Other things that can affect Advanced
Airbag performance
Changing the vehicle's suspension system can
change the way that the Advanced Airbag Sys-
tem performs in a crash. For example, using
tire-r im combinations not approved by Audi,
lowering the vehicle, changing the stiffness of
the suspension, including the springs, suspen-
sion struts, shock absorbers etc. can change
the forces that are measured by the airbag
se nsors and sent to the electron ic control
unit. Some suspens ion changes can, for exam-
ple, increase the force levels measured by the
sensors and make the airbag system deploy in
crashes in which it would not dep loy if the
changes had not been made. Other kinds of
changes may reduce the force levels meas-
ured by the sensors and prevent the airbag
from deploying when it shou ld.
The sensors in the safety belt buckle for the
driver and front passenger seat tell the elec-
tronic control module if the safety belt is
latched or not. If the safety belt is being used,
the front airbag will deploy at a slightly high-
er rate of vehicl e deceleration than if the safe-
ty belt is not being used. Therefore, in a par-
ticular collision, it is poss ible th at an airbag
will not deploy at a seating position where the
safety be lt is bei ng used but will inflate at the
position whe re the safety belt is not being
used. It is important that nothing interfere
with the safety belt buckles so t hat the sen-
sors can send the correct information about
safety belt use to the electron ic cont rol unit.
A WARNING
Changing the vehicle's suspension includ-
ing use of unapproved tire-rim comb ina-
tions can change Advanced Airbag per-
formance and increase t he risk of ser ious
personal inju ry in a crash.
- Never install suspe nsion compone nts
t hat do not have the same performan ce
characteristics as the components origi -
nally installed on you r vehicle .
- Never use t ire-rim combinat ions that
have not bee n approved by Audi.
A irba g sy stem 13 7
A WARNING
Items stored between the safety be lt
buckle and the center console can cause
the sensors in the buckle to send t he
wrong informa tion to the electronic con-
trol module and prevent t he Advanced Air-
bag System from working properly.
- Always ma ke sure t hat nothing can inter-
fe re with the safety belt buckles and that
t hey are not obst ruct ed.
Side airbags
Description of side airbags
The airbag system can provide supplemental
protection to properly restrained occupants.
Fig. 135 Side airbag location in the driver's seat
The side airbags are located in the sides of the
front seat backrests~
fig. 135 and the rear
back rest* facing the doors . They are identified
by the wo rd "AIRBAG".
The side airbag system basically consists of:
- the electron ic control modu le and external
side impact sensors
- the two side airbags located in the sides of
the front backrests
- two rear side airbags (as an ordered
option)
- the airbag warn ing light in the instrument
cluste r.
The airbag system is mo nitored electronically
to make certain t hat it is function ing properly
at all times . Each time you tu rn on the igni-
tion, the airbag system indicator light will
come on for a few seconds (self diagnostics) . ..,.
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