Driver information system 38The message disappears after 5 seconds. Press the adjuster/test
button ⇒page 10, fig. 2 briefly if you wish to call up the message
again.
If the display indicates that one of the lights is not working, this can
have a number of causes:•
Bulb failure ⇒page 193.
•
A “blown” fuse ⇒page 190, “Changing fuses”.
•
Defective electrical wiring.
Have the components replaced or the wiring repaired as necessary
by a qualified workshop.
WARNING
•
Bulbs are sensitive to pressure. The glass can break when you
touch the bulb, causing injury.
•
Incorrect handling of the high-voltage element of xenon gas-
discharge bulbs can have potentially fatal consequences.
Brake light failure
If the symbol
or the text BRAKE LIGHT lights up, check the
following components:
•
Brake light bulbs
•
Wiring connections
•
Brake light switch
Have the components repaired or replaced by a qualified workshop.Note
The brake light switch is only tested during the initial systems check
after starting the engine.
Applies to vehicles: with light sensor/ rain sensorLight sensor/rain sensor
This indicator lamp comes on if the automatic headlights/
automatic wipers are defective.If the
symbol appears, this means that the light sensor/ rain
sensor is not functioning. For safety reasons, the dipped beam
headlights will then be switched on permanently when the light
switch is set to the AUTO position. However, you can still switch the
lights on and off in the normal way with the light switch. If the rain
sensor is defective, the functions operated via the windscreen wiper
lever will still be available. You should have the light sensor/ rain
sensor checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Applies to vehicles: with R tronicSelector lever defective
and
Selector lever defective! No R gear!
If these symbols light up, there is a fault in the R tronic selector
lever. The indicators on the selector lever will go out or flash. It is no
longer possible to engage reverse gear. If you were using the
gearbox in manual mode, it will switch back to automatic mode.
You can continue to change gear manually. Starting in neutral (N),
pull the paddle lever on the steering wheel to engage first gear.
The gearbox will now remain in manual mode and you can select the
gears using the paddle levers.
You should have the selector lever checked by a qualified workshop
as soon as possible.
Applies to vehicles: with R tronicClutch overheating
and
Clutch is overheating ! If possible please stop vehicle.
A8
A+
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Lights and vision55
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data Coming home function
When the system is activated and it is dark, the coming home func-
tion will illuminate the vehicle and its surroundings by switching on
the dipped headlights, rear lights, engine compartment lighting*
and number plate lights when the driver's door is opened.
The dipped headlights will stay on for about four minutes as long as
one of the doors or the luggage lid is open.
The dipped headlights stay on for about 30 seconds to light up the
area in front of the car after all the doors and the luggage lid have
been closed.
If required, you can set the time interval to between 0 and 60
seconds in the driver information system (Lights menu) ⇒page 24.
Leaving home function
The dipped headlights and the engine compartment lighting* are
switched on when the vehicle is unlocked with the
button on the
remote control key if the leaving home function is activated in the
menu display ⇒page 24.
The dipped headlights and the engine compartment lighting*
switch off when the driver's door is opened. If the driver's door is not
opened, the dipped headlights and the engine compartment
lighting* will be switched off when the car automatically locks again
⇒page 41.
Note
•
If you always wish to use the coming home / leaving home func-
tion, you can leave it switched on permanently. As the system is
controlled via a light sensor, it will only work in dark conditions.
•
Permanent use of the coming home / leaving home function, in
particular on short journeys, will increase the load on the battery. To
make sure the battery is always sufficiently charged, occasionally
drive longer distances.
•
Observe all relevant statutory requirements when using the
lighting systems described here.
Instrument lighting
The brightness of the instrument lighting, displays and
centre console lighting can be varied as required.The basic level of brightness for the instrument lighting is
adjusted using the left-hand thumbwheel
⇒fig. 49.
The lighting of the needles in the instrument dials is regulated by a
photo-transistor integrated in the instrument cluster. When the
vehicle's lights are switched on, the illumination of the centre
console and instruments (needles and dials) is automatically
adjusted according to the prevailing light conditions. The driver can
also vary the brightness of the illumination manually if required:
With the ignition switched on
When the ignition is on, the basic level of brightness of the needles
in the instrument cluster can be adjusted by turning the thum-
bwheel.
With the vehicle's lights switched on:
When the vehicle's lights are switched on, the brightness of the
instrument lighting, displays and centre console lighting can be
varied by turning the thumbwheel.
Fig. 49 Instrument
lighting
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Lights and vision57
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Headlight flasher
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel to operate the
flasher.
Parking lights
– Switch off the ignition.
– Move the lever up or down to turn on the right or left-
hand parking lights respectively.Notes on these functions•
The turn signals only work when the ignition is switched on. The
corresponding indicator lamp
or
flashes in the instrument
cluster ⇒page 15.
•
The turn signals are cancelled automatically when the steering
wheel is returned to the straight-ahead position.
•
The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped
beam headlights are already on. The main beam headlight indicator
lamp then comes on in the instrument cluster.
•
The headlight flasher comes on for as long as you pull the lever –
even if no other lights are switched on. The main beam headlight
indicator lamp
then comes on in the instrument cluster.
•
When the parking lights are switched on, the headlight and the
rear light on one side of the car light up with reduced intensity. The
parking lights will only work with the ignition off. A warning buzzer
will sound for as long as the driver's door is open.Caution
Do not use the main beam headlights or the headlight flasher if this
would dazzle oncoming traffic.
Interior lightsInterior lights
The interior light also incorporates the reading lights for
the driver and front passenger.Activating the courtesy light function
– Press switch . The diode in the switch will light up.
Deactivating the courtesy light function
– Press switch . The diode in the switch will go out.
Front reading lights
– Press the switches to switch the left and right reading
lights on and off.If the switch is in the courtesy light position, the interior light comes
on automatically when the vehicle is unlocked or the doors are
opened. The light also comes on when the key is pulled out of the
ignition. It goes out approximately 30 seconds after the doors are
closed. The interior light is switched off immediately when the
vehicle is locked or when the ignition is switched on.
Fig. 52 Detail of head-
liner: Interior lights
AAAA
AB
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Seats and storage 68
– Turn the adjuster wheel to set the angle of the back-
rest as required.
Unlocking backrest
– Push the handle upwards.
– Fold the backrest forwards
WARNING
•
Never adjust the driver's seat when the vehicle is moving - this
could lead to an accident.
•
Be careful when adjusting the seat angle. Careless or uncon-
trolled use of the seat adjustment can cause injuries.
•
Do not drive with the backrests of the front seats reclined too
far as otherwise the seat belt and airbag could fail to restrain the
wearer properly in an accident, possibly leading to injury.
•
For safety reasons the front seat backrests must be locked
while driving.
Electrically adjustable front seatsApplies to vehicles: with electric seat adjustmentSeat adjuster controls
The arrangement of the switches corresponds with the
design of the seats.The adjustment switches for the seat and backrest correspond with
the design of the seat. The seats can be adjusted simply by pressing
the corresponding switch in the required direction.
Adjuster controls
Adjusts lumbar support
Adjusts seat height and moves seat backwards or forwards
Adjusts backrest angle
Unlocks backrest
A4
A5
Fig. 63 Front seat:
Adjuster controls
A1A2A3A4
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Seats and storage71
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Turn the adjuster wheel to set the angle of the back-
rest as required.
Unlocking backrest
– Press one of the two levers ⇒page 68, fig. 63
upwards and fold down the backrest.
WARNING
•
Never adjust the driver's seat when the vehicle is moving - this
could lead to an accident.
•
The electrical seat adjustment also works when the ignition is
off and when the key is not in the ignition. To avoid accidental inju-
ries, never leave children unattended in the vehicle.
•
Be careful when adjusting the seat height. Careless or uncon-
trolled use of the seat adjustment can cause injuries.
•
Do not drive with the backrests of the front seats reclined too
far as otherwise the seat belt and airbag could fail to restrain the
wearer properly in an accident, possibly leading to injury.
•
For safety reasons the front seat backrests must be locked
while driving.
Head restraintsFront head restraints
In combination with properly worn seat belts, the head
restraints offer effective protection. However, they must
always be properly adjusted to suit the height of the occu-
pant.– Take hold of the sides of the head restraint with both
hands.
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head
restraint is level with the top of your head.The height of the head restraints is adjustable. They should be set
to suit the height of the occupant. In combination with the seat
belts, the head restraints offer effective protection, provided they
are properly adjusted.
A6
A4
Fig. 65 Head restraint
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Driving81
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
DrivingSteeringAdjusting the steering wheel position
The height and reach of the steering wheel can be
adjusted as required to suit the driver.–Push the lever ⇒fig. 71 down ⇒.
– Move the steering wheel to the desired position.
– Then push the lever towards the steering column until
the catch engages.
WARNING
•
Never adjust the position of the steering wheel when the
vehicle is moving - this could cause an accident.
•
For safety reasons, the lever must be securely engaged in its
top position to prevent the steering wheel from accidentally
changing position while driving, which could cause an accident.
Ignition lockIgnition lock
The ignition key is used to start and switch off the engine.Ignition off
In position ⇒fig. 72 the ignition and the engine are switched off,
and the steering wheel lock can be engaged.
To engage the steering wheel lock, take out the key and turn the
wheel until you hear the pin engage. You should always engage the
steering lock when you leave the vehicle. This will help to deter theft
⇒.
Ignition on (normal running position)
The needles in the instrument cluster will sweep across the dials
once after you switch on the ignition.
If the key is difficult to turn in the lock, move the steering wheel (to
take the load off the steering lock mechanism) until the key turns
freely.
Fig. 71 Lever beneath
steering column
Fig. 72 Ignition key
positions
A1
A1
A2
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Driving 84
WARNING
Please note that the handbrake should be released all the way. If it
is only partially released this will cause overheating of the rear
brakes, which can impair the function of the brake system and
could lead to an accident.
Caution
Once the vehicle has come to a standstill, always apply the hand-
brake firmly and then engage a gear.Parking the car
Please note the following points to ensure there is no risk
of the car rolling away accidentally after it is parked.– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
– Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Switch the engine off.
– Engage a gear ⇒.When parking on gradients
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle would roll into the kerb
if it did start to move accidentally.
WARNING
•
Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the vehicle when it
is locked. Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency,
potentially putting lives at risk.
•
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. They could,
for example, release the handbrake or put the gearbox in neutral.
The vehicle could then start moving and cause an accident.
Applies to vehicles: with hill hold assistDriving away on a slopeThe hill hold assist function makes it easier to drive away on a slope.
The system is activated when you press and hold the brake pedal for
a few seconds.
When you release the brake pedal the braking force will be main-
tained for a moment in order to hold the vehicle and make it easier
for you to drive away.
WARNING
•
If you do not drive away immediately after releasing the brake
pedal the vehicle could start to roll back. You should therefore
immediately press the brake pedal or apply the handbrake.
•
If the engine should stall you must immediately press the brake
pedal or apply the handbrake firmly.
•
If you are driving away on a slope in stop-and-go traffic press
and hold the brake pedal for a few seconds before driving off. This
will prevent the vehicle from rolling back unintentionally.Note
To find out whether your vehicle is equipped with the “hill hold
assist” function please contact an Audi R8 dealership or qualified
workshop.
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Automatic gearbox 90Automatic gearboxApplies to vehicles: with R tronicDescriptionR tronic is an automatic sequential-shift gearbox using shift-by-wire
technology to operate the clutch and change the gears.
The gears are engaged manually (the principle is similar to a manual
gearbox) but they can also be shifted automatically. The engine can
be started and stopped in any gear ⇒page 82.
The driver information system displays the selected mode, the
engaged gear and the sport function ⇒fig. 78.M - Manual mode
In this mode, you use the selector lever ⇒page 91 or the paddle
levers on the multi-function steering wheel ⇒page 93 to change
the forward gears up and down.
A - Automatic mode
In this mode the forward gears are shifted up and down automati-
cally according to the engine load and road speed ⇒page 92.
R - Reverse gear
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary
and the engine is idling ⇒.
To engage reverse gear press the brake pedal then move the
selector lever to the right before pulling it briefly towards the R
symbol. The reversing lights come on when reverse gear is engaged
with the ignition on.
N - Neutral
To engage neutral gear, the selector lever has to be moved to the
right or left. If reverse gear is engaged, move the selector lever to
the left. If a forward gear is engaged, move the selector lever to the
right.
Sport function
Press the button to activate the sport function. Upshifts are
then delayed to make use of the maximum engine power. The shift
time is reduced and the accelerator pedal has a lighter response. In
addition, the car does not automatically shift up a gear before the
maximum engine speed is reached when you are in manual mode.
The car will automatically shift up a gear in the normal way when
you are in automatic mode.
Fig. 77 Gear shift
patternFig. 78 Display:
Engaged gears
SPORT
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