Audi A6 Typ 4G: Correct passenger seating positions

Proper seating position for the driver

The proper driver seating position is important for safe, relaxed driving.

Fig. 140 Correct seating position

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. 140.

  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.
• For adjustable head restraints: Adjust the head restraint so the upper edge is as even as possible with the top of your head. If that is not possible, 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.
• 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.

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.
• 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 collision.
• 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 driving, 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.
• 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. Special precautions apply when installing a child seat on the front passenger seat.

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 injury 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 possible with the top of your head. If that is not possible, 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.
• Keep both feet flat on the floor in front of the front passenger seat.
• Fasten and wear safety belts correctly.

For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's seat.

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.
• 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 properly.
• For adjustable head restraints: before driving, always also adjust the head restraints 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. Special precautions apply when installing a child seat on the front passenger seat.

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 properly 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:

• For adjustable head restraints: adjust the head restraint so the upper edge is as even as possible with the top of your head. If that is not possible, try to adjust the head restraint so that it is as close to this position as possible.
• Keep both feet flat in the footwell in front of the rear seat.
• Fasten and wear safety belts properly.
• Make sure that children are always properly restrained in a child restraint that is appropriate for their size and age.

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!
• For adjustable head restraints: always adjust the head restraint properly so that it can give maximum protection.

Proper adjustment of head restraints

Applies to: vehicles with adjustable head restraints

Correctly adjusted head restraints are an important part of your vehicle's occupant restraint system and con help to reduce the risk of injuries in accident situations.

Fig. 141 Head restraint: viewed from the front

The head restraints must be correctly adjusted to achieve the best protection.

• Adjust the head restraint so the upper edge is as even as possible with the top of your head. If that is not possible, try to adjust the head restraint so that it is as close to this position as possible fig. 141. Move the head restraint so that it is as close to the back of the head as possible.
• If there is a passenger on the rear center seating position, slide the center head restraint upward at least to the next notch.

WARNING

All seats are equipped with head restraints.

Driving without head restraints or with head restraints that are not properly adjusted increases the risk of serious or fatal neck injury dramatically. 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.
• Always make sure each person in the vehicle properly adjusts their head restraint. Adjust the head restraint so the upper edge is as even as possible with the top of your head.

  If that is not possible, 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.

• 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.

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 position 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 examples will make you more aware of seating positions that are dangerous.

Therefore, whenever the vehicle is moving:

• never stand up in the vehicle
• never stand on the seats
• never kneel on the seats
• never ride with the seatback reclined
• never lie down on the rear seat
• never lean up against the instrument panel
• never sit on the edge of the seat
• never sit sideways
• never lean out the window
• never put your feet out the window
• never put your feet on the instrument panel
• never rest your feet on the seat cushion or back of the seat
• never ride in the footwell
• never ride in the cargo 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 vehicle occupants stay in a proper seating position and are properly restrained whenever the vehicle is being used.

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