Audi A6 Typ 4G: How supplemental side airbags work

Side airbags deploy instantly and can help reduce the risk of upper torso injuries for occupants who ore properly restrained.

Fig. 160 Inflated side airbags on left side of vehicle, rear side airbag

When the system is triggered, the airbag is filled with propellant gas and breaks through a seam in the seat surface area marked "AIRBAG". It expands between the side trim panel and the passenger.

In order to help provide this additional protection, the side airbag must inflate within a fraction of a second at very high speed and with great force. The supplemental side airbag could injure you if your seating position is not proper or upright or if items are located in the area where the supplemental side airbag expands. This applies especially to children. Supplemental side airbags inflate between the occupant and the door panel on the side of the vehicle that is struck in certain side collision fig. 160.

Although they are not a soft pillow, they can "cushion" the impact and in this way they can help to reduce the risk of injury to the upper part of the body.

A fine dust may develop when the airbag deploys.

This is normal and does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle.

Important safety instructions on the side airbag system

Airbags are only supplemental restraints. Always properly wear safety belts and ride in a proper seating position.

There is a lot that you and your passengers must know and act accordingly to help the safety belts and airbags do their job to provide supplemental protection.

WARNING

An inflating side airbag can cause serious or fatal injury. Improperly wearing safety belts and improper seating positions increase the risk of serious personal injury and death whenever a vehicle is being used.

In order to reduce the risk of injury when the supplemental side airbag inflates:

• Always sit in an upright position and never lean against the area where the supplemental side airbag is located.
  • Never let a child or anyone else rest their head against the side trim panel in the area where the supplemental side airbag inflates.
  • Always make sure that safety belts are worn correctly.
  • Do not let anyone sitting in the front seat put their hand or any other parts of their body out of the window.
• Always make sure that the side airbag can inflate without interference.
  • Never install seat covers or replacement upholstery over the front seatbacks that have not been specifically approved by Audi.
  • Never use additional seat cushions that cover the areas where the side airbags deploy.
  • Damage to the original seat covers or to the seam in the area of the side airbag module must always be repaired immediately by an authorized Audi dealer.
• Objects between you and the airbag can increase the risk of injury in an accident by interfering with the way the airbag unfolds or by being pushed into you as the airbag inflates.
  • Never place or attach accessories or other objects (such as cup holders, telephone brackets, or even large, bulky objects) on the doors, over or near the area marked "AIRBAG" on the seat backrests.
  • Such objects and accessories can become dangerous projectiles and cause injury when the supplemental side airbag deploys.
  • Never carry any objects or pets in the deployment space between them and the airbags or allow children or other passengers to travel in this position.
• Always use the built-in coat hooks only for lightweight clothing. Never leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets that may interfere with side airbag deployment and can cause personal injury in an accident.
• Always prevent the side airbags from being damaged by heavy objects knocking against or hitting the sides of the seatbacks.
• The airbag system can only be triggered once. If the airbag has been triggered, the system must be replaced by an authorized Audi dealership.
• Damage (cracks, deep scratches etc.) to the original seat covers or to the seam in the area of the side airbag module must always be repaired immediately by an authorized Audi dealer.
• If children are seated improperly, their risk of injury increases in the case of an accident.
• Never attempt to modify any components of the airbag system in any way.
• In a side collision, side airbags will not function properly if sensors cannot correctly measure increasing air pressure inside the doors when air escapes through larger, unclosed openings in the door panel.
  • Never drive with interior door trim panels removed.
  • Never drive when parts have been removed from the inside door panel and the openings they leave have not been properly closed.
  • Never drive when loudspeakers in the doors have been removed unless the speaker holes have been properly closed.
  • Always make certain that openings are covered or filled if additional speakers or other equipment is installed in the inside door panels.
  • Always have work on the doors done by an authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop.

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