2012 AUDI A8 Replacement

234 Check ing and filling
Never use a fast charger as a booster to
start the engine. This will seriously dam­
age sensitive electronic components, such
as control units, relays, rad io, etc ., as well
as the battery charger.
Battery replacement
The new bat tery must have the same specifi­
cations and dimensions as the original equip­
ment battery .
Intelligent energy man agement in your veh i­
cle is respons ible for d istributing the electr i­
cal energy throughout your vehicle
c::> page 192. The intell igent energy manage­
ment system w ill keep the engine battery
cha rged bette r than vehicles w ithout t his sys­
tem. To make sure the additional e lectrica l en­
e rgy is availab le once again after you have
changed the battery, we recommend that you install batteries of the same type and manu ­
facture only (the same as those installed at
the time your vehicle was delivered). Specifi­
cations are listed on the battery hous ing. Your
author ized dealer must code the battery in
the energy management system to enable you
to use the energy management funct ions cor­
rectly after replac ing the battery .
The new battery must have the same capacity ,
voltage (12 volts), amperage, construct ion
and plug sealing.
When installing the ba ttery, make sure the ig­
n ition and all e lectr ica l consumers are sw itch ­
ed off .
{[) Note
Make sure the venti lation hose on the s ide
of the battery is connected, otherwise
fumes or battery ac id can leak out .
@ For the sake of the environment
Because of the problem of proper d isposa l
of a battery, we recommend your author ­
ized Aud i dealer change the battery for
you . Batter ies contain su lfuric ac id and l
ead and must a lways be disposed o f prop­
erly in compliance with a ll environmental
regulations. Disposing of vehicle batter ies
i mproperly is very dangerous to the envi­
ronment .
Windshield/headlight
washer container
Fig . 1 82 Eng in e compar tmen t: cov er on the w inds hield
washe r flu id rese rvoir
T he washer fluid co nta iner is marked w ith the
symbol~ on its cap
c::> fig. 182, c::>page 221.
.. Before you check anything in the engine
compartment, always read and heed all
WARNINGS c::> _& in Working in the engine
compartment on page 219.
.,. Lift the fil le r cap tongue to add washer flu­
id. You can fi ll the container to the top.
.. Press the cap back onto the fi ller neck after
fi lling the container .
You can find the reservo ir
ca pacit y in the table
in
c::> pag e 278 .
Clean water should be used when filling up. If
poss ible, use soft water to prevent scaling on
washe r jets . Always add a g lass cle aner solu­
tion (with frost protection in the winter).
(D Note
Do not mix engine coolant a ntifreeze or
any other addi tives to fill up the wind­
shield washer reservoir .

contribution to good road holding and safe
handling when in good condition and properly
inflated
¢ .&. .
We recommend that all work on t ires and
wheels be performed by an authorized A udi
dealer. They are familiar with recommended
procedures and have the necessary spec ial
too ls and spare parts as we ll as the proper fa ­
cilities for dispos ing of the old tires .
Authorized Audi dealers have the necessary information about techn ica l requ irements for
installing or changing tires and r ims.
R eplacing t ires and wheel s
Tires shou ld be rep laced at least in pairs and
not individua lly (for example both front tires
or both rear tires together).
Be s ure to read and heed the information to
the tire pressure monitoring system*
¢page 253.
Always buy rep lacement radial tires that have
the same specifications as the t ires approved
for your ve hicle by Audi. Replacement tires
must always have the same load rating speci ­
fication as the original equipment or approved
optional tires listed in the table
¢ page 239.
Audi-approved specification tires are specially
matched to your vehicle and its load limits,
and can contribute to the important road hold­
ing, driving character istics, and safety of the
veh icle. The table
(¢page 239) lists spec ifica­
tions of the tir es approved for the Audi mod­
e ls covered by your Owner's Literature .
The tire pressure labe l located on dr iver's side
B-pillar (
¢ page 239, fig. 184) lists the speci­
fications of the orig inal equipment tires in­
stalled on your veh icle at the time it was man­
ufactured .
Federal law requires t ire manufacturers to
p lace standard ized information on the s ide­
wall of all tires¢
fig. 187 . This information
i dent ifies and desc ribes the fundamental
characterist ics, the quality grade of the tire
and a lso provides a tire ide ntificat io n number
Tire s an d wheel s 24 7
for sa fety standard certification and in case of
a reca ll.
Tire specifications
Knowledge of tire specifications makes it eas­
ier to choose the co rrec t tires . Radial ti res
have the tire specifications marked on the
sidewa ll, for examp le:
255 /45 R 19 104 H
This co nta ins the following information:
P Indicates the tire is for passenger cars
(where app licab le)
255 Nom inal tire width i n mm of the tire
from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In
general, the larger the number, the wider
the tire
45 Height/w idth ratio in percent (aspect ra -
t io)
R Tire construct ion: Radial
1 9 Rim diameter code (i n inches)
104 Load ra ting code
H Speed ra ting letter code
XL (or "xl", "EXTRA LOAD" or "RF") Indicates
t h at the t ire is a "Reinfo rced" or an " Ext ra
Load " tir e
M+S (or "M/S") Indicates that the ti re has
some mud and snow capab ility
The tires could also have the informat ion of
direction of rotation ¢
page 235 .
Tire manufacturing d ate
The manufact uring date is also indicated on
the tire sidewall (possibly only on the
inner
s ide of the wheel):
"DOT ... 2211 .. . " means, for example, the tire
was produced in the 22nd week of 2011.
Speed rating (letter code )
The speed rating le tter code on the whee ls in­
dicates the maximum permiss ible road speeds
¢ .&. in Winter tires on page 251.
P up to 93 mp h (150 km/h)
Q up to 99 mph (158 km/h)
R up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
S up to 110 mph (180 km/h)
•
•

280 Consumer Information
Consumer Information
Warranty coverages
You r Audi is covered by the following war­
ranties:
- New Vehicle Limited Warranty
- Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perfo-
ration
- Emissions Control System Warranty
- Emissions Performance Warranty
- California Emissions Control Warranty (USA
vehicles only)
- California Emissions Performance Warranty
(USA vehicles only)
Detailed information regarding your warran­
ties can be found in your
Warranty & Mainte­
nance booklet .
Operating your vehicle
outside the U.S.A. or
Canada
Government regu lations in the United States
and Canada require that automobiles meet
specific emission regulations and safety
standards. Therefore, veh icles built for the
U.S.A . and Canada differ from vehicles sold in
other countries .
If you p lan to take your vehicle outside the
continental limits of the United States or Can­
ada, there is the possibility that
- unleaded fuels for vehicles with cata lytic
converter may not be available;
- fuel may have a considerably lowe r octane
rating. Improper fuel may cause engine
damage ;
- service may be inadequate due to lack of
proper service facilities, tools or testing
equipment ;
- replacement pa rts may not be readily availa­
ble.
- Navigation systems for vehicles built for the
U.S.A. and Canada will not necessar ily work
in Europe, and may not work in other coun­
tries outside North America .
(D Note
Audi cannot be responsible for mechanical
damage that could result from inadequate
fuel, service or parts availability.
Audi Service Repair Manuals and Literature
Audi Official Factory Service Manuals and Lit­
erature are published as soon as possible after
model introduction. Service manuals and lit­
erature are available to order from the Audi
T echnical Literature Ordering Center at:
www.audi.techliterature.com
Maintenance
General
Your vehicle has been designed to help keep
maintenance requirements to a minimum.
However, a certain amount of regular mainte­
nance is still necessary to assure your vehicle's
s afety, economy and rel iability. For detailed
vehicle maintenance consult your Warranty &
Maintenance booklet.
Under difficult operating conditions, for ex­
ample at extremely low outside temperatures,
i n very dusty regions , when towing a trailer
very frequently, etc., some service work
should be performed between the intervals
specified. This applies particularly to:
- oil changes, and
- cleaning or replacing the air filter .
(® For the sake of the environment
By regularly maintaining your vehicle, you
help make sure that emission standards
are maintained, thus minimizing adverse
effects on the environment.
Important considerations for you and
your vehicle
The increasing use of electronics, sophisticat­
ed fuel injection and emission contro l sys-
tems, and the genera lly increasing technical
liJJ,

28 2 Con sum er Inf ormation
-Always make sure the transmission se­
lector lever (automatic transmiss ion) is
in "P" (Park position) and the park brake
is f irmly app lied .
@) For the sake of the environment
-Changing the engine settings wi ll ad­
versely affect em iss ion levels. This is det­
rimental to the environment and increas­
es fuel consumption .
- Always observe env ironmental regula­
tions when dispos ing of old engine oil,
used brake fluid, dirty engine coolant,
spent batteries or worn out tires.
- Undeployed airbag modules and preten­
s ioners might be classified as Perchlo ­
rate Material -spec ial handling may ap­
ply, see www.dtsc.ca .gov/hazardous­
was te/perch lorate . When the veh icle or
parts of the res traint system including
airbag modules safety belts wit h preten ­
sioners are scrapped, all applicable laws
and regulations must be observed. Your
authori zed Aud i dea ler is familiar with
these requirements and we recommend
that you have your dealer perform this
serv ice for you .
Additional accessories,
modifications and
parts replacement
Additional accessories and parts
replacement
Always consult an authorized Audi dealer be­
fore purchasing accessories.
Your veh icle incorporates the latest safety de­
sig n featu res ensu ring a high standard of a c­
tive and passive safety .
This safety could be comp romised by non-ap­
proved changes to the ve hicle. For this reason ,
if pa rts have to be replaced , please obse rve
the following points when install ing addition­
a l accessories: Approved Audi accessories and genuine Aud
i
parts are available from authorized A udi deal­
ers.
T hese dea le rs a lso have the necessary facili­
ties, tools and tra ined specialists to install the
parts and acc essories proper ly .
A WARNING
-Using the wrong spare parts or using non-
approved accessories can cause damage to
the veh icle and ser ious persona l injury.
- Use on ly accessories express ly approved
by Audi and ge nuine Audi spare parts
- These parts and accessories have been
specia lly designed to be used on yo ur ve­
h icle .
- Never install accessor ies such as tele­
phone crad les or beverage ho lders on a ir­
bag covers or within the airbag deploy­
ment zones . Do ing so will increase the
risk of injury if a irbags are triggered in an
accident!
- Before you check anything in the engine
compa rtment, always read and heed a ll
WARNI NGS
9 page 213 .
(D Note
-If items other than genu ine Audi spare
parts, add-on equipment and accessory
items are used or if repair work is not
performed accord ing to specified meth­
ods, this c an resu lt in seve re damage to
your vehicle's eng ine and body (such as
corrosion) and adversely affect yo ur vehi ­
cle's warranty .
- T he innovative a luminium concept of
your Audi AB means that all servicing, re­
pairs or other work on the vehicle body
must be carr ied out exclusive ly by an Au­
di workshop .
- If emergency repairs must be performed
elsewhere, have the veh icle examined by
an authorized Audi dealer as soon as
possible .
- The manufacturer cannot be held liable
for damage wh ic h occurs due to failure
to comply with these stipulations .

29 0 Index
Glove compartment (cooled) ... .. .... . . 71
Gross Veh icle Weight Rating (GVWR) ... 276
H
Headlights
Clean ing system ....... ..... .. .. .. .. 48
Defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
H ead light range control . . . . . . . . . 21, 43
Washer reservoir .................. 234
Head restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61, 128
Adjusting .. .......... .... .... .... 128
Heated exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
seats .. .. .... ........ ...... ... .. .. 77
windshield washer spray nozzles .. .... 48
Heating ..... ................ ..... .. 75
H eavy clothing and safety belts ... .. ... 137
High beam . .. ..................... .. 45
High voltage warning label ... ... .. ... 276
H omelink ® universal remote control . . . 121
Hood (release lever) ................. 219
H orn . .. .. .. .. . .......... .. .. .. .. .. . 8
How are child restraint system anchors re­
lated to child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
How many airbags does my vehicle have? 149
H ow often should I check my t ire pres-
sures? ............................ 242
H ow safety belt pretensioners work . ... 140
Hydroplaning . .. . ...... ... .. .. .... . 246
I
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Important things to do before driving . . 124
Improperly worn safety belts . .... .... . 140
I ndicator lights
refer to Warning/ind icator lights .... . . 11
Infant seats . ................ ... ... 171
Installing chi ld safety seats
Safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 5
I nstall ing the upper tether strap on the
anchorage ... ... .. ..... ... .. .. .... . 183
Instruments Ad justing the lighting . ........ ...... 47 Instruments and controls
Genera l illustration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Instrument cluster .......... ... .. .. . 10
Interior l ighting
Amb ience light ing ................. . 46
Front and rear ... ... .. ..... ... .. .. . 46
Intermittent (w indshield w ipers) ....... 48
J
Jack 257
Jump-starting ..... ... .. ..... ... .. .. 270
Jumper cables . .. .. .......... ...... . 271
K
Key ........... ... .. ................ 28
Battery replacement master key . . . . . . . 29
E mergency key . .. ............. .. .. . 28
K ey replacemen t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Mas ter key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Mechan ica l key ... ... .. ..... .... . .. . 29
Valet key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
K ick-down (automatic transmission) .... 112
Knee a irbags .... .. ... .......... .... 157
Description .... ................... 157
How they work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Important safety instructions .. .. .. .. 159
L
Lane assist
Activat ing and deactivating ........... 96
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Instrument cluster ind icator lig ht .. .. . 96
Kamerabereich rein igen ......... .... 205
Messages . ...... ............. .... . 97
Notes on instrument cluster disp lay ... . 96
Setting the steering wheel vibration ... . 98
Setting the warning point .... ... .. .. . 98
Lane Change Assistant
refer to side assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
LATCH .... ... .. .. .. ... ....... ... .. 178
Description .. .. ............ ....... 179
Gu idance fixtures for lower ancho rages 180
Installing a c hild restra int ........... 181
Loca tion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Mounting and releasing the anchorage
hook ... .. .... .. .. ... .. ... ... .. .. 181

292 Index .:..:..:..::....::..
...:..._ ___________________________ _
p
Paint
Touch-up ... .. ........ ..... .. .... . 207
Paint No. 276
Pano ramic sunroof .. ....... .. .. .. .. .. 41
Sun shade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Parking ..... ................ ..... .. 83
Valet parking ............. ... .... .. 39
Parking brake .. .... ... .... .. .. .. .. .. 82
also refer to Electromechan ica l park ing
brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Park ing system advanced
Adjusting the display ....... ..... .. . 119
Adjusting the warn ing tones .. .. .. .. . 119
Rear view camera -parking mode 1 .. . 118
Rear view camera -parking mode 2 ... 118
Safety precautions ............ .... . 115
Switching on and
off ...... .. .... .. . 117
Parts replacement ......... .. .. .. .. . 282
Pass-through with ski sack . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light ..... .. . 153
Passenger protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Passive safety system ........ ... .... . 124
Pedals .. .. .. ...... ..... .. .. .. .. .. . 129
Physical principles of a frontal collision . 135
Polishing .... ................ ..... . 206
Pollutant filter (automatic AC system) . . . 7 5
Power locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Locking/unlocking the vehicle from in-
side ... .. .. ... ... ... .... .. .. .. .. .. 33
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Selective unlock feature . ........ .... 31
Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Unlock ing and locking veh icle . .. .... .. 32
Power seat adjustment Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Rear seats .. ... ... .... ..... .. .. .. .. 57
Power steering (servot ronic) . .. .. .. .. . 191
Power windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Pregnant women Specia l cons iderations when wearing a
safety belt ... .... .... ... .. .. .. .. . 139
pre sense .. .... ........... .. .. .. .. . 185
Preventative passenger protection .. .. . 185 Programming
the Homelink ® un iversal re-
mote control . ..... ................. 121
Proper occupant seating positions . .... 125
Proper safety bel t position . ....... .... 138
Proper seating position
Front passenger . ................. . 126
Occupants ..... .. .. .............. . 125
Rear passengers .. ....... ...... .... 12 7
Q
quattro ®
refer to All Whe el Driv e .......... ... 191
Question What happens to unbelted occupants? 135
Why safety belts? ................ . 134
R
Radiator fan .. .. .. ...... ....... .... 229
Radio clock . .. .. .. ....... ...... .... . 25
Rain/light sensor
Headlights .... .. ................ .. 43
I ntermittent (windshield wipers) . .. .. . 48
Sensor defective .. ... .... ...... .. .. . 21
Range (fuel level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Reading lights . .. .. .......... ...... .. 46
Rear fog lights .... ................ .. 43
Rear lid Automatic operation .... .... ..... .. . 35
Emergency release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7
Escape handle ... ............. .... 256
Mov ement -activated opening ..... ... . 37
Opening and closing .... ....... .... . 34
Rear light
Defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Rear seats Adjusting individual seats ....... .. .. . 57
Entry assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Front passenger seat adjustment . . . . . . 60
Reclining rear seat ................ .. 59
Rear view camera Reverse Parking .. ................ . 118
Rear view mirror . ... ........ ... ... .. . 51
Rear window heat ing . .... .... ..... .. . 77
Recirculat ion mode (automat ic cl imate
control) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Reclining rear seat . ............. .... . 59