2009 AUDI S8 Owners Manual

There is still approximately 2.4 gallons (9 liters) of fuel left. This
message is meant to remind you to
refuel.
(D Note
Never run the tank completely dry. An irregular supp ly of fuel can
cause engine misfiring and fuel could enter the exhaust system . The
cata lytic converter could then overheat and be damaged. •
[ CHECK] button
You can perform different functions with this button .
Fig. 5 CHECK button in
the instrument cluster
Th e [ CHECK] button performs the following functions:
Switching on the clock and odometer
With the ignition turned off, the odometer reading and the digital
clock with date display can be sw itched on for about 30 seconds by
pressing the
I C HE CK I button ~ fig. 5 .
Starting the Auto-Check sequence
The Auto -Check system ~ page 28 constantly monitors certain indi­
vidual functions and components of the vehicle when the ignition is
turned on and when the vehicle is moving.
With the ignition turned on, you can start the "Auto -Check
sequence" by pressing the !CHECK] button. You can perform an
Contro ls and eq uip­
ment
Instruments and warning /indicator lights
Auto-Check sequence when the vehicle is stationary and the ignition
is turned on or when the vehicle is moving not faster than 3 mph
(5 km/h).
Calling up the driver information
A yellow or red symbol appears in the instrument cluster disp lay,
usually with a driver message. The driver message display disap­
pears after about 5 seconds . The driver message can be displayed
again by briefly pressing the !CHECK ] button .
Setting the speed warning
By pressing the [ CHECKJ but ton briefly , you can set threshold 1 of
the speed warning while you are driving~
page 37. By maintaining
pressure on the [ CHECK] button, you delete the warning
threshold. •
Instrument cluster illumination
The basic brightness of the illumination for the instru­
ments, the center console and the display can be
adjusted.
Fig . 6 Instr ument
c luster illumination
Press the"+" button to increase the brightness during
the hours of darkness.
~
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

Instruments and warning /indicator lights
- Press the"-" button to decrease the brightness during
the hours of darkness.
A light sensor in the instrument cluster controls the illumination for
the instrument cluster, the center console and the displays . In a
bright environment, using the buttons to change the brightness has
no effect .
[ i ] Tips
The illumination for the instrument cluster lights up whenever you
switch on the ignition with the
vehicle headlights off. As the
daylight fades, the instrument cluster illumination likewise dims
automatically and will go out completely when the outside light is
very low. This feature is meant to remind you to switch on the head­
lights when outside light conditions become poor. •
Warning/indicator lights
Overview
The warning/indicator lights indicate different functions
or a possible malfunction.
iNiii i·i i· i hii
Fig. 7 Instrument cluster with warning/indicator lights
Your vehicle is equipped with several important warning and indi ­
cator lights to help you monitor the continued reliab le operation of
your vehic le => & .
0
Electronic power control
Generator
=> page 18
=> page 18
Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) => page 18

tl~ Airbag system
--
/: Lane assist (system is ready)
Lane assist (system is not ready)
¢
D
-
Left turn signal
High beam
Fog lights
Rear fog lights
Tire pressure monitoring system*
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU
Safety belt
Adaptive Air Suspension
~ Adaptive Air Suspension
--
CRUISE
Right turn signal
USA models :
Cruise control activated
Canada models:
Cruise control activated
USA models:
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) defec­
tive
Controls and equip ­
ment
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 20
=> page20
=> page20
=> page20
=> page 21
=> page 19
=> page 21
=> page 21
=> page 21
-
-
-
-
Instruments and warning/indicator lights
PARX
BRAKE
(® )
-
Canada models:
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) defec­
tive
USA models :
Electromechanical parking brake
Canada models: Electromechanical parking brake
BRAKE USA models:
Brake malfunction
--((D) Canada models:
Brake malfunction
=> page 21
=> page22
=> page 22
-
=> page 22
=> page22
Vehicles with the Adaptive Cruise Control* have the follow ing addi ­
tional check lamps:
II II c;:;:::::::, Open road
c;:;:::::::, 11 11 c;:;:::::::, D r i vi n g i n t raff i c
c;:;:::::::, 11 11 c;:;:::::::, R e q u e st f o r d r i v e r to
assume control
& WARNING
=> page 146
=> page 146
=> page 146
• Failure to heed warning lights and other important vehicle
information may result in serious personal injury or vehicle
damage.
• Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe
distance off the road, stop the engine, and turn on the emergency
flasher
=> page 73 .
• The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially
hazardous area. Before you check anything in the engine compart-
ment, stop the engine and let it cool down. Always exercise _..
I • •

Inst rum ents and w arnin g/indi cat or li ghts
& WARNI NG (con tinu ed)
ex treme ca ution whe n wo rki ng und er the hood => page 301,
" Engin e comp artment"
[ i ] Tips
Many functions are monitored by the Auto -Check system
=>
page 28 . Malfunctions or faults wil l be identified either with a red
symbol (pr iority 1 -Danger!) or with a yel low symbol (priority 2 -
Warning). •
Electronic power control
,._
This warning/indicator light monitors the electr onic
power control.
The warning/indicator light (Electronic Power Control) i llumi -
nates when you turn on the ignition as a function check.
[ i ] Tips
If this warning/indicator light illuminates whi le you are driving, then
there is a malfunction in the engine electronics . Have the malfunc­
tion corrected as soon as possible by your authorized Audi dea ler or
qualified repair facility .•
Generator D
This warning/indicator light detects a malfunction in the
generator or in the vehicle's electrical system.
The O warning/indicator light i lluminates when you switch on the
ignition and must go out after the engine has started.
If the O warning/indicator light illuminates while you are driving,
you should contact your authorized Audi dealer . Since the vehic le battery is discharging, you should switch off any unnecessary elec
­
t rical consumers (for example, the air conditioner) .
0 Note
If the _f_ warning/indicator light (malfunction in the engine coo ling
system) in the instrument cluster should illuminate=>
page 31, stop
the vehicle and turn off the engine . The water pump is not working
- this can cause engine damage. •
Electronic stabilization program (ESP) This warning/indicat or light monitors the electr onic stabi ­
lization program .
The warning/indicator light has the following functions:
• It blinks while you are driving when the ESP is working .
• It illuminates when you switch on the ignition for approximate ly
2 seconds as a function check .
• It illuminates when there is a malfunction in the ESP. The
message
E S P f ault ! Se e owner 's manual also appears in the instru ­
ment cluster display and a warning tone sounds .
• It illuminates continuously when the ESP is switched off .
• It illuminates if there is a malfunction in the ABS, since the ESP
is part of the ABS system.
If the battery terminals were disconnected and re-connected , the
vehic le was jump started or the batte ry is very weak, the ESP sensor
system goes through a learning process for the first few yards. The
warning/indicator light illuminates . The warning/indicator light
goes out as soon as the learning process is complete.
If the ESP warning/indicator light illuminates and stays on after you
have started the engine, this may mean that the control system has
temporarily switched off the ESP . If this is case, you can reactivate
the ESP by turning the ignition off and then on again . The .,_

warning/indicator light should go out to show that the system is
fully functional again. For more information about the ESP~
page 270. •
Airbag system ~
This warning/indicator light monitors the airbag and the
tensioner systems.
The ffi warning light illuminates for a few seconds each time you
switch on the ignition.
If the ~ warning light does not go out, or if it i lluminates whi le you
are driving, or if it starts to blink, then there is a malfunction some ­
where in the system. If the light does not illuminate when you
switch on the ignition, this also means there is a malfunction.
& WARNING
If you have a malfunction in the airbag system, contact your autho­
rized Audi dealer immediately. Otherwise the airbag or the belt
tensioner may not work properly in an accident. •
Applies t o vehicles: with lane ass ist
Lane assist (system is ready) /:
The indicator light shows that the system is ready to use . A warning
alerts the driver when the vehicle drives over detected lane
boundary lines.
More information about lane assist~
page 153. •
Controls and equip ­
ment
Instruments and warning /indi cator lights
Applies to vehic les: with lane ass ist
Lane assist (system is not ready) •,
The indicator light shows that the system is turned on but unable to
send a warning .
More information about lane assist ~
page 153. •
Turn signals ¢ ¢
The indicator light blinks when you use either turn signal.
Whenever you use the left ¢i or the right Q turn signal, the indicator
light blinks . When you use the emergency flashers, both indicator
lights f lash.
If one of the turn signal light bulbs burn out, the turn signal will
blink twice as fast as normal. •
High beam ~D
Th e ~D warning/indicator light illuminates when the high beams are
on or when you use the headlight flasher. For more information
about using the high beams, see~
page 73. •
Fog lights }D
Th e indicator light io illuminates when the fog lights are turned
on. •
Rear fog lights ") .
The indicator light illuminates when the rear fog light s are turned
on .•
I • •

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Ap plies to vehi cles : wi th n re pressu re monitor in g system
Significant loss of air pressure l
The warning/indicator light appears in the event of a
significant loss of air pressure.
The 'warning/ indicator light illum inates when you switch on the
ign ition and must go out after the engine has started .
If the
I symbo l appears, pressure is too low in at least one tire.
For more information
~ page 43. •
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) ....;
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU is part of the On-Board Diag ­
nostic (OBD II) system. The symbol lights up when the ignition is
turned on and will turn off after the engine has started and has sett led at a constant id le speed. This indicates that the MIL is
work ing proper ly .
The warning light illuminates when there is a malfunction in the
engine electronic system. Contact your authorized Audi dealer and
have the malfunction corrected .
An improperly closed fuel filler cap may also cause the MIL light to
illuminate
~ page 305.
For more information ~ page 27. •
Safety belts 4i-
This warning/indicator light reminds you to put on your
safety belt.
The 4,_ warning/indicator light illuminates when the ignition is
switched on to remind the driver and any front passenger to put on
the safety belt. Additionally, an acoustic warning (gong) will also
sound. For more
Information~
page 211, "Safety belt warning light t". •
Adaptive Air Suspension
The warning/indicator light illuminates, when the jacking mode
has been activated ~ page 191. This warning/indicator light has the
following functions:
• It illuminates for a few seconds after the ignition is turned on as
function check and then goes out .
• If the warning/indicator light illuminates steadily, there is a
system fault in the Adaptive Air Suspension . A system fault can
r esult in lim ited ride comfort and
low ground clearance . The fault
should be corrected as soon as possib le by an authorized Audi
dea ler .
• If the warning/indicator light flashes, you should not drive the
vehic le . The flashing warning/indicator light points to an extreme
High level. A very pronounced lifting of the vehicle (extreme High
level) can resu lt, for examp le, when a heavy load is removed from
the vehic le . As soon as the level has returned to normal, the
warning/indicator light stops flashing , and you can drive away .
• If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the~
warning/indicator light, you should not drive off immediately in
order to prevent damage to the underbody . The two warning/indi­
cator lights flashing together points to an extreme Low level. A very
pronounced lowering of the vehicle (extreme Low level) can result,
for example , from a heavy load. As soon as the level has returned to
normal, the warning/indicator lights stop flashing, and you can
drive away .
0 Note
If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the~
warning/indicator light, you should not drive the vehicle because
l ow -lying vehicle parts can bottom out as you drive over uneven
ground and be damaged as a result.•

Adaptive Air Suspension c.:::>
The c.:, symbol illuminates for a few seconds after you have
switched on the ignition to indicate
r e du ced ground cle aranc e when
the dynamic mode is activated and when the ignition is switched on
with a vehicle which was parked in dynamic mode=>
page 189,
"Chassis Controls" . On vehicles which are equipped with the s por t
s u sp en sio n
Adaptive Air Suspension -Sport*, the check light does
not come on in this instance since ground clearance is general ly
reduced.
This warning/indicator light has the following functions: • It illuminates for a few seconds after the ignition is turned on as
function check and then goes out.
• If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the
~
warning/indicator light, you should not drive the vehicle immedi­
ate ly in order to prevent damage to the underbody. The two
warning/indicator lights flashing together points to an extreme Low level. A very
pronounced lowering of the vehicle (extreme Low level)
can result, for example, from a heavy load. As soon as the level has
returned to normal, the warning/ind icator lights stop flashing , and
you can drive away .
0 Note
If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the .•.
warning/indicator light, you should not drive the vehicle because low -lying vehicle parts can bottom out as you drive over uneven
ground and be damaged as a result. •
Cruise control
CRUISE (USA models) /c,f' (Canada models)
The warning/indicator light illuminates when the cruise control is
activated. •
Controls and equip ­
ment
In st rum ent s a nd w arnin g/indi cato r ligh ts
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
... (USA models) /
~ (Canada models)
This warning/indicator light monit ors the ABS and the
electronic differential lock (EDL).
The warning/indicator light wi ll come on for a few seconds when the
ignition is switched on. The light will go out after an automatic
check sequence is comp leted .
There is a malf un cti on in the AB S when :
• The warning/indicator light does not i lluminate when you switch
on the ignition .
• The warn ing/indicator light does not go out after a few seconds.
• The warning/indicator light illuminates while driving.
The ESP indicator light also i lluminates if there is a ma lfunction in
the ABS. The message
E S P / A BS fau lt ! Se e ow ner's manu al also
appears in the inst rument cluster display and a warning tone
sounds.
The br ake system will still re spond even withou t the assis tan ce o f
t he ABS system. See y our autho rize d Audi dealer a s soon as
pos sibl e t o r estor e full br aking perfo rm an ce.
For more information
regarding the ABS=>
page 274 .
The ABS warning lig ht and th e br ak e w ar ning lig ht come on
t og eth er. The AB S will no t work an d you w ill notic e a ch ange in
b ra king re sp ons e an d p erf or mance .
Mal fun ction in the brak e syst em
If the brake warning light=> page 22and the ABS warning illuminate
together there may be a malfunct ion in the ABS, and there may also
be a malfunction in the brake system itself=>&.
In the event of a
malfun ctio n in th e br ak e s yste m the warning/indi ­
cator light
BRAKE (USA mode ls)/ ((i)) (Canada models) in the instrument
c luster flashes. By pressing the
I CHECK] button, you can bring up a
driver message which explains the ma lfunc tion in more detail.
Please note =>
page 30. _,.
I • •

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Malfun cti on in the ele ctronic differ ential lo ck (EDL )
The
ED L works t oget her with the ABS. T he ABS warning light w ill
come on if there is a ma lfunction in the
ED L system=> page 271 . See
your au thorized A ud i dea ler as soon a s possible.
& WARNING
• If the ,..,1 (USA models )/;:_,,. (Canada models) warning light
does not go out , or if it comes on while driving , the ABS system is
not working properly. The vehicle can then be stopped only with
the standard b rake s (w ithout ABS ). You will not have the p rotec ­
tion ABS provides . Contact your Audi de aler a s soon as po ssible .
• USA model s: If the BRAKE warning l ight , the < warning light and
the warning light come on together , the rear wheels could
lock up first under hard braking . Rear wheel lock -up can cause lo ss
of vehicle control and an accident . Have your vehicle repaired
immediately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified work ­
shop . Drive slowly and avoid sudden , hard brake applications .
• Canada models : If the brake warning light (CD), the ., warning
light and the ABS warning light come on together , the rear
wheels could lock up fir st under hard br aking. Rear wheel lock -up
c an cause loss of vehicle control and an accident . Have your
vehicle repaired immediately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop . Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard br ake
appli cation s.•
Electromechanical parking brake
~[ (USA models)
/(®) (Canada models)
T he warnin g/in dic ator l igh t m on it ors the electromech an­
i c a l p arking brake.
With the parking brake applied and the ignition turned on, the
war ning/ ind icator lig ht illu min a te s. After the ig nition has been
turned off, the warning/indicator light continues to i llum inate for
abo ut 3 0 seconds. If the parking bra ke is applied with the ignition turned off,
the warning/indicator light i lluminates for about 30
s e co nd s.
Th e warning/ind icator light wi ll go out when the parking brake is
r eleased .
I f the warn ing/indica tor l ight flas hes con tinuously
after applying the
par king brake, bra king force is not sufficient to prevent the vehicle
from rol ling uni nten tional ly . T h is can h appen if the brak es bec ome
too hot . Please note the fol lowing :
• I f the slope of the g round is too steep to pa rk the ve hicle, the
addi tiona l dr ive message a ppears
Caution: Vehicle parked too
steep.
• I n the event of a parking brake malfunction , the yel low symbol
appea rs in the instrument c luster display and the driver mes sage
Parking brake malfunction ! is d isplayed . Have the mal fu nct io n
r epaired as soon as poss ib le by a qualified Audi deale rship .•
Brake system BRAKE (USA models) / ((J)) (Canada
models)
The warning/indicator light fl ash es if bra ke fluid level is
low, if there is an A BS sys tem mal function or a parking
brake malfun ctio n.
T he li ght illu minates w hen t he ignitio n is tur ned on. It goes out afte r
the engine has been started . T his indicates that the brake warning
li ght is fu nctioni ng prope rly.
If the brake warning light does not light up when the engine is
cranking , there may be a malfunction in the electrical system. In this
case , contact your Audi dealer.
If the brake system warning/indicator light flashes, there is a brake
syste m malfunct ion . By press ing the
!CHECK ] button, you can bring
up a driver message which exp lains the ma lfunction in more detail
=>
p age 30. ~