2009 AUDI S8 headlights

Instruments and warning /indicator lights
Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Instruments
Instrument cluster and controls
The instrument cluster is your central source of informa­
tion.
F ig . 2 Overview of the instrume nt cluster
CD Coolant temperature gauge ..................... .
0 Tachometer with time and date display .. ......... .
G) Warning/indicator lights .. ... .... ... ... ...... .. .
© Driver information system ..... ... .... ...... .... .
© Speedome ter with odometer ..... .... ..... ... .. .
© Fuel gauge . ..... ..... ... ... ..... ..... .... ... . .
G) Reset button for trip odometer ........... ... .... .
12
13 , 13
16
24
14
14
14
© I CH ECK] button ............. ..... .... ... ...... .
® Ins trument cluster illumination . ......... ........ .
[ i ] Tips
15
15
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 complete ly when the outside light is
very low . Th is feature is meant to remind you to switch on the head­
lights when outside light conditions become poor. •
Engine coolant temperature gauge
The engine coolant gauge~ fig. 2 CD only works when the ignition
is on. To prevent damage to your engine, please note the following
important points:
Engine cold
As long as the needle remains at the left end of the gauge, the
engine still has not reached its operating temperature. Avoid high
engine speeds, heavy engine loads and heavy throttle applications.
Normal temperature
When the engine has reached its operating temperature, the needle
will move into the midd le of the gauge and remain there. If the
engine is working hard at high outside temperatures, the needle
may go furthe r to the right. This is no need to worry as long as the
J_ warning light in the instrument cluster does not illuminate.
Warning light in the instrument cluster -L
When the-•-warning light starts to flash, this can mean one of two
things: either the coo lant temperature is too high , or the coolant
level is too low~ page 31 . .,_

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

Driver information display
Battery voltage ~
If the battery's state of charge is not in the optimal range, the
symbol is shown in the display and the driver message
Low battery
charge: battery will be charged while driving
appears.
While this driver notification is displayed, you have to be prepared
for limited starting capability.
Driver message appears and goes out again
If this driver message appears after the ignition is turned on or
while driving and it goes out again after a while, the battery has
been adequately recharged.
Driver message appears and does not go out again
If this driver notification appears after the ignition is turned on or
while driving and does not go out again, the battery's state of
charge is not in the optimal range. Starting capability is restricted.
Have the battery checked at a dealership as soon as possible.•
Applies to vehicles: w ith Conven ience key
Key not in vehicle
Key not in vehicle
This message appears together with the symbol when the
remote control key is removed from the vehicle while the engine is
running. This is to remind you that you should not continue your trip
without your key.
If the remote control key is no longer in the vehicle, you will not be
able to start the engine again after you have switched off the igni ­
tion. In addition to this, you will not be able to lock the vehicle from
the outside. •
Applies to vehicles: with Adap tive ligh t
Adaptive Light defective== ~
.. c; Adaptive light defective
When this symbol L illuminates, it means that Adaptive Light is
defective. Go to an authorized dealership to have the headlights or
the control unit for the Adaptive Light repaired. •
Headlight range control defective '.:1
T<. Headlight range control defective !
If the symbol illuminates, the dynamic headlight range control is no
longe r working properly. Have the system checked and repaired at
your Audi dealer. •
Defective light /rain sensor jf:>
.... Automatic headlights/automatic wipers defective
If the symbol illuminates, the light/rain sensor has failed. For safety
reasons the low beams are turned on permanently with the switch
in
AUTO. However , you can continue to turn the lights on and off
using the light switch. If the rain sensor fails, the functions of the
windshield wiper lever will still work. Contact your authorized Audi
dealer as soon as possible to have the problem corrected. •

Clear vision
Lights
Switching the headlights on and off ·'t!-·
In the "AUTO " position, a light sensor automatically
s w itches t he head- and tailligh ts on and off in response to
l ight con ditio ns.
Fig . 56 Instrument
p an el: light switch
Switching on automatic headlight control
- T urn th e lig ht switch to AUTO => fig. 56 .
Switching on the side marker lights
- T urn the light switch to ~oo~.
Switching on the headlights and high beam
- T urn th e li ght swit ch to fD.
- Pu sh the high beam leve r forw ard towa rds t he instru -
m ent panel
=> page 73 .
Switching off the lights
- T urn t he light switch to 0 .
Con tro ls and eq uip­
ment
Clear vision
The headlights only work when the ignition is switched on . While
starting the engine or when switching off the ignition, the head ­
lights will go off and only the side marker lights will be on.
After starting the engine, the xenon headlights are automa tically
adjus ted to the load and a ngle of the vehic le (for example, during
acceleration , braking) . This prevents oncoming traffic from exper i­
encing unnecessary headl ig ht g la re from your xenon head ligh ts .
If the system is not operating properly, a warning symbol in the
Auto -Check Contro l is displayed => page
36.
With the side marke r lights or head ligh ts switched on, the sym bol
next to the light switch illuminates
:oo:.
Daytime running lights
• USA models : The daytime running lights wi ll come on automati­
ca lly when the ig nition is turned on and the ligh t swi tch => fig. 56 is
in the
O position or the AUTO position (only in daylight conditions).
The
Daytime running lights func tio n can be tur ned on and off in the
MMI menu
E xterior lighting => page 70 => & .
• Canada models: The dayti me ru nn ing lights wi ll come on au to ­
matically when the ignition is turned on and the light switch
=> fig. 56 is i n the
O po sitio n or the AUTO po siti on (only in dayligh t
condi tions) => & .
Automatic headligh t control
In the switch posi tion AUTO the automatic headlight cont ro l is
t urned on . The low beams are turned on automa tica lly through a
light sensor as soon as ambient brightness (e .g . when driving into a
t unnel) fa lls below a value preset at the factory . When ambient
brightness increases again, the low beams are turned off again
aut omatically =>& .
I n the
AUTO posit io n the low beams are switched off automatically
when the ignition is turned off. If the high beams were switched on,
they w ill come o n again the ne xt time the a utomatic head ligh t
~
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

Clear vision
control is activated. The high beam function must first be switched
on in the MMI
=> page 70 .
Light Se nsor M alfu nction
In the event of a ligh t sensor mal funct ion, the driver is notified in the
instrument cluster display:
~ Autom atic headlights /aut om atic wipers defe ctive
For safety reasons the low beams are turned on permanently wit h
the switch in
AUTO . However, you can continue to turn the lights on
and off using the light switch . Have the light sensor checked as soon
as possible at a dealership.
& WARNING
• Never use d aytime running lights to see where you are going .
The y are not bright enough and will not let you see f ar enoug h
ahead for s afet y, espe cially at du sk or when it is dark. Alw ays
switch on the low beams at du sk or when i t is dark .
• Autom ati c he adli ght s are onl y intended to as sist the dr iver .
The y do not relie ve the d riv er of his re spon sib ility to che ck the
he adlights and to turn them on manuall y according to t he current
ligh t and vi sibility conditions . For example , fog and ra in cannot be
dete cted by the light sen sor s. S o alw ays switch on the he adlights
under these weather con dition s and when dr iving in the dark
gD .
• Cras hes ca n happen when you c annot s ee the ro ad ahe ad and
when you cannot be seen by other motor ists .
- Alw ays turn on the headlight s so that you can see ahe ad and
s o that others can se e your c ar from th e ba ck.
[ i J Tips
• With the switch in AUTO front fog lights and rear fog lights
cannot be turned on in addition. • I
f you remove the ignition from the ignition lock while the head­
l ights are s till on, a bu zzer w ill sound as long as the driver's door is
open to remind you to turn off the l ights .
• Always observe the specific local regulations for your area as to
when to use your lights. •
Adjusting exterior lighting
The functions are set in the MM/.
Press the I CAR] function button.
- Select
Systems in the CA R menu.
Fig. 57 MM I dis pla y:
E xt eri or ligh ting
- Sele ct Exterior lighting. The menu Exterior lighting
appears => fig . 57.
C oming h ome
The Coming home function ensures that after tu rni ng off the igni ­
tion and open ing the driv er's d oor
the vehicle periphery is illum i­
nated in the dark . In addition, the front fog lights, the tail lights and
the license plate light are turned on . On -ti me can be set fo r a per iod
from
O (off) to 60 seconds. ~

Clear vision
High beam
~D
-Push the lever forward 0 to switch on the high beam.
Pull the lever back towards you to switch off the high
beam.
Headlight flasher ~D
- Pull the lever toward the steering wheel © to use the
headlight flasher.
Notes on these features
• The turn signals only work with the ignition turned on. The indi­
cator lights ¢ or¢ in the instrument cluster~ page 16 also blink.
• After you have turned a corner, the turn signal switches off auto ­
matically.
• The high beam works only when the headlights are on. The indi ­
cator light ~D in the instrument cluster illuminates when the high
beams are on.
• The headlight flasher works only as long as you hold the lever -
even if there are no lights turned on. The indicator light [Din the
instrument cluster illuminates when you use the headlight flasher.
• With the switch in the
AUTO position, the high beams can only
be turned on if the function is switched on in MMI
~ page 70.
0 Note
Do not use the high beam or headlight flasher if you know that these
could blind oncoming traffic. •
Interior lights
Front interior lights
The interior lights include reading lights for both the
driver and the front passenger.
--
1111
~ . ~D
ro,:q
111111111
0
Interior lights
111111111
111111111
0 Fig. 63 Rooflining:
Front interior lights
Fig. 64 Rooflining:
Front reading lights ;
- Press the @J button to turn off the interior lights
~ fig. 63. If you press the button a second time, the inte­
rior lights in the rear are also turned off.
- Press the
(ID button to turn on the door contact circuit.
Press the button a second time to turn on the door
contact circuit for the rear doors.

ture on the windshield. The rain sensor wiper intervals depend on
t he sensi tivi ty setting as well as vehic le speed . Dur ing brief s tops,
wiper motion wil l adjust in re lation to the amount of rain on the
windsh ield .
During br ief stops, e.g. at a red ligh t, wiper mot ion wil l automa ti­
cal ly be reduced to the next lower speed . Wipers a lready turning at
low speed. cha nge to i ntermittent w ip ing.
When the ignition is turned on, the washer jets are heated .
With the low beam headlights switched on, p ull the wiper lever
towards you only
briefly t o clean the windshield. Ho lding the wiper
lever wou ld a lso engage the headlight washer system each time you
clean the w indsh ie ld and wou ld dra in the washer fluid reservoir
pr ematurely.
& WARNING
• Wiper blades are crucial for safe driving! Only when they are in
good condition are they able to clear the windows properly to
provide uncompromising visibilit y. Worn or damaged wiper blades
are a safety hazard
=> page 82 , "In stalling new wiper blade s"!
• The rain sensor is only designed to assist and support the
driver . It remains entirely the driver' s respon sibility to monitor
out side weather condit ions and to manually acti vate the wipers as
soon as rain or drizzle reduces visibility through the windshield.
• The windshield must not be treated with water-repellent mate­
rial s. They can increa se glare under poor visibility conditions such
as wetness , darkness , or when the sun is low on the horizon. In
addition , they can cau se the wind shield wipers to chatter.
0 Note
In freezi ng or near freezing conditions:
• Always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the glass
be fore you turn the w ipe rs on. Loose n a wiper b lade wh ich is fro zen
Controls and equip ­
ment
Cl ea r vision
in place before operating the wipers to prevent damage to the wiper
blade or the wiper motor.
• Do not use the wipers to clear a frosted window. Using the
wipers as a convenient ice scraper will des troy the wiper blades .
• Before you take your vehic le to an automatic car wash, make sure
you have the w indshield w iper system switched o ff (lever in p ositi on
Ol, otherwise the windshield wiper system could get damaged in the
car was h if it should suddenly co me on .
[ i ] Tips
• Make sure th e washer fluid reservoir in the engin e compart men t
is topped off before going on a long trip . Look up=>
page 325 for
check ing and fi lling t he washer conta iner.
• I f you switch off the ignition with the windshield wiper lever still
in the inte rval wi pe positio n and t hen come ba ck a while la ter and
drive off, the rain sensor will reactivate itself after the vehicle speed
has exceeded
4 mph (6 km/h) .
• Worn or dirty windshie ld wiper b lades cause smearing which
can aff ect t he opera tion of the rai n senso r. Check the c ondi tion of
your windshield wiper b lades regu lar ly . •
Headlight washer system
The hea dligh t washer s ys tem cle ans the he adlig hts.
Opera te the win dshi eld w iper/was her sy stem @wit h th e
h eadl igh ts t urned o n by ho ld in g the lev er fo r lo nge r than
one s eco nd
~ page 80, fig. 76 .
The washer je ts extend forward out of the fron t bumper driven by
water pressure to spray the front head lights with water .
You should inspect the head lights regu lar ly (for examp le when refu -
e ling) a nd c lean o ff any solid dirt or insects from the lenses. _,.
I • •

___ C_ le_ a _ n_i_n ~g _ a_ n_ d __ p_r _o _t _e _c_ t_ i_o _n ___________________________________________ _
0 Note
• Never try to remove d irt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle
is dry . Never use a dry cloth or sponge, since this cou ld scratch your
vehic le's paint or w indows.
• Never wash your car in bright sunlight. Drops of water act as
magnify ing lenses and may damage your paint.
• When you wash your car in the winter : if you rinse your vehicle
with a hose, be careful not to aim the stream of water directly at
locks, or at door or hatch openings -they can freeze shut.
• Never use sponges designed to remove insects, or any kitchen
scouring sponges or similar products. They can damage your paint
finish .
• Never use a dry cloth or sponge to c lean the head ligh ts. Only use
wet cloths or sponges to prevent scratches . It is best to use soapy
water.
For the sake of the environment
In the interest of the environment, the vehicle should on ly be
washed in specia l wash bays. •
Washing your vehicle with a power washer
Cleaning the exterior of your car with a high -p ressure
power washer is safe as l ong as y ou observe a few simple
rules .
-Before using the power washer, make s ure you have read
and understood the WAR NINGS=::;,
& in "General infor­
mati on" o n
page 290.
-Always follow the operating instructions for the power
washer. - Make sure that the jet o
n the spray hose pro duces a "fan
sha ped sp ray".
D o
not hold the spray nozzle too close to soft materials.
When cleaning the vehicle with a power washer always follow the
operating instructions. This applies particula rly to the
operating
pre ssure
and the spraying di stance . Maintain a sufficient distance
to soft materia ls such as rubber hoses and sound/vibration dead ­
ening materia ls (part icularly on the underside of the engine hood).
Do not use a jet which sprays water in a
direct stream or one that
has a
rotating jet.
Water temperature should not exceed 140 °F (60 °Cl.
& WARNING
Never wash tire s with a jet that sp ra ys water in a dir e ct stream .
Thi s could cau se invisible damage to the tire s and we ake n them ,
eve n if th e spra y is from a re lativel y lo ng dis tanc e an d f or a sh o rt
time . Damaged and weakened tire s can f ail and cau se ac cident s
a nd per sona l injur y.
0 Note
To avoid damaging your vehicle, always make sure that there is
suffic ient distance between the spray head and soft materia ls like
rubber hoses, plastic parts and sound -deadening materials . Never
aim the spray head at the same p oint for a long time . This also
applies to cleaning headlights and painted bumpers . Remember :
the c loser the nozzle is to the surface of the material, the greater the
stress on the mater ial. •