
You will also hear an audible warning tone. The displays are color
coded in eith er red or yellow depending on their level of priority.
A red symbol means
Danger , a yellow symbol ind icates Warning . In
certain situations, information message for the driver appear in addi
tion to the red and yellow symbols.
Function test: automatic transmission
The Auto-Check Control will automat ically perform a test each t ime
you switch on the ignition. With the selector lever in
P or N , the
following message appears in the display:
When stationary apply foot brake while selecting gear.
When you a select a different gear (for example: R, D, etc.) , the
message will disappear and the Auto-Check function is d isplayed.
If there is a malfunction, then the malfunction message will appear
about 15 seconds after the you start the vehicle. At the same time
you will hear a warning tone. •
Driver information messages
Driver information messages are shown in the instru
ment cluster display in addition to the red and yellow
symbols .
Controls and equip
ment
(C HECK ·Fo
Safety first
Fig. 16 CHECK button
in the inst rument
clu ster
Driver information display
For example, if the transmission selector lever is not in the P position
when the engine is turned off, the following message appears :
Shift to P, otherwise vehicle can roll away. Doors do not lock if
lever is not in P.
Th e ignition key can only be removed w ith the selector in this posi
tion . This and other messages are brought up if a function cannot be
carried out .
Driver messages and red symbols
If a red symbol appears in the display, a driver message can be shown
by pressing the (
CHECK) button.
For example, the symbo l for a prob lem with engine oil pressu re
following driver message appears in the display :
Switch off engine and check oil level
The dr iver message in the display goes out after about 5 seconds . The
dr ive r message can be disp lay ed again by briefly pressing the
(CHECK) button .
Driver messages and yellow symbols
If a yellow symbol appears in the display, a driver message is also
displayed automatically.
For example, the symbol
-> appears in the display, indicating low
windshield washer fluid level. The following message also appears:
Please top up washer fluid
The driver message disappears after a few seconds . The driver
message can be displayed again by briefly pressing the
I CHECK)
button.•
Vehicle care Technical data

Driver information displ ay
Red symbols
A red symbol means DANGER.
-Pull off the road.
- Stop the vehicle.
- Turn of f the engine .
Fig . 1 7 Display:
en gine coo lant le v el
w arning (pr ior ity 1)
- Check the malfunctioning system. Contact your autho -
rized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop for assistance .
Red symbols indicate a priority malfunction -Danger !
With a prior ity 1 malfunction , a large symbo l appears in the center
area of the display => fig . 17 . When the symbol appears,
three
warning tones sound in succession. The symbol co ntinues to blink
until the malfunction has been repaired.
After a few seconds, the large symbol is replaced by a small symbol
shown at the top left of the display. This symbol is d isp layed unti l the
fault is corrected.
If there are more than one priority 1 malfunctions, the symbols
appear one after the other for about 2 seconds .
An additional driver message can a lso be displayed by b riefly pressing
the
! CHECK ] button.
The red symbols mean:
BRAKE
USA mod els:
Brake system malfunction =>
page28
((D) Canada models:
Brake system malfunction
ll
=>page28
Engine coolant level too => page 29
low/engine coo lant temperature
too high
~ E ngine oil pressure too low
-
~ Faulty steering
~
© Faulty ignition switch
.....
(I) Tips
]I=> page 30
=> page 31
::::> page31
• If the warning/indicator light BRAKE (USA models)/ CCD) (Canada
mode ls) in the instrument cluster flashes, there is a b rake system
malfunction . By pressing the [
CHECK] button, you can bring up a
driver message w hich explains the ma lf u nction in more detail. Please
note=>
page 28 .
• Speed wa rnings threshold 1 8 (USA models)/ 8 (Canada models)
and threshold 2
8 , (USA models)/ 8. (Canada models) are also shown
as red symbols. The warning is always shown as a sma ll symbo l in the
upper area of the disp lay=>
page 35. •
Brake system malfunction BRAKE
A malfunction in the brake system must be repaired as
soon as possible.
If the warning /ind icator light BRAKE (USA models)/ (CD)
(Canada models) in the instrument cluster flas hes, there is a
brake system malfunction . By pressing th e [
CHECK] bu tton, ~

you can bring up a driver message which explains the malfunction in more detail.
Stop vehicle and check brake fluid Level
- Pull off the road .
- Stop the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine.
- Check the brake fluid level~
page 299.
-Contact your nearest authorized repair facility if neces-
sary.
Brake fault ! Drive carefully to nearest
workshop
- Drive carefully to the nearest authorized repair facility and
have the malfunction corrected~& .
Parking brake ! Please contact workshop
- If the warning/indicator light flashes when the vehicle is
stationary or after the ignition is turned on , check to see if
the parking brake can be released . Drive to an authorized
repair facility as soon as possible and have the malfunc
tion corrected. If the parking brake cannot be released,
contact your nearest authorized repair facility.
- If the warning/indicator light flashes while you are driving, it is possible that the traction control or the emer
gency brake has malfunctioned. It is possible that the parking brake cannot be applied . It is also possible that
the parking brake cannot be released after it has been
applied. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer to have the malfunction corrected.
Controls and equip
ment Safety first
Driver information display
I
f the ABS , ESP and the brake for ce distribution fail, the ABS
warning/indicator light and the ESP warning/indicator light come on
along with the brake system malfunction warning/indicator light
~ & -
& WARNING
• Always observe the warnings in ::::> page 281, "Engine compart
ment", before opening the hood and checking the brake fluid.
• Driving with low brake fluid is a safety hazard. Stop the car and
get professional assistance.
• USA models: If the BRAKE warning light, the ~ warning light
and the warning light come on together, the rear wheels
could lock up first under hard braking. Rear wheel lock-up can
cause loss of vehicle control and an accident. Have your vehicle
repaired immediately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified
workshop. Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard brake applica
tions.
• Canada models: If the brake warning light(())), the r-warning
light and the ABS warning light come on together, the rear
wheels could lock up first under hard braking. Rear wheel lock-up
can cause loss of vehicle control and an accident. Have your vehicle
repaired immediately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified
workshop. Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard brake
applications. •
Engine cooling system malfunction -1-
A malfunction in the engine cooling system must be
repaired as soon as possible.
When the - L symbol in the display blinks, then either the
engine coolant
temperature is too high, or the coolant level ~
Vehicle care Technical data

Driver information displ ay
Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol means WARNING.
Fig . 18 Display: low
f ue l level warn ing
(priority 2)
Yellow symbols ind icate a prior ity 2 malfunction -Warning!
When a yellow warning symbo l appears,
one warning tone sounds. A
dr iver message appears as well to explain the ma lfunction in more
detail. The driver warning goes out after about 5 seconds, but it can
be brought up again at any time by pressing the
I CHECK] button .
Check the displayed function as soon as possible.
If more than one
priority 2 malfunction is detected, all symbols will appear one after
the other for about 2 seconds .
Yellow symbols mean:
Worn brake pads
=> page 32
Electromechanical => page 125
parking brake
Check engine oil level
=> page 33
=> page 293
Engine oil sensor malfunction => page 33
-
Low fuel level =>page33
Windshield washer fluid =>page33
level low ~
Bat tery voltage =>page34
-
II Battery in remote control key =>page40
Convenience key * =>page 122
Key not in veh icle
USA models: => page24
Defective brake light
Can ad a mod els : =>page24
Defect ive brake light
Defective light bulb
=>page24
E ng ine speed limitat ion* => page33
-
IIAdaptive Light* defective =>page34
Dynamic headlight range => page 34
contro l defective
Defective light-/rain sensor
=> page34
Tire pressure monitoring sys-=>page328
tern *
Loss of air p ressure
-Tire pressure monitoring sys-=> page331
tern*
11System not available •
Worn brake pads •
Brake pa ds!

If the warning light illum inates, immediately contact your authorized
Audi dea ler or qu alified wor kshop to h ave all b rake pads insp ecte d.
On USA mode ls the warn ing light comes on together w it h the
warning light
BRAKE . Both sets of brake pads on an axle must a lways
be rep laced at the same time.
& WARNING
Driving w ith bad brakes can cause a collision and serious personal
injury .
• If the w arning light
ii and the warning light BRAKE1> with the
me ssage Brake pads! com es on in the in strument clu ster di splay,
immediately contact your author ized Aud i dealer or qualified
workshop t o have all brake pads che cked or replaced if
necessary. •
Checking the engine oil level ~
.... ,. Pleas e check oil level
W hen the symbol i lluminates, check the engine oi l level as soon as
poss ible=>
page 293. Add oil if necessary=> page 294. •
Engine oil sensor defective
~ Oil level ! sensor d efective
If the symbo l illuminates, contact your authorized Audi dealer and
have t he o il senso r in spec ted . U ntil yo u have this do ne, check the oil
level each time you refue l just to be on the safe side=>
page 293. •
ll BRAKE: USA mode ls on ly
Controls and equip
ment Safety first
Driver information display
A
pp lies to vehi cles : w ith engine s peed lim it a tion
Engine speed limitation
!.-• Engine speed maximum XXXX RPM
The symbol illuminates whe n there is an engine co ntrol malfunc
tion. The in dicator light in the instrument cluste r a lso i lluminates .
T he engi ne speed is limited to the speed d isp layed in the driver infor
mation system . Keep in mind that t he engine speed will not exceed
t he va lue disp layed in the d rive r in format ion sys tem, for example
when downshifting .
P lease go to an a uthor ized A udi deale r o r ot her qualifie d wo rk shop to
have the malfunction repa ired .•
Fuel supply too low w
A Please refuel
When the symbol illuminates, th is means there are about 2.4 ga llons
(9 litres) of fuel left in the fuel tank . Time to refuel.=>
page 284.
If
the symbol lig hts up, even when there is ample fue l in the tank, and
t he text
Tank sy stem m alfunction! Contact workshop appears in t he
display, there is a fa ult in the system. Con tact a qual ified workshop to
h ave the fault re ctified. •
Windshield washer fluid level too low ;>
Please top up washer fluid
If the symbo l illuminates, add windshield washe r fluid to the washer
system and a lso to the headlig ht washe r system =>
page 305. •
Vehicle care Technical data

-Position the head restraint according to the occupant's
height ~
page 81. For maximum protection, the top of
the head restraint should be at least at eye level, prefer
ably higher and ideally level with the top of the head
~ page 191, fig. 200.
& WARNING
Never place any objects in the driver's footwell. An object could
get into the pedal area and interfere with pedal function. In case
of sudden braking or an accident, you would not be able to brake
or accelerate. •
Front passenger's seat
Always move the front passenger seat into the rearmost
position.
To avoid contact with the airbag while it is deploying, do not
sit any closer to the instrument panel than necessary and
always wear the three-point safety belt provided adjusted
correctly. We recommend that you adjust the passenger 's
seat in the following manner:
- Move the front passenger seat into the rearmost position
of the fore and aft adjustment range~
& in "Why is your
seat adjustment so important?" on
page 76.
- Bring the backrest up to an (almost) upright position.
Do
not ride with the seat reclined.
- The ideal position for the head restraint is with the upper
edge of the restraint level with the top of your head
~ page 81. You should not lower the top of the restraint
below the level of your eyes.
Con tro ls a nd e quip
m en t Vehicle
OP-eration
Seats and storage
-Place your feet on the floor in front of the passenger's
seat. •
Power seat
Controls
The operating logic for the switches corresponds to the
construction and function of the seat.
Fig. 71 Power seat:
Controls for seat
adjustment
The switches to adjust the seats correspond to the layout, the design
and the function of the seat. The seats are adjusted by moving the
switches following this logic.
© Upper thigh support~ page 78
@ Seat adjustment ~ page 78
© Massage funct ion* ~ page 79
@ Seatback angle~ page 79 and head restraint~ page 81 adjust-
ment
© Separa te adjustmen t of upper sea tback section ~ page 79
© Adjusting the lumbar support~ page 80
© Safety belt height adjustment~ page 204 ..,
Vehicle care Do-it-yourselt service iTechnical data

& WARNING (continued)
when accelerating or when applying the brakes or when driving
around a corner.
• When you are driving make sure that anything you may have
placed in the center console or other storage locations cannot fall
out into the footwells. In case of sudden braking you would not be
able to brake or accelerate.
• Any articles of clothing that you have hung up must not inter
fere with the driver's view. The coat hooks are designed only for
lightweight clothing. Never hang any clothing with hard, pointed
or heavy objects in the pockets on the coat hooks. During sudden
braking or in an accident -especially if the airbag is deployed -
these objects could injure any passengers inside the vehicle. •
Glove compartment
Your Owner's Literature and the media player are stored
in the lockable glove compartment.
i-----..,--------- l
i
Contro ls a nd e quip
m en t
Fig . 106 Glove
compartment
Vehicle OP-eration
Seats and storage
-- -- ·· - - -J
-
-
To open glove compartment
Fig. 107 Glove
compartment: CD
changer
- Pull the handle in the direction of the arrow and swing the
cover down to open =:> fig. 106.
To close glove compartment
-Push the glove compartment lid up until the lock engages.
In the glove compartment lid you will find a place to store a pen and
a pad of paper.
& WARNING
To reduce the risk of personal injury in an accident or sudden stop,
always keep the glove compartment closed while driving. •
Vehicle care Do-it-yourselt service iTechnical data
![AUDI S8 2010 Owners Manual _________________________________________________ O_ n_ t_ h_ e_ r _o_ a_d _ __.lftI
(]] Tips
• If you release the ignition key in posit ions G) , @ or@, the key
automatically returns t AUDI S8 2010 Owners Manual _________________________________________________ O_ n_ t_ h_ e_ r _o_ a_d _ __.lftI
(]] Tips
• If you release the ignition key in posit ions G) , @ or@, the key
automatically returns t](/manual-img/6/57617/w960_57617-120.png)
_________________________________________________ O_ n_ t_ h_ e_ r _o_ a_d _ __.lft'I
(]] Tips
• If you release the ignition key in posit ions G) , @ or@, the key
automatically returns to position @.
• If you open the driver's door when the ignition is switched on, a
buzzer sounds and the message
Ignition is on appears in the instru
ment cluster display. Please switch the ignition off.•
Ignition key safety lock
The ignition key can only be removed when the selector
lever is in the "P" (Park) position.
After turning off the ignition, the ign ition key can only be removed
from the ignition lock when the se lector lever is in the "P" (Park) posi
tion . After you have removed the key, the selector lever is locked and
cannot be moved. •
Starting and stopping the engine
Starting the engine
The engine can only be started with your original Audi
key.
Con tro ls a nd e quip
m en t
Fig. 132 Ignition key
positions
Vehicle OP-eration
-Step on the brake.
- Move the selector lever into P or N
~ &.
- Turn the ignition key to position @~ fig. 132 -do not
depress the gas pedal when starting the engine.
A cold engine may sound loud after it has been started. This is due to
the hydraulic valves building up oil pressure. This is normal and is not
a need for concern.
If the engine does not start immediately, stop trying after 10 seconds
and then try to restart the engine about 30 seconds later .
& WARNING
Never start or let the engine run in a confined or enclosed area.
Exhaust fumes from the engine contain carbon monoxide , a color
less and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can be fatal if inhaled.
• Never leave the engine idling unattended. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine poses a danger of personal injury or
theft .
0 Note
• Avoid high eng ine speeds, fast accelerat io n or heavy engine loads
wh ile the engine is still cold. This could damage the engine.
• The engine cannot be started by push ing or towing the vehicle.
~ For the sake of the environment
To avoid unnecessary engine wear and to reduce exhaust emissions,
do not let your vehicle stand and warm up. Be ready to drive off imme
diately after starting your vehicle. Maintain moderate speed unti l the
engine is completely warm. Remember, the engine performs best at
operating temperature .•
Vehicle care Do-it-yourselt service iTechnical data