Lights and vision 60The windscreen washer jets are heated when the ignition is
switched on.
When the lights are switched on you should only pull the lever
briefly to wash the windscreen, otherwise the headlight washers
will also be activated. This will use an unnecessary amount of fluid
from the reservoir.
WARNING
•
Poor visibility can cause accidents. Always ensure that the
wiper blades are in good condition ⇒page 62, “Changing wiper
blades”.
•
The light sensor/ rain sensor* is only intended to assist the
driver. The driver is still obliged to manually operate the wind-
screen wipers and the lights as required depending on visibility.
•
Do not use water-repellent coatings on the windscreen. In bad
visibility conditions such as light rain, low sun or when driving at
night these coatings can cause increased dazzle, which is a
serious safety hazard. Such coatings can also cause the wiper
blades to judder.Caution
•
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not
frozen to the glass before using the wiper for the first time. If you
switch on the wipers when the wiper blades are frozen to the glass,
this could damage both the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
•
Make sure you switch off the windscreen wiper system (lever in
position "0") before you use an automatic car wash. This will avoid
inadvertent triggering of the wipers and possible damage to the
wiper system.Note
•
Check that the washer fluid reservoir is full before starting a long
journey. Filling the reservoir ⇒page 164.
•
Worn or dirty wiper blades can cause smearing on the glass
which can also impair the effectiveness of the light sensor/ rain
sensor*. Please check the wiper blades regularly.
•
If you leave the windscreen wiper lever set to the intermittent
wipe function when the ignition is switched off, the light sensor/
rain sensor* will not be activated until you reach a road speed of at
least 6 km/h.
•
Applies to vehicles with light sensor/ rain sensor: If the wind-
screen wipers have been activated manually and it is raining, the
automatic headlights* will come on ⇒page 53, “Automatic (sensor-
controlled) headlights”. In the daytime the headlights will automat-
ically go off again once the wipers are switched off. The automatic
headlights* function is only available if the light switch is in the
“AUTO” position ⇒page 53, fig. 47.
Headlight washer systemWith the lights switched on, operate the automatic wind-
screen wash and wipe ⇒page 59, fig. 54 , and keep the
lever pulled towards you for at least 1 second.The headlight washer jets come out of the bumper automatically
(under water pressure).
Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the lenses at regular
intervals, for instance when stopping for fuel.
To ensure that the system works properly in winter, keep the nozzle
holders free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer spray.
A5
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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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Care of vehicle and cleaning 146Dirt or marks on the trim mouldings should be removed with an
acid-free cleaning agent (do not use a chrome cleaner). Body polish
is also unsuitable for use on trim mouldings. The intensive cleaning
fluids often used before the car goes into a car wash may contain
alkaline substances, which can cause dull or milky patches when
they dry out.
Audi R8 dealers carry stocks of cleaning products which have been
tested and approved for use on your vehicle and which are not
harmful to the environment.Plastic partsPlastic parts will come clean with regular washing. If this is not suffi-
cient, plastic parts should only be treated with a special solvent-free
plastic cleaning agent. Do not use paint cleaners, polishes or wax on
plastic parts.Applies to vehicles: with carbon partsCarbon partsThe carbon parts on your vehicle have a painted surface. They do
not need any special care and are cleaned just like any other painted
part ⇒page 144.Paint damageMinor damage to the paint, such as scratches or stone chips, should
be touched up without delay before the metal starts to corrode. Suit-
able touch-up brushes or sprays for your car can be obtained from
an Audi R8 dealer.
The number of the original paint finish on the vehicle is given on the
data sticker ⇒page 196.If corrosion is already visible it must be thoroughly removed by a
qualified workshop.
Windows
Clear vision is an essential safety factor.The windscreen must not be cleaned with insect remover or wax,
otherwise the windscreen wipers will not function properly
(juddering).
Traces of rubber, oil, grease or silicone can be removed with a
window cleaning solution or a silicone remover. Wax residue can
only be removed with a special cleaner. Your Audi R8 dealer will be
able to provide you with more detailed information.
The windows should also be cleaned on the inside at regular inter-
vals.
Use a separate cloth or chamois to dry the windows. Cloths used for
waxing and polishing contain residues that will cause smears on the
glass.
WARNING
Do not use water-repellent coatings on the windscreen. In bad visi-
bility conditions such as light rain, low sun or when driving at
night these coatings can cause increased dazzle, which is a
serious safety hazard. Such coatings can also cause the wiper
blades to judder.
Caution
•
Remove snow and ice from windows and mirrors with a plastic
scraper only. To avoid scratches caused by dirt on the glass, the
scraper should only be pushed in one direction and not moved to
and fro.
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Index 208Tyre pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167, 172
Tyre pressure monitoring system . . . . . 172
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 36
Tyre repair kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Tyres
Inflation pressures . . . . . . . . . . . 167, 172
Tread wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Tyre pressure monitoring system . . . 172
Tyre service life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167UUniversal transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Unleaded fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44VVehicle battery
SeeBattery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Vehicle data sticker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Vehicle identification data . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Vehicle identification number . . . . . . . . . 196
Vehicles with automatic gearshift
SeeR tronic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Voltmeter display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
WWarning lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Alternator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Anti-lock brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Audi magnetic ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Clutch overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Electronic differential lock . . . . . . . . . . 19
Electronic stabilisation program . . . . . 16
Emission control system . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Engine management (EPC) . . . . . . . . . . 16
No R gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Rear spoiler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Red symbols in central display . . . . . . 33
Seat belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Selector lever defective . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Tyre pressure monitoring system . 16, 36
Yellow symbols in central display . . . . 33
Warning triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Washer fluid level low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Waxing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Weights
SeePerformance, weights and
dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Wheel bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Wheel imbalance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147, 166
Rims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166Windows
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
De-icing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Windows (electric)
SeeElectric windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Windscreen washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Windscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Changing blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Service position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Winter conditions
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Care of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Defrost function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
De-icing windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Snow chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Windscreen washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Winter operation
Seat heating (air conditioner) . . . . . . . 80
Winter tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Wiper and washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Wiper blades
SeeWindscreen wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
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