2008 AUDI S8 technical data

General information -
----------------
Controls and equip­ment Safety first
Vehicle operation Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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App lies to veh ic les: w it h 12-cy linder eng ine and a ll whee l dr ive, lon g wheel base (LW B)
450 hp, 12-cylinder engine, with all wheel drive, long wheel base
En gin e data
Maximum output SAE net
Maximum torque SAE net
No. of cy linders
Displacement
Stroke Bore
Compression ratio Fuel
Dim ension s (appro x.)
Lengt h (wi th lice nce p late bracket)
Width (ac ross mirrors)
Height (unloaded)
Turning circle diameter (curb to cu rb)
Ca pac itie s (a pprox.>
Fuel tank
-Total capac ity
-Reserve (of total capacity)
Windshield and headlight washer fluid container
Engine oil
with fi lte r change hp@rpm
lb-ft@ rpm
CID (cm
3l
in (mm)
in (mm) 450@ 6200
428 @ 4000-4700
12 cy linder
366 (5998)
3 .55 (90 .2)
3 .3 1 (84 .0)
1 1.0 : 1
Premium unleaded (91 AKI! Recommended for maximum engine performance . Fur ­
t her
de tails => page 301, "Gasoline"
i n ( mm)
in (mm)
in (mm)
ft. (ml 20
4.4 (5192)
79.8 (2028)
57 .3 (1455)
41.7 (12 .7)
gal (liters)
gal (liters)
quarts (liters)
quarts (liters ) 2
3 .8 (90 .0)
2 .4 (9 .0)
5.1 ( 4.8)
13 .2 (1 2 .5)
•
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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re liabi lity . For detailed vehicle maintenance consult your Warranty &
Maintenance book le t.
Und er diff icult oper ating conditi ons, for example at extreme ly low
outside temperatures, in very dusty regions, when towing a trailer
very frequently, etc ., some serv ice work shou ld be performed
between the intervals specified. This applies particu lar ly to :
• oil changes, and
• cleaning or replacing the air filter.
c£> For the sake of the environment
By regularly maintaining your vehicle, you help make sure that emis ­
sion s tandards are maintained, thus minimizing adverse e ffec ts on
the environment. •
Important considerations for you and your
vehicle
The increasing use of electronics, sophisticated fue l injection and
emission contro l systems, and the genera lly increasing techn ica l
complexity of today's automobiles, have steadily reduced the scope
of maintenance and repairs which can be carr ied out by veh ic le
owners.
Also , safet y and env ironmental concerns p lace very strict
l im its on the nature of repairs a nd adjustmen ts t o engine and trans ­
mission parts which an owner can perform.
Maintenance, adjustments and repairs usually require special tools,
testing devices and other equipment availab le to spec ia lly trained
workshop personne l in order to assure proper performance, reli ­
abil ity and sa fety of the vehicle a nd its many systems.
I mproper maintenance, adjustments and repairs can impair the
operat ion a nd rel iabil ity of your vehicle and even vo id your vehicle
warranty. Therefore , proof of servicing in accordance with the main ­
t enance sched ule may be a cond ition fo r uphold ing a p ossi ble
warranty claim made within the warranty period.
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Above all, operational safety can be adverse
ly affected, creating
unnecessary risks for you a nd yo ur passengers .
If in doubt about any servicing, have it done by your authorized Audi
dea ler or any other properly equipped and qualified workshop. We
strongly urge you to give your authorized Audi dea ler the opportu ­
nity to perform all scheduled maintenance and necessary repairs.
Your dealer has the fac ilities, origina l parts and trained spec ialists
to keep your vehic le running proper ly.
P e rforming limited maintenan ce yourself
The following pages describe a limited number of procedures which
ca n be performed on your vehicle with ord inary tools, should the
need arise and trained personne l be unavailab le. Before performing
any of these procedures, a lways t hor oughly read all o f the app li­
cable text and carefu lly fo llow the instruct ions given. Always rigor ­
ously observe t he
WARNINGS provided .
Before you che ck anything in the engine comp artment , alwa ys re ad
and heed all
WARNING S=> & and => & in "Working in the engine
compartment" on
page 307.
& WARNING
• Serious personal injury may occur a s a result of imprope rly
performed maintenance , adju stments or repair s.
• Always be e xtremely careful when working on the vehi cle .
Always follow commonly accepted safety practice s and general
c ommon sen se . Ne ver risk per sonal injur y.
• Do not attempt any of the maintenance , checks or repairs
de scribed on the following pages if you are not fully familiar with
these or other pro cedures with re spe ct to the vehicle , or are uncer ­
tain how to pro ceed .
• Do not do any work without the proper tools and equipment.
Have the ne ce ssary work done by your authorized Audi dealer or
another properly equipped and qualified workshop .
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Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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& W AR NIN G (c ontinu ed )
ment zones. Do ing so will in cre ase the risk of injur y if airb ags are
t rig gered in an accident!
• Before you che ck anyth ing in the engine comp artme nt, a lways
re ad and heed all WARNIN GS
=> page 29 9.
0 Note
• If items other tha n ge nuine Audi spare parts, add -on equ ipment
and accessory items are used or if repair work is not performed
according to specif ied methods, this can resu lt in severe damage to
your vehicle 's engine and body (such as corrosion) and adverse ly
affect your vehicle's warranty.
• T he innovative a luminium concept of your Audi A8 means that all
servicing, repa irs or other work on the veh icle body mus t be carried
out exc lusively by an Audi wo rkshop.
• I f emergency repairs must be performed e lsewhere, have the
vehic le examined by an authorized Audi dealer as soon as possible.
• T he manufacturer cannot be he ld liable for damage which occurs
due to fai lure to comply with these stipu lations. •
Technical Modifications
Our guidelines must be complied with when technical
modifications are made.
A lways c onsult an authorized Audi dealer before starting work on
any modifications .
T his will he lp ensure that vehicle function, performance and safety
are no t
impaired =>& .
Attempting to work on electronic components and the software
used with them can ca use malfunct io ns. Because o f the way elec ­
tronic components are interconnected with each other , such
malfunctions can also have an adverse affect on other systems that
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation
are not directly involved
. This means that you risk both a substantial
reduction in the operational safety of your vehicle and an increased
wear of vehicle par ts
=> & .
Authorized Audi dealers wi ll perform this work in a professional and
competent manner or, in special cases, refer you to a pro fess ional
company that specializes in such modificat ions.
& WARNING
Improp er repair s and modifi cation s ca n change the way vehicle
s y stem s wor k and cause seriou s per son al injury.
0 Note
If emergency repairs must be perfor med e lsewhere, have t he
vehic le examined by an authorized Audi dea ler as soon as
possible .•
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

______________________________________________ A_ l.!. p _h_ a_ b_e _ t_i c_ a..:..l ...:.. in :..:..:. d:..:e :..: x_;__ _,n
Kne e airbags ...... ... .. .... ..... 234 ASR
Moni to ring .. ... .... .... ....... .. 229 How the Anti-S lip Regu la tion Sys tem
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ligh t .... . 230 works ...... ... .... .... .... .... 270
Repairs ........ .... .... ......... 232
Safety instructions ... .... ... .... . 231
Side airbags ... .. .... .... ... .... . 237
Side curtain air bags (SIDEGUARD) .. 240
Warning/indicator lights ...... .... .. 19
Weight -sens ing mat ...... ... .... . 2 44
When mu st the syst em be insp ected?
229
Aircra ft
T ransporting your v ehicle .. ........ 369
All W hee l Dr ive ...... .... ... .... .... 273
Alloy whee ls ... .... .... .... ... .... .. 293
A ll-whee l drive
W int er tir es . ..... .... ... ... . .... . 34 1
A lternator
See Ge ne ra tor . ....... ... .... .... . 18
An ti-free ze
See Engine coolan t ..... .... .... .. 314
An ti- lock brak e system
How th e ABS syst em works ....... . 272
Wa rning /indi cato r ligh ts .. .. .. .... .. 21
Anti -Sl ip Reg ulat io n System (ASR)
H ow the system works .... .... .... 270
Anti -theft systems
Anti -theft alarm system .. ... .... ... 61
E lectron ic immob ilizer . .... .... .... 49
Ashtray Fron t .. .... ... .. .... ...... .... .. 106 Aud
i Service Repa ir Manua ls and Literatu re
380
A UTO mode
AC climate con tro l .. .. .... .... .... 117
Auto Safety Hotline .... .... .... ... .. . 207
A ut o-C heck Con trol ...... .... ... .... .. 28
Automatic belt retracto r ... .. .... .... . 213
Automati c car wash
See Washing . .............. .... .. 289
A ut om atic Sh ift Loc k (ASU . ...... .... . 165
Automat ic transmission
6 -speed automat ic t rans missio n .... 163
Auto matic S hift Lock (ASU .... .... . 165
Dr iving . ...... .... .... .... .... ... 163
Dynamic sh ift p rogram .. ...... .... 166
Em ergency release fo r selecto r leve r 168
F a il- safe mode . ...... .... .... .... 168
I gnition key s afety lock . ...... .... . 130
K ick -down .... .... .... .... ... .... 166
Manual sh ift program ....... .... .. 167
S ele ctor le ve r ... ........... .... .. 164
Shift buttons ... .... .... .... .... . 168
S teering wheel w ith tiptronic . ...... 168
Average speed . ...... .... .... .... ... . 38
Avo id damaging the ve hicle .. ...... ... 279
B
Rear . ...... .. ...... .... ......... 107 Background lighting . ...... .... ... .. .. 76 Ba
ttery .... ... .. .... .... ...... .... . 318
Ba ttery location ins ide the luggage
compa rtmen t ... .... ... .... .... . 319
Chargi ng .. .... .... ... .... .... ... 321
Impo rtant wa rnings when working on the
battery .. .... .... ... .... ...... . 319
low ...... .... .... .... ... .... .... 274
Replaci ng t he battery .. ... .... ... . 3 22
State of cha rge . ...... .... .... ... . 27 4
Winter operat ion ..... .... .... .. . . 318
Wo rking on the batte ry . ....... ... . 319
Battery vo ltage .. .. .. .... .... .... ..... 35
B efo re driving ... .... .... ...... .... . 199
Blended gasoline ... .. .... .... .... ... 30 1
Body cavity sealing ........ .... .... .. 294
Boos ter seat ... .. .... .... ... .... .... 251
How do I properly install a booster seat in my veh ic le? . .... .... ... .... .... 251
Safety instructions .. ...... .... ... . 251
Brake flu id
Changing the brake fluid ...... .... . 318
Check ing the brake fluid leve l .... .. 317
What is the co rrect brake fluid leve l? 317
What s hould I do i f th e brake fluid warning
l ight com es on? . .... .... .... .... 317
Brake system Ant i- lock brake sys tem .... .... .... . 21
B rake assis ta nt .... .... ... .... .... 272
Brake booster .. ... .... ... .... .... 271
Brake flu id . ... .... .... ... .... .... 317
Brake f luid specifications for ref ill and
replace men t . .... .... .... ...... . 318
Bra ke light de fective . .... . .... .. .. . 26
Brake pads . ...... .... ... .... .... 278
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

Alphab eti ca l ind ex I'll
----------------------------------------- -'---------
Climate controls ............. .... ... 114
Air distribution ... .... .... .... .... 120
Air outlets ..... .. .... .... .... .... 122
Air outlets (rear) .... ... .... .... ... 122
Air recirculation .. .... .... ... .... . 121
AUTO (standard setting) ...... .... . 117
Basic se ttings ... .. .... ... .... .... 1 26
Cen ter ai r vent . ....... ... .... .... 127
Contro ls ... .. .... .... ... .... .... 116
Defrosting/defogging ..... ... .... . 120
Description ... .... ....... .... .... 114
ECON operation .. .... .... ... .... . 126
Fan . .... .... .... .... .... ... .... . 120
Heated seats , front ... .... .... .... 118
in the rear ...... .... .... .... .... . 125
Key coded setting ... .... .... .... . 114
Rear c limate controls .... .... .... . 125
Rear seat operation .. .... .... .... . 127
Rec ircu lation mode (automatic) ... .. 126
Rec ommended set tin gs ...... .... . 11 4
Residual heat .. ...... .... .. . .... . 117
Set ting t he tempe rature ..... . .... . 117
SETUP . ......... .... .... ... .... . 126
Solar blower fan/solar roof .. ...... . 123
Solar operation ... ....... .... .... 127
Switching on and off .. .... ...... .. 117
Synchroni zation .. .... .... ... .... . 127
Using climate contro l economical ly . 123
Windshield defogger/defroster . .... 123
Clock . ...... .... .... .... ... .... .... . 13
Closing Power sunroo f .... .... ... .... .... . 66
Coat hooks . ... .... .... .... .... .... . 112
Co ld ti re inflati on pressure .. ...... ... 328
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first
Compartments in the door trim panels
. 111
Co mpar tmen ts in the rea r do ors ... .. .. 111
Consumer Information ... .... .... 207 , 380
Contacting N HTSA .. .. .. .... .... .... 207
Conven ie nce open featu re
Win dows ..... ... .... .... .... .... . 64
Convertib le chi ld safe ty seat .... .... .. 249
How do I properly ins ta ll a convertib le
child safety seat in my vehic le? . ... 249
Safety instructions . .... .... ....... 249
Convertible lock ing retractor
Act ivating .. ...... .... .... .... ... 255
Dea ctivati ng .. ... ... .... .... .... . 256
Using to secure a chi ld safety seat . 253,
255
Coo lant
See Engine coo lant
Cr uise control
3 14
Cha nging speed ...... .... .... .... 138
Presett ing your speed ... .. .... .... 138
Switching off .... .... .... .... .... 138
Switching on . .... .... .... ....... 137
Warning/indicator lights .. .... .... .. 21
See also Adaptive Cruis e Con trol .. .. 139
Cr uis ing ra nge . ...... .... .... .... ... . 38
Cupholder .. .. .. ...... ....... .... .. 105
Center conso le .. .. .... ..... .. .... 108
D
Damping
See Adaptive Air Suspension .. ..... 185
Data .... .... .... ... .... .... .... .... 378 Data recorder
....... .... ....... .... . 268
Date d isplay ...... .... ... .... .... .... 1 3
Daytime running lights ... .... .... .. 69, 70
def What does this mean when it appears in the trip odomete r disp lay? ... .. .... 14
Defective light bu lb warning .... .... ... 26
Defrosting/defogg ing the windows . ... 120
Defrosting/defogging windows .. ..... . 122
Determining correct load limit .... .... . 33 4
Digita l clock .. ...... .... .... .... .. . .. 13
Digita l speedometer . .... .... .... ... .. 25
Dimensions ...... .... ... .... .... ... 376
Dipstick Readi ng the dipstick proper ly .. ... . 311
Distance control system
See Adaptive Cruise Contro l ... .. ... 139
Doors Mechanica l chi ld safety lock .. ...... . 58
Power child safety lock . .... .... .... 58
P ower side door closer . ... .... .... . 53
Dr iver
See Seating posi tion ...... .... .... 200
Driver information display Driver information messages ... ... .. 29
Introduct ion .. ... .... .... .... .... . 24
Open door o r rear lid wa rn ing .. .... . 26
Outs ide temperature display .. ...... 25
Sound system disp lay ........ ... .. . 25
Driver Information System Digita l speedometer ... ... .... .... . 25
Driver 's seat .. .... .... ... .... .... .... 87
Vehicle operation Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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Proper disposal of drained engine oil ...
312,3 13
Recycling used engine oi l ...... .... 312
Un leaded fuel ..... .... ... .... .... 301
What should I do with an old battery?
322
EPC
See Electronic power control ........
18
ESP
See E lectronic stabi lization program
( E SP) ...........................
18
Event Data Recorder (EDR) ... .... .... . 268
Expans io n t ank ...... .... ... .... .... 315
F
Fan
Rad ia tor .. ...... .... .... ... .... .
317
Flat tire changing .. ... .... .... ... .. .. 45
Floor mats ... .. .... .... .... ... .... . 205
Fog lights
Front . ...... .... .... .... ..... .. ..
71
Rear .... ... .. .... .... ... .... .... . 71
Warning/indicator lights ...... .... .. 19
Fo lding master key with remote control .
47
Foot pedals ........................ 204
For the sake of the environment
Gaso line fumes and the enviro nment
303
Letting yo ur engine warm up . ...... 130
Reduc ing eng ine noise by ea rly
upshifting .. .... .... ............
12
Refuel ing .... .... ....... .... .... 303
Saving fuel by early upshifting .. .... 12
Using the rear w indow defogger .... 124
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first
Front airbags
Description ......... ...... .... ...
222
How they work .... .... .... ....... 227
F ront arm rest
adjusting .........................
93
Storage compartm ,ent .............. 93
Fr ont ash tray .. ...... .... .... .... ... 106
Front fog lights ..... .... .... .... .... . 71
Front seats ...... ...... ... .. .... .... . 86
Adjusting ....................... 201
Child restraints in the front seat . ... 220
Convenience side view ............. 91
Pockets ............. .... .... .... 11 0
Symmetrica l seat positions ......... 91
Fronta l collisions and the laws of phys ics
210
F uel
Additives ..... .... .... .... .......
301
Average consumption ...... .... .... 38
Blended gasoline .... ....... .... .. 301
Fuel filler neck ............. .... .. 302
Fuel gauge .. ....... .... .... .... .. 14
Gaso line .. .... ..... ...... .... ... 301
Gaso line additives .. ....... ....... 302
Instantaneous fuel consumption .. ... 38
Low fue l level sym bol ... .. .... .... . 35
Octane rating ... .. .... .... .... ... 301
Rec ommendat ion ... .... ... .. .... 301
Refuel ling .. ...... .... .... .... ... 303
Reserve ... ....... .... .... ....... . 14
Tank capacity ................. 14,378
Unlocking the fuel filler flap by hand 305
Fuse arrangement . ...... .... ..... .. . 358
G
Garage door opener (HomeLink®) ...... 191
Gas discharge lamps ...... .... .... ... 362
Gauges
Engine coolant temperature . ...... ..
12
Fuel gauge . ...... .... ... .... .... . 14
Speedomete r ..... .... ... .... ..... 14
Tac ho m eter . ... ... .... ... .... .... . 13
Trip odometer ... .. .... .... ...... .. 14
Gene ral il lustration
Instruments a nd controls ... .. .... ..
11
Generator
Warning/indicator lights ...... .... ..
18
G lossa ry of tire and loading te rmin ology . . .
325
Glove compartment ................. 109
cd changer ........... .... .... ...
109
Owner's Literature ................ 109
Gross Vehic le We ight Rating (GVWR) ...
375
H
Head restraints ....... ... .... .... ... 203
Adjusting ...... .... ... .... .... ... 203
Comfort head restraints ............ 91
Front seats ... .... .... .... .... .... 91
Rear seats .... .... .... ...... ... .. .
92
Headlight ra nge co ntrol ...... .... ... .. 36
Headlights .. .. .. .... .... ...... .... .. 69
Adaptive Light .................... 72
Defective .. ........... .... .... .... 26
Front fog l ig hts .................... 71
Vehicle operation Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

_____________________________________________ .:..A ..:; l~ p :.:h.:.. a== b:.:e :.: t:.:.ic == a.:..l .:.. in :..:.:: d:.::e :.: x::..... _IIIII
Location ...... .... .... .... .... .. 258
Mounting and releasing the anchorage hook .......................... 262
Leather ............................ 296
Cleaning ........................ 297
Level adjustment
See Adaptive Air Suspension ....... 185
Lifting jack ... .... .... ... .. .... ..... 354
Lifting points .... ........ .... .... ... 369
Lifting vehicle ... ... .... ........... . 369
Light sensor defective ................ 36
Lights ........ .... .... .... .......... 69
Coming home ..................... 70
Daytime running lights ... .... .... .. 70
Emergency flashers ................ 73
Exterior lights ..... ....... ........ . 70
Front fog lights ...... .... ...... ... 71
Headlights .. ... ... .. .... .... .... . 69
High beam ... .... .... ..... .. .. 69, 73
H igh beam warning/indicator light ... 19
Leav ing home .. ...... .... ...... ... 70
Rear fog lights .................... 71
Side marker lights ................. 69
Turn signals .. .... .... .... .... .... 73
Xenon headlights ....... ... .. .... .. 69
Lo ading the luggage compartment . ... 205
Load ing the roof rack .... ....... .... . 104
Locking Pow er lock ing switch .... .... .... .. 53
Rear lid/trunk lid ...... ............ 55
Remote control .... .... .... .... ... 51
Using the key ..................... 52
Lower anchorage locator button ....... 258
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first
Lower
universal anchorage bars (Canada) ..
258
Lower universal anchorages (Canada) .. 258
Luggage Stowing .................. ....... 205
Luggage compartment
Cargo net .. ...... .... .... .... ... 101
DVD p layer for navigation system . .. 112
Side Compartment ............... 112
Side compartment ................ 113
Ski sack ......................... 102
Tie -down eyelets .. ........ ....... 100
See also Loading the luggage
compartment ...... .... ... .. .... 205
L umbar support .... ....... .... .... ... 90
M
Maintenance .......... .... .... .... . 380
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU .... 20, 27
Massage function .... ........ ....... . 89
Master key ...... .... ......... ...... . 48
Mi leage
Average .......................... 38
Ins tantaneous ... ...... .... ... .. .. 38
Mirrors Automatic anti-g lare adjustment . .... 83
Automatic dimming for the outside mirrors .... ....... .... .... ... .. . 84
In terior mirror .... .... .... ....... . 83
Outside mirrors ................... 84
Recalling position of outside mirrors . 94
Storing position of outside mirrors .. . 94 Monitoring the Advanced Airbag System
229
N
Natural leather .... .... ... .. .... .... . 296
New tires and whee ls . .... .... .... ... 336
NHTSA Contacting ...................... 207
Number of seats ...... ... .. .... .... . 209
0
Occupant seat ing positions .. ... .. .... 200
Octane rating ...... .... .... .... .... . 301
Odometer ..... ...... .... ... .... ..... 14
Oil
See Engine oil .. ... .... ....... .... 309
Older children and safety belts .... .... 252
On -Board Diagnostic System (OBD)
Data Link Connector (DLC) ........ .. 28
Electron ic speed limiter . ...... ..... 28
Ma lfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU .... 27
Open door or rear lid warn ing ..... ..... 26
Opening Power sunroof .................... 66
Operate your vehicle economically and mini -
mize pol lution .... ... .... .... ... 279
Outside air pollution How to prevent from entering the vehicle
121
Outside mirrors .. .. .. .... ...... .... .. 84
Outside temperature display ........... 25
Vehicle operation Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data