2008 AUDI S6 suspension

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Adaptive Air Suspension
Adaptive Air Suspension and
Damping
A pplies to veh icles: with Adaptive Air Suspens ion
Description
Adaptive Air Suspension and damping can be regulated
and they adapt automatically to a request from the driver
and the driving situation at the time.
Adaptive Air Suspension is an electronically controlled springing
and damping system . Th is chassis system makes it easier on the
driver by adapting to the particular situation through imperceptible
control processes.
The
Adaptive Air Suspension component regulates ground clear ­
ance depending on vehicle speed, load condition and driver input.
When the system is in automatic mode, accelerating to a speed above a predetermined limit will make the vehicle lower itself. On
the other hand, driving more slowly results in the vehicle raising
again at specific speeds.
The
damping component provides individual control of the
damping forces. For example, with damping characteristics set to
provide greater comfort, damping is set somewhat harder for a brief
period only as required, for example, when going around a curve or
over rough road surfaces as well as when braking.
Settings
Adaptive Air Suspension provides the driver with the opportunity to
set the chassis characteristics also to their individual preference.
With the driving modes
standard, automatic and dynamic the driver
has three chassis settings available, ranging from comfort to sporty .
In addition,
lift provides a fourth mode which can be selecting for
driving over poor stretches of road :::::,
page 183, "Chassis controls". The modes are set in
MMI:::::,
page 183.
& WARNING
The height of the parked vehicle can change due to temperature
fluctuations or changes in load.
0 Note
• Whenever you park your vehicle, always make sure there is
adequate clearance above and below the vehicle. The height of the parked vehicle can change as the result of temperature fluctuations,
changes in load condition and changes in the driving mode (ground
clearance!.
• If the vehicle is being transported (e.g. by tow truck, train, ship,
etc.), mount the tie -down chains/cables over the running surface
(circumference) of the tires . Never secure the vehicle by the axle, the
suspension struts or the front or rear towline eye. For technical
reasons, the pressure in the suspension struts may change during
the transport, which could result in the vehicle no longer being
secured properly.
• To prevent damage to the vehicle underbody, remember that
your vehicle is not an off-road vehicle, even in the "lift" mode. The
ground clearance is insufficient for this type of operation.
• If you are going to tow a trailer, you must activate the trailer oper­
ation mode :::::,
page 184.
[ i] Tips
Before you raising your vehicle using the vehicle jack (for example,
when changing a flat tire) you must activate the jacking mode
=> page 184. •

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Ap plies to vehicl es: wi th Adap tive Ai r Su sp ension
Chassis controls
Four different driving modes can be set by the driver.
The automatic contro l processes are speed -and time -dependent.
For example, it is not possib le to raise the suspension to the lift
mode above certain speeds.
L ev el a djustment
automatic
dynamic
aut om ati c Ground clearan
ce
about 4.7 - 4 .1 inches
(120 -105 mm)
about 4.7 inches (120 mm)
about 4.1 inches (105 mm)
a bo ut 5.3 inches ( 135 mm)
Se lect the automatic mode i f you p refer suspension and damping
settings emphasizing comfort .
• Low ering : When a speed of about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded
for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered by about 0.6 inch (15 mm) to the dynamic level which is more suitable
for highway speeds. Road holding is optimized as a result of the lower center of gravity and fuel consumption is reduced as a result
of reduced wind res istance.
• Rais ing : The vehicle is automatically raised again if the speed
falls below about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period of 2 minutes . The
vehic le is raised immediate ly when speed falls below about 22 mph
(35 km/h).
s ta nd ard
Select the standard mode if you desire a suspension setting with a
special emphasis on comfort. In the standard mode there is
no
lowering of the suspension. Even a t high speeds, the vehicle stays
at the same level. Damping characteristics with a decided emphasis
on comfort are selected in this mode.
Controls and equip ­
ment d
y n ami c
Select the dynamic mode if you prefer a sporty suspension setting .
In this mode, the vehicle is lowered whi le it is still stationary and
spo rty damping characteristics are selected . The warn ing light
c.::i
in the instrument cluster will come on for a few seconds just to
remind you of the reduced ground clearance .
If y ou switch off the engine wh ile the ve hicle is in the dynamic mode
and then switch on the ignition once again, the
c.::i warning light
wi ll also come on again f or a few seconds as a reminder .
lift
Select the lift mode when you have to travel over poor sect ions of
road (e .g. trails). In the lift mode, the vehic le is raised by 0.6 inch (15
m m) compared to norma l leve l while it is stil l stationary and
damping characteristics are adjusted to emphasize comfort .
The lift mode can be activated only at speeds below 50 mp h (80
km/h) . When a speed of about 62 mph (100 km/h) is exceeded, the
system automatical ly leaves lift mode and the mode set previously
(standard, automat ic, dynam ic) is activated aga in. •
App lies to v ehic les : with Ada ptive Air Suspens io n
Setting the driving modes
The driving modes are set in MM/.
Fig . 18 2 MMI di splay:
Settin gs _,.
I • •

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The ignition must be switched on to set the driving modes.
- Press the !CARI function button. The main menu
Adaptive Air Suspension appears=>
page 183, fig. 182.
- Select the desired mode with the control knob.
Please note that not every driving mode can be selected in every
driving situation. For example, it is not possible to switch to "lift"
mode at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h). This mode is then shown
greyed out in the MMI display.
For additional information on the driving modes=>
page 183,
"Chassis controls". •
Applies to vehicles: with Adaptive Air Suspension
Jacking mode when changing a flat tire
This mode must be activated before raising the vehicle
with a vehicle jack.
Fig. 183 MMI display :
Activate jacking mode
Switching jacking mode on and off
-Press the (CAR] function button. The main menu
Adaptive Air Suspension appears.
- Press the !SETUP) function button. The main menu
Adaptive Air Suspension appears=> fig. 183. - Turn the control knob to
Vehicle jack mode and select on
or
off as required.
The vehicle jack mode must be activated before changing a wheel
so that the automatic control processes for the air suspension do
not make lifting with the vehicle jack more difficult.
[ i ] Tips
The vehicle jack mode is switched off automatically at speeds above
9 mph (15 km/h).•
Applies to vehicles: with Adaptive Air Suspension
Towing a trailer
Automatic lowering is not desirable when towing a trailer.
Fig. 184 MMI display:
Activate towing opera­
tion
If you are going to tow a trailer, you must activate the trailer
towing mode.
Switching the trailer towing mode on and off
manually
- Pressthe!CARJfunction button. The main menu
Adaptive Air Suspension appears.

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- Press the I SETUP I functio n button . The menu Ad aptiv e
Air
Su spen sion appears~ page 784, fig. 184.
- Select
Trailer towing mode on or off as requ ired .
Leve l Adjus tment w he n t ow ing a tra il e r
• Before hitching up the trailer and before adjusting the tongue
weight at the trailer, the automatic or standard mode
mu st be
selected, so that the vehicle is at normal level=>
page 183, "Setting
the driving modes".
• If driving in dynamic mode is desired, this mode
mu st be
selected before hitching up the tra iler and before adjust ing the
tongue weight . However, note that your vehicle is lowered and
ground c learance is reduced .
• If you have to drive under difficult road conditions, you can
select lift mode after hitching up the trailer or after adjusting the
tongue weight .
Restri ctions when op erating wit h a trailer
When operating wi th a trailer, the lift mode can only be selected up
to about 25 mph (40 km/h) . The system automatically goes out of li ft
mode when speed exceeds about 31 mph (50 km/hl.
If the veh icle is in automatic, standard or lift mode before the tra iler
towing mode is activated, the dynamic mode cannot be activated.
If the vehic le is in dynamic mode before towing operation is acti ­
vated, it can be driven in this mode. If the suspension is switched
from this mode to automatic mode, dynamic mode cannot be re ­
selected.
[ i ) Tips
If the trai ler towing mode has been activated, the vehicle will not
sink to the dynamic level if selected. •
Controls and equip­
ment I • •

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& W ARNING (continued )
• Always make sure that the side airbag can inflate without inter­
ference :
- Never install seat covers or replacement upholstery over the
front seatbacks that have not been specifically approved by
Audi.
- Never use additional seat cushions that cover the areas
where the side airbags inflate.
- Damage to the or iginal seat covers or to the seam in the area
of the side airbag module must always be repaired immedi ­
ately by an authorized Audi dealer.
• The airbag system can be activated only once. After an airbag
has inf lated , it must be replaced by an authorized Audi dealer or
qualified technician who has the technical information , training
and special equipment necessary .
• The airbag system can be deployed only once . After an airbag
has been deployed, it must be replaced with new replacement
parts designed and approved especially for your Audi model
version. Replacement of complete airbag systems or airbag
components must be performed by qualified workshops only .
Make sure that any airbag service action is entered in you r Audi
Maintenance
& Warranty booklet under AIRBAG REPLACEMENT
RECORD .
• In accidents when an airbag is deployed , the vehicle battery
separates the alternator and the starter from the vehicle electrical
system for safety reasons with a pyrotechnic circuit interrupter.
-Work on the pyrotechnic circuit interrupter must only be
performed by a qualified dealer -risk of an accident!
- If the vehi cle or the circuit interrupter is scrapped, all appli ­
c able safety precautions must be followed . •
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first
Vehicle operation
Other things that can affect Advanced Airbag
performance
Changing the veh ic le 's suspen sion system can change the way that
the Adva n ced Air bag Syst em perfor ms in a crash . For e xamp le,
u sing tire -r im co mbinations not ap proved by Audi , lowering the
v ehi cle, c hang ing the s tiff ness of the susp ens ion, inclu d in g t he
springs, s uspension struts, shock absorbers etc. can change the
fo rce s t hat ar e meas ured by t he airbag sens ors and sent t o the e lec­
tronic control unit. Some suspens ion changes can, for example,
i nc rease t he for ce leve ls mea sured by th e sen sors and make th e
airbag system dep loy in crash es in wh ich it wou ld not deploy if the
ch anges had no t been m ade. O th er ki nds of change s may red uce
the force levels measured by t he sensors and prevent t he airba g
fr om d eploying when it shoul d.
T he se nso rs in t he safety b elt b uckle for the driver a nd front
passenger seat te ll the electronic control module if the safety belt is
l a tc h e d or n ot. If t he safet y bel t is bei ng use d, the front ai rbag w ill
dep lo y at a s lightly hig her rate of veh ic le dece leration than
if the
safe ty belt i s not be ing used . The re fo re, in a pa rticu la r colli sion, i t is
poss ible that an airbag will not deploy at a s eating position where
t he safe ty be lt is b ein g us ed b ut will infl ate a t th e po siti on where the
safety belt is not being used. It is important that nothi ng int erfer e
with the safety belt b uckl es so that the sens ors can send the correct
i n formation about safety belt use to the electronic control u nit.
& WARNING
Chang ing the vehicle's suspension includ ing use of unapproved
tire -rim combinations can change Advanced Airbag performance
and increase the risk of serious personal injury in a crash.
• Never install suspension components that do not have the
same performance characteristics as the components originally
installed on your vehicle.
• Never use tire-rim combinations that have not been approved
by Audi. ...
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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Tire pressure
Incorrect tire pressure causes premature wear and can cause
sudden tire blow-out. For this reason, tire pressure must be checked
at least once a month~
page 319.
Driving style
Driving fast around curves, heavy acceleration and hard braking
increase tire wear.
Rotating tires for more even wear
For all four tires on your vehicle to have the same service life, we
recommend that the front and rear tires are rotated according to the
tire manufacturer's suggested tire rotation intervals. Please remember the following:
• Tire rotation intervals may differ from the vehicle service inter­
vals outlined in your Maintenance and Warranty Booklet.
• The longer one tire is used in one location on the vehicle, the
more it wears at certain points; therefore, we recommend that you
follow the tire manufacturer's suggested tire rotation intervals.
• Vehicles with front-wheel drive experience more tread wear on
the front wheels compared to all-wheel drive (quattro®l .
• Please rotate tires as shown ~
page 323, fig. 243.
• Extra care must be taken when rotating direction -specific tires
~ page 344.
Wheel balancing
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various situa­
tions during everyday driving can cause them to become unbal ­
anced, resulting in vibrations you can usually feel through the
steering wheel.
Unbalanced wheels must be rebalanced to avoid excessive wear on
steering, suspension and tires. A wheel must also be rebalanced
when a new tire is installed.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment can cause excessive tire wear, impairing
the safety of the vehicle. If tires show excessive wear, have the
wheel alignment checked by an authorized Audi dealer or qualified
workshop.
All Wheel Drive
Vehicles with quattro® must always have tires of the same size, construction and tread type. For details see~
page 264.
& WARNING
Sudden tire failure can lead to loss of control, a crash and serious
personal injury!
• Never drive a vehicle when the tread on any tire is worn down
to the wear indicators.
• Worn tires are a safety hazard, they do not grip well on wet
roads and increase your risk of "hydroplaning" and loss of control.
• Always keep chemicals that can cause tire damage, such as
grease, oil, gasoline and brake fluid away from tires.
• Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly,
especially at high speeds. Tires that are more than 6 years old can
only be used in an emergency and then with special care and at
lower speeds.
• Never mount used tires on your vehicle if you are not sure of
their "previous history." Old used tires may have been damaged
even though the damage cannot be seen that can lead to sudden
tire failure and loss of vehicle control. •

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•
& WARNING (continued)
front wheel is lifted off the ground, placing the Automatic Trans­
mission in "P" {Park) will
not prevent the vehicle from moving.
• Before you change a wheel, be sure the ground is level and firm.
If necessary, use a sturdy board under the jack.
• After installing the spare wheel, make sure that you replace the
flat tire/wheel in its storage area properly and tighten the knurled
retaining screw securely. •
Changing a wheel
When you change a wheel, follow the sequence described
below step-by-step and in exactly that order.
1. Activate the vehicle jack mode (only vehicles with Adap ­
tive Air Suspension)~
page 184.
2. Remove the decorative wheel cover*. For more details
see also ~
page 340, "Decorative wheel covers" or
~ page 340, "Wheels with wheel bolt caps".
3. Loosen the
wheel bolts~ page 341.
4. Locate the proper mounting point for the jack and align
the jack below that point~
page 341.
5. Lift the car with the jack ~ page 341.
6. Remove the wheel with the flat tire and then install the
spare
~ page 343.
7. Tighten all wheel bolts lightly.
8.
Lower the vehicle with the jack.
9. Use the wheel bolt wrench and
firmly tighten all wheel
bolts~
page 341 .
10. Replace the decorative wheel cover*.
11. Deactivate the vehicle jack mode (only vehicles with
Adaptive Air Suspension)~
page 184.
& WARNING
Always read and follow all WARNINGS and information => & in
uRaising the vehicle" on
page 341 and=> page 344. •
After changing a wheel
A wheel change is not complete without the doing the
following.
- Store and secure the wheel you replaced in the spare
wheel well.
- Replace the tools and the jack in their proper location.
- Check the tire pressure on the spare wheel immediately
after mounting it.
- As soon as possible, have the
tightening torques on all
wheel bolts checked with a torque wrench. The correct
tightening torque is 90 ft lb (120 Nm).
- Have the flat tire
replaced as soon as possible.
[ i] Tips
• If you notice that the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to
turn while changing a tire, they should be replaced before you check
the tightening torque.
• Drive at reduced speed until you have the tightening torques
checked .•
Do-it -yourself service

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Fig. 253 Close-up:
proper positioning of
jack
- Position the jack below the door sill under the mounting
point
that is closest to the wheel to be changed
:::::, page 341 , fig. 252.
Extend the
jack under the lifting point on the door sill
until its arm is pos itioned d irectly under the lifting point
:::::,& .
- Align the jack so that its arm @ engages the plastic
l ifting point on the door sill and the movable base@ is
flat on the ground :::::, fig. 253.
Wind the jack up further until the flat tire comes off the
ground :::::,& .
The jack must be installed only at the places indicated~ page 341,
fig. 252. There is exactly one location for each wheel. The jack must
not be positioned at any other location~&.
An unstable surface under the jack can cause the vehicle to slip off
the jack. Always provide a firm base for the jack on the ground. If
necessary place a sturdy board or similar support under the jack . On
hard, slippery surfaces (such as tiles) use a rubber mat or similar to
prevent the jack from slipping~&.
& WARNING
• You or your passengers could be injured while changing a
wheel if you do not follow these safety precautions:
-Positioning the jack under the vehicle at any other place than
those indicated above may damage the vehicle or may result in
personal injuries.
- A soft or unstable surface under the jack may cause the
vehicle to slip off the jack . Always provide a firm base for the
jack on the ground. If necessary, use a sturdy board under the
jack.
- On hard, slippery surface {such as tiles) use a rubber mat or
similar to prevent the jack from slipping.
• To help prevent injury to yourself and your passengers:
-Do not raise the vehicle until you are sure the jack is securely
engaged.
- Passengers must not remain in the vehicle when it is jacked
up.
- Make sure that passengers wait in a safe place away from
the vehicle and well away from the road and traffic.
- Make sure jack position is correct, adjust as necessary and
then continue to raise the jack.
[ i ] Tips
Before changing the wheel, you must activate the jacking mode, so
that the automatic controls for the Adaptive Air Suspension do not
make it more difficult to lift the vehicle with the jack ~
page 184. •