Instruments and warning /indicator lights
[ i J Tips
• The digital clock and the odometer are turned on for about 30
seconds when the driver's door is opened.
• When the ignition is turned off, the odometer reading and the
digital clock with date display can be switched on for about
30 seconds by pressing the
I CHECK) button => page 15, fig. 5. •
Speedometer with odometer
The speedometer shows you the vehicle speed, and the
odometer shows you how many miles (kilometers) you
have driven.
Fig . 4 Instrument
c luster Odometer and
reset button
The odometer and trip odometer are located inside the speedom
eter.
• USA models -Miles
• Canada models -Kilometers
You can switch the display from miles to kilometers and vice versa
via the MMI.
Lower odometer
The lower odometer shows the total number of miles (kilometers)
driven. Upper
odometer (trip odometer )
The upper odometer shows the total number of mil·es (kilometers)
driven since you last reset the odometer to zero. You can use this
odometer when you wan t to keep track of how many miles (kilome
ters) you have driven for a single trip or errand. The last d igit indi
cates 1/10 of a mile (100 meters) .
You can reset the trip odometer to zero by pressing the Reset button
(0.0).
Malfunction message
If there is a malfunction somewhere in the instrument cluster, dEF
wi ll appear in the trip odometer and will stay on. Contact your
authori zed Audi dealer to have the prob lem corrected .
Immobilizer
When you switch on the ignition, the data chip inside the key is
"read" by the immobilizer system.
If an unauthorized key is inserted into the ignition lock, the word
SAFE will come on and stay on. You will not be able to start the
vehicle=>
page 49.
[ i J Tips
• The digita l clock and the odometer are turned on for about 30
seconds when the driver's door is opened.
• When the ignition is turned off, the odometer reading and the
digital clock with date display can be switched on for about
30 seconds by pressing the
I CHECK) button=> page 15, fig. 5. •
Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge only works when the ignition is on.
The fuel tank holds about 23 .8 gallons (90 liters). When the needle
reaches the reserve mark, the=>
page 35 symbol appears in the
instrument cluster display as well as the message
Please refuel. .,_
Battery operation in the master key is monitored by a check light .
The check light flashes when one of the buttons on the master key
is pressed . If the check light does not flash, the battery is dead and
has to be replaced .
In addition, when the battery is dead the symbol appears in the
instrument cluster display as well as the message :
Please ch ange key battery
We recommend having the battery changed by an Audi Dealer .•
Electronic immobilizer
T he immob ili z er helps to prevent unauthorized use of
y o ur vehicle.
A computer chip inside your key automatically deactivates the e lec
tr onic im mob ilizer when you insert the key in the ign iti on lock, or on
vehic les with Convenience key*, when the key is inside the vehicle .
When you remove the key from the ignition lock, or on vehicles with
Convenience key, when you remove the key from the vehicle, the
e lectronic immobilizer is automatica lly activated once again.
If an unauthor ized key was used,
SAFE is disp layed continuously in
the odometer disp lay field.
& WARNING
Always take the key w ith you when you leave the vehicle. The key
c an disarm the electronic engine immob ilizer and permit an unau
thori zed person to start the engine and enable oper atio n of the
vehicle sy stem s such a s power window or power sunroof leading
to s eriou s personal injury .
[ i ] Tip s
• Your engine can on ly be started using the factory-equipped key.
Controls and equip
ment
Opening and clo sing
• You may not be ab le to start your vehic le if an ignition key of a
different ve hicle make is a lso l oca ted on your set of keys .
• F or Dec laration of Comp liance to United States FCC and Industry
Canada regulations =>
page 385 . •
Power locking system
General description
T he power locking system locks or unlocks all doors and
the rear lid simultaneousl y.
The power loc kin g system in your veh ic le incorporates the following
functions:
• Central locking function
• Selective unlock feature=>
page 52
• Remo te contro l fea ture => page 48
• Convenience key*=> page 58
• Ant i-theft a larm system => page 60
All the doors and the rear lid are locked by the central locking
system when you lock the v ehicle. You can set whether general ly
only the driver's door or all doors and the rear lid should be
unlocked when you open t he vehic le in the MM I menu
Central
loc king
to suit your individua l desires=> page 52.
Unlocking the vehicle
You can un lock the vehic le from outside either by using the remote
co ntrol
or by tur ning the key i nside the driver's door lock. When you
unlo ck your vehic le:
• The anti -theft ala rm system is deactivated briefly .
• The vehicle interior lights i lluminate for approximately 30
sec ond s.
• All turn signal lights wi ll flash twice when the car is unlocked. .,,_
I • •
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-•
_______________________________________________ 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
Alphab eti ca l ind ex I'll ____________________________ ...:.....=.!:..:....:.=.::::...::...::.:....::....:.: __ _
ECON operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Fan .. ... ... ... .. .... ....... .... . 120
Heated seats , front .... ... ..... ... 118
in the rear .... ........... ..... ... 125
Key coded setting .... ....... .... . 114
Rear c limate controls .. ...... .... . 125
Rear seat operation . ... .. .... .... . 127
Recircu lation mode (automa tic) ... .. 126
Recommended settings ...... .... . 11 4
Residual heat . ... .... .... ...... .. 117
Setting the temperature ....... .... 117
SETUP ... ..... .. .... ....... .... . 126
Solar blower fan/solar roof .... .... . 123
Solar operation ... ... .... ....... . 127
Switching on and off .............. 117
Synchronization .. ................ 127
Using climate control economical ly . 123
W indshield defogger/defroster . .... 123
Clock ...... ... .. ........ .... .... ... . 13
Closing Power sunroo f .... ... .... .... .... . 66
Coat hooks ................ .... .... . 112
Co ld tire inflation pressure .. ...... ... 330
Compa rtments in the door trim panels . 111
Compartments in the rear doors ....... 111
Compliance ... .. .... .... ... .... .... 385
Consumer Information ....... .... 209, 382
Contacting NHTSA .................. 209
Conven ience key ... .. .... ... .... .... . 58
Driver's messages .. ...... ...... .. 133
Locking the veh icle . ...... ... .... .. 60
ST ART button .. ...... .... ... .... . 131
Starting the engine .... ...... .... . 131
Controls and equip
ment Safety first
STOP button
... .. ....... ... .... .. 1 32 Data recorder .. ..... ..... ...... ..... 2 70
Stopping the engine .............. 132
Date display ...... .... ... .... .... .... 1 3
Switching on the ignition .. .... .... 131
Daytime running lights ........... .. 69, 70
Un lock ing the vehic le .............. 59
Declaration of compliance
Convenience open feature Adaptive Cruise Control ....... .... 385
Windows ......................... 64
Audi side assist .... ... .... ....... 385
Convertib le chi ld safety seat ...... .... 251
Cell phone package ............... 385
How do I prope rly i nsta ll a conve rtib le
Convenience key ...... ..... .. .... 385
chi ld safety seat in my vehic le? ... . 251
Electronic immobilizer ............ 385
Safety instructions ................ 251
Homelink® universal remote control 385
Convertible locking retractor Remote control key .. ........ .... . 385
Activating ....................... 257
Tire pressure m onito rin g sys te m . ... 385
Deactivating . ........... ........ . 258
def
Using to secure a chi ld safety seat . 255,
What does this mean when it appears in
257 the trip odomete r disp lay? ... .. .... 1 4
Coolant Defect ive light bu lb warning .. ........ . 26
See Engine coo lant ............... 316 Defrosting/defogging the windows .... 120
Cruise control Defrosting/def oggi ng windows ....... . 122
Changing speed .................. 138
P resetting your speed . ............ 138
Switching off .................... 138
Switching on ......... ... ........ 137
Warning/indicator lights ....... ..... 21 D
etermining correct load limit ......... 336
Digita l clock .. ...... .... .... .... ..... 13
Digita l speedometer ..... ............. 25
Dimensions .. .... .... ............. . 378
See also Adaptive Cruise Control . ... 139 Dipstick
Cruising range ... ..... ... .... ....... . 38 Readi
ng the dipstick proper ly ..... . 313
Cupholder ...... ..... .. .... .... ... . 105
Cen ter c onso le .. ...... ..... .. .... 1 08 Distance control system
See Adaptive Cruise Contro
l ... ..... 139
Doors
D
Mechanica l chi ld safety lock ......... 57
Power child safety lock ............. 58
Dam ping Power side door closer ...
... .. ..... 53
See Adaptive Air Suspension ....... 188
Driver
Data ........ .... ..... ... ..... ...... 380
See Seating position ........ ...... 202
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 ____________________________________________ _
H
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Adjusting ....................... 205
Comfort head restraints ....... .... . 91
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Headlight range control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Headlights ... .... ... .... .... ...... .. 69
Adaptive Light .... .... .... ...... .. 72 Hood
Opening 308
Release lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Horn .. ...... ............ ....... .... 11
How many a irbags does my vehicle have? ..
227
How often should I check my tire pressures?
334
How safety belt pretensioners work .... 218
Hydroplaning ........ .... .... ...... 338 Instrumen
ts and controls
General illustration ................ 11
Illumination ...................... 15
Instrument cluster .. .... ..... .. .... 12
Int erior lights
Background lighting .... ... ........ 76
Front ............................ 74
Rear ...... .... ... ..... .. . .. .. .... 75
Intermittent wiping
Rain sensor ... .... .... ...... .... . 80
Defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Front fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
I J
Switching off ..................... 69
Switching on ...... ....... ........ 69
Washer reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Washer system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Xenon headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Heated Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Windshield ...................... 123
Heated outside mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Heated seats Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 125
Heated steering wheel ............... 119
Heated washer jets
Wiper and washer system . . . . . . . . . . 80
Heavy clothing and safety belts ....... 214
High beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69, 73
Warning/indicator lights . .... . ... .. 19
High voltage warning label ... .... .... 376
Homelink® universal remote control .. 194 Ignition key
129 Jack
351
Ignition lock .. .... .... .... .... .... .. 129 Jumper cables .. ...... .... .... .... .. 367
Malfunction .. .... .... ... .... ..... 33 Jump-starting .... .... .... .... ...... 366
Ignition lock posit ions .......... ..... 129
Immobilizer ......................... 14 K
Important things to do before driving .. 201
Improperly worn safety be lts ......... 218
Indicator light
Airbag system ............... 231, 232
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ......... 232
Key ...... .... .... .... ... ....... .... 47
Battery replacement master key ... .. 48
Coded settings ................... 114
Emergency key .................... 47
Key replacement .................. 47
Indicator lights ....... ... ........ .... 16
Master key ....................... 47
Infant seat ........... ........ .... .. 250
Valet key ...... .... ............... 47
How do I properly install an infant seat in Key coded settings
my vehicle? .. ...... ....... .. ... 250
Climate controls .. .......... ..... 114
Safety instructions .............. . 250
Installing a child safety seat Safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Keyless
entry remote control . .......... 48
Kick-down .... ....... .... ... .... ... 169