___ 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
s urf aces, sea ms, joi nts a nd compo nents i n th e en gine c om par t
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 301.
• Before reaching into the front plenum panel, always remove the
ignition key . Otherwise, the windshield wipe r system could unin
tentionally be switched on , possibly causing personal in jury 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 290 . •
_____________________________________________ C_ h_ e .=....= c..:..k :..:.in :....:..:= g:.....= a..:..n .:....:d::......:. f.:..:il .:..:li ..:..n ::.:g:!....-_11111
•
Closing the engine hood
- Pull the hood down until the pressure from the struts is
reduced .
- Let the hood
drop down and latch in place. Do not try to
push it shut;
it may fail to engage => &.
& WARNING
A hood that is not completely latched could fly up and block your
view while driving.
• When you close the engine hood, check it to make sure the
safety catch has properly engaged. The hood should be flush with
the surrounding vehicle body parts.
• If you notice while driving that the hood is not secured prop
erly, stop at once and close it. •
Working in the engine compartment
Be especially careful whenever you work in the engine
compartment.
Whenever you must perform any work in the engine compartment,
for example checking and filling different fluids, there is a risk of injury, burns and accidents. To prevent personal injury always
observe the following WARNINGS. The engine compartment of any
vehicle is a hazardous area
~ & .
& WARNING
To help avoid injury, before you check anything under the hood :
• Turn off the engine.
• Remove the ignition key.
• Apply the parking brake .
& WARNING (continued)
• Move selector lever to "P" (Park).
• Always let the engine cool down. Hot components will burn
skin on contact.
• To reduce the risk of being burned, never open the hood if you
see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine compart
ment. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen or heard before
carefully opening the hood.
• Keep children away from the engine compartment .
• Never spill fluids on hot engine components. They can cause a
fire.
• Never touch the radiator fan. The auxiliary electric fan is
temperature controlled and can switch on suddenly.
• Never open the coolant reservoir cap when the engine is still
warm . The coolant system is pressurized and hot coolant could
spray out.
• Protect your face, hands and arm from steam or hot engine
coolant by placing a thick rag over the cap when you open the
coolant reservoir.
• If work on the fuel system or the electrical system is necessary :
- Always disconnect the battery.
- Never smoke or work near heaters or open flames . Fluids in
the engine compartment could start a fire.
- Keep an approved fire extinguisher immediately available.
• To avoid electrical shock and personal injury while the engine
is running or being started, never touch:
- Ignition cables
- Other components of the high voltage electronic ignition system.
• If you must perform a check or repair with the engine running: -First, fully apply the parking brake, move selector lever to "P"
(Park). .,
Vehicle care
I t •
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
111'1...__F_ u_ s_ e_s _ a_n _ d_ b_ u_lb _ s _______________________________________________ _
Fuses and bulbs
Fuses
Replacing a fuse
A problem in the electrical system may be caused by a
blown fuse.
Fig. 293 Instrument
panel left: Face cover
Fig . 294 Instrument
panel left: Content
Face cover
-Locate the fuse which belongs to the component which
failed.
Switch off the ignition and the electrical component
affected. -
Carefully pry the face cover off the instrument panel
using the ignition key or a screwdriver~ fig. 293.
- Remove the plastic clip@ from its retainer in the face
cover~ fig. 294, place it over the questionable fuse and
remove the fuse.
- Replace a blown fuse (recognizable by the melted metal
strip inside) with a fuse of the
same amperage.
The individual circuits are protected by fuses. The fuse panels with
the fuses are located on the left and right front faces of the instru
ment panel behind a cover and in the left and right storage areas in
the luggage compartment.
There is a plastic clip@ in the cover on the left side of the instru
ment panel, which can be used to remove the fuses. The crank © is
used for emergency operation of the power roof*. You will also find
a label on both covers in the instrument panel with the fuse layout
© for the corresponding fuse panel.
& WARNING
Never replace a fuse with one that has a higher amperage rating.
• A fuse with a too high amperage could damage the electrical
part and cause a fire.
(D Note
• On no account should fuses be repaired (e.g. patched up with tin
foil or wire) as this may cause serious damage elsewhere in the elec
trical circuit or cause fire.
• If a fuse blows repeatedly, do not keep replacing it. Instead, have
the cause of the repeated short circuit or overload located and fixed . .,_
ffl,___G_ e_ n_ e_r_a _ l_ i _n_ f_ o_ rm_ a _t_io _ n _______________________________________________ _
General information
Explanation of technical data
Some of the technical data listed in this manual requires
further explanation.
The technical data for your vehicle is listed in the charts starting on
~ page 380. This section provides general information, notes and
restrictions which app ly to this data. •
Vehicle identification
The key data is given on the vehicle identification number
(VIN) pla te and the vehicle data st icker.
F ig. 30 8 Veh icle Iden ti
f ic ati on Nu mber ( VIN )
pl ate: locatio n on
dri ver's s ide das h
p anel F
ig . 309 The vehi cle
i d e ntifi cat ion la be l -
i nside the lug gag e
com partm ent
The Vehicle Id enti fication Numb er (V IN)
is located on the driver's side so that it is visible from the outside
through the windshield ~ fig . 308.
Th e veh icle i de ntifi cat ion lab el
is located in the luggage compar tment in the spare whee l well.
The label~ fig. 309 shows the following vehic le data:
0 Production control No.
0 Vehicle identification No.
G) Type code number
© Type designation/engine output in Ki lowatts
@ Engine and transmission code letter
© Paint No./lnterior
0 Optiona l equipment No.'s
Vehicle data 2 to 7 are also found in your Warranty
& Maintenance
booklet.
Th e s afet y co mpli ance sti cker
is your assurance that your new vehicle complies with a ll app licable
Federa l Motor Vehicle Safety Standards which were in effect at the
time the vehicle was manu factured. You can find this sticker on the
left door jamb . It shows the month and year of production and the .._
___ C_ o_n_ s_ u_m _ e_ r_ ln_ f_o _r_m _ a_ t_ i_o _n ______________________________________________ _
& WARN ING (continued )
• The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially
hazardous area . Never rea ch into the area around or to uch the
radiator fan . It is temperature controlled and can sw itch on
suddenly -even when the engine is off and the ignition key has
been removed . The radiator fan switches on automatically when
the coolant reaches a certain temperature and will continue to run until the coolant tempe rature drops .
• Always remove the ignition key before anyone gets under the
vehi cle .
• Always support your vehicle with safety stands if it is neces
sary to work underneath the vehicle . The jack suppl ied with the
vehicle is not adequate for this purpose and could collap se
causing serious personal injury .
• If you must work underneath the vehicle with the wheels on
the ground, always make sure the veh icle is on level ground , that
the wheels are always securely blocked and that the engine
cannot be sta rted .
• Always make sure the tr ansmission selector lever (automatic
transmission) is in "P" (Park position ) and the p ark brake is firmly
applied.
W For the sake of the environment
• Cha ng ing the e ngin e sett ings will a dverse ly aff ect em iss ion
levels. This is detrimenta l to the environment and increases fuel
co nsump tion .
• Always observe environmenta l regu lations when disposing of
o ld eng ine oil, u sed bra ke flu id, d irty eng ine coo la nt, spent batter ies
or worn out tires.
• Undeployed airbag modul es and pretensioners might be classi
fied as Perchlorate Material -specia l handling may apply, see
www .d tsc.ca .gov/ hazardouswaste/pe rc h lora te . W hen t he vehicle or
parts of the restraint s ystem including airbag modules safety be lts
with pre tensio ners are sc ra p pe d, a ll ap pl ica ble laws and reg ula- tions must be observed. Your authorized Audi dea
ler is familiar with
t hese requi reme nts and we reco mmend th at you h ave your dealer
perform th is serv ice for you. •
Additional accessories,
modifications and parts replacement
Additional accessories and parts
replacement
A lways consult an author ized Audi dea ler before
pur chasin g access orie s.
Y our vehicle incorporates the latest safety design featu res ensuring
a hi gh standa rd of active a nd passive sa fety .
T his saf ety could be com promised by non -approved changes to th e
vehic le . Fo r thi s reason, i f parts have to be replaced, p lease obse rve
th e fo llow ing po ints wh en insta lling add it io na l acc essories:
Approved Audi accessories and genuine Audi parts are avai lable
from autho rized Audi dea lers .
T hese dealers also have the necessary faci lities, tools and trained
spec ia lists to ins tal l the part s and accessorie s prope rly.
& WARNING
Using the wrong spare parts or using non -approved accessories
can cause serious personal injury.
• Use only accessorie s expressly approved by Audi and genuine
Audi spare parts
• These parts and accessories have been specially designed to
be used on your vehicle .
• Never install accessories such as telephone cradles or
beverage holders on airbag covers or within the airbag deploy-
_______________________________________________ C _o_ n _ s_u _ m_ e_ r_l_n _f_o _ r_ m_ a_ t _i _o _ n __ lllll
& WA RNIN G (continu ed )
ment zone s. Do ing so will in creas e the risk of injur y if airb ags are
trig ger ed in an accident!
• Before you che ck anyth ing in the engine comp artme nt, a lwa ys
re ad and heed all WARNIN GS=>
page 301 .
0 Note
• If items other than ge nuine Audi spare parts, add -on equ ipment
and accessory items are used or if repair work is not performed
according to specified 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 war ranty.
• T he innovative a luminium concept of your Audi A8 means that all
servicing, repairs or other work on the vehic le body mus t be carried
out exc lusively by an Audi workshop.
• I f emergency repairs must be performed e lsewhere, have the
vehicle examined by an authorized Audi dealer as soon as possible.
• The manufacturer cannot be held liable for damage which occurs
due to failure 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 impa ired =>& .
Attempting to work on electronic components and the software used with them can cause malfunctio 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 operat ional safety of your vehicle and an increased
wear of vehicle parts => & .
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 modifications.
& WARNING
Improper repair s and modifications c an change the way vehicle
s y stems work and cau se seriou s per sonal injury .
0 Note
If emergency repairs must be perfor med e lsewhere, have the
vehic le examined by an authorized Audi dea ler as soon as
possible. •
Declaration of Compliance ,
Telecommunication or Electronic Systems
Ra dio Fre quency Devices and R adio comm unic ation
E quipment User Manual N otic e.
The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio or TV interference
caused by unauthorized modificat io n s to this equi pment .
Device s
The followi ng devices each comp ly w ith FCC Part 15 .19, FCC 15.21
and RSS-Gen Issue 1:
• Adaptive C ruise Contro l
• Convenience key
• Aud i side assist
• Cell phone package
• Electronic immobilizer
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Tec hn ica l da ta
___ C_ o_n_ s_ u_m _ e_ r_ ln_ f_ o _r _m _ a_ t_ i_o _n ______________________________________________ _
• Home link® universal remote control
• Remote contro l key
• Tire pressure monitoring system *
FCC Part 15.19
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules . Operation is
subject to the fo llowing two conditions :
(1 l This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC Part 15 .21
CAUTION:
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment .
RSS-Gen Issue 1
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1 l this device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference, including interference
that may cause undesired operation of the device.•