2007 AUDI R8 Owners Manual

Intelligent technology135
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data We ar
The rate of wear on the brake pads depends a great deal on how you
drive and the conditions in which the vehicle is operated. Negative
factors are, for instance, city traffic, frequent short trips or hard
driving with abrupt starts and stops.
Wet roads; road salt
When you are driving at a speed higher than 70 km/h and have the
windscreen wipers switched on (at or above intermittent setting 4)
the brake pads are very briefly brought into contact with the brake
discs. This automatic process which goes unnoticed by the driver is
carried out at regular intervals and is intended to improve braking
response in wet conditions.
In certain conditions, such as in heavy rain, or after washing the car
or driving through water, the full braking effect can be delayed by
moisture (or in winter by ice) on the discs and brake pads. The
brakes should be “dried” by pressing the pedal to restore full
braking effect.
The effectiveness of the brakes can also be temporarily reduced if
the car is driven for some distance without using the brakes when
there is a lot of salt on the road in winter. The layer of salt that accu-
mulates on the discs and pads can be removed with a few cautious
brake applications.
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up on the brake pads and
corrosion to form on the discs if the car is used infrequently, or if
you only drive low mileages without using the brakes very much.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if corrosion has formed on
the discs, it is advisable to clean off the pads and discs by braking
firmly a few times from a moderately high speed ⇒.
Faults in the brake system
If the brake pedal travel should ever increase suddenly, this may
mean that one of the two brake circuits has failed. Drive immedi-
ately to the nearest qualified workshop and have the fault rectified. On the way to the dealer, be prepared to use more pressure on the
brake pedal and allow for longer stopping distances.
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if the brake fluid level is
too low. The brake fluid level is monitored electronically.
Brake servo
The brake servo amplifies the pressure you apply to the brake pedal.
It only works when the engine is running.
WARNING
•
When applying the brakes to clean off deposits on the pads and
discs, select a clear, dry road. Be sure not to inconvenience or
endanger other road users; do not risk an accident.
•
Never let the car coast with the engine switched off (this can
cause accidents).Caution
•
Never let the brakes “drag” by leaving your foot on the pedal
when you do not really intend to brake. This overheats the brakes,
resulting in longer stopping distances and greater wear.
•
Before driving down a long, steep gradient, it is advisable to
reduce speed and select a lower gear. In this way you will make use
of the engine braking effect and relieve the load on the brakes. If you
still have to use the brakes, it is better to brake firmly at intervals
than to apply the brakes continuously.Note
•
If the brake servo is out of action due to a malfunction, or if the
car has to be towed, you will have to press the brake pedal consid-
erably harder to make up for the lack of servo assistance.
•
If you wish to equip the car with accessories such as a front
spoiler or wheel covers, it is important that the flow of air to the
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Intelligent technology 136front wheels is not obstructed, otherwise the brakes can overheat. Power steeringThe power steering assists the driver when turning the
steering wheel (with the engine running).The power steering assists the driver by reducing the force needed
to turn the steering wheel.
The power steering does not function when the engine is switched
off. In this case the steering wheel is very hard to turn.
If the steering is held at its turning limit when the car is stationary,
this will place an excessive load on the power steering system. In
this case, the power steering system will make noises. It will also
reduce the idling speed of the engine.
Caution
Do not keep the steering in the full-lock position for longer than
15 seconds when the engine is running – this could cause damage
to the power steering system.
Note
•
If the power steering should fail at any time or the engine is
switched off (for instance when being towed), the car can still be
steered. However, more effort will be required to turn the steering
wheel.
•
If the system is leaking or malfunctioning, please take the car to
a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
•
The power steering requires a special hydraulic fluid. The
container for the fluid is located in the engine compartment. The
correct fluid level in the reservoir is important for the power
steering to function properly. The hydraulic fluid level is checked at
the Inspection Service.
Four-wheel drive (quattro®)On quattro models the engine power is distributed to all
four wheelsGeneral notes
On four-wheel drive vehicles, the engine power is distributed to all
four wheels. The distribution of power is controlled automatically
according to your driving style and the road conditions. Also refer
to ⇒page 132.
Winter tyres
Thanks to its four-wheel drive, your car will have plenty of traction
in winter conditions, even with the standard tyres. Nevertheless, we
still recommend that winter tyres should be fitted on all four wheels
when winter road conditions are expected, mainly because this will
give a better braking response.
Snow chains
On roads where snow chains are mandatory, this also applies to cars
with four-wheel drive ⇒page 171, “Snow chains”.
Replacing tyres
The dimensions of the wheels and tyres used on four-wheel drive
vehicles must comply with the manufacturer's specifications
⇒page 168, “Replacing wheels and tyres”.
WARNING
•
Even with four-wheel drive, you should always adjust your
speed to suit the conditions. Do not let the extra safety provided
tempt you into taking any risks when driving – this can cause acci-
dents.
•
The braking ability of your car is limited by the grip of the tyres.
In this respect, your car is no different from a car without four-
wheel drive. So do not be tempted to drive too fast on icy or slip-
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Intelligent technology137
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data pery roads just because the car still has good acceleration in these
conditions (accident risk).
•
On wet roads bear in mind that the front wheels may start to
“aquaplane” and lose contact with the road if the car is driven too
fast. If this should happen, there will be no sudden increase in
engine speed to warn the driver, as with a front-wheel drive car. So
do not drive too fast in the wet: adjust your speed to suit the
conditions (accident risk).
Dry sump lubrication systemLarge lateral and longitudinal forces act on the engine and vehicle
when a sporty driving style is adopted. A dry sump system ensures
that the engine continues to be supplied with oil and lubricated
optimally under these conditions.
In a “normal” car, the oil is stored in the oil sump and is pumped
from there to the lubrication points inside the engine. The oil then
flows from there back into the oil sump. In extreme situations this
can cause air to be sucked into the oil pump with the result that the
oil pressure is no longer high enough.
In a dry sump lubrication system, the oil is stored in a separate oil
tank instead of the oil sump (which is “dry”). While one pump sends
oil to the engine, a second pump returns the oil from the engine to
the oil tank. The tall and slim shape of the oil tank means that the oil
pressure can be kept constant even in extreme conditions.
In addition, the oil sump is much lower on vehicles with dry sump
lubrication. This means that the engine can also be arranged lower
down for a lower centre of gravity and improved handling.
WARNING (continued)
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Your vehicle and the environment 138Your vehicle and the environmentRunning inA new vehicle should be run in over a distance of 2,500 km. During
the first 1,000 km do not use full throttle and do not exceed an
engine speed of 6,000 rpm. From 1,000 to 2,000 km you should also
avoid using full throttle. From 2,000 to 2,500 km you can then
increase engine speed gradually and briefly to 8,250 rpm.
During its first few hours of running, the internal friction in the
engine is greater than later on when all the moving parts have
bedded down.
How the vehicle is driven for the first 2,500 km also influences the
engine quality. After the first 2,500 km you should continue driving
at moderate engine speeds, in particular when the engine is cold.
This helps to reduce wear and tear on the engine and increases the
potential mileage which can be covered by the engine.
You should also avoid driving with the engine speed too low.
Change down to a lower gear when the engine no longer runs
“smoothly”. Excessively high engine speeds are prevented by an
automatic rev limiter.Emission control systemsThe vehicle must only be used with unleaded petrol, otherwise the
catalytic converter will be destroyed.
Never run the tank completely dry. The irregular fuel supply can
cause misfiring, which would allow unburnt fuel to enter the
exhaust system, which could cause overheating and damage the
catalytic converter.
WARNING
•
Because of the high temperatures which can occur in the emis-
sion control system, do not park the vehicle where the exhaust
can come into contact with flammable materials under the car
(e.g. on grass or at the forest edge). - Fire hazard!
•
Do not apply any underseal agents in the area around the
exhaust system - fire hazard!
Driving abroadUnleaded petrol
A car with catalytic converter must not be run with leaded petrol
⇒page 138. Before driving abroad make sure that unleaded petrol
is available there.
Changing over headlight dip settings
The asymmetric low beams of the headlights are designed to light
up the near side of the road more intensely. If you drive in a country
where traffic drives on the opposite side of the road to the home
country, this will dazzle oncoming traffic.
The headlight dip settings must be changed to avoid dazzling
oncoming traffic. For safety reasons, you should have the dip
settings changed by a qualified workshop.
For further information about changing the dip settings on xenon*
headlights, please contact your Audi R8 dealer or other qualified
workshop.
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Your vehicle and the environment139
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Sporty drivingLetting the engine warm up and cool downYou can reduce the amount of wear and tear on your vehicle during
a sporty driving session simply by adopting a more restrained
driving style while the engine is warming up and cooling down.
You should allow the engine to warm up by keeping the engine
speed below 7000 rpm until the engine oil reaches at least 90 °C. In
addition, the tyres will not develop their full grip potential until they
have had a chance to warm up on the road.
Even though the engine continues to be cooled after you switch it
off, it is particularly important to give it time to cool down before
parking. The engine, brakes, exhaust system and gearbox will all
reach very high temperatures when you adopt a sporty driving style.
Before you park the vehicle, allow it to cool down to normal temper-
ature by driving at moderate rpm speeds for several miles.Driving on a racing circuitBefore you take your car out on a racing circuit, please ensure that
it is in perfect condition. You should check the tyre tread and brake
pads for wear. It's also a good idea to increase the tyre pressure by
0.3 bar.
The oil consumption may be slightly higher than “normal” when
driving on a racing circuit ⇒page 157.
You should always check your vehicle after driving hard. Are the
brake pads ok? Do you notice any problems with the tyres (e.g. tread
worn, blistering, etc.)? Are the air intakes free of leaves and
deposits? Is the oil level ok?
Your Audi R8 dealer will be glad to carry out an inspection before
and after you use the car on a racing circuit.
Note
•
Some racing circuits (e.g. with banked curves) can affect the
behaviour of the ESP.
•
Driving the car on a racing circuit places a heavy load on all parts
of the vehicle. This can result in increased wear and tear.
Environmental compatibilityEnvironmental protection is a top priority in the design, choice of
materials and production of your new Audi. Particular importance
has been attached to the following aspects:
Design measures for economical recycling•
Joints and connections designed for ease of dismantling
•
Modular construction to facilitate dismantling
•
Increased use of single-grade materials
•
Plastic parts and elastomers are labelled in accordance with ISO
1043, ISO 11469 and ISO 1629
Choice of materials
•
Nearly all materials used can be recycled
•
Similar types of plastics grouped together for easy recycling
•
Recycled materials used in manufacture
•
Reduced vapour emissions from plastics
•
CFC-free refrigerant in air conditioner
Compliance with the laws prohibiting the use of:
•
Cadmium
•
Asbestos
•
Lead
•
Mercury
•
Chrome VI
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Your vehicle and the environment 140Manufacturing methods•
Plastic components made from recycled materials
•
Solvent-free cavity sealing
•
Solvent-free wax for protecting the vehicles in transit
•
Solvent-free adhesives
•
No CFCs used in production
•
Surplus materials used extensively for energy conversion and
building materials
•
Overall water consumption reduced
•
Heat recovery systems
•
Water-soluble paint
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Your vehicle and the environment141
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
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