in a sudden stop .•
Left-side compartment
Fig . 125 Luggage
compartment , left side
Fig . 126 Luggage
compartment, left side
The DVD player for the navigation system is in the left-side
storage compartment.
To open the side storage compartment, turn the two pins
© to the vertical position.•

• ..__O_ n_ t_ h _e _ ro_ a_d __________________________________________________ _
On the road
Steering
Adjusting steering wheel position
The steering wheel position can be adjus ted for height
and reach .
First, adjust t he driver's seat correctly .
Height adjustment
Fig. 14 3 Sw itch for
s te erin g whe el adj ust­
m en t
- Pu sh the sw itch @ up or down ~ fig. 143 . The steering
wheel height changes for as l ong as y ou p ress t he sw itch.
Rea ch adjustment
Push the switch @forward o r bac kward ~ fig. 143 . The
steering wheel reach changes for as long as you press
the switch.
There must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) between your chest and the
center of the steer ing wheel. If you cannot sit more than 10 inches
(25 cm) from the steering wheel, see if adaptive equipment is avail- able to help you reach the pedals and increase the distance from the
steering wheel.
For detailed
in formation on how to adjust the driver's seat , see
::::;, page 87 .
The steering wheel can be adjusted even when the ignition is turned
Of f. For vehicles w ith seat memory, the individual positions for the
steering wheel can be stored a long with the seat position.
& WARNING
Improper u se of steering wheel adju stment and improper seating
po sition can cau se se rious per sonal inju ry .
• Adjust the steering wheel column only when the vehicle is not
mo ving to prevent los s of vehi cle control.
• Adjust the driver' s seat or steering wheel so that there is a
mi nimum of 10 in ch es (25 cm ) bet ween your chest and the
s teering wheel
=:> page 202 , fig. 218 . If you cannot maintain this
minimum di sta nce , the airbag sy stem can not prote ct you prop ­
erly .
• If physical limitations prevent you from s itting 10 inche s (25
cm ) or more from the st eering wheel , check with your authori zed
Audi dealer to see if adapti ve equipment i s available .
• If the steering wheel i s aligned with your face, the sup ple ­
mental drive r's airbag cannot pr ovide a s mu ch pr otection
in an
ac cident. Alway s make sure that the steerin g wheel i s aligned with
your che st .
• Alway s hold the steering wheel with your hand s at the 9 o'clock
a nd 3 o'clock positions to redu ce the ri sk of person al injury if the
driv er's airbag deploys.
• Never hold the steer ing wheel at the 1 2 o' clock po sition or with
your hand s insid e the steering wheel rim or on the steering wheel
hub . Holding the steering wheel the wrong wa y can cau se ser ious ..,,

___________________________________________________ O_ n_ t_h _e_ r_o _a_ d _ ___.9I
& WARNING !continued)
injuries to the hands, arms and head if the driver's airbag
deploys. •
Easy entry feature
The easy entry feature makes it easier to enter and exit the
vehicle by automatically adjusting the steering wheel.
Press the button @ :::> page 128, fig. 143 to turn the easy
entry feature on or off.
When the easy entry feature is turned on (button depressed), the
steering wheel moves up to the parked position when the ignition is
turned off. After you enter the vehicle, the steering wheel moves to
the stored position as soon as you turn on the ignition. •
Ignition lock and ignition switch
Ignition key positions
The engine can be started or turned off with the ignition
key.
Con tro ls and eq uip­
ment
Fig . 144 Ignition
switch positions
Position @
The ignition key can be inserted into the ignition switch in this posi ­
tion. This automatically unlocks the steering column lock. When the
ignition key is removed, the steering column lock is automatically
locked=> &.
Ignition on G)
Turn the ignition key to this position and release it.
Starting the engine @
The engine starts with the key in this position. Major electrical loads
are temporarily turned off.
Ignition off G)
Turn the ignition key to this position and release it.
& WARNING
• Never remove the key from the ignition lock while the vehicle is
moving. The steering wheel will lock, causing loss of control.
• If you have to leave your vehicle, even for just a minute, always
remove the ignition key and take it with you. This is especially
important if you are going to leave children unattended in the
vehicle. The children could start the engine or use other vehicle
controls. Unsupervised use of vehicle controls (for example, power
windows) can cause serious personal injuries.
0 Note
• If the ~ symbol in the display blinks, there is a malfunction in the
electronic steering column lock. Follow the instructions in
=>
page 33, "Steering malfunction i".
• If the .Pc, symbol in the display blinks, there is a malfunction in
the electronic ignition lock. Follow the instructions in
=> page 33,
"Ignition lock malfunction .Pe". ..,.
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

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Driving Safely
General notes
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 summarized 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. Always
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 features described in this sections may be
standard equipment on some models, or may be optional equip ­
ment on others. If you are not sure, ask your authorized Audi dealer.
& WARNING
• Always make sure that you follow the instructions and heed
the WARNINGS in this Manual. It is in your interest and in the interest of your passengers.
• Always keep the complete Owner's Literature in your Audi
when you lend or sell your vehicle so that this important informa­
tion 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 questions. •
Safety equipment
The safety features are part of the occupant restraint
system and work together to help reduce the risk of injury
in a wide variety of accident situations.
Your safety and the safety of your passengers should not be left to
chance. Advances in technology have made a variety of features
available to help reduce the risk of injury in an accident. The
following is a list of just a few of the safety features in your Audi:
• sophisticated safety belts for driver and all passenger 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,
• special LATCH anchorages for child restraints,
• head restraints for each seating position,
• adjustable steering column.
These individual safety features, 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.
Safety is everybody's responsibility! •

-Driving Safely --=------'---------------
Proper occupant seating positi
·ons
Proper seating position for the driver
The proper driver seating position is important for safe,
relaxed driving.
"' N
;
Fig. 218 The correct
distance between
driver and steering
wheel
Fig . 219 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. 218. 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 . 219.
- Fasten and wear safety belts correctly=:>
page 215.
- 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 87 .
& 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
125 cm) between your breastbone and
the steering wheel. ..

________________________________________________ D_r_iv _ i _n_ g~ S_ a_ fe_ ly __ l!III
& WARNING (continued)
• 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 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 inflates
• 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 seats
=> page 245. Special
precautions apply when installing a child seat on the front
passenger seat
=> page 220. •
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:
- Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible.
There must be a minimum of 10 inches (25 cm) between
the breastbone and the instrument panel =>
&.
- 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.
- 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 205.
-Keep both feet flat on the floor in front of the front
passenger seat.
- Fasten and wear safety belts correctly=:>
page 215.
For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's
seat, see => page 86.
& 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 : .,
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& WARNING (continued)
• 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 .
• Always make sure that there are at least 10 inches (25 cm)
between the front passenger's breastbone and the instrument
panel.
• Always make sure that there are at least 4 inches (10 cm)
between the front passenger's knees and the lower part of the
instrument panel .
• Each passenger must always sit on a seat of their own and
properly fasten and wear the safety belt belonging to that seat .
• Before driving, always adjust the front passenger seat and
head restraint properly.
• Always keep your feet on the floor in front of the seat. Never
rest them on the seat, instrument panel, out of the window, etc .
The airbag system and safety belt will not be able to protect you properly and can even increase the risk of injury in a crash .
• 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 245. Special
precautions apply when installing a child seat on the front
passenger seat
=:> page 220. •
Proper seating positions for passengers in
rear seats
Rear seat passengers must sit upright with both feet on
the floor consistent with their physical size and be prop­
erly restrained whenever the vehicle is in use.
To reduce the risk of injury caused by an incorrect seating
position in the event of a sudden braking maneuver or an
accident, your passengers on the rear bench seat must
always observe the following:
- 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
=> page 205.
- Keep both feet flat in the footwell in front of the rear seat.
Fasten and wear safety belts properly =>
page 215.
Make sure that children are always properly restrained in
a child restraint that is appropriate for their size and age
=>
page 245.
& WARNING
Passengers who are improperly seated on the rear seat can be
seriously injured in a crash.
• Each passenger must always sit on a seat of their own and
properly fasten and wear the safety belt belonging to that seat.
• Safety belts only offer maximum protection when the safety
belts are properly positioned on the body and securely latched. By
not sitting upright , a rear seat passenger increases the risk of
personal injury from improperly positioned safety belts!
• Always adjust the head restraint properly so that it can give
maximum protection. •

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Proper adjustment of head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraints are an important part
of your vehicle's occupant restraint system and can help
to reduce the risk of injuries in accident situations.
Fig. 220 Correctly
adjusted head restraint
viewed from the side
The head restraints must be correctly adjusted to achieve
the best protection.
-Adjust the head restraint so that the upper edge of the
restraint is level with the top of your head, but no lower
than eye level and so it is as close to the back of your
head as possible ~ fig. 220.
Adjusting head restraints=> page 91.
& WARNING
Driving without head restraints or with improperly adjusted head
restraints increases the risk of serious injuries in a collision . To
help reduce the risk of injury :
• Always drive with the head restraints in place and properly
adjusted.
• Every person in the vehicle must have a properly adjusted head
restraint.
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation
& WARNING (continued)
•
Always make sure each person in the vehicle properly adjusts
their head restraint. Each head restraint must be adjusted
according to occupants' size so that the upper edge is as even
with the top of the person's head, but no lower than eye level and
so it is as close to the back of to the head as possible .
• Never attempt to adjust head restraint while driving. If you
have driven off and must adjust the driver headrest for any reason,
first stop the vehicle safely before attempting to adjust the head
restraint.
• Children must always be properly restrained in a child restraint
that is appropriate for their age and size
=> page 245. •
Examples of improper seating positions
The occupant restraint system can only reduce the risk of
injury if vehicle occupants ore properly seated.
Improper seating positions can cause serious injury or
death . Safety belts can only work when they are properly
positioned on the body. Improper seating positions reduce
the effectiveness of safety belts and will 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 risk of serious injury and death when an airbag deploys
and strikes an occupant who is not in the proper seating
position. A driver is responsible for the safety of all vehicle
occupants and especially for children. Therefore:
- Never allow anyone to assume an incorrect seating posi­
tion when the vehicle is being used~& .
The following bulletins list only some sample positions that will
increase the risk of serious injury and death. Our hope is that these .,_
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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examp les w ill make you mo re aware of seating positions that ar e
d an gerous .
Therefore, whenever the vehicle is moving:
• ne ver stan d up i n the vehicle
• never stand on the seats
• never knee l on th e seats
• n ever ride with th e seatba ck re cl in ed
• never lie down on the rear seat
• nev er lea n up aga inst t he instrument pa ne l
• n ever sit on the e dge of the seat
• never sit sideways
• ne ve r le an ou t th e w indo w
• never put your feet out the window
• never put your feet on t he instrument p ane l
• n ever re st yo ur f ee t on t he seat cus hion or back of the sea t
• never ride in the footwell
• n ever ride i n the car go area
& WARNING
Improper seating positions increase the risk of serious personal
injury and death whenever a vehicle is being used.
• Always make sure that all vehi cle occupants stay in a proper
seating position and are properly restrained whenever the vehicle
is being used . •
Driver and passenger side footwell
Important safety instructions
& WARNING
Always make sure that the knee airbag can inflate without inter ­
ference . Objects between yourself and the airbag can increase the
risk of injury in an a ccident by interfering with the way the airbag
deploys or by being pushed into you as the airbag deploys .
• No persons (children) or animals should ride in the footwell
in
front of the passenger seat . If the airbag deploys , this can result in
serious or fatal injuries .
• No objects of any kind should be carried in the footwell area in
front of the driver's or passenger 's seat . Bulky objects (shopping
bags , for example) can hamper or prevent proper deployment of
the airbag. Small objects can be thrown through the vehicle if the
airbag deploys and injure you or your passengers. •
Pedal area
Pedals
The pedal s must a lways be fre e to move a nd mus t never
b e in terfe red with by a flo or mat or a ny othe r objec t.
Make sure that all pedals move freely w ithout interfe rence and that
n oth ing preve nts t hem fr om retu rni ng to t heir or igin a l pos itions.
On ly use floor mats that leave the pedal a rea free and can be
se cured w ith flo or mat fa stene rs.
If a bra ke circu it fai ls, i ncr eased brake pedal travel is r equ ired to
bring the veh icle to a full stop.

Because the passengers of this vehicle are not using safety belts
=:>
page 212, fig. 222, they will keep moving at the same speed the
vehicle was moving just before the crash, until something stops
them -here, the wall =:>
page 272, fig. 223.
The same principles apply to people sitting in a vehicle that is involved 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.
People who do not use safety belts are also not attached to their
vehicle. In a frontal collision they will also keep moving forward at
the speed their vehicle was travelling just before the crash. Of course, the laws of physics don't just apply to frontal collisions, 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 injured or killed. Always
wear your safety belts!
Safety first
Fig . 224 A driver not
wearing a safety belt is
violently thrown
forward
Safety belts
Fig . 225 A rear
passenger not wearing
a safety belt will fly
forward and strike the
driver
Unbelted occupants are not able to resist the tremendous forces of
impact by holding tight or bracing themselves. Without the benefit
of safety restraint systems, the unrestrained occupant will slam
violently into the steering wheel, instrument panel, windshield, or
whatever else is in the way=:> fig. 224. This impact with the vehicle
interior has all the energy they had just before the crash.
Never rely on airbags alone for protection. Even when they deploy,
airbags provide only additional protection. Airbags are not
supposed to deploy in all kinds of accidents. Although your Audi is
equipped with airbags, all vehicle occupants, including the driver,
must wear safety belts correctly in order to minimize the risk of
severe injury or death in a crash.
Remember too, that airbags will deploy only once and that your
safety belts are always there to offer protection in those accidents
in which airbags are not supposed to deploy or when they have
already deployed. Unbelted occupants can also be thrown out of the
vehicle where even more severe or fatal injuries can occur.
It is also important for the rear passengers to wear safety belts
correctly . Unbelted passengers in the rear seats endanger not only
themselves but also the driver and other passengers=:> fig. 225. In a
frontal collision they will be thrown forward violently, where they can hit and injure the driver and/or front seat passenger. •
Vehicle care I I Technical data