2007 AUDI R8 light

Wheels and tyres 166Wheels and tyresWheelsGeneral notes–When driving with new tyres, be especially careful during
the first 500 km.
– If you have to drive over a kerb or similar obstacle, drive
very slowly and as near as possible at a right angle to the
kerb.
– Inspect the tyres regularly for damage (cuts, cracks or
blisters, etc.). Remove any foreign bodies embedded in
the treads.
– Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immedi-
ately.
– Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
– Replace any missing valve caps as soon as possible.
– Mark the wheels before taking them off so that they
rotate in the same direction when put back.
– When removed, the wheels or tyres should be stored in a
cool, dry and preferably dark place.New tyres
New tyres do not give maximum grip straight away and should
therefore be “run in” by driving carefully and at moderate speeds for
about the first 500 km. This will also help to make the tyres last
longer.
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, according to the type and
make of tyre and the tread pattern.Concealed damage
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily visible. If you notice
unusual vibration or the car pulling to one side, this may indicate
that one of the tyres is damaged. Reduce speed immediately if there
is any reason to suspect that damage may have occurred. Inspect
the tyres for damage. If no external damage is visible, drive slowly
and carefully to the nearest qualified workshop and have the car
inspected.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on
tyres with directional tread. Always note the direction of rotation
indicated when mounting the wheel. This guarantees optimum grip
and helps to avoid aquaplaning, excessive noise and wear.
Wheels with bolted rim flange*
Light-alloy wheels with a bolted rim flange consist of several
components. A special technique is applied to bolt these compo-
nents together. Apart from safety and true running this also ensures
that the wheel functions correctly and that there is no leakage.
Damaged rims must therefore be replaced; you must never attempt
to repair or dismantle them ⇒.
Wheels with bolted trim parts*
Light-alloy wheels can be fitted with interchangeable trim parts
which are attached to the rim using self-locking bolts. Should you
wish to replace damaged trim parts please contact a qualified work-
shop.
WARNING
Never remove the bolts on a wheel with bolted rim flange* (acci-
dent risk).
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Wheels and tyres167
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Tyre service life
Correct inflation pressures and sensible driving habits
will increase the service life of your tyres.– Check the tyre pressures at least once a month.
– The tyre pressures should only be checked when the
tyres are cold. The slightly raised pressures of warm tyres
must not be reduced.
– The pressures must be altered to suit major changes in
the load being carried.
– Avoid fast cornering and hard acceleration.
– Inspect the tyres for irregular wear from time to time.The service life of your tyres depends on the following factors:
Tyre pressure
Under-inflation or over-inflation will reduce the life of the tyres
considerably and also impair the car's handling. The inflation pres-
sures are listed on a sticker on the driver's door pillar.
Correct inflation pressures are very important, especially at high
speeds. The pressures should therefore be checked at least once a
month and before starting a journey.
Driving habits
Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking (squealing
tyres) all increase tyre wear.
Wheel balancing
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors
encountered in normal driving can cause them to become unbal-
anced, which results in steering vibration.Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause
excessive wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must
also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted or if a tyre is repaired.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the
safety of the vehicle. If you notice excessive tyre wear, contact your
Audi R8 dealer.
WARNING
•
Always adapt the tyre pressure accordingly when the vehicle
load changes.
•
Under-inflated tyres flex more and can overheat at continuous
high speeds. This can cause tread separation and tyre blow-out,
which could result in an accident. Always observe the recom-
mended tyre pressures.For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres will increase the fuel consumption.
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Wheels and tyres 172Remove wheel covers (if fitted) and trim rings before attaching
snow chains. For safety reasons cover caps must then be fitted over
the wheel bolts. These are available from Audi R8 dealers.
Remove the chains when roads are free of snow. Otherwise they will
impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very quickly.
Four-wheel drive: Where snow chains are compulsory on certain
roads, this normally also applies to cars with four-wheel drive. Snow
chains may only be fitted to the rear wheels (also on vehicles with
four-wheel drive).Tyre pressure monitoring systemApplies to vehicles: with tyre pressure monitoring systemIntroduction
The tyre pressure monitoring system keeps a check on the
inflation pressures of the four road wheels while you are
driving.The system warns the driver in the event of a loss of pressure by
means of symbols and messages in the instrument cluster display.
The system employs sensors on the wheels. The radio signals from
these sensors are transmitted to the tyre pressure monitoring
system.
Please bear in mind that the tyre inflation pressure is also influ-
enced by the temperature of the tyre. For every 10°C increase in the
tyre temperature the pressure will normally increase by about
0.1 bar. The tyre heats up while the vehicle is being driven and the
tyre pressure will rise accordingly. For this reason, you should only
adjust the tyre pressures when they are cold (i.e. approximately at
ambient temperature).
To ensure that the tyre pressure monitoring system works reliably,
you should check and, if necessary, adjust the tyre pressures at
regular intervals.The tyre pressures recommended for your vehicle are given on the
sticker attached to the driver's door pillar.
Initialising the tyre pressure monitoring system
The inflation pressures for two sets of wheels (e.g. with winter and
summer tyres) are stored on your vehicle. You can change between
these two sets of wheels any number of times without re-initialising
the system.
The tyre pressure monitoring system must be re-initialised by your
Audi R8 dealer if a new set of wheels is used or the electronic
sensors are renewed.
Warning lamp
 lit
If the tyre pressure is more than 0.5 bar below the reference value,
the display will show the tyre symbol
 with a corresponding
message, such as Tyre pressures too low ⇒.
WARNING
•
If the warning lamp
 lights up you must slow down immedi-
ately and avoid any severe braking or steering manoeuvres. As
soon as you can do so safely, stop and check the tyres and the tyre
pressures.
•
Never re-adjust the tyre inflation pressure when the tyre is hot.
This can cause serious damage to the tyre or even a blow-out,
which could result in an accident.
•
Under-inflated tyres flex more and can overheat at continuous
high speeds. This can cause tread separation and tyre blow-out,
which could result in an accident.For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres lead to increased fuel consumption and tyre
wear.
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Self-help 180Preparations
Certain steps must be taken before repairing a tyre.– If you have a flat tyre, stop the car well away from moving
traffic.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Engage a gear.
– Check whether a repair is possible using the Tyre
Mobility System ⇒page 178.
– Ensure that all passengers leave the vehicle and move
away from the danger area ⇒.
– Take the tyre sealant can and the electric compressor out
of the holder under the floor panel ⇒page 178, fig. 123.
– Peel the sticker “max. 80 km/h” off the tyre sealant can
and fix it onto the instrument cluster where the driver will
see it.
WARNING
•
If you have a puncture in moving traffic, switch on the hazard
warning lights and place the warning triangle in a visible location.
This is for your own safety and also warns other road users.
•
Make sure your passengers wait in a safe place (for instance
behind the roadside crash barrier).Caution
Take special care if you have to repair a tyre on a gradient.
Note
Please observe the relevant regulations.
Repairing a tyre
The following sections describe the procedures for
repairing a tyre.Setting up the Tyre Mobility System
– Open the flap on the electric compressor ⇒fig. 125.
– Pull the connector and the compressor hose
including the pressure gauge out of the housing.
– Screw the compressor hose onto the flange of the
tyre sealant can .
– Place the tyre sealant can (flange facing down) into the
opening on the flap of the compressor.
Fig. 125 Components
of the Tyre Mobility
SystemFig. 126 Connecting
the Tyre Mobility
System
A2
A4
A5
A5
A6
A1
A3
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Self-help181
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Unscrew the dust cap from the valve of the damaged
tyre.
– Screw the filler hose onto the valve ⇒page 180,
fig. 126.
– Insert the connector ⇒page 180, fig. 125 into the
cigarette lighter socket.
Inflating the tyre
–Move the switch ⇒page 180, fig. 126 on the
compressor
4) to position I. After 5 minutes tyre pressure
should be at least 1.8 bar.
– Switch off the compressor by moving switch to
position0. If the necessary tyre pressure of at least 1.8
bar is not reached please follow the instructions given in
the section Re-inflating the tyre.
Re-inflating the tyre
– Remove the filler hose from the valve and pull the
connector out of the socket.
– Slowly move the vehicle forwards and backwards about
10 metres. This enables the sealant to be distributed
more evenly.
– Remove the empty tyre sealant can and screw the
compressor hose ⇒page 180, fig. 125 directly onto
the valve.
– Insert the connector into the cigarette lighter socket.– Move the switch ⇒page 180, fig. 126 on the
compressor to position I. After 5 minutes tyre pressure
should be at least 1.8 bar.
– Switch off the compressor by moving switch to
position0. If the necessary tyre pressure of at least 1.8
bar is not reached this means that the tyre cannot be
repaired using the tyre sealant. You should obtain profes-
sional assistance.
Dismantling the Tyre Mobility System
– Remove the filler hose from the valve and pull the
connector out of the socket.
– Screw the dust cap onto the valve.
– Put the empty tyre sealant can back into its original pack-
aging and then secure it in the holder under the floor
panel in such a way that it will not leak.
– Then drive away immediately so that the tyre sealant can
spread evenly in the tyre.
WARNING
•
Please observe the manufacturers' safety notes on the stickers
on the compressor and the tyre sealant can.
•
If it was not possible to build up a tyre pressure of 1.8 bar
within 5 minutes this means that the tyre is too badly damaged.
Do not drive on.
•
Seek professional assistance if the repair of a tyre puncture is
not possible with the sealing compound.
4)The compressor should never be used for longer than 8 minutes.
A10
A7
A4
A8A5A4
A8
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Self-help 184•
The car can be damaged if the jack is not applied at the correct
jacking points. There is also a risk of injury since the jack can slip
off suddenly if it is not properly engaged.Caution
A trolley jack or lifting platform must not be applied at the points
shown ⇒page 183, fig. 128 -arrows-.Taking off / putting on the wheel
Step-by-step instructions for taking off and putting on the
wheel.Change the wheel as described below after loosening the
wheel bolts and raising the vehicle with the jack.
Taking off the wheel
–Using the hexagonal opening in the screwdriver handle
(provided in the vehicle's tool kit), unscrew the wheel bolt
nearest to the top and place the bolt on a clean surface.–Screw in the mounting pin (provided in the vehicle's tool
kit) by hand in place of the wheel bolt ⇒fig. 130.
– Then unscrew the other wheel bolts as described above.
– Take off the wheel ⇒. The mounting pin stays where
it is.
Putting on the wheel
– Put on the spare wheel, using the mounting pin to guide
it into place ⇒.
– Screw in the wheel bolts and tighten them lightly using
the hexagonal opening in the screwdriver handle.
– Then unscrew the mounting pin and tighten the
remaining wheel bolt lightly.
The wheel bolts should be clean and turn easily. Before putting on
the wheel, inspect the condition of the wheel and hub mounting
surfaces. These surfaces must be clean before mounting the wheel.
The hexagonal opening in the screwdriver handle makes it easier to
turn the wheel bolts when they are loose. The reversible screwdriver
blade should be removed when the tool is used for this purpose.
Note the direction of rotation when putting on a tyre with direc-
tional tread pattern ⇒page 182.
Caution
When removing/fitting the wheel the rim may hit and damage the
brake disc. For this reason, please take care and get a second person
to assist you.
Note
Do not use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle to loosen
or tighten the wheel bolts.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 130 Changing a
wheel: Mounting pin in
wheel bolt hole nearest
to the top
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Self-help 186•
Switch off the car telephone if necessary. Details will be given in
the manufacturer's instructions for the car telephone.
Starting the engine
The jump leads must be connected in the correct
sequence.The battery is located in the luggage compartment
⇒page 163. The luggage lid can be released manually if
necessary ⇒page 48.
Connecting the positive terminals with the
positive lead (red)
1. Connect one end of the positive lead to the positive
terminal ⇒fig. 131 of the discharged battery .
2. Connect the other end of the positive lead to the positive
terminal of the boosting battery .
Connecting negative terminals with the
negative lead (black)
3. Connect one end of the negative lead to the negative
terminal of the boosting battery .4. Connect the other end of the negative lead to the nega-
tive terminal of the discharged battery .
Starting the engine
– Start the engine of the vehicle with the boosting battery
and let it run at idling speed.
– Now start the engine of the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
– If the engine fails to start: do not operate the starter for
longer than 10 seconds. Wait for about 30 seconds and
try again.
– When the engine is running, disconnect the leads in
exactly the opposite sequence.
The battery is vented to the outside to prevent gases entering the
vehicle's interior.
Connect the battery clamps so they have good metal-to-metal
contact with the respective terminals.
WARNING
•
The non-insulated parts of the battery clamps must not be
allowed to touch. The jump lead attached to the positive battery
terminal must not touch metal parts of the vehicle: this can cause
short circuiting.
•
Position the jump leads in such a way that they cannot come
into contact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
•
Do not bend over the batteries – risk of acid burns.
•
The screw plugs on the battery cells must be screwed in firmly.
•
Keep sparks, flame and lighted cigarettes away from batteries:
the gases given off can cause an explosion.
Fig. 131 Jump-
starting with the
battery of another
vehicle: A – Discharged
battery, B – Boosting
battery
A1
AA
A2
AB
A3
AB
A4
AA
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Self-help187
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Caution
Please note that the described method of connecting the leads is
meant for jump-starting your vehicle. If jump-starting another
vehicle, you should not connect the negative lead (–) to the negative
terminal of the discharged battery ⇒page 186, fig. 131 , but
directly to the engine block or a solid metal part bolted to the engine
block. If the battery of the other vehicle does not have a gas vent,
there is a risk that a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen gas can accu-
mulate and cause an explosion.Tow-starting and towing awayGeneral notes
Points to observe when tow-starting or towing awayIf you use a towrope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– The towrope must be taut before driving off.
– Engage the clutch very gently when starting to move
(press the accelerator slowly if you have R tronic).
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– The ignition should be switched on so that the turn
signals, horn, windscreen wipers and washers can be
used. Please ensure that the steering wheel is unlocked
when you switch on the ignition and that it moves freely.
– Put the gear lever in neutral or move the selector lever to
position N.– The brake servo and power steering only work when the
engine is running. Considerably more effort is required
on the brake pedal and steering wheel when the engine
is switched off.
– Ensure that the towrope remains taut at all times when
towing.
Towrope or towbar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a towbar. You should only
use a towrope if you do not have a towbar.
A towrope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both
vehicles. It is advisable to use a towrope made of synthetic fibre or
similar material.
Attach the towrope or the towbar only to the towing anchorages
provided for this purpose ⇒page 188.
Driving technique
Towing requires some experience – especially when using a
towrope. Both drivers should be familiar with the technique required
for towing. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or
tow away another vehicle.
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid
jerking the towrope. When towing on a loose surface there is always
a risk of overloading and damaging the anchorage points.
Caution
If there is no oil in the gearbox or no lubricant in the automatic
transmission the car may only be towed with the driven wheels
lifted clear of the road, or transported on a special car transporter
or trailer.
Note
•
Note the regulations concerning towing.
A4
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