2010 AUDI S8 ground clearance

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
For more information::::;, page 328 . •
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) >
The Ma lfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is part of the On-Board D iag­
nostic (OBD II) system . T he symbol lights up when the ignition is
turned on and will turn off after the engine has started and has
sett led at a constan t idle speed. Th is indicates that the MIL is working
properly .
The warning light illuminates when there is a malfunction in the
engine electron ic 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 285.
For more information ::::;, page 25. •
Safety belts~
This warning/indicator light reminds you to put on your
safety belt.
Th e 4,.. warning/ind icator light ill uminates when the igni tion is
switched on to remind the driver and any front passenger to put on
the safety belt. Additionally , an acoustic warning (gong) will a lso
sound .
For more Information ::::;,
page 197, "Safety belt warning light~"-•
Adaptive Air Suspension --1""::)
The warning/indicator light .... illuminates, when the jacking mode
has been activated::::;, page 179. This warn ing/i ndicator 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/ind icator light illuminates steadi ly, there is a
system fault in the Adaptive A ir Suspens ion. A system fault can result
in limited ride comfort and
low ground clearance. The fault should be
corrected as soon as possible by an authorized Audi dealer.
• If the warning/indicator light flashes, you should not drive the
vehicle . The flashing wa rning/ind icator light points to an extreme
H igh level. A very
pronounced lifting of the veh icle (extreme High
level) can resu lt, for examp le, when a heavy load is removed from the
vehicle . As soon as the level has returned to normal, the
warning/indicator light stops flashing, and you can drive away.
• If the warning/ind icator light flashes in conjunction with the~
wa rning/indicator light, you shou ld not drive off immediate ly in o rder
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 veh icle (extreme Low level) can result,
for examp le, from a heavy load. As soon as the level has returned to
normal, the warning/indicator lights stop flash ing, and you can drive
away .
0 Note
If the warning/ind icator light flashes in conjunction with the~
warning/ind icator 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 .•
Adaptive Air Suspension~
The~ symbol illuminates fo r a few seconds after you have switched
on the ignition to indicate
reduced ground clearance when the
dynamic mode is activated and when the ignition is switched on with
a vehicle which was parked in dynamic mode::::;,
page 177, "Chassis
Controls". On vehicles which are equipped with the
sport suspension _,.,

IIII..__A_ d_a_ p,__ t_iv _ e_ C_r _u _ i_ s _e _ C_ o_ n_t _ r_ o _ L ___________________________________________ _
Entering a curve
When entering a curve, the Adaptive cruise control may react to a
vehicle in the next lane and apply the brakes in your vehicle
=>
page 139, fig. 149. The braking action can be overridden by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
Leaving a curve
At the end of very long curves, ACC's predictive lane reading can cause
ACC to react to another vehicle in the next lane and apply the brakes
on your vehicle=>
page 139, fig. 150. The braking action can be over­
ridden by depressing the accelerator pedal. •
Applies to veh icles : w ith Adaptive Cru ise Con tro l
Vehicles offset to one side
I ,L
F===============;~
Fig. 151 Vehicle trav­
eling ahead outside
the detection range of
the radar sensor
Vehicles moving up ahead but offset in the lane cannot be detected
by ACC until they are in sensor range. •
Applies to veh icles : w ith Ada ptive Cruise Control
Lane changes by other vehicles
Fig. 152 A vehicle
changes lanes
Vehicles that cut into your lane a short distance in front of you cannot
be detected by ACC until they are in sensor range .•
Applies to veh icles: w ith Ada ptiv e Cruise Contro l
Vehicles that are difficult to detect
Fig.153 Two-wheeled
vehicle driving ahead
Some vehicles moving up ahead in your lane of travel are difficult to
detect, for example two-wheeled vehicles, vehicles with high ground
clearance, loads sticking out the back. Vehicles like this are often
detected late or in some situations not at all. •

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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 poss ible 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 ho ldi ng is opt imized as a result of the lowe r
center of gravity and fue l consumption is reduced as a result of
reduced wind resistance.
Level adjustment
lift
automatic
dynamic
automatic Ground clearance
about 5. 7 inches (145 mm)
about
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 empha­
sizing comfort. Damping characteristics emphasizing comfort are
selected in this mode .
• Lowering : 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).
• Raising: The vehicle is automatically ra ised aga in if the speed falls
below about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period of 120 seconds. The
vehicle is ra ised immediately when speed falls below about 22 mph
(35 km/h).
dynamic
Select the sport mode if you prefer a sporty suspension setting . In
this mode, the vehicle is lowered wh ile it is st ill stationary and sporty
Controls and equip ­
ment Safety first
damping characteristics are selected
. The warning light c.::> in the
instrument cluster will come on for a few seconds just to remind you
of the reduced ground clearance.
If you switch off the engine whi le the vehicle is in the dynamic mode
and then switch on the ignition once aga in, the
c.::> warning light will
also come on again for a few seconds.
• Lowering : When a speed of about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded
for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered by an
additional 0.2 in (5 mm) .
• Raising: The vehicle is automatically raised again if the speed falls
below about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period of 120 seconds. The
vehicle is ra ised immediately when speed falls below about 22 mph
(35 km/h).
standard
Select the standard mode if you desire a suspension sett ing with a
special emphasis on comfort . In the standard mode there is
no
lower ing of the s uspens ion. Even at high speeds, the vehicle 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 poor sections of
road (e .g . trails) . In the lift mode, the vehicle is raised by 1 inch (25
mm) compared to normal level while it is still stationary and damping
characterist ics are adjusted to emphasize comfort .
The lift mode can be activated only at speeds below 50 mph (80 km/h). When a speed of about 62 mph (100 km/h) is exceeded, the
system automatica lly leaves lift mode and the mode set previously
(standard, automatic, dynamic) is activated again .•
Vehicle care Technical data

lffll.___A_ d_ a_,_ p_t _i_ v _e _ A_i_ r_ S_ u_ s ... p,_ e_n_ s_ io_ n __________________________________________ _
Applies to vehicl es: w ith Adaptive Air Sus pension -Sport
Sport 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 poss ible 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 0.2
inch (5 mm) to a level suitable for highway speeds, except in the stan­
dard mode .
Level adjustment
lift
standard
automatic
automatic Ground clearance
about 4.9
inches (125 mm)
about 3.9 inches (100 mm)
about 3 .9 inches (100 mm)
about 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Select the automatic mode if you prefer a sporty suspension setting.
Sporty damping characteristics are selected in this mode.
• Lowering : When a speed of about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded
for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered by
about 0.2 inch (5 mm).
• Raising: The vehicle is automatically raised again if the speed falls
below about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period of 120 seconds. The
vehicle is ra ised immediately when speed falls below about 22 mph
(35 km/h).
dynamic
Select the dynamic mode if you prefer a firm suspension setting and
damping characteristics.
• Lowering: When a speed of about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded
for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered by an
additional 0.2 in (5 mm) .
• Raising : The vehicle is automatically raised aga in if the speed falls
below about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period of 120 seconds . T he
vehicle is raised immediately when speed falls below about 22 mph
(35 km/h).
standard
Select the standard mode if you want a comfortable suspension
sett ing. In the standard mode there is
no lowering of the suspension.
Even at high speeds, the vehicle stays at the same level. Comfortable
but firm damping characteristics are selected in this mode.
lift
Select the lift mode when yo u have to travel over poor sections of
road (e .g. trails). In the lift mode, the vehicle is raised by 1 inch (25
mm) compared to normal level and the setting goes to sporty
damping character istics .
The lift mode can be activated only at speeds below SO 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, automatic, dynamic) is activated again.•

Intelligent technology
'-----------------------------------------------
W inter tires
When d riving in the winter, your vehicle with A ll Whee l Drive has an
advantage, even with reg ula r tir es . In wi nter road cond it ions i t may
be advisab le to mount w inte r tires (or all-season tires) for imp roved
dr iveabili ty and braking: these tires m ust be mounted on
all four
wheels .
See also => page 323, "Winter tires".
Tire chains
Whe re tire chains are mandato ry on certa in roads, this normally also
applies to veh icles with A ll Whee l Drive=>
page 324, "Snow chains ".
Replacing wheels/tires
Veh icles with All Wheel Drive m ust always have t ires of the same size.
Also avoid tires with different trea d de pths . For details see page
=>
page 318, " N ew tires and replac ing tires a nd wheels" .
Off-Road driving?
Your Audi does not have enough ground clearance to be used as a n
off -road vehi cle. It is the re fore best to avoid ro ug h trac ks and uneven
ter rain as muc h as poss ib le. Also re fer to=>
page 263 .
& WARNING
Always adjust your dri ving to road and traffic conditions. Do not
let the extra safety afforded by All Wheel Drive tempt you into
taking ex tra risks.
• Although the All Wheel Drive is very effective, always
remember that braking capacity is l imited by tire traction. You
should therefore not drive at exce ssive speeds on icy or slippery
road surfaces.
• On wet road surfa ce s, 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 optimized
Energy m ana gemen t con tr ols the distributi on of elec­
trical ener gy an d thu s optimiz es the ava ila bility of elec­
t ri cal ene rgy f or starting the en gine.
If a vehicle w ith a convent iona l energy system is not driven for a long
pe riod of time, t he b att ery is di sch arged by idling current con sumers
(e .g. immob ilize r). In certain c ircumstances it can result i n there
be ing insuffi cien t energy avai lab le to s tar t the engine.
I n te lligent e ne rgy management in yo ur vehicle ha ndles the dist ribu­
tion of e lectrical energy . Starting ab ility is ma rkedly improved and
t he life of the battery is extended.
Basically, energy management consists of
battery diagnosis , idling
current management
a nd dynamic energy management .
Battery diagnosis
Batte ry diagnosis co nti nu ously deter mi nes the s tate of the batte ry .
Sensors determine battery vo ltage, battery current and battery
t empe rature. This determines the cur rent sta te of charge and the
power of the battery.
Idling current management
Id ling current management red uces energy consumpt ion while the
veh icle is s tanding. W it h t he ignition swi tched off, it con trol s the
energy supply to the var ious electrica l components. Data from
b attery di ag nos is is conside red .
Depe nding on the batte ry 's state of charge, individ ua l consumers a re
gradually t urne d off to prevent excessive discha rge of the batte ry an d
t hus main tain sta rting capabili ty .
Dynamic energy management
W hile the vehicle is being driven, dynamic energy management
dis trib utes the energy generated acco rding to the nee ds o f the indi -•