2009 AUDI S8 ABS

-~_C_ h_e _c _ k_ i_n ...:::g::;...._ a_n_ d_ f_ i_ll _in -'g:::;.._ ___________________________________________ _
-Read the brake fluid level from the brake fluid reservoir
=> fig. 270. The brake fluid level must be between the
"MIN" and "MAX" markings.
The brake fluid reservoir is located at the rear partition of the engine
compartment on the left side~ page 310.
The fluid level may drop slightly after some time due to the auto ­
matic adjustment of the brake pads. This is not cause for alarm.
If the brake fluid level falls considerably below the "MIN" mark, the
brake warning/indicator light (U.S. models:
BRAKE , Canadian models:
«D> l will come on~ page 22 and~ page 30. Do not continue to
operate the vehicle. The complete brake system should be thor ­
oughly checked by an authorized Audi dealer or other qualified
facility and the cause corrected. If the brake fluid level is too low, the
brake warning/indicator light will illuminate. Contact an authorized
Audi dealer
immediately. •
Changing brake fluid
Have the brake fluid changed by an experienced techni­
cian.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air. If the water content in the
brake fluid is too high, corrosion in the brake system may result
after a period of time. The boiling point of the brake fluid will also
decrease considerably and decrease braking performance.
Th erefore, the brake fluid must be changed
every two years. Always
use new brake fluid which conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle Stan­
dard "FMVSS 116 DOT 4".
The brake fluid reservoir can be difficult to reach, therefore, we
recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by your autho­
rized
Audi dealer. Your dealer has the correct tools, the right brake
fluid and the know-how to do this for you.
& WARNING
• Brake fluid is poisonous. It must be stored only in the closed
original container out of the reach of children!
• Brake failure can result from old or inappropriate brake fluid .
Observe these precautions:
-Use only brake fluid that meets SAE specification
J 1703 and
conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle Standard 116. Always check
with your authorized Audi dealer to make sure you are using
the correct brake fluid. The correct type of brake fluid is also
indicated on the brake fluid reservoir .
- The brake fluid must be new. Heavy use of the brakes can
cause a vapor lock if the brake fluid is left in the system too
long. This can seriously affect the efficiency of the brakes as
well as your safety . This could result in an accident .
0 Note
Brake fluid will damage the paint of your vehicle.
~ For the sake of the environment
Because of the problem of proper disposal of brake fluid as well as
the special tools required and the necessary expertise, we recom ­
mend that you have the brake fluid changed by your authorized Audi
dealer. •
Battery
General information
Under normal operating conditions, the battery in your Audi does
not need any maintenance. With high outside temperatures or long
daily drives we recommend that you have the electrolyte level .,_

Checking and filling -
---------------------=----"=---------
checked by a service facility. The electrolyte level should also be
checked each time the battery is charged =>
page 323.
Have the battery checked when you take your vehicle in for service.
You are well advised to replace a battery that is older than 5 years.
With certain types of airbag deployment, the battery is discon­
nected from the vehicle electrical system for safety reasons=>.& in
"Repair, care and disposal of the airbags" on
page 234.
Disconnecting the battery terminals
Some vehicle functions (power window regulators, for example) are
lost if the battery terminals are disconnected. These functions have
to be relearned after the battery terminals are connected again. To
prevent this, the battery should only be disconnected from the
vehicle electrical system when absolutely necessary for repairs .
Vehicles not driven for long periods If you do not drive your vehicle over a period of several days or
weeks, electrical components are gradually cut back or switched off.
This reduces energy consumption and maintains starting capability
over a longer period
=> page 276.
Be aware that when you unlock your vehicle, some of the conve ­
nience functions may not operate, such as the Convenience key*,
the remote control or the power seat adjustment. The convenience
functions will be available again when you turn on the ignition and
start the engine.
Winter operation During the winter months, battery capacity tends to decrease as
temperatures drop. This is because more power is also consumed
while starting, and the headlights, rear window defogger, etc., are
used more often.
Avoid unnecessary power consump tion, particularly in city traffic or
when traveling only short distances. Let your authorized Audi dealer
check the capacity of the vehicle battery before winter sets in
=> page 323. A well charged battery will not only prevent starting
problems when the weather is cold, but will also last longer.
[ i] Tips
If your vehicle is left standing for several weeks at extremely low
temperatures, the vehicle battery should be removed and stored
where it will not freeze. This will prevent it from being damaged and
having to be replaced.•
Working on the battery
Be especially careful when working on or near the battery.
Fig . 271 Luggage
compartment: Right·
side storage compart­
ment
Fig . 272 Luggage
compartment : Battery
The battery is located in the luggage compartment on the
right side behind a cover. Before you check anything in the
luggage compartment,
read and heed all WARNINGS=>& . .,_
Vehic le care I I irechnical data

lllffll.,___E_ m _ e _r.;:g '-e_ n_ c-=y _ s_ i_t _u _a _t_ i_o _n_ s _______________________________________________ _
- Screw the towing loop tightly into the threaded hole as
far as it will go. The check mark must be flush with the
bumper=>
page 369, fig. 302.
When it is no longer needed, unscrew the towing loop and put it
back into the vehicle toolkit. Be sure to have the towing loop stored
in the vehicle at all times.
When installing the grill for the air duct, be sure that the tabs on the grill are first inserted into their guides on the vehicle by the
foglamp. Then push the grill into position.
& WARNING
If you do not screw the towing loop completely, it could come out
of the threaded hole while the vehicle is being towed causing
damage to the vehicle and possible serious personal injury. •
Rear towing loop
Do not install the rear towing loop until it is needed.
0
Fig. 303 Rear bumper:
cover
"'
Fig. 304 Rear bumper:
towing loop inserted
On the right side of the rear bumper there is a threaded hole
for the towing loop. The threaded hole is behind a cover.
- Remove the towing loop from the vehicle tool kit.
- Place the screwdriver against the upper edge of the cover and carefully pry it out=> fig. 303.
- Screw the towing loop tightly into the threaded hole as far as it will go. The check marking must be flush with the
bumper => fig. 304.
When it is no longer needed, unscrew the towing loop and put it
back into the vehicle toolkit. Be sure to have the towing loop stored
in the vehicle at all times.
& WARNING
If you do not screw the towing loop completely, it could come out
of the threaded hole while the vehicle is being towed causing
damage to the vehicle and possible serious personal injury. •

______________________________________________ A_ l_,_ p _h_ a_ b_e _t_i c_ a _ l _in _ d_e _ x __ _
Weight-sensing mat .... .... . ... .. 246
When must the system be inspected?
231
Aircraft Transporting your vehicle .. .... .... 371
All Wheel Drive .. .... ....... .... .... 275
Alloy wheels ... .... .... .... ... .... .. 295
All -whee l drive
Winter tires .. ..... ... .... ..... .. . 343
A lternator
See Generator .... .... ... ..... ... . 18
Anti-freeze
See Engine coolant . ...... ..... .. . 316
Anti-lock brake system How the ABS system works . .... ... 274
Warning/indicator lights ... ... .... .. 21
Anti -Slip Regulation System (ASR)
How the system works ............ 272
An ti-t heft systems
Anti -theft ala rm system ...... .... .. 60
Electronic immob ilizer ... .. .... .... 49
Ashtray Front ... ...... ...... .... ..... ... 106
Rear .... ... .. .... .... ... .... .... 107
ASR How the Anti-Slip Regulation System works .. .... .... .... ... .... .... 272
Audi Service Repair Manua ls and Literature
382
AUTO mode AC climate con tro l .. .. .... ... .... . 1 17
Auto Safety Hotline . .... ........ .... . 209
Auto -Check Contro l .... ... .. .... .... .. 28
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first
Automatic belt
retractor ... .. ...... ... 215
Automatic car wash
See Washing ..... .... .... .... .... 291
Au tomatic Shift Lock (ASU .... .... .... 168
Automatic transmission 6-speed automatic transmission .... 166
Automatic Shift Lock (ASU .... ... .. 168
Driving ............. ............ . 166
Dynamic sh ift program .... ........ 169
Emergency release for selector lever 171
Fa il- safe mode . ...... .... .... .... 171
I gnition key safety lock . ...... .... . 130
Kick -d ow n .... .... .... .... ... .... 169
Manual shift program ... .. .... .... 170
Selector lever .... .... .... .... .... 1 67
Shift buttons ... .. .... .... .... ... 1 71
Steering wheel with tiptronic .. .... . 171
Average speed . ...... .... .... .... ... . 38
Avoid damaging the vehicle .. ..... ... . 28 1
B
Background ligh ting . .... ...... ... .... 76
Battery ... .. .... ... .... .... .... .... 320
Battery location inside the luggage compartment ...... .... ... .. .... 32 1
Charging ........................ 323
I mpo rta nt warn ings when work ing o n the
battery . .... .... .... ........ ... 32 1
low ............................. 276
Replacing the battery ....... .... .. 324
State of charge ... .... .... .... .... 276
Winter operation . .... .... .... .... 320
Working on the battery .... .... .... 321 Battery vo
ltage . ... .... .. .... .... .... . 36
Before driving ... .... .... ..... .. .... 201
Blended gasoline . .... .... .... ...... . 303
Body cavity sealing .. .... .... .... ... . 296
Boos ter seat ... .. .... .... ... .... .... 253
How do I properly insta ll a b ooster sea t in
my vehic le? ............... ..... 253
Safety instructions .... .......... .. 253
Brake fluid Changing the brake fluid ... .... .... 320
Checking the brake fluid level .. ... . 319
What is the correct brake fluid level? 319
What should I do if the brake f luid warning
light comes on? ... .. .... .... .... 319
Brake system Ant i-lock brake system . ..... .. .... . 21
Brake assistant .... .... .... ....... 27 4
Brake booster ..... .... ... .... .... 274
Brake fluid .... .... .... ... .... .... 319
Brake f luid specificat ions for re fill and
replacement . .... .... .... ...... . 320
Brake light defective ... ...... ...... 26
Brake pads ....... .... .... .... ... 280
Electromechanica l parking brake .... 134
Fluid reservoir .. ...... ..... .. .... 319
How does m oisture or road salt affec t the
brakes? . .... .... .... ....... .... 272
Malfunction ............ ... .. ..... 30
Warning/indicator lights .... .... .... 22
Worn brake pads symbol ........... 34
Break -in period .. .... .... .... .... ... 279
Brake pads ... .... .... .... ...... . 280
Tires . .... .... .... .... ... .... .... 279
Bu lbs . ... .... .... .... ... .... ...... . 36 4
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 ____________________________________________ _
Transmission
See Automatic transmission . . . . . . . 166
Transport Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Transporting your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Tr ead Wear Indicator (TWll ........... 337
Trip computer
V
Vanity mirror front ... ... .... ................ .. 77
rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Vehicle electrical system .. ..... .. .... . 18 Ti
re pressure monitoring system .... 20
Turn signals ... .... .... ... .... .... 19
Warranty coverages .... .... .. .... ... 382
Washer reservoir ... .... ..... .. ...... 325
Washing . .... .... .... .... ... .... ... 290
Automatic car wash ... ... ... .. ... 291
Fuel consumption ...... .... ... ... . 38
Vehic le ide ntification labe l .... ... .... 376
by hand .................... .. ... 291
Mi leage ...... ............ ....... 38
Sing le -trip memory .. ...... ...... .. 39
Total -trip memory .. .... ... .... .... 39
Trip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
What does it mean when dEF appears in the trip odometer display? ....... . 14
Trunk
See Rear lid . .............. ....... 54
Trunk escape handle ................ 350
furn signals ........................
73
Warning/indicator lights ........... 19
u
Undercoating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Unfastening safety belts ...... ...... . 217
Un idirectiona l tires ..... ... ... ... .... 326
Uniform tire quality grading .......... 342
Un locking
Power locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Rear lid/trunk lid ...... .... ...... .. 54
Remote control .. ...... ...... .... . 51
Using the key ..... .... .... ...... .. 52 Vehic
le Identification Number (VIN) .... 376
Vehic le jack .......... .... .... .. 351, 356
Vehic le literature .......... ... .... .... . 5
Vehic le transport . .................. 371
Vehic le -care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Venti lated seats .................... 118
w
Warning/indicator ligh ts . .... ....... .. 16
Adaptive Air Suspension ........ 20, 21
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Anti- lock brake system (ABS) . . . . . . . . 21
Brake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Cruise con tro l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Electromechanica l parking brake .... 22
Electronic power control ...... .... . 18
Electronic stabilization program (ESP) 18
Fog lights ........................ 19
Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
High beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Instrument cluster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU .. .. 20 with a power washer
... ... ....... . 292
Washing the vehicle ....... ... ... ... . 290
Waxing .. .... .... .... .... ... .... ... 293
Wear indicator ......... ............ . 337
Weatherstrips .... .... .... ... .... ... 295
Weights ....................... .... 377
What happens if you wear your safety belt too loose? ........... .... ..... .. ... 216
What happens to unbelted occupants? . 213
What impairs driving safety? .......... 201
What should I do after changing a wheel?
334
What should I do after replacing wheels?
334
Wheel bolts Torque ..... ...... .... ....... ... 345
Wheels .. .... .... .... .... ... .... ... 326
Cast alloy ....................... 295
Checking tire pressure .. .... ...... 333
Co ld tire inflation pressure ........ 330
General notes ... ........... .... .. 326
G lossary of tire and loading termino logy .
327
New tires and wheels ............. 338
Rear fog lights .... .... ...... ... · · · 19 T" d h. I I d
1· ·t 335
ires an ve Ic e oa Im1 s ... ... .
Safety be lt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 .,
214
When must a safety belt be replacedr . .