2008 AUDI S8 Owners Manual

_____________________________________________ C_ l_ e _a_ n_ in~ g_a
_ n_d_ p_ r_ o_ t
_ e_ c_t _io _ n __ ffllll
•
Care of interior
MMI display
- Clean the MMI display with a soft c lean clo th and an LCD
c le ane r.
The MM I disp lay can be c leaned with a pr ofessional ly available "LCD
cleaner". The cloth should be s lightly dampened with the c leaning
fl uid to clean the display.
0 Note
To avoid scra tc h ing the MMI display, you should never c lean it dry .•
MMI terminal
- First clean the MMI terminal with a brush to remove dust
from the housing.
- T hen wipe the MMI terminal with a clea n, soft, s lig htly
damp cloth .
The MMI terminal should be c leaned with a brush first so that no
d irt is trapped between the buttons and t he housing. We reco m­
mend giving the MMI terminal a final wipe with a c loth moistened
with water a nd dish was hing detergent.
0 Note
To prevent damage, make sure that no flu id ever gets i nto the M MI
terminal.
•
Aluminum trim
U se on ly neutral-pH products to remove spots and deposits from
a lum inum surfaces . C hrome care products a nd alka line clea ners
wi ll attack aluminum surfaces and can damage them over time.
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other informat ion
=> page 288 . •
Fabrics and fabric coverings
Fabrics and fabric coverings (e.g . seats, door trim pane ls, etc.)
shou ld be c leaned at regular intervals with a vacuum cleaner . This
re moves surface dirt partic les which could become embedded in
the fabric through use. Steam cleaners shou ld not be used, because
the steam tends to push the d irt deeper into the fa bric and lock it
there.
Normal cle aning
Genera lly, we recommend using a soft sponge or a lint -free
m icrofiber c loth to the clean fabric . Brushes should only be used for
carpets and floor mats, since other fabric surfaces could be harmed
b y b rushes.
Norma l surface stains can be cleaned using a commercially avail­
able foam cleaner. Spread the foam on the surface of the fabric with
a soft sponge and work it in gent ly. Do not saturate the fabric . T hen
pat the foam dry using absorbent, dry cloths (e.g. microfiber cloth)
and vacuum it a fter it has dr ied completely .
Cleaning stains
Stains caused by beverages (e.g. coffee, fruit juice, etc.l can be
treated with a mild detergent so lution . Apply the detergent so lution
with a sponge. In the case of stubborn stains, a detergent paste can be applied direct ly to the stain and worked into the fabric. After-.,_
Vehicle care

___ C_ le_ a_n _i_n ~g _ a_ n_ d
__ p_r _o _t _e _c_ t_ i_o _n ___________________________________________ _
wards, use copious amounts of clean water to remove the
rema ining detergen t. App ly the water with a damp cloth or sponge
and pat the fabric dry with an absorbent, dry c loth .
Stains from chocolate or makeup should have detergent paste (e.g .
ox -ga ll soap) rubbed into them. A fterwards, remove the soap w ith
water (damp sponge).
A lcohol can be used to treat stains from grease, o il, lipstick or a ba ll­
point pen . Melted grease or dye must be patted off using absorbent
mater ial. It may be necessary to retreat the areas w ith de tergent
paste and water .
In the case of genera l soiling of the upho lstery and cover material,
we recommend h iring a spec ialist that has the equ ip m ent to c lean
the seat covers and other fabric surfaces by shampooing and spray
extraction .
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNING S and the information
=> page 288 .
[ i] Tip s
Open Ve lcro fasteners on your clothing can damage the seat cover.
Please make sure that Velcro fasteners a re c losed .•
Plastic parts and instrument panel
A lways use a c lean cloth mo istened in clear water to clean these
areas . For persistent dirt use an Audi approved solvent-free plastic
cleaner/protectant .
& WARNING
Solvents can ch ange the propertie s of some plasti cs and make it
harder for the airbag to deploy.
& W AR NING (continued )
• Never clean the instrument panel or the surface of airbag
module s with cle aning pr oduct s that contain sol vent s.
• Product s containing solvent s will make the surface of this part
porou s.
• Seriou s injurie s can result if plastic parts come loo se when the
a irbag i s deployed .
• Alway s re ad and heed all WARNING S and other information
=> page 288.
0 Note
Cleaning agents containing solvents wil l attack the material and can
change the way it behaves .•
Ap plies to vehicles : w ith natu ra l l eathe r
Natural leather
Audi makes great eff orts to maintai n the properti es,
n at ural look and feel of interior leather.
General
We offer many different types of leat her on our veh icles . M ost are
different types of nappa leather, which has a smooth surface and
comes in va rious co lors .
T he intens ity of the color determines the visua l c h aracteristics and
appearance. If the surface of the leather has a typica l natural look,
then t he leat her is a nappa leather that has been left in a re lative ly
natural condition. This leather offers particu lar ly good comfort and
breathes well. F ine ve ins, closed gra ins, insect bites, skin folds, and
subt le variations in color remain visib le. These characterist ics
dem onstra te that the material is natura l.
Natura l nappa leather is not covered by a color fin ish . It is therefore
more sensitive to soiling and wea r, which is something you need to
.,.

_____________________________________________ C_ l_ e _a_ n_ in~ g_a
_ n_d_ p_ r_ o_ t
_ e_ c_t _io _ n __ ffllll
•
consider if children, animals or other factors might prove to be
particularly hard on the leather.
By contrast, leather types that are covered by a colored finish layer
are more durable. This has a positive effect on the leather's resis­
tance to wear and soiling in daily use. On the other hand, the typica l
characteristics of natural leather are barely or not apparent.
However, this does not mean that the leather itself is of inferior
quality .
Care and handling
Because of the exclusive nature of the types of leather that Audi
uses and their unique properties (such as sensitivity to oi ls, grease,
soiling,
etc.I, you will need to be somewhat careful with these
leathers, and a certain type of care is required. For example, dark
clothing materials can discolor leather seats (especially if such
clothing is damp and was not dyed correctly). Dust and dirt particles
in pores, folds, and seams can have an abrasive effect and can
damage the leather surface as we ll as weaken seams.
The leather shou ld be c leaned regularly as needed . After having
been used for a relatively long time, your leather seats will acquire
a rich aged finish. This is a characteristic of natural leather and a
sign of true quality.
In order to maintain the value of this natura l product over the life of
your vehicle, you should follow the recommendations below :
0 Note
• To keep your leather from bleaching out, do not allow it to be
exposed to bright sunlight for long periods of time . If you have to
leave the vehicle parked outside for long periods, cover the leather
to protect it from direct exposure to sunlight.
• Sharp objects on clothing, such as zippers, rivets or sharp pieces
on belts can leave permanent scratches or scrape marks on the
surface of the leather.
[ i] Tips
• After each time you clean the leather and at regular intervals, use
a leather preservative creme that contains UV -blockers and that
works into the leather . This creme wil l nourish and moisturize the
leather, helping it to breathe and stay supple . It also helps to build
up a protective coating on the surface .
• Clean the leather every 2 -3 months, and clean any areas that get
soiled.
• Remove fresh marks made by ballpoint pens, ink, lipstick, shoe
polish, etc . as soon as possible .
• Preserve the color of the leather as needed by using a special
colored leather care creme to touch up areas of uneven color. •
Applies to ve hic les : with na tu ra l le at he r
Cleaning and caring for leather upholstery
and trim
Natural leather requires special care and attention.
Normal cleaning
- Clean soiled areas with a slightly moistened cotton or
woolen cloth.
More stubborn dirt
- More stubborn dirt can be removed using a cloth satu­
rated with a mild soap solution (2 tablespoons mild
liquid soap) .
- Never allow the soap solution to saturate the leather, and
make certain that no water soaks into the seams .
- Wipe off the soap solution with a soft, dry cloth.
.,_
Vehicle care

___ C_ le_ a_n _i_n ~g _ a_ n_ d
__ p_r _o _t _e _c_ t_ i_o _n ___________________________________________ _
Cleaning spots
- Remove fresh water-based spots (such as coffee, tea,
juices, blood) with an absorbent cloth or paper towel.
- Remove fresh
grease or oil-based spots (such as butter,
mayonnaise, chocolate) with an absorbent cloth or paper
towel, or use the cleaner from the leather care kit if the
spot has not yet penetrated into the surface of the
leather.
- Use an oil/grease dissolving spray, if
oil/grease spots
have dried on.
- Remove specific kinds of spots (ballpoint pen, felt
marker, fingernail polish, water-based paint, shoe polish,
etc.) with a spot
remover specifically formulated for
leather.
Leather care
- Every half year use an approved leather care product
(available from your Audi dealer) to care for the leather.
- Apply the product
very sparingly.
- Wipe it off with a damp cloth.
If you have any questions abou t cleaning and caring for the leather
in your vehicle, it is best to contact your authorized Audi dealer, who
will be glad to help you and tell you about our full range of leather
care products, such as:
• Leather cleaning and care kit
• Creams to care for colored leather
• Spot removers for ballpoint pens, shoe polish, etc .
• Oil/grease dissolving spray
• New and upcoming products.
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page 288.
0 Note
• Never use chemical solvents (e.g. lighter fluid, turpentine),
waxes, shoe polish or similar products on the leather surfaces in
your Audi .
• To avoid damage, have s tubborn stains removed by a commer­
cial cleaning specialist. •
Applies to ve hicles: w ith Alc a nt ara up ho lst ery
Cleaning Alcantara ® (synthetic suede)
Removing dust and dirt
- Moisten a cloth, squeeze out excess water and wipe down
the seat surfaces.
Removing stains
- Moisten a cloth with lukewarm water or with diluted
ethyl (rubbing) alcohol.
- Dab at the stain. Start at the outside and work inwards.
- Once the stain is no longer visible, use a soft dry cloth or
tissue to soak up the moisture .
Do not use leather cleaning products on Alcantara .
You may use a suitable shampoo for removing dust and dirt.
Dust and grit in the pores and seams can scratch and damage the
surface . If the car is left standing in the sun for long periods , the
leather should be protected against direct sunlight to prevent it
...

_____________________________________________ C_ l_ e _a_ n_ in~ g_a
_ n_d_ p_ r_ o_ t
_ e_ c_t _io _ n __ fflll
•
from fading . Slight color variations will develop in normal use and
are not an indication of material deterioration.
0 Note
• Never use chemical solvents (e.g. lighter fluid, turpentine),
waxes, shoe polish or similar products on Alcantara® surfaces.
• To avoid damage, have stubborn stains removed by a commer­
cial cleaning specialist.
• Do not use brushes, stiff sponges or similarly abrasive cleaning
aids. •
Safety belts
Only well-maintained safety belts work reliably when
needed.
- Keep belts clean.
- For cleaning, use a mild soap and water solution. Let
belts dry thoroughly and away from direct sunlight.
- Do not allow inertia reel safety belts to retract before
they are completely dry.
- Check the condition of your safety belts
regularly.
Heavily soiled safety belts may not retract properly.
& WARNING
Damaged safety belts can break in a crash.
• Anything that might damage your safety belts could mean that
you and your passengers would not be adequately protected in an
accident.
• Safety belt performance depends on correct installation. Never
remove belts from the vehicle to clean them.
&, WARNING (continued)
• Do not use chemical cleaning agents, bleach or dyes. They have
corrosive properties which weaken the webbing.
• When cleaning your safety belts, inspect them for damage. If
you discover damage, see your Audi dealer.
• Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
=> page 288. •
Engine compartment
Be especially careful when cleaning the engine compart­
ment.
Always switch off the ignition before cleaning the engine => &,.
Plenum panel
Remove leaves from the plenum panel in front of the windshield
under the engine hood. This prevents the water drain holes from
becoming blocked, and it prevents debris from entering the vehicle
interior through the heating and ventilation ducts.
Corrosion protection
The engine compartment and transmission have been corrosion­
protected at the factory.
Good anti-corrosion treatment is very important, particularly in the
winter. If the vehicle is frequently driven on salt treated roads, the
entire engine compartment and plenum panel should be thor­
oughly cleaned at the end of winter and retreated to prevent salt
damage. At the same time, the underside of the vehicle should be
washed as well.
If the engine compartment is cleaned at any time with grease
removing solutions
11 , or if you have the engine washed, the anti­
corrosion treatment is almost always removed as well. It is therefore .,_
11 Use only the correct cleaning solut ions. Never use gasoline or diesel fuel.
Vehicle care

___ C_ le_ a_n _i_n ~g _ a_ n_ d
__ p_r _o _t _e _c_ t_ i_o _n ___________________________________________ _
essential to have a long -lasting corrosion protection reapplied to al l
su rfaces, sea ms, joi nts a nd compo nents i n th e eng in e c om pa rt ­
m ent .
& WARNING
Be aware: The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a
potentially hazardous area.
• Before working in the engine compartment, be sure to read the
information
::::> page 299.
• Before reaching into the front plenum panel, always remove the
ignition key . Otherwise, the windshield wiper system could unin ­
tentionally be switched on , possibly causing personal injury from
the moving wiper linkage .
• Never reach into the area around or touch the radiator fan . The
auxiliary fan is temperature controlled and can switch on suddenly
-even when the ignition is off.
• Do not wash, wax or dry the engine with the engine running .
Moving or hot parts could injure you.
• Do not clean the underside of the chassis, fenders, wheel
covers, or other hard to reach parts without protecting your hands
and arms. You may cut yourself on sharp-edged metal parts .
• Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
=> page 288 . •

•
Fuel supply and filling your fuel tank
Gasoline
Fuel supply
Using the right fuel helps keep the environment clean and
prevents engine damage.
F u e l re comm end ati on
The fuel recommended for your veh ic le is unle ad ed pr em ium grade
gaso line . See
a lso => page 378, "Data". Audi recommends using TOP
T IER Detergent Gaso line with a minimum octane rating of 91 AKI (95
RON). For more informat io n on TOP TIER Detergent Gaso line, please
go to the official website (www .toptiergas .com).
The recommended gasoline octane rating for your engine can also be found on a label located on the i nside of the fuel fi ller flap. This
rating may be specified as A KI or RON .
You r veh ic le may also be operated us ing unleaded regular gasoline
with a minimum octane rating of 87 AKl/91 RO N. However , using 87
A Kl /9 1 RON octane fuel w ill sl ightly reduce engine performance.
U se unleaded ga solin e only . Unleaded gaso line is avai lable
throughout the USA, Canada, and in most European countries. We
recommend that you do not ta ke your vehicle to areas or countr ies
where un le aded gasoline may not be available .
For more i nformation on refuel ing yo ur ve hicle,
see => page 302.
Octan e rating
Octane rating indicates a gaso line's abil ity to res ist engine
damaging "knock" caused by premature ign ition and detonation.
Therefore, buying t he correct grade of gaso line is very important to
help prevent possible engine damage and a loss of engine perfor ­
mance.
Fu el supply and fillin g yo ur fu el tank
Gasol ine most common ly used in the United States and Canada has
the fo llowing octane ratings that can usua lly be found on the fil ler
pump :
• P remium Grade : 91
-96 AKI
• Regu lar Grade: 87
-90 AK I
E xplanation of t he abbrev iat ions:
AKI = Anti Knoc k Ind ex = (R +M)/2 = (RON +MON)/2
RON = Research Octane Number
MON = M otor Octane Number .
0 Note
• Do not use any fue l wi th octane rati ngs lower than 87 AKI or 91
RON otherwise expensive engine damage wi ll occur .
• D o
not use leaded gasoline. The use of leaded gasoline w ill
severe ly damage your vehicle 's catalytic convert er and its abi lity to
co ntr ol ex haust emissi ons .•
Blended gasoline
Use of ga soline containing alc ohol or MTBE (methyl
terti ary but yl ether )
You may use unleaded gaso line blended with alcohol or MTBE
(commonly referred to as oxygenates) if the blended mixture meets
t he fo llow ing criteria:
Blend of ga soline methanol (wood alcohol or methyl al cohol)
• Anti-knock index must be 87 AK I or higher .
• Blend m ust contain no more tha n 3% methanol.
• Blend m ust contain more than 2% co -solvents.
Vehicle care

Fuel supply and filling your fuel tank
Blend of gasoline and ethanol (grain alcohol or ethyl alcohol}
• Anti -knock index must be 87 AKI or higher.
• Blend must not contain more than 10% ethanol.
Blend of gasoline and MTBE
• Anti-knock index must be 87 AKI or higher.
• Blend must contain not more than 15% MTBE.
Seasonally adjusted gasoline
Many gasoline grades are blended to perform especially well for
winter or summer driving. During seasonal change-over, we suggest
that you fill up at busy gas stations where the seasonal adjustment
is more likely to be made in time.
0 Note
• Methanol fuels which do not meet these requirements may
cause corrosion and damage to plastic and rubber components in
the fuel system.
• Do not use fuels that fail to meet the specified criteria in this
chapter.
• If you are unable to determine whether or not a particular fuel
blend meets the specifications, ask your service station or its fuel
supplier.
• Do not use fuel for which the contents cannot be identified.
• Fuel system damage and performance problems resulting from
the use of fuels different from those specified are not the responsi ­
bility of Audi and are not covered under the New Vehicle or the
Emission Control System Warranties.
• If you experience a loss of fuel economy or driveability and
performance problems due to the use of one of these fuel blends,
we recommend that you switch to unblended fuel. •
Gasoline additives
A major concern among many auto manufacturers is carbon
deposit build-up caused by the type of gasoline you use.
Although gasoline grades differ from one manufacturer to another,
they have certain things in common. All gasoline grades contain
substances that can cause deposits to collect on vital engine parts,
such as fuel injectors and intake valves. Although most gasoline
brands include additives to keep engine and fuel systems clean,
they are not equally effective.
Audi recommends using TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. For more
information on TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline, please go to the offi­
cial website (www.toptiergas.com).
After an extended period of using inadequate fuels, carbon deposit
build -ups can rob your engine of peak performance.
(D Note
Damage or malfunction due to poor fuel quality is not covered by
the Audi New Vehicle Limited Warranty. •
Fuel tank
Fuel filler neck
The fuel filler neck is located on the right rear side panel behind the
fuel filler flap.
If the power locking system should fail, you can still open the flap
manually - for detailed instructions
see=> page 305.
You can find the fuel tank capacity of your vehicle in Technical Data
=> page 378. ~