2012 AUDI A8 starting

@ Tips
- The discharged battery must be properly
connected to the vehicle's electrical sys­
tem. When jump start ing or charging the
battery, never connect the negative
ground cable to the battery negative post because the battery manager sys­
tem must be able to detect the battery's
state of cha rge. A lways connect the neg­
ative g round cab le to the negative
gro und post o f the battery manage r con­
trol uni t.
Use of jumper cables
Make sure to connect the jumper coble
clomps in exactly the order described below!
Fig. 2 08 Engine compartment: connecto rs for jump
start cables and charger
Fi g. 209 Jump start ing w ith the battery of another ve ­
hicle: @-booste r batte ry, @ -discharged vehicle bat ­
te ry
The procedure described below fo r connecting
jumper cab les is intended to provide a jump
start for your veh icle.
Vehicle with discharged batt ery:
.. Turn off lights and acc esso ries, move leve r
of automat ic t ransm ission to N (Neutral) o r
P (Park) and set pa rking brake .
Emergenc y situ ation s 2 71
Connect POSI TIVE(+) to POSITIVE (+ )
(red )
.. Open the red cover on the positive terminal
¢fig. 208.
1. Connect one end of the red positive cable
on the
jump sta rt bolt ¢ fig. 209 (D (bolt
under the red cover = "positive") of the ve­
hicle to be started @.
2. Co nnect th e other end to the pos itive ter-
mina l@ of the booster battery @.
Connect NEGATIVE( -) to NEGATIVE(-)
(black )
3. Connect one end of the black negative ca­ ble to the negat ive termina l@ of the
booster b attery @.
4 . Connect the othe r end to the
jump start
pin @ (bolts with hex head bolt = "nega­
tive") of the vehicle to be started @.
Starting the engine .. Sta rt the engine of the veh icle w ith the
booste r ba ttery @. Ru n the engine at a
moderate speed .
.. Start engine wit h discha rged vehicle battery
@ in the usual manner .
.. If the eng ine fails to start, do not keep the
starter cranking for longer than 10 seconds.
Wait for about 30 seco nds a nd the n try
aga in .
.. With engi ne runni ng, remove j umper cab les
from both vehicles in the exact
reverse o r­
de r .
.. Close the red cover on the positive term inal.
T he battery is vented to th e outside to p revent
gases from en ter ing the veh icle in ter io r. Ma ke
s ur e th at the j umper clamps are well connec t­
ed with their meta l parts in full con ta ct w ith
the battery term inals.
A WARNING
To avoid se rious personal injury and dam­
age to the veh icle, heed all warnings and
instructions of the jumper cable man ufac­
turer. If in doubt, call for road service .
- J umper cables m ust be long enough so
that the veh icles d o not touch.
-

2 76 Genera l in formati on
General information
Explanation of
technical data
Some of the technical data listed in this man ­
ual requires further explanation .
The technical data for your vehicle is listed in
the charts starting on
r:::> page 2 78. This sec·
tion provides general information, notes and restrictions wh ich apply to this data .
Vehicle identification
The key data is given on the vehicle identifica·
tion number (VIN) plate and the vehicle data
sticker .
Fig. 2 17 Veh icle Ide ntific atio n Number (V lN) p late: lo­
cation on driver's sid e das h panel
Fig . 2 18 The ve hicle identi fication label -inside the
luggage co mpa rtmen t
The Vehicle Iden tification Numb er (VIN )
is located on the driver's side so that it is vis i­
b le from the outside through the windshield
r:::> fig . 217 . You can a lso display the Vehicle
Identification Number of your vehicle in the
MMI. Select: Function button
I CAR ! > Car s ys­
t e ms
> V IN numb er. The
vehicl e identification labe l
is located in the luggage compartment in the
spare wheel wel l.
T he labe l¢
fig. 218 shows the fo llowing vehi­
cl e data :
(D Product ion control No .
@ Vehicle identification No.
® Type code number
@ Type designation/engine output in K ilo·
wat ts
® Engine and transmission code letter
@ Paint No./Interior
(f) Optional equipmen t No.'s
Vehicle data 2 to 7 are also found in your War·
ran ty
& Ma intenance booklet.
The safety compliance stick er
is your assurance that your new vehicle com­
plies with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards which were in effect at the
time the vehicle was manufac tured . You can
find this sticker on the left door jamb .
It
shows the month and year of production and
the ve hicl e ident ificat ion number of yo ur vehi ·
cle (perforation) as well as the G ross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) .
The high volta ge warning label
is loca ted on the lock ca rr ier .
The spark ignition s ystem complies w ith
the Canadian standard ICES -002.
Weights
Gr oss V ehicl e Weight Rating
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rat ing (GVWR), and
t h e Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
front and rear are Listed on a sticker on the
left door jamb .
T he Gross Vehicle Weight Rat ing includes the
weight of the bas ic vehicle plus fu ll fuel tank,
oi l and coo lant, plus maximum load , wh ich in·
eludes passenger weight (lSO lbs/68 kg per
Ill>

Technical Modifications
Our guidelines must be complied with when
technical modifications are made.
Always consult an authorized Audi dealer be ­
fore starting work on any modifications.
This will he lp ensure that vehicle function,
performance and safety are not impaired
¢ .&..
Attempting to work on electronic components
and the software used with them can cause
malfunctions. Beca use of the way electronic
components are interconnected with each
other, such malfunctions can also have an ad­
verse affect on other systems that are not di­ rectly involved. Th is means that you r isk both
a substantial reduction in the operational
safety of you r vehicle and an inc reased wea r of
vehi cle parts¢ _&..
Author ized Audi dealers w ill perform th is
wo rk in a professiona l and competent ma nner
or, in spec ial cases, refer you to a p rofessional
company that specializes in such mod ifi ca­
tions .
_& WARNING t= -
Improper repairs and modifications can
change the way vehicle systems wo rk and
cause damage to the veh icle and ser ious
personal injury.
(D Note
If emergency repairs must be performed
elsewhere, have the veh icle examined by
an authorized A udi dealer as soon as possi­
ble.
Con sumer In formation 283
Declaration of
Compliance, Telecom­
munication or
Electronic Systems
Radio Frequency Devices and Radiocommuni­
cation Equipment User Manual Notice.
The manufacturer is not responsib le for any
radio or TV interference caused by unauthor­
ized modifications to this equipment.
Device s
The following devices each comply wi th FCC
Part 15 .19, FCC 15.2 1 and RSS -Gen Issue 1:
- Adaptive cru ise control
- Aud i side assist
- Cell phone package
- Convenience key
- Electron ic immobilizer
- Homelink ® universa l remote control
- Remo te control key
FCC Part 15.19
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Ru les. Operation is subject to the fo llow ing
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful in ter­
fere nce, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undes ired operation .
FCC Part 15.21
CAUTION:
Changes or mod ifi cat ions not expressly ap­
proved by the p arty responsible for compli ­
ance could vo id the user's autho rity to ope rate
the equipment .
RSS-Gen Issue 1
Operation is subject to the fo llow ing two con­
d it ions:
(1) this device may not cause interference,
and
•
•

Convertible locking retractor .... .. .. . 17 5
How do I prop erly install a child safety
seat in my vehicle? ....... ... .. .. .. .
169
Infant seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Instal ling .. ............. .... .. ... 175
Instal ling a child restraint us ing the
L A T C H system .... .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .
18 1
LATCH system ................... .. 181
Lower ancho rages ........ .. .. .. .. . 179
M ounti ng and releas ing the anchorage
hook . ..... .. .. ... ..... ... .. .. ...
181
Safety instructions ..... ... .. .. .. .. . 169
C leaning and protection .............. 203
Alcantara (synthet ic suede) . .. .. .. .. . 2 12
Cooler . .. .. .... ........... .. .. ... 213
Eng ine compartment ... ... .. .. .. .. . 213
Exhaust tail p ipes . ..... ... .. .. .. .. . 209
Fabrics and fabric coverings . ... .. .. . 209
Instrument panel .................. 210
Interior .......................... 209
Leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
MMI disp lay/controls ............. .. 209
Plastic and v inyl .... ... ... .. .. .. .. . 206
Plastic pa rts ...................... 210
Safety belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 12
tr im str ips . ............. .... .. ... 207
Trim str ips .... .. ..... ... .. .. .. ... 20 6
Climate controls ............ ...... ... 75
C lock ... .... .. .. .. .. .... .. . .. .. .. .. 25
C losing
Panor amic su nroof ........ .. .. .. .. ..
4 1
Sliding/ tilting sun roof .. ... .. .. .. .. .. 4 0
Sun shade (panoramic sunroof) ... .. .. 42
Cold ti re i nflat ion p ressu re ... .. .. .. .. .
239
Coming home ............. .... .. .... 45
Compact spare tire . ..... ... .. .. .. .. .
258
Compartments ................... ... 7 1
Compass in the mirro r ... ... .. .. .. .. .. 52
Comp lian ce .. ............. .... .. ... 283
Consumer Information . . . . . . . . . . 132, 280
Consumption (fue l) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Contact ing N HTSA ................ ..
132
Conven ience key ........... .... .. .... 32
Starting the engine ................. 80
Stopping the engine (START ENGINE
STOP button) ......................
81 Inde
x 287
Switching the ignition on .... ... .. .. . 80
U nl ocking and locking vehicle . ... .. .. . 32
Conve rtib le child safety seats ......... 172
Convertible locking retractor
Activati ng ........................
177
Deact ivating ...... ........... ..... 178
U sing to secure a child safety seat 1.75, 17 7
Coolant
refer to Eng ine coolant ............. 227
Cooler ... .. .. .... ... .. .. ..... ... .. . 72
Cleaning . ... .... .. . .. .. ..... ... .. 213
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Cooling mode (automa tic climate cont rol) 76
Cornering light .. .. ................. 103
C ruise cont ro l
Changing speed .... . .. ..... ... .. .. .
85
Presetting your speed .. ..... ... .. .. . 86
Switch ing off .. .. ............... .. . 86
Switching on . .. .. ................. . 85
Cu pholder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
D
Data .............................. 278
Data recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Date disp lay . ..... ... .. .. ..... ... .. . 25
Daytime runn ing lights .............. .. 43
Declarat ion of compliance
Adaptive cruise control .............
283
Audi side ass ist .............. .... . 283
Cell phone package . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Convenience key .................. . 283
Electronic immob ilizer .......... .. .. 2 83
Homel in k® uni versal remote control .. 283
Remote con tro l key ... ...... ... .. .. 283
DEF
What does this mean when it appears in
t h e tr ip odometer display? ...........
25
Defective light bulb warning ........... 21
Defrosting (windows) .. .. ..... ... .. .. . 77
Del uxe a utomat ic cl imate control .. .. .. . 76
Determ ining correct load limit ........ 243
Digi tal compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52
Dimens ions ... .. .. .. . .. .... ...... .. 277
Dimming the rearview mirror .. ... .. .. . 51
Dista nce . .. .. .. .. .. ............... . 24
Door/rear lid warning ............ .. .. .
23
•
•

288 Index
Doors
M echanical child safety lock .. .... .. .. 37
Power child safety lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Driver information system
CD/radio display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Door/r ear lid warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Exterior temperature display ....... .. 23
On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Driver seating position ............... 125
drive select .. .. . .......... .. .. .... . 103
adaptive a ir suspension/sport ........ 103
Adaptive dampers ................. 103
Cornering light ........... .. .. .... . 103
Dynamic steering .................. 103
Safety belt tensioner ............... 103
Sport differential .......... ... .... . 103
Driving safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Driving through water ............... 196
Driving time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Duplicate key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Dynam ic steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 103
E
Easy entry feature .......... .... .... .. 79
Einparkhilfe Sensoren/Kamera reinigen ...... .... 205
Elect rical accessories (sockets) . . . . . 64, 70
E lectromechanical park ing brake
Emergency braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Parking .................... ..... .. 83
Releasing and closing ..... .. .. .. .. . . 82
Starting assist ........... .. .. .... .. 83
Starting from rest .......... .. .... .. 83
Starting
off with a tra iler . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Warning/indicator lights ..... .. .. .. . . 15
E lectronic different ial lock ( EDL) .. .... . 187
Warning/indicator lights ... .. .. .. .. . . 19
Electronic immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 29
Electronic power control (EPC)
warning/indicator light ..... .... ..... 20
Electronic speed limiter ......... .... .. 27
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .. ..... 187
Warn ing/indicator lights ....... .. .. .. 18 Emergency
actuation
Doors ... ..... .. .. .............. .. 34
Parking lock ... .. ................. 113
Power sunroof . .. ............. .... . 40
Rear lid ... .... .. ............. .... . 37
Emerg ency braking ................... 84
Emergency flasher ................. .. 44
Warning/ind icator lights ........ .. .. . 22
Emergency operation Panoramic sunroof ... .......... .. .. . 42
Sun shade (roof) ................... 42
Emergency starting ................ . 270
Emergency towing .. ............ .. .. 272
Emergency warning triangle .......... 256
En ergy management ................ 192
Engine Compartment ..................... 221
Coolant ... .. .. .. .. ... ........ .. .. 227
Data ..... .... .. ............. .... 278
starting ......... .. .............. .. 80
Starting with jumper cables ......... 270
Stopping . ..... .. .. .............. .. 81
Engine compartment ................ 221
Closing the hood . ... .......... .. .. 220
Opening the hood ............. .... 219
Safety instructions ................ . 219
Working in the engine compartment .. 219
Engine coolant ..................... 22 7
Adding coolant . .. ... .......... .. .. 228
Check ing the engine coolant level ..... 227
Expansion tank ... ................. 227
Malfunction symbol ................. 15
Radiator fan ... .. ............. .... 229
Temperature gauge ............ .... . 10
Engine oil ...... .. .. .............. . 222
Adding ......... .. .............. . 225
Additives . ..... .. ............. .... 225
Changing . .. .. .. ............. .. .. 226
Checking oil level .... .......... .. .. 225
Checking the engine oil level ....... .. 224
Consumption .. ................... 225
I ndications and conditions requiring ex-
tra checking . ...... .. ...... ....... 224
Indicator light ... ............. .... . 17
Oil consumpt ion .. ............. .... 223
Oil grad es ..... .. ................ . 222
Oil level symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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

294 Index
Seats Comfort seat side view . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Seat symmetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Seats (number) .......... .. .. .. .. .. . 134
Selective unlock feature ........... .. .. 31
Selector lever .............. ... .... . 109
Service and disposal Saf ety belt pretens ioner ... .. .. .... . 141
Service interval display ................ 25
Servotronic (power steering system) ... . 191
Shift paddles . .............. ... .. ... 112
Ship (transporting your vehicle) . .. .... . 274
Side airbags Description ............... ... .... . 160
How they work ............ ... .... . 161
side assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Adjust ing the brightness . .. .. .. .. .. . 101
Sensor range . ........... .. .. .... . 100
Side assist Activating and deactivating ... .. .. .. . 10 1
Sensoren reinigen ............ .. ... 205
Side curtain airbags ........ .. .. .. .. . 163
Description ................ .. .... . 163
How they work ............ .... ... . 164
Safety instructions ............. ... . 164
Side marker lights .......... ... .... .. 43
Ski sack
refer to Pass-through with ski sack . .... 67
Sliding/tilting sunroof
E l . mergency c osing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
E t· mergency opera ,on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Opening and clos ing ................ 40
Panoramic sunroof ...... .. .. .. .. .. .. 41
Snow chains ................ .. .. ... 251
Sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64, 70
Solar operation (automatic climate con-
trol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Sources of information about c hild re-
straints and their use ........... .. ... 184
Space-saving spare tire ....... .... ... . 2S8
Spare wheel ... ........... .... .... . 259
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Speed rating letter code ....... ... ... . 247
Speed warn ing system ........... ..... 84
Sport differential ............ .. .... . 103
Indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 START ENGINE S
TOP button ...... .. .. . 80
Starting from rest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Starting off with a trailer .............. 83
Starting the engine ............. .... . 80
Steering wheel Adjusting steering column ........... 79
Easy entry feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Indicator light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 22
Shift paddles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Steering wheel heating .......... ... . 78
Steps for determining correct load limit . 243
Stopping the engine . ................. 81
Storage .. .. .... .. ............. .... . 71
Sunroof ............................ 40
Sun shades Emergency closing (roof) ............. 42
Panoramic sunroof ............... .. . 42
Rear doors .... .. ............. .... . 47
Rear window . .. .. ... .......... .. .. . 47
Sun visors . ..... .. ............. ..... 47
Symbols
refer to Warn ing/Ind icator lights . .... . 11
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 23
T h . l d'f ' .
ec nrca mo , ,cations .......... .... 283
T emperature display ............. .. .. . 23
Tether anchors ... . ... ... .... ... .. .. 182
T ether strap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
T he first 1,000 miles (1,500 km) and after-
wards ............................. 194
Tie-downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66, 131
T ips for th e environment
Sav ing fuel . ..... ................ .. 69
t iptron ic (automat ic transmission) . .... 109
Tire pressure .... .. ............. .... 241
T ire pressure monitoring system ....... 253
Loss of air pressure ................ 254
Malfunction ..... ............. .... 254
Resetting tire pressures ............. 255
T ires .............................. 235
Service life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
speed rating letter code ............ 247
Ti re manufacturing date ............ 247
r ·f · ·
rre spec, 1cat1ons ............. .... 247
Tread depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245