
Checking and topping up fluids 156drive belts and alternator, etc., and from the high-voltage ignition
system. •
Observe the following additional warnings if work on the fuel
system or the electrical system is necessary:
−Always disconnect the battery
−Do not smoke
−Never work near open flames
−Always keep an approved fire extinguisher immediately
available.Caution
When topping up fluids make sure the correct fluid is put into the
correct filler opening. This can otherwise cause serious malfunc-
tions or engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Inspect the ground underneath your vehicle regularly so that any
leaks are detected at an early stage. If you find oil spots or other
fluids, have your vehicle inspected by a qualified workshop.
Note
On right-hand drive vehicles* some of the containers/ reservoirs
mentioned below are located on the other side of the engine
compartment.Closing the engine lid– Make sure that the rear spoiler is retracted ⇒page 134.
– To close the engine lid, pull it down to overcome the
spring pressure.– Then let it drop into the catches; do not press down ⇒.
WARNING
For safety reasons the engine lid must always be completely
closed when the vehicle is moving. After closing it always check
that it is properly secured. The engine lid must be flush with the
adjacent body panels.Engine compartment layout
Main components for checking and refillingFig. 116 Typical locations of fluid containers, engine oil dipstick and engine oil
filler cap
Hydraulic fluid reservoir for power steering . . . . . . . .
Engine oil filler cap (
) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator expansion tank () . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WARNING (continued)
A1
136
A2
158
A3
157
A4
160
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Checking and topping up fluids 162BatteryGeneral notes
All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge.The battery is located behind the cover in the luggage compart-
ment. To remove the cover, slide it to the left and lift it out.
The battery is virtually maintenance-free and is checked in the
Inspection Services.
We recommend that you replace a battery once it is older than 5
years.
Disconnecting the battery
If the battery is disconnected, some of the vehicle's functions will
become inoperative (e.g. electric windows). These functions will
require resetting after the battery is reconnected. For this reason,
the battery should only be disconnected from the vehicle's electrical
system when absolutely necessary.
If the vehicle is not used for long periods
The battery will gradually lose its charge because certain electrical
equipment continues to draw current even when the ignition is off.
If you park the vehicle for long periods of time in winter you should
have your Audi R8 dealer take the battery out of the vehicle and keep
it in a frost-proof room. This ensures that it cannot “freeze up” and
be damaged. At warm outside temperatures it is sufficient to
disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Even when the
battery is not connected you should charge it from time to time.
Winter conditions
The battery is drained more in cold weather, which means that the
starting power is reduced. For this reason, have the battery checked
and charged if necessary before the start of winter.Replacing the battery
A replacement battery must have the same capacity, voltage and
current rating. It must also have the same dimensions as the orig-
inal, factory-fitted battery and have sealed caps. The Audi batteries
which have been specially developed fulfil the maintenance,
performance and safety specifications for your vehicle.
We recommend to use only maintenance-free batteries or deep-
cycle resistant and leakproof batteries which comply with the
standards TL 825 06 (dated December 1997 or later) and VW 7 50 73
(August 2001 or later).
Since the battery is difficult to access, we recommend having it
replaced by an Audi R8 dealer or qualified workshop.
WARNING
•
All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge. For queries
regarding the vehicle battery please contact an Audi R8 dealership
or other qualified workshop (risk of chemical burns / risk of explo-
sion).
•
The battery must not be opened. Do not attempt to make any
changes to the electrolyte level of the battery. Otherwise, there is
a risk that a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen gas can accumulate
and cause an explosion.Caution
•
The battery holder and clamps must always be correctly secured.
•
Before starting any work on the battery, always observe the
warnings listed under ⇒ in “Important safety warnings for
handling a car battery” on page 163.For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain toxic substances including sulphuric acid and
lead. They must be disposed of appropriately and must not be put
together with ordinary household waste. Make sure the battery
document_0900452a816e6cc9.book Seite 162 Mittwoch, 21. Februar 2007 1:32 13

Wheels and tyres 170•
If wheel trims are fitted after the car is purchased, ensure that
there is an adequate flow of air for cooling the brakes.For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of according to the laws in the country
concerned.
Note
•
Tyres with the “R0” mark are specially matched to your Audi. We
recommend that you use these tyres only. Your Audi R8 dealer or
specialist retailer will gladly provide you with further information.
•
Never mount used tyres if you are not sure of their previous
history.
•
For technical reasons it is not normally possible to use wheel
rims from other vehicles. In some cases this also applies to rims
from other vehicles of the same model.
Wheel bolts
The wheel bolts are designed to suit the rims on your car.The wheel bolts are matched to the rims. When installing different
wheels (for instance alloy wheels or wheels with winter tyres) it is
important to use the correct wheel bolts with the right length and
correctly shaped bolt heads. This is essential for the secure fit of the
wheels and for the proper function of the brake system.
Audi R8 dealers have full information on the technical requirements
when installing or changing tyres, rims or wheel trims.
The wheel bolts should be clean and turn easily.
A special adapter is required to turn the anti-theft wheel bolts*
⇒page 182.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres will significantly improve the car's handling
in winter road conditions.–Use only radial ply winter tyres.
– Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.
– Only use winter tyres of the correct type approved for
your vehicle.
– Please note that the maximum permissible speed for
winter tyres may be lower than for summer tyres.
– Also note that winter tyres are no longer effective when
the tread is worn down.
– After fitting the wheels you must always check the tyre
pressures. The correct tyre pressures are listed on the
sticker on the driver's door pillar ⇒page 167.In winter road conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the
car's handling. Due to their type of construction (width, rubber
compound, tread pattern), summer tyres give less grip on ice and
snow. This applies particularly to vehicles equipped with wide
section tyres or high speed tyres (code letters H, V or Y on the side-
wall).
Only use winter tyres of the correct type approved for your vehicle.
The sizes of the winter tyres approved for your vehicle are listed in
the vehicle's documents (e.g. EC Certificate of Conformity or COC
document
3)). The vehicle documents vary depending on the
country of residence. Also refer to ⇒page 168.
Winter tyres are no longer fully effective when the tread is worn
down to a depth of 4 mm.
WARNING (continued)
3)COC = Certificate of conformity
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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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Index203
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data Car keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Carbon parts
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Care of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Deadlock mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Locking and unlocking the vehicle from
inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Locking doors manually . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Luggage lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Opening and closing windows . . . . . . . 43
Security central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Ceramic brake discs
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Changing bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Child safety seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Child seat categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Cleaning Alcantara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150Cleaning seat covers
Alcantara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Natural leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Textile covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Cleaning textile covers and trim parts . . 147
Closing
Engine lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Clutch overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Colour code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Coming home function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Compartment for (sun)glasses . . . . . . . . . 73
Compass in mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Conformity certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Controls and displays
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Convenience close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Convenience open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Cooling system
Anti-freeze additive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Checking coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . 12
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Topping up coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Cruise control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Adjusting stored speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Setting speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Switching off temporarily . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Cup holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Current fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
DDashboard lighting
SeeInstrument lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Date display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Deactivating front passenger's airbag . . 120
Deadlock mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Deluxe automatic air conditioner
Economical operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Description of R tronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Digital clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Digital compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Dipped headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Distance covered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Door catches, engine lid and front lid
warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Doors
Locking doors manually . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Driver
SeeSitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Driver information system
CD and radio display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Door catches, engine lid and front lid
warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Menu button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Menu display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Outside temperature display . . . . . . . . 20
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Index207
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data Radio display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Radio transmitters
Fixed installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Mobile equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Radio-controlled clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Radio-operated remote control
SeeRemote control keys . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Rain sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Rain sensor defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Rear fog light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Rear lights defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Rear spoiler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Rear view mirrors
SeeMirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Rear window heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Remote control keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . 40, 41
Synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Unlocking and locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Repairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Replacement parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Rev counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Reverse gear
R tronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Running in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
SSAFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Safety features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Seat adjustment
Bucket seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Electrically adjustable seat . . . . . . . . . . 68
Manually adjustable seat . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Adjusting seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Belt tensioners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
During pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Putting on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Taking off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Security central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Selector lever defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Service interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Service position for windscreen wipers . . 61
Setting time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Setting time format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Side lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Sitting position
Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Front passenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Incorrect sitting position . . . . . . . . . . 106
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Spare key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Speed warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31, 37
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Spoiler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134Starting the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Starting with jump leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Steering
Locking the steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Steering wheel height adjustment
(manual) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Steering lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Stowing luggage safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Sun visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Switching off the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Symbols
Red symbols in central display . . . . . . 33
Yellow symbols in central display . . . . 33
TTank capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Tool kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Tow-away protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Towing away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Towline anchorage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Tow-starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Traction control system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Trip recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 14
Trips, checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Turn signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Two-way radios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Type plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Tyre Mobility System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
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