Instruments and warning/indicator lamps15
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Warning and indicator lampsOverview
The warning and indicator lamps indicate a number of
different functions and possible faults.Fig. 6 Instrument cluster with warning and indicator lamps Warning and indicator lamps in the rev counter
Turn signals ⇒page 17
Warning and indicator lamps in the driver information system
⇒page 33
Warning and indicator lamps in the speedometer
Warning and indicator lamps in the rev
counter
Warning and indicator lamps in the speedometer
A1A2A3A4
Audi magnetic ride
⇒page 16
Tyre pressure too low
⇒page 16,
⇒page 172
Engine management
⇒page 16
Electronic stabilisation program (ESP)
⇒page 16
Emission control system
⇒page 17
Main beam headlights
⇒page 17
Rear spoiler
⇒page 17
Cruise control system
⇒page 17
Airbag system
⇒page 17
Alternator
⇒page 18
A1A4
document_0900452a816e6cc9.book Seite 15 Mittwoch, 21. Februar 2007 1:32 13
Instruments and warning/indicator lamps17
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
•
It will also come on if a fault should occur in the ABS because the
ESP operates in conjunction with the ABS.
If the warning lamp lights up and stays on after the engine is
started, this may mean that the control system has temporarily
switched off the ESP. In this case the ESP can be reactivated by
switching the ignition off and then on again. If the warning lamp
goes out, this means the system is fully functional.
For further information on the ESP ⇒page 132.
If the battery is disconnected and then reconnected, this warning
lamp will light up when the engine is started and stay on until you
have driven a few metres.
Emission control system
If the warning lamp lights up continuously you should take your
vehicle to a qualified workshop as soon as possible in order to have
the fault rectified.
If the warning lamp flashes drive on at reduced speed and seek
professional help in order to avoid damage to the catalytic
converter.
For further information on the catalytic converter ⇒page 138.Main beam headlights
The indicator lamp
lights up when the main beams are on or
when the headlight flasher is operated.
For further information on the main beam headlights ⇒page 56.
Rear spoiler
This warning lamp monitors the automatic electrically
operated rear spoiler.The warning lamp
has the following functions:
•
It lights up when the ignition is switched on and should go out
again after about 3 seconds. This signals that the lamp is working
properly.
•
It lights up if a malfunction occurs on the automatic rear spoiler.
For further information on the automatic rear spoiler ⇒page 134.
Turn signals and hazard warning lights
Depending on which turn signal is operated, either the left
or
right
indicator lamp flashes. Both indicator lamps will flash when
the hazard warning lights are switched on.
If one turn signal should fail, the indicator lamp will start flashing
twice as fast.
For further information on the turn signals ⇒page 56.
Applies to vehicles: with cruise control systemCruise control
The indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up when the
cruise control system is operating.
Airbag system
This warning lamp monitors the airbag and seat belt
tensioner system.The warning lamp
should light up for a few seconds when the
ignition is switched on.
document_0900452a816e6cc9.book Seite 17 Mittwoch, 21. Februar 2007 1:32 13
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+
document_0900452a816e6cc9.book Seite 38 Mittwoch, 21. Februar 2007 1:32 13
Lights and vision53
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with automatic headlightsAutomatic (sensor-controlled) headlights
If you set the switch to “AUTO”, the headlights will come
on and switch off automatically according to the ambient
light level.The automatic headlight setting only activates the dipped
beam headlights (not the main beam headlights)
⇒page 52.
Activating automatic headlights
– Turn the light switch ⇒fig. 47 to the AUTO position.
Deactivating automatic headlights
– Turn the light switch to position O.The symbol in the switch lights up when the switch is in the AUTO
position.
The dipped beams, side lights, rear lights and number plate lights
come on together when the headlights are switched on automati-
cally.
When you are using the automatic headlights you can also operate
the main beam headlights, however, please note the following: If you activate the main beam headlights while using the automatic
headlights function (e.g. when driving through a tunnel), but do not
deactivate them again, only the dipped beam headlights will come
on the next time the lights are automatically switched on. To be able
to use the main beam headlights again you must first pull the main
beam lever back to the "off" position and then push it forward again
to "on".
The side lights, headlights and rear fog light can still be switched on
manually in the normal way by using the light switch ⇒page 52.
Sensors in the mounting for the interior mirror monitor the ambient
light level. The headlights will be switched on automatically if the
available light drops below a preset value (for instance when driving
through a tunnel, etc.). The headlights switch off again automati-
cally when the light level increases ⇒.
Malfunction of light sensor
If a malfunction should occur in the light sensor, the symbol
will
light up in the display. For safety reasons, the dipped beam head-
lights 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. You should have
the light sensor checked by a qualified workshop as soon as
possible.
WARNING
•
The automatic headlights are only intended to assist the driver.
The driver must always ensure that the headlights are used when
required, and may have to switch them on manually when the light
conditions or visibility are poor. The light sensors are, for example,
not able to detect rain and fog - you should therefore always
switch on the headlights
in these conditions and when driving
after dark.
•
Observe all relevant statutory requirements when using the
lighting systems described here.
Fig. 47 Detail of the
dashboard: Light
switch
document_0900452a816e6cc9.book Seite 53 Mittwoch, 21. Februar 2007 1:32 13
Lights and vision 54
Note•
When the automatic headlights have been activated, the dipped-
beam headlights will go out when the ignition is switched off, and
the side lights will go out when the key is taken out.
•
Do not attach any stickers to the windscreen in front of the
sensor, as this would interfere with the operation of the automatic
headlights and the automatic anti-dazzle function for the mirrors.
Rear fog light
The light switch can also be used to turn on the rear fog
light.–Do not turn the light switch
⇒page 52, fig. 46 to the
symbol
.
– First turn the light switch
⇒page 52, fig. 46 to posi-
tion
.
– Then pull out the light switch to switch on the rear fog
light.
The symbol
next to the switch will light up when the rear fog light
is on.
Caution
To avoid dazzling the traffic behind you, the rear fog light should
only be used in accordance with statutory regulations.
Applies to vehicles: with coming home/leaving home functionComing home/leaving home function
After dark the area around the car is lit up with the aid of
the coming home / leaving home function.Activating the functions
– Press the button
⇒fig. 48. The diode will be lit in the
button.
Deactivating the functions
– Press the button . The diode in the button will go off.
The coming home / leaving home function is controlled by light
sensors in the mounting for the rear view mirror. The system will
function when the following requirements are met:•
The diode in the button is lit
.
•
The headlights and the ignition are switched off.
•
Dark conditions; the sensors register little or no light.
•
The leaving home function is activated in the menu display
⇒page 24.
Fig. 48 Detail of the
dashboard: Coming
home / leaving home
switch
document_0900452a816e6cc9.book Seite 54 Mittwoch, 21. Februar 2007 1:32 13
Lights and vision 56Hazard warning lights
The hazard warning lights are used to make other road
users aware of your vehicle in hazardous situations.– Press the switch
to switch the hazard warning lights
on or off ⇒fig. 50.
All four turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning
lights are switched on. The two turn signal indicator lamps
and
the indicator lamp in the switch
will flash at the same time. The
hazard warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off.
In an accident in which the airbags are activated, the hazard
warning lights are switched on automatically.
Note
You should switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road
users, for instance:•
When reaching the tail end of a traffic jam
•
If your vehicle breaks down or there is an emergency
•
If your vehicle is being towed away, or if you are towing another
vehicle.
Tu r n s i g n a l
and main beam lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the
parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the
following functions:
Turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up ⇒fig. 51 to indicate right,
or all the way down to indicate left.
– Move the lever up or down to the point of resistance and
hold it there to signal briefly, for instance when changing
lane.
– Move the lever briefly up or down as far as the point of
resistance and release it to signal three times with the
turn signals. This one-touch signalling function must be
activated in the menu display ⇒page 24.
Main beam headlights
– Press the lever forward to switch on the main beams.
– Pull the lever back towards you to switch the main beam
headlights off again.
Fig. 50 Centre console:
Switch for hazard
warning lights
Fig. 51 Turn signal and
main beam headlight
lever
document_0900452a816e6cc9.book Seite 56 Mittwoch, 21. Februar 2007 1:32 13
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.
document_0900452a816e6cc9.book Seite 138 Mittwoch, 21. Februar 2007 1:32 13