2009 AUDI S8 ground clearance

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 • •

-L~A~d~a~ p~ t~iv~ e~A~ ir~ S~u~ s ~p~ e~n~ s~io~n ~-------------------------------------------
Adaptive Air Suspension
Adaptive Air Suspension and
Damping
Description
Adaptive Air Suspension and damping can be regulated and they adapt automatically t o a request from the driver
and the driving situation at the time.
Adaptive Air Suspension is an electronica lly controlled springing
and damping system. This chassis system makes it easier on the
driver by adapting to the particular situation through imperceptible
control processes.
The
Ad aptiv e Ai r Suspen sion component regulates ground clear ­
ance depending on vehic le speed, load condition and driver input.
Accelerating to a speed above a predetermined limit wil l make the
vehic le lower itself. On the other hand, driving more slowly results
in the vehicle raising aga in at specific speeds.
The
damping component provides individual control of the
damping forces . For example, with damping c haracteristics set to
provide greater comfort, damping is set somewhat harder for a brief period only as required, for example, when going around a curve or
over rough road surfaces as well as when braking.
Settings
Adaptive Air Suspension provides the driver w ith the opportunity to
set the chassis characteristics also to their individual preference .
With the driving modes
standard, automatic and dynamic the driver
has three chassis settings available, ranging from comfort to sporty.
In addition,
lift provides a fourth mode which can be selecting for
driving over poor stretches of road=>
page 189, "Chassis Controls".
The modes are set in MMI =>
page 191.
On vehicles equipped with the s port su spen sio n Adaptive Air
Suspension -Sport*, there is generally more emphasis on a sporty
chassis setting. Settings range from comfortable to firm
=>
page 190, "Sport Chassis Contro ls".
0 Note
• Whenever you park your vehicle, always make sure there is
adequate c learance
above and below the vehic le . The height of the
parked vehicle can change as the result of temperature fluctuations,
changes in load conditi on and changes in the driving m ode (gro und
clearance).
• Mount the tie -down chains/cables over the running surface
(circumference) of the tires . Never secure the vehicle by the axle, the
suspension stru ts or the front or rear towline eye. For technical
reasons, the pressure in the suspension struts may change during
the transport and this wi ll adversely affect vehicle handling.
• To prevent damage to the vehicle underbody, remember that
you r veh ic le is not an off -road vehicle, even in the lift mode. The
ground c learance is insufficient for this type of operation.
• If you are going to tow a trai ler, you must activa te the trai ler oper ­
ation mode=>
page 792.
[ i ] T ip s
Before you can raise your vehic le using the vehicle jack (for
example, when changing a flat tire) you must activate the jacking
mode=>
page 191 . •

____________________________________________ A_ d_a--' p=-- t_iv _e_ A_ ir_ S_u_ s-=- p_e _ n_ s _ io_ n __ JIIII
Chassis Controls
Four different driving modes can be set by the driver.
The automatic control processes are speed -and time -dependent.
For example, it is not possib le to raise the suspension to the lift
mode above certain speeds .
When a speed of about 75 mph ( 120 km/h) is exceeded for more than
30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered approximately 1
inch (25 mm) to a level suitable for highway speeds, except in the
standard mode . Road holding is optim ized as a result of the lower
center of gravity and fue l consumption is reduced as a result of
reduced wind resistance .
Level adjustment
lift
automatic
dynamic
a utomati c Ground
clear ance
about 5 .7 inches (145 mm)
a bout 4.7 inches ( 120 mm)
about 4 .7 inches (120 mm)
about 3 .9 inches (100 mm)
Select the automatic mode if you prefer a suspension setting
e m phasizing comfort. Damping characteristics emphasizing
comfort are selected in this mode.
• Lower ing : When a speed of about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded
for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered by about 1 inch (25 mm) .
• Rais ing : The vehicle is automatically raised again if the speed
falls be low about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period of 120 seconds. The
vehicle is raised immediately when speed falls below about 22 mph (35 km/h) .
dynami c
Select the sport mode if you prefer a sporty suspension setting. In
this mode, the vehic le is lowered whi le it is still stationary and
Controls and equip ­
ment
sporty damping characteristics are selected. The warning light ~
in the instrument cluster will come on for a few seconds just to
remind you of the reduced ground clearance .
I f you switch off the engine while the vehicle is in the dynamic mode
and then switch on the ignition once again, the~ warning light
wi ll also come on again for a few seconds.
• Lowering : When a speed of abou t 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded
for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered by an addi tional 0 .2 in (5 mml.
• Raising : The vehicle is automatically raised again if the speed
falls bel ow about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period o f 120 seconds . The
vehic le is raised immediately when speed falls below about 22 mph
(35 km/h).
s ta nd ard
Select the standard mode if you desire a suspension setting with a
special emphasis on comfort . In the standard mode there is
no
lowering o f the suspension. Even at high speeds, the veh icle stays
at the same level. Damping characteristics with a decided emphasis
on comfort are selected in this mode .
lift
Select the lift mode when you have to travel over poo r sections of
road (e .g . trai ls). In the lift mode, the vehic le is raised by 1 inch (25
mm) compared to norma l leve l while it is still stationary and
damping characteristics are adjusted to emphasize comfort.
The lift mode can be act ivated only at speeds be low 50 mph (80
km/h). When a speed of about 62 mph (100 km/h) is exceeded, the
system automatically leaves lift mode and the mode set previously
(standard, automa tic, dynamic) is activated again. •
I • •

....... _A_ d_ a --=- p_t_ i_v _e_ A_ ir_ S_u_ s_,_ p_e_ n_ s_io _ n _____________________________________________ _
[ i] Tips
The vehicle jack mode is switched off automatically at speeds above
9 mph (15 km/h). •
Towing a Trailer
Automatic lowering is not desirable when towing a trailer.
Fig. 214 MMI display :
Activate towing opera­
tion
If you are going to tow a trailer, you must activate the trailer
towing mode.
Switching the trailer towing mode on and off
manually
- Press the ICAR)function button. The main menu
Adaptive Air Suspension appears.
- Press the !SETUP] function button. The menu
Adaptive
Air Suspension
appears ~ fig. 214.
- Select
Trailer towing mode on or off as desired.
Level Adjustment when Towing a Trailer
The following applies to vehicles with Adaptive Air Suspension: • Before
hitching up the trailer
and before adjusting the tongue
weight at the trailer, the automatic or standard mode
must be
selected, so that the vehicle is at normal level=>
page 191, "Setting
the Driving Modes".
• If driving in dynamic mode is desired, this mode
must be
selected before hitching up the trailer and before adjusting the
tongue weight . However, note that your vehicle is lowered and
ground clearance is reduced.
• If you have to drive under difficult road conditions, you can
select lift mode after hitching up the trailer or after adjusting the
tongue weight .
The following applies to vehicles with
sport suspension Adaptive Air
Suspension -Sport*:
• Before hitching up the trailer
and before adjusting the tongue
weight at the trailer, the automatic, standard or dynamic mode
must
be selected, so that the vehicle is at normal level=> page 191,
"Setting the Driving Modes".
• If you have to drive under difficult road conditions , you can
select lift mode after hitching up the trailer or after adjusting the
tongue weight .
Restrictions when Operating with a Trailer
When operating with a trailer, the lift mode can only be selected up
to about 25 mph (40 km/h). The system automatically goes out of lift
mode when speed exceeds about 31 mph (50 km/hl.
If the vehicle is in automatic, standard or lift mode before the trailer
towing mode is activated, the dynamic mode cannot be activated -
except on vehicles with
sport suspension Adaptive Air Suspension -
Sport*.
If the vehicle is in dynamic mode before towing operation is acti­
vated, it can be driven in this mode. If the suspension is shifted from
this mode to automatic mode, dynamic mode cannot be re-selected.~

ll}Jl __ ln_ t _e_ ll-'"ig ...,_ e_ n_t _t_ e_ c_ h _ n_o _ l_o _,.g= y,_ __________________________________________ _
Winter tires
When driving in the winter, your vehicle with All Wheel Drive has an
advantage, even with regular tires. In winter road conditions it may be advisable to mount winter tires (or all -season tires) for improved
driveability and braking: these tires must be mounted on
all four
wheels.
See also ~ page 343, "Winter tires".
Tire chains
Where tire chains are mandatory on certain roads, this normally
also applies to vehicles with All Wheel Drive~
page 344, "Snow
chains".
Replacing wheels/tires
Vehicles with All Wheel Drive must always have tires of the same
size. Also avoid tires with different tread depths . For details see
page ~
page 338, "New tires and replacing tires and wheels".
Off-Road driving?
Your Audi does not have enough ground clearance to be used as an
off-road vehicle. It is therefore best to avoid rough tracks and
uneven terrain as much as possible. Also refer to~
page 281.
& WARNING
Always adjust your driving to road and traffic conditions. Do not
let the extra safety afforded by All Wheel Drive tempt you into
taking extra risks.
• Although the All Wheel Drive is very effective, always
remember that braking capacity is limited by tire traction. You
should therefore not drive at excessive speeds on icy or slippery
road surfaces.
• On wet road surfaces, be careful not to drive too fast because
the front wheels could begin to slide on top of the water (aqua­
planing).
If this should occur, you will have no warning from a
sudden increase in engine speed as with a front-wheel drive
vehicle. Always drive at speeds which are suited to the road condi­
tions - risk of crash. •
Energy management
Starting ability is opt:m·zed
Energy management controls the distribution of electrical
energy and thus optimizes the availability of electrical
energy for starting the engine.
If a vehicle with a conventional energy system is not driven for a
long period of time, the battery is discharged by idling current
consumers (e.g . immobilizer) . In certain circumstances it can result
in there being insufficient energy available to start the engine.
Intelligent energy management in your vehicle handles the distribu­
tion of electrical energy. Starting ability is markedly improved and
the life of the battery is extended.
Basically, energy management consists of
battery diagnosis, idling
current management
and dynamic energy management.
Battery diagnosis
Battery diagnosis continuously determines the state of the battery.
Sensors determine battery voltage, battery current and battery
temperature. This determines the current state of charge and the
power of the battery .
Idling current management
Idling current management reduces energy consumption while the
vehicle is standing. With the ignition switched off, it controls the
energy supply to the various electrical components . Data from
battery diagnosis is considered.
Depending on the battery's state of charge, individual consumers
are gradually turned off to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery and thus maintain starting capability.
Dynamic energy management
While the vehicle is being driven, dynamic energy management distributes the energy generated according to the needs of the indi-•