2011 AUDI R8 SPYDER Owners Manual

(D Note
To prevent damage to the convertible top:
-do not store any objects in the converti­
ble top storage bay.
- make sure there is enough space above
the vehicle when opening or closing the
convertible top.
@ T ips
- When the indicato r lamp ffl blinks,
there is a system malfunction
c> page 16 .
-The one-touch opening function is not
ava ilable when the vehicle is traveling
below 4 mph (6 km/h) or above 31 mph
(SO km/h).
If this is the case, a warning
tone will sound and a message will ap­ pear in the instrument cluster
c> page47.
Error message in the instrument cluster
display
An error message appears if the convertible
top cannot open or close.
Severa l conditions must be met for the con­
vertible top to open or close automatically .
An error message in the instrument cluster
d isp lay ind icates if one of the condit ions is not
me t or there is a malfunct ion.
Soft top: Pleas e clo se engin e lid!
The engine compartment lid must be closed
when opening or closing the convertible top .
T his message appears in the instrument clus­
ter disp lay if the engine compartment lid is
no t closed.
Soft t op : C annot be used!
This error message appears if the convertib le
cannot open or close b ecause of safety rea­
sons or if there is a malfunction . The follow­
ing causes are poss ible:
- The vehicle i s tra v eling too fa st: Converti­
ble top operation is deactivated for safety
reasons if the vehicle is traveling too fast . A
message w ill appear . Reduce the vehicle
Con vertible top 47
speed and pu ll o r press the switch again to
open or close th e convertible top.
- The b att ery vo ltag e is too low: The conver­
tible top cannot open or close if the battery
voltage is too low. This ens ures there will be
enough battery vo ltage left to start the ve­
hicle . The convertible top c an be operated
aga in after the engine is star ted.
- Ove rload p rotect ion is acti ve: Ope rating the
convert ible top continuously for a long peri­
od of time p laces stress on the hydraulic
un it. Overload protect io n is act ivated to pre­
vent damage to the system . This protective
fu nction prevents the convertible top from
open ing or close fo r approximate ly 15 to 30
m inutes.
It will funct ion aga in a fter tha t
c:::> &..
-Malfun ction : Failure of system components
is one possib le cause fo r malfunction. If this
happens, you can a lso operate the converti­
ble top by hand
c> page 49 .
-The e xterio r tempe ratu re i s too low: The
convertible top will not open in tempera­
tures below (S °F) (-15 QC).
Soft top not secur e
If the convertible top is not c ompl etely open
or closed and the vehicle is traveling too fast,
the error message above appears and a warn­ ing tone sounds. Reduce the vehicle speed
and pull or press the switch again to open or close the convertible top.
A WARNING
Never drive when the convertible top is not
locked correctly . The wind from driving
could cause the co nvertib le top to open.
This can resu lt in i nju ries and damage to
the vehicle.

48 Convertible top
Wind deflector
The wind deflector reduces turbulence in the
passenger compartment and makes driving
more comfortable.
Fig. 44 Install ing the wind defl ector
Fig. 45 Luggage compart ment: stori ng th e w ind de ­
fle ctor
The wind def lector is located in the luggage
compartment . Insta lling it from the side of
the vehicle that is farthest from traffic is rec­
ommended for safety reasons. Follow the in­
stallat io n instructions provided in the storage
bag.
Installing /removing the wind deflector
.,. To install the wind deflector, slide the re-
ta ining pin @into the mount @
¢fig . 44.
The w ind deflector is secure when it clicks
into place and the red marks on both but ­
tons are no longer visible .
.,. To remove the wind deflector, p ress both
buttons © and p ull the deflector upward.
Storing the wind deflector
.,. Slide the wind deflector into the storage bag
with the retaining pins facing downward .
.,. Hang the storage bag on the retainers @in
the luggage compartment ¢
fig. 45.
A WARNING
-
-Do not use the wind deflector to secure
cargo or other objects. Th is could resu lt
in injury.
- Be careful of traffic when installing the
wind deflector.
@ Note
To prevent damage to the vehicle paint, do
not lean on the vehicle when installing the
wind deflector. Objects such as belt buck­ les could scratch the surface of the paint .
@ Tips
-Keeping both side windows raised pro­
vides the best w ind protection.
- To prevent mildew, do not store the wind def lector when it is damp.
Rear window
Fig. 46 Rear w indow in win d deflecto r pos it ion
Fig . 47 Sect io n of the center co nsole : conve rtible top
switch
The rear window can be extended slightly
when the convertible top is open to reduce air
movement inside the vehicle and increase
comfort . This is called the wind deflector posi-
t ion ¢
fig. 46 . ..,_

The rear window can be extended comp lete ly
for cleaning. This is ca lled the cleaning posi­
tion.
E xte nding the re ar w indow into the wind
defl ector po siti on
~ Pull and hold the rear window switch
9 fig. 47.
~ Release the switch once the rear window has
reached the wind deflector position.
Exte nd ing th e rear w indow into th e
cleaning po sition
~ Pull and hold the rear window switch
9 fig . 47.
~ Release the switch once the rear window has
reached the wind deflector position .
~ Pull and hold the rear window switch again .
~ Pull and hold the convertible top switch
within one second
9 page 46, fig . 43.
R etra cting the re ar w indow
~ Press and hold the rear window sw itch until
the window has been retracted .
Ret racting the re ar wi ndow using the one­
touch funct ion
~ Press the rear window switch briefly . There
is no need to hold the switch.
The rear w indow can on ly be operated when
t he ignition is switched on.
The rear window can also be extended or re­
tracted when the convertib le top is closed.
.&_ WARNING
- Do not use the rear window to secure car­
go or other objects. This could result in
injury .
- Always pay attention and be careful
when extending or retracting the rear
window . It could cause injury by p inch­
ing .
@ Tips
-Keeping all of the w indows raised pro­
v ides the best wind protection.
Con vertible top 49
- The veh icle must be stationary to br ing
the rear window into the cleaning posi­
tion . The rear window will retract once
you begin dr iv ing.
Convertible top
emergency operation
General information
The convertible top can be closed by hand if
there is a malfunction .
First check if overload pro tection is active
~ page 47. If this is the case, the conve rtible
top w ill operate again after a short de lay . O th­
erwise the fo llowing steps must be completed
before closing the convertib le top:
~ Ac tiva te the pa rking brake.
~ Open the side w indows, if necessary.
~ Remove the key from the ignition.
Emergency loc king is no t intended for long­
te rm use o r long drives . The convertib le top
will not be completely waterproof after using
the emergency locking proced ure because the
seals wi ll not be seated correctly. Only close
the convertible top manually in an emergency .
Please see an au thor ized Audi R8 dea ler to
have the cause of the malfunction corrected .
.&_ WARNING
-The ignition must be sw itched off during
the entire closing p rocedure.
- When positioning the convertible top,
avoid contact with the supports or other
mov ing parts. Othe rwise you could p inch
your hands.
- Never d rive when the convert ible top is
not locked cor re ctly. The wind from d riv­
ing could cause the convertible top to
open . This can resu lt in injuries and dam­
age to the vehicle.
@ Tips
Have a second person assist whe n closing
the convert ible top. Opening the storage
bay lid and posi tioning the conve rtible top
is easier when a seco nd person is assisting.

50 Convertible top
Step 1: Retract the rear window
Fig. 48 Upper storage compartme nt: re mov ing the
cover
F ig. 49 Upper sto rage compartment: using the Allen
wrench as a crank to lower the rear win dow
M 0 N ... a,
... ... M 0
The rear window must be retracted in order to
close the convertible top. If the rear window
switch is not functioning ¢
page 48, the rear
window can be cranked .
.. Open the upper storage compartment be­
tween the seat backrests ¢
page 70 .
.. Remove the cover using the screwdriver
from the vehicle tool kit¢
fig. 48.
• Press the Allen wrench from the veh icle tool
kit firmly into the opening until it cl icks into
place ¢
fig. 49.
> Turn the bolt clockw ise u ntil the rear win­
dow is lowered .
Step 2: Release the pressure in the
hydraulic system
The pressure in the hydraulic system must be
re leased before the convertible top can be
closed.
.. Switch the ignition off .
.. Pull or press the convertible top switch
¢
page 46, fig. 43 for approximately 10 sec­
onds.
A WARNING
-
If convertib le top operation fails when
opening or closing the top, do not hold or
touch the supports or other moving parts
when releasing the pressure. The converti­
ble top will sink down and could pinch your
hands.
Step 3 : Open the convertible top storage
bay lid
Fig. SO E ng ine compartme nt: install ing the eme rgency
ope rat io n bolts
Fig. 51 Raising the sto rage bay lid and pulling it back
The engine compartment lid must be released
using the emergency procedure in order to re­
l ease the storage bay lid ¢
page 177.
Releasing the convertible top storage bay
lid
.. Turn the emergency operat ion bolts on the
left and right sides of the engine compart­
ment¢
fig. SO clockw ise using the open end
wrench from the vehicle too l kit until the
bolts are installed completely . The co nverti ­
ble top sto rage bay lid will raise app rox i­
mate ly 0,4 in (1 cm) from the vehicle when
t he bolts are install ed comp letely .
• Close the engine compartment lid
r=;, page 176.

Opening the con vertibl e top stor age bay
lid
• From the rear of the vehicle, reach into the
center ventilation slot in the storage bay lid
with both hands and raise the lid approxi­
mately 12 in (30 cm).
"' Hold the storage bay lid in this pos ition and
pull it toward you until it stops ¢
fig. 51.
& WARNING
When wo rking in the engine compart­
ment:
- Turn the engine off .
- Act ivate the parking brake.
-
- In veh icles with a manual transm ission,
move the sh ifter lever into idle . In vehi-
cles w ith the R tronic transmission, move
the se lector lever into the N position.
- Remove the ignit ion key.
- Let the engine coo l down.
- Keep children away from the engine com-
partment .
(D Note
To prevent damage to the vehicle, only
open the convertible top storage bay lid
when the engine compartment lid is
closed.
Step 4: Remove the covers
F ig. 52 Convertib le to p: covers marked
Convert ible top 5 1
Fig. 53 Convert ible top storage bay lid: remov ing the
cover
The following steps must be performed on
both sides of the vehicle .
"' Remove the bolt in the cover on the bo ttom
side of the s torage bay lid using the o pen
end wrench from the vehicle too l kit @
¢fig. 53.
"'Move the cover up and down carefully until
it can be pulled downward from the teeth
@ .
Step 5:
Lift the convertible top out
Fi g. 54 Co nve rtible top storage bay: lifting the conver ­
tible top out
F ig. 55 W indshield frame: pressing the conver tible top
forward
"' Ho ld the convertib le top at the @ poin t (ar -
row)
¢ fig. 54 and raise it carefully ¢_& . II--

52 Convertible top
• Pull the convertible top all the way out in
the direction indicated @. Position the fins
upward at the same time.
• Press the convert ible top as far forward to­
ward the windshield frame as possible
c>fig . 55.
Have a second person assist when positioning
the convertible top. That person should stand
on the oppos ite side of the veh icle and per­
form the same steps.
A WARNING
-When positioning the conve rtible top,
avoid contact with the supports or other
moving parts. Otherw ise you could pinch
yo ur hands.
- When pressing the convert ible top down
onto the windshield frame, make sure
that you do not pinch yourself or anyone
else.
Step 6: Secure the convertible top
-
Fig. 56 Co nve rtible top storage bay: install ing the driv ­
e r
Fig. 57 Securing the conve rt ible top
The convertible top must be under tension to
secure it to the windshield frame . The wheel
wrench, dr iver and bolts from the vehicle tool
kit are required for this. Have a second person assist with this step
.
Tha t person should stand on the opposite side
of the vehicle and perform the same steps.
• Posit ion the driver @ on the bolt @ in the
front section of the convert ible top storage
bay and rotate clockwise to install in the
threads
c> fig. 56.
• Posit ion the wheel wrench © with the long
end on the driver @.
• Press the convertible top as far forward as
possible toward the windsh ield frame @
with one hand
c> fig. 57 . At the same time,
pull the fins upward @ for support with the
other hand.
• Now, grasp the fins with the hand that you
used to move the convertib le top forward
and hold the fins in this position . With the
other hand, turn the wheel wrench upward
until it stops @.
(0 Tips
-When pressing the convertible top for­
ward, make sure the locking pins are
seated in the latch on the windshield
frame and not on the frame itself.
- When pressing the convert ible top for­
ward, make sure the locking pins are
seated exactly in the latch on the wind­
shield frame and not on the frame itself
This is the only way that the convertib le
top can be latched correctly .

Step 7: Lock the convertible top

Fig. 58 Inner s ide of the conve rtible top: remov ing the
cap
Fig. 59 Inner s ide of the co nvertible top : pos ition ing
the Allen wrench
.. Remove the cap in the center of the conver­
tib le top using the screwdriver from the ve ­
hicle tool kit¢
fig. 58. The emergency lock­
ing mechanism is located behind it.
.. Insert the Allen wrench
(D and turn the bolt
to the left@ until it is tight and the conver­
t ibl e top is locked securely ¢
fig. 59.
.,. Remove the Allen w rench from the open ing
and cover the opening with the cap.
.,. Remove the wheel wrench from the conver­
tible top storage bay .
.. Close the convertible top storage bay lid.
A WARNING
Make sure the convert ible top is locked
correctly. Otherwise the wind from driving
could cause the convertible top to open.
This can result in injuries and damage to
the vehicle.
-
Convertible top 53
Step 8 : Secure the fins on the body
Fig . 60 Co nvert ible top: pressing t he fins downward
Fig. 61 Interior: t ighten ing the bolt
The following steps must be performed on
both sides of the vehicle .
.. Press the fin downward firmly
¢fig . 60.
.. Ho ld the fin in this position and tighten the
bolt above the seat belt -arrow-using the
Allen wrench from the veh icle tool k it at the
same time¢
fig. 61.
A second person should assist when securing
the fins to the body. Tightening the bolts is
much easier if a second person presses the
fins down.
A WARNING
-Make sure the fins lie on the body . Other-
wise the convert ible top will not lock se­
cure ly and it could open while dr iving. This
can resul t in injuries and damage to the
vehicle.
-

54 Convertible top
Step 9: Extend the rear window
Fig. 62 Upper storage compartment between the seat
backrests: extending the rear window
~ Press the Allen wrench from the vehicle tool
kit firmly into the opening until it clicks into
place
~ fig. 62.
~ Turn the bolt counterclockwise until the rear
window is extended. Press the rear window
back lightly while doing this.
0 Note
To prevent damage to the vehicle, make
sure the rear window is in the guide in the
convertible top when extending the win­
dow and the fins are secured on the body.