2011 AUDI R8 SPYDER tow

2 Table of contents Vehicle literature ............. .
About this Owner's Manual ...
Controls and equipment .. ... .
Cockpit ................... ... . .
General illustrat ion .............. .
Instruments and warning/
indicator lights ............... .
Instruments . .. ........ .. .. .. ... .
Warning/indicator lights ... .. ... .. .
Driver information system .. .
Introduction . .. ........ .. .. .. ... .
Service interval disp lay ........ .. . .
On-Board Diagnostic system (OBD) .. .
Trip computer ................... .
Menu display ................... .
Lap timer .. .................. .. .
Speed warning system .......... .. .
5
6
8
8
8
10
10
14
20
20
21
21
22
24
26
28
Warnings and symbols . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
Opening and closing ......... .
Keys .. ........................ .
Pow er locking system ............ .
Front lid ... ................ ... . .
Anti -theft alarm system ... .. .. ... .
Power windows .......... .. .. ... .
Convertible top .............. .
Convertible top ........ .. .. .. ... .
Wind deflector ......... .. .. .. ... .
Rear window .................... .
Convertible top emergency operation .
Clear vision .. ........ .. .. .. ... .
Lights ... ................. .. ... .
Inter ior lights ................... .
V1s1on .... ................... .. .
Wiper and washer system ...... .. . .
Mir rors .. .. ... .. ..... ......... . .
Digital compass ................. .
Seats and storage ..... .. .. .. . .
37
37
39
42
43
44
46
46
48
48
49
55
55
58
59
59
62
64
66
General recomme ndation s . . . . . . . . . 66
Po wer seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
H ead restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Cup
holder .... .. ... .......... .. .
Ashtray ... .... .. .. ........... .. .
Cigarette lighter/socket ........... .
68
69
69
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70
Warm and cold .. ........... .. .
Climate controls .. ............... .
Rear window defogger ............ .
Heated seats .... ............... .
On the road ... .............. . .
Steering ....................... .
Ig nition lock and ign ition sw itch .... .
Starting the engine .............. .
Stopping the engine .... .... .... . .
Parking brake ................... .
Crui se control ................. .. .
Audi magnet ic rid e . ............ .. .
Manual transmission ........ .
Launch Control Prog ram ...... .. .. .
Automated manual
transmission ................. .
Description .... .. .. ........... .. .
Manual operation ... ........... .. .
Automatic operation ........... .. .
K ick-down ..... ............... .. .
La un ch Control Program .......... .
Steering wheel with sh ift paddles ... .
Parking system ............. .. .
Parking system advanced ......... .
Homelink® ................... .
72
72
76
76
77
77
77
78
79
79
81
82
84
84
85
85
86
87
87 87
87
89
89
95
Universal remote control . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Safety first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Driving Safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Proper occupant seating positions . . .
100
Driver and passenger side footwell . . . 103
Stowing luggage ................. 104
Reporting Safety Defects. . . . . . . . . . . 105
Active rollover protection system . . . . 107

Safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
General notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Why safety be lts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Ill ustrating the princ iple of an
accident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
H ow are safety belts worn correctly? 112
Safety belt pretens ioners . . . . . . . . . . 115
Airbag system ........ .... ... .. 117
Important th ings to know . . . . . . . . . . 117
F ront airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
M oni toring the Advanced Airbag
Sys tem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Knee air bags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Child Safety ............. .. .. . .
Important things to know . ... .. .. . .
C hild safety seats . ..... ... .. .. .. . .
Instal ling a child safety seat . ... .. . .
Addit ional Information ........... .
Vehicle operat ion ..... .. .. .. . .
Intelligent technology .. .. .. . .
Not ice about data recorded by vehicle
control modules .......... .... .. . .
Electronic Stabilization Program ( ESP)
Rear spoiler .................... .
Braking .. .. .. ... ....... .... ... . .
P owe r stee ring .................. .
Driving w ith your qu attro ® ... .. .. . .
E ne rgy management ... ... .. .. .. . .
D ry s ump lubr ication ... ... .. .. .. . .
Driving and environment .... .
Break -in period . .. ..... ... .. .. .. . .
Driving through water on roads ... . .
Cata lytic converter ............ .. . .
Sporty driving . ........... .. .. .. . .
Operation and maintenance .. .. .. . .
Trailer towing ................... .
Vehicle care .................. .
Cleaning and protection ..... .
General information ...... .. .. .. . . 138
13
8
143
1 4 6
149
150
150
150
150
152
153
154
155
1 5 5
157
158 158
158
158
159
159 160
161
161
16 1
Ca re of exte rior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 1
Ca re of inter io r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Table of contents 3
Fuel supply and filling your
fuel tank ... .. .... . ... ...... ... .
170
Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Fuel tank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Checking and filling ..... ... .. .
Engine compartment lid .......... .
Engine oil ... .. .. .. . ............ .
E n gine cooling system ............ .
Brake fluid .. .. .. .. . .. .... ...... .
Battery ......... .. ............. .
Rep lacing the battery ............ .
Windsh ie ld washer container
Tires and wheels ... ..... ... .. .
175
175
178
181
184
184
18 7
188
189
T ires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
T ire pressure mo nitoring system
Consumer Information ...... .
Warranty coverages .............. .
Operating your veh icle outs ide the
U .S .A . or Canada ... . .. .. ..... ... .
A udi Se rvice Repair Manuals and
Literature . .. .. .. .... ........... .
Maintenance . .. .. .. ............. .
Additional accessories, modif ications
and parts rep lacement ........... .
Decla rat io n of Compliance,
T elecommunication or Electron ic
Systems .. .. .. .. .. ............. .
Do-it-yourself service ........ .
What do I do now? ........... .
Tru nk escape handle ........... .. .
B reakdown kit ... .. . .. ... .... ... .
Tire repa ir ... .... .. . .. .. ..... ... .
What shou ld I be awa re of when
h . t
' ? c anging a ,re. . . ............... .
Jump-starting .. ...... ........... .
Emergency towing with commercial
tow truck ....... .. ............. .
Fuses and bulbs .............. .
Electr ica l fuses .... .............. .
Bu lbs ... .. .. .. .. .. . .. .... ...... . 206
209
2
09
209
209
209
211
2 12
213
213
2 13
213
213
216
219
222
223
223
224
•
•

-When you close the front lid , check it to
make sure the safety catch has properly
engaged . The lid should be flush with the
surround ing vehicle body parts .
- If you notice while driving that the lid is
not secured properly, stop at once and
close it .
- Never leave your vehicle unattended es­
pecially with the front lid left open. A
child could crawl into the luggage com­
partment and pull the lid shut, becoming
trapped and unable to get out. To reduce
the risk of personal injury, never let chil­
dren play in or around your vehicle. Al­
ways keep the front lid as we ll as the ve ­
hicle doors closed when not in use.
(D Note
Make sure there are no objects are pro­
t rud ing above the edge of the luggage
compartment . Otherwise, the front lid
could be damaged .
@ Tips
If the front lid is open or not properly
locked when the ignition is turned on, the
door and front lid warning appears in the
instrument cluster disp lay.
Emergency release for front lid
If the front lid cannot be opened, on emer­
gency release is provided .
Fig. 39 Sectio n: Eme rgency release
" Reach under the closed glove compartment .
There is a red plast ic cord under the glove
compartment.
"Pu ll the red plastic cord towards you.
Opening and closing 43
Anti-theft alarm
system
Description
The anti-theft alarm triggers an alarm if any­
one attempts to break into the vehicle .
Fig. 40 Diode posit io n in th e in str um ent panel
The anti-theft alarm system triggers an audi·
ble alarm and turns on the emergency flasher
if an unauthorized interference with the vehi­
cle is sensed by the system .
How is the anti-theft alarm system
switched on?
The anti-theft alarm system is switched on
when you lock the driver's door manually us­
ing the fold -out key, or when you use the re­
mote control. The system is activated approxi­
mately 30 seconds after the vehicle is locked.
T he ind icator light
9 fig. 40 starts flashing
rapidly for 2 seconds and then blinks slow ly.
How is the anti -theft alarm system
switched off?
T he anti-theft alarm system is switched off
o nly when yo u un lock your veh icle.
If you do
not open a door within 30 seconds after you
have unlocked with the remote control, the
vehicle will lock itself again automatically .
When will the anti theft alarm system be
triggered?
When the vehicle is locked, the a larm system
monitors and protects the fo llowing parts of
the vehicle:
- engine compartment
- luggage compartment
- doors

46 Convertible top
Convertible top
Convertible top
General information
The fabric convertible top opens and closes
automatically. When it is open, it is stored in
the convertible top storage bay. The converti­
ble top may be opened or closed at speeds up
to 31 mph (SO km/h) .
The convertible top is wind- and waterproof
under normal conditions . Some moisture may
collect in the vehicle interior , but only under
extremely adverse weather conditions such as
torrential rain. That is normal and no cause
for concern.
Follow the cleaning and maintenance instruc­
tions
~ page 163 to ensure the convertible
top remains wind- and waterproof. Also note
the following points:
- Only stow the convertible top when it is
clean and dry . Grains of sand or coarse dirt
particles can cause abrasions on the conver­
tible top when stowed that can lead to dam­
age to the fabric over time. Stowing the con­
vertible top when it is damp can cause
marks or permanent mildew spots to form .
- Do not leave the convertible top open for
several weeks or the creases in it may be ­
come discolored . This is especially true if the
top was stowed when damp .
- Remove ice and snow before opening the
convertible top . Do not use any sharp edged
objects to remove ice and snow or the con­
vertible top could be scratched or damaged.
The rear window may be cleared with a
standard ice scraper.
- The fabric in the convertible top loses elas­
ticity in sub-zero temperatures. We recom­
mend not opening or closing the convertible
top when the temperature is below 32 °F (0 QC). The convertible top will not open
when the temperature is 5 °F (-15 QC) or be­
low.
Opening and closing the convertible top
Fig. 43 Center co nsole : convertible top sw itc h
Requirement: the front lid must be closed and
the ignition must be switched on.
Opening the convertible top
.. Pull and hold the convertib le top switch un­
til the top is stowed in the bay and the cover
on the bay has closed completely.
Opening the convertible top using the
one-touch function
.. Pull the switch briefly to open the converti­
ble top completely . It is not necessary to
hold the switch. The one-touch function is
only available at speeds between 4 and
31 mph (6 and SO km/h) .
Closing the convertible top
.. Press and hold the switch until the converti-
ble top is closed and the latch is locked.
The indicator light
Min the instrument clus ­
ter goes out when the top is completely open
or closed.
The side windows automatical ly lower slightly
during the opening/closing process.
A WARNING ~
- Never drive when the convertible top is
not locked correctly. The wind generated
by driving could cause itto open, which
could injure vehicle occupants or damage
the vehicle.
- Make sure no one will be injured by the
convertible top supports and other mov­ ing objects on the vehicle when opening
and clos ing the top .
liJI,

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 .

Clear vision Lights
Switching the headlights on/off
Fig. 63 In str ume nt pa ne l: lig ht sw itc h (auto mat ic
head· a nd ta ill ig ht control)
Switching on the side marke r lights
... Turn the light switch to :oo::.
Switching on the headlights and high
beam
... Turn the light switch to §D.
.,. Push the h igh beam lever forwa rd towa rds
t h e instrument panel~
page 58 .
Sw itching off the lights
.,. Turn the light switch to 0 .
Sw itching on automatic head- and
taillight control
.,. Turn the light switch to AUTO ~ fig. 63 .
The headlig hts and tai lligh ts w ill come on au­
tomatically when the ignition is sw itche d on
and the light switch is in the position AU TO
(on ly in nig httime conditions). When switch·
ing off the ignit io n, the headlig hts wi ll go off
and only the side marker lights will remai n lit.
Daytime running lights
USA models: The daytime r unning lig hts will
come on a utomat ica lly when the ig nition is
sw itched on and the light switch is in the posi·
tion
AUTO (only in daylight conditions).
Canada models : Th e daytime runni ng lights
will come on a utomat ically when the ignition
is switched on and the light switch is in the
Clear vi sion 55
position 0 , AUTO (on ly in daylight conditions)
or ;oo :.
Automatic head- and taillight control
In the swi tch position AUTO the au tomati c
he ad- and t aillight con tro l is activ ated. Ligh t
senso rs ar e loca ted in t he i nside mir ro r h ous­
ing and co nstantly chec k the light cond itions
su rroundi ng the vehicle. If ambient bright­
ness fa lls below a factory set value (e .g. when
dr iv ing into a tunnel), the head- and tail lights
i ncl uding the license plate illuminati on are
automat ica lly t urned on . When ambient
brightness i ncreases aga in, the exte rnal ligh ts
ar e turned off aga in
c> &. . In the switch posi­
t ion
AUTO , the low beams are tur ned off when
th e ign ition is swi tched o ff. Th e rem aining
li gh ts are turned off when the key is ta ke n out
of the ignition lock.
W it h a utomat ic head- and taill igh t con trol,
t he h igh-beam fu nction is also ava ilable , bu t
with one rest ric t ion : If you have not sw itche d
the h igh beams back to low beams during a u­
tomat ic head light operat ion (for examp le, af­
ter driving through a tunnel), on ly the low
beams come on the next time automatic
headlig hts are switched on. To use the high
beams, yo u fi rst have to pull the h igh beam
lever back and then push the lever forwa rd
agam .
The side ma rke r lights a nd headlights ca n be
sw itc hed on manually by turn ing the light
swi tc h to the des ired pos ition .
Light sensor malfunction
If there is a light sensor ma lfunction, the
symbol
II comes on in the display . For safety
reasons, the low beams are tu rned on perma­
nently with t he sw itch in
AUTO . However, you
can con tinue to tu rn the lights on and off us­
in g t he light switch . Have t he ligh t sensor
c h eck ed as soon a s possib le a t an au thorized
A udi dealer.
Coming home/leaving home function
The function is sw itched on when the sw itch is
i n the
AUTO pos ition and th e funct ion is liJJ,,

instruments (needles and dials) is automati­
cally adjusted to ambient conditions. The driv­
er can a lso ad just the brightness of the light­
ing.
Ignition ON , light switch at @
With the ignition swi tched O N, the glow of in­
strument needles
can be adjusted to appear
brighter or dimmer.
Ignition ON , light switch at coo; or gD .
With the l igh ts sw itched on, the bright ness of
in str ument cluster (i.e. needles, g auges and
disp lays) and center console i llumination can
be adjusted .
(D Note
The inst rument cl uster and cente r console
illum ination (ga uges and needles) comes
on when you switch on the ignition and the
vehicle headlights are off. Be aware of t he
following difference between mode ls built
to US or Canadian specifications:
- USA models: illumination of the inst ru­
ment cluster (ga uges and needles), das h
and center console around the gearsh ift
l ever is controlled by a light senso r locat­
ed in the instrument panel. The instru­
m ent pane l illumination will a utomat i­
call y become dimmer as t he day ligh t
fades away and eventually will go o ut
com plete ly when o utside light is ve ry
l ow. This is to rem ind you, the driver, to
switch on the headlights before it gets
too dark .
- Canada mode ls: instrument panel i llum i­
nat ion will stay bright regard less of the
i ntensity of amb ient light. Always be
aware of c hanges in outside light cond i­
t ions wh ile you are driving. Respond in
time to fadi ng daylight by tu rning the
l ight sw itch to posit ion
io (or "AUTO" if
you r ca r is equ ipped with th is featu re) to
turn on your hea dligh ts. Clear vi
sion 5 7
Emergency flasher
The emergency flasher makes other motorists
aware that you or your vehicle are in an emer­
gency situation .
Fig. 65 Cent er consol e: eme rge ncy flas he r sw itc h
.,. Press the switc h l!J ~ fig. 65 to switch t he
emergency flasher on or off.
When the eme rgency f las her is on, all four
turn s ignal b link at t he same time . Th e turn
signal indicato r lights
1111 in t he instrument
cluster, as well as the light in the eme rgency
flasher switch ~ blink likew ise . The emergen­
cy flasher also works when the ignition is
switched off .
The eme rgency flasher will automatically
switch on if you are in an accident where the
airbag has deployed.
@ Tips
You sho uld switch on the emergency flash­
er when:
- you a re the last ve hicle standing in a t ra f­
fic jam so that any other vehicles coming
can see you, or when
- yo ur vehicle has bro ken dow n or you are
in an eme rgency s ituation, or when
- yo ur vehicle is be ing towed by a tow
truck or if you are towing another vehicle
behind you.