General notes

Safety / Safe driving / General notes

Safety is the first priority

Your safety is our first priority.

This chapter contains important information, tips, suggestions 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. The other chapters in this manual (and, where applicable, in the other literature supplied with the vehicle) contain further important notes which you should read and observe for your own safety and that of your passengers.
• • Ensure that the complete vehicle wallet is always in the vehicle. This is especially important when you lend or sell the vehicle to others.

Safety features

The safety features listed here 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 situations.

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 front seat backrests and on the outer rear 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 situations. However, they can only be effective if you and your passengers sit in the correct position and adjust and use the safety equipment 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 important 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:

– 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 visibility to the outside.
– Secure all luggage and other items carefully.
– 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.
– Sit in the correct position in your seat and make sure that your passengers do the same..
– Fasten your seat belt correctly. Make sure that your passengers do the same ⇒ page 194.

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 the 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 ⇒ . Therefore: