2012 AUDI A8 tires

pressure label¢ page 239. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also is likely to
impair the vehicle's handling and stop­
ping ability .
- The driver is responsible for maintaining the correct tire pressures. You must check the tire pressures regularly.
- Under certain conditions (such as a spor­ ty driving style, winter conditions or un­paved roads), the pressure monitor indi­
cator may be delayed.
-Ask your authorized Audi dealer if run­
flat tires may be used on your vehicle.
Your vehicle registration becomes invalid if you use these tires when not permit­
ted. Damage to your vehicle or accidents
could also result.
@ Tips
- The tire pressure monitoring system
stops working when there is an ESC/ABS
malfunction.
- Using snow chains may result in a system
malfunction.
- To ensure a proper TPMS function use
AUDI Original Tires which are marked
with "AO" or "RO" on the tire sidewall.
¢page 246.
- The tire pressure monitoring system on
your Audi was syntonized using tires with
the "AO" or "RO" identification. We rec­
ommend using these tires.
Reset tire pressure monitoring system
App lies to vehicles: with tire pressure monitoring syste m
If the tire pressure is adjusted , wheels are ro­
tated or changed, the TPMS must be reset via
MMI.
~ Switch on the ignition.
~ Select in the MMI: !CAR !function button>
Car systems control button > Servicing &
checks > Tire pressure monitoring > Store
tire pressures> Yes, store now .
Tires and wheels 255
(D Tips
Before resetting the TPMS, the current
pressures of all four tires must correspond
to the specified values. Adjust the tire
pressure and reset the pressure in the tire
pressure monitoring system according to
the load you are carrying ¢
page 239.
-Do not store the tire pressures if you are
driving with snow chains. Otherwise, a
system malfunction may occur .
•
•

260 What do I do now ?
in its storage area properly and tighten
the knurled retaining screw securely.
@ Tips
Before changing the wheel, you m ust acti ­
vate t he jacking mode , so that the auto­
matic controls for the Adaptive Air Sus­
pension do not make it more diff icu lt to
lift the vehicle with the jack
q page 262.
Changing a wheel
When you change a wheel, follow these­
quence de scribed below s tep-by-s tep and in
exac tly tha t order.
1. Act ivat e the vehicle jack mod e
¢page 262.
2. Remove the de corat ive wh eel co ver* . For
more details see also¢
page 260, Deco­
rative wheel covers
or ¢ page 261 ,
Wheels with wheel bolt cops.
3 . Loosen the wheel bolts¢ page 261 .
4. Locate the proper mo unt ing po int for the
jack and align the jac k below that point
¢ pag e 262.
5. R ais e the car with the jack¢ page 262.
6. Remove the wheel with the fl at tire and
then in stall
the spare ¢ page 263 .
7. Tigh ten all wheel bol ts ligh tly.
8 .
Lo wer the veh icle with the jack .
9 . Use the whee l bolt wrench and
firml y
tighte n all whee l bolts ¢ page 261.
10. Replace the decorative wheel c over*.
11. De activate the veh icle jack mode in the
MMI:
! CARI function button> Ca r syst em s
control button > Se rv icing & chec ks > Air
sus p.: jack mode > Off.
The vehicle jac k mode sw itches off automati­
cally at speeds above 10 km/h.
A WARNING
Always read and follow all WARNINGS and
information
¢ &. in Raising the vehicle on
page 262
and ¢ page 264.
After changing a wheel
A wheel change is not complete without the
doing the following .
.,. Alw ays store the vehicle tool kit, the jack*
and the repl aced tire in the luggage com­
pa rtment
¢ page 130.
... Check the tir e pres su re on the spare wheel
immed iate ly afte r mounting it.
.,. As soon as possib le, have the
tight ening
torque s
on all whee l bolts checked with a
torque wrench . The correc t tightening tor ­
que is 90 ft lb (120 Nm).
... Hav e the flat tire
repl aced as soon as possi­
ble .
@ Tips
-If you notice that the wheel bo lts are
corroded and difficult to turn while
changing a tire, they should be rep laced
before you check the tightening torque.
- Dr ive at reduced speed until you have the
tightening torques checked.
- After changing a whee l, the t ire press ure
in all four tires must be checked/correct­
ed and the tire pressure monitoring ind i­
cator must be stored in the MMI
¢ page 255.
' Decorative wheel covers
Applies to vehicles: w ith decorative whee l covers
The decora tive wheel covers mus t be removed
first to access the wheel bolts.
Fi g. 1 96 Chang ing a whee l: Re mov ing th e w hee l cov er
Removing
.,. Insert the hook (prov ided with the vehicle
too l kit) in the ho le in the whee l hub cover . .,..

CD Note
Do not lift the vehicle by the sill. Position
the vehicle jack only at the designated lift­ ing points on the sill. Otherwise, your vehi­
cle will be damaged.
(D Tips
The vehicle jack mode switches off auto ­
matically at speeds above 10 km/h.
Taking the wheel off/installing the spare
Follow these instructions step-by-step for
changing the wheel.
Fig . 201 Chang ing a whee l: using the screwdrive r han ­
dle (with the blade removed) to turn the bolts
Fi g. 202 Ch anging a wheel: alignment pin inside the
top hole
After you have loosened all wheel bolts and
raised the veh icle off the ground, remove and
replace the wheel as follows:
Re moving th e wh eel
.. Use the hex agon al so cket i n the s cre wdr iv ­
e r handle
to completely remove the top­
most wheel bolt and set it aside on a
clean
surface ¢fig. 201.
What do I d o now ? 263
.. Sc rew the threaded end o f the alignment
pin
from the tool kit hand-tight into the
empty bolt hole¢
fig. 202 .
.. Then remove the other wheel bolts as de­
scribed above.
.. Take off the wheel leaving the alignment
pin in the bolt hole
¢ (D .
Putting o n the spare w heel
.. Lift the spare wheel and carefully slide it
over the alignment p in to guide it in place
¢(]) .
.. Use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver
handle to screw in and tighten all wheel
bolts
slightly.
.,. Remove the a lignment pin and insert and
tighten the rema ining wheel bolt slightly
like the rest .
.. Turn the jack hand le counter-clockwise to
lower the vehicle until the jack is fully re ­
leased .
.. Use the wheel bolt wrench to tighten all
wheel bolts firmly¢
page 261. Tighten
them
crosswise, from one bolt to the (ap­
proximately) opposite one, to keep the
wheel cente red.
CD Note
When removing or installing the wheel,
the r im cou ld hit the b rake rotor and dam­
age the rotor. Wor k carefully and have a
second pe rson help you.
@ Tips
Neve r use the hexagonal socket in the han­
dle of the screwdr iver to loosen or tighten
the wheel bo lts.
- Pull the reversible blade from the screw­
dr iver before you use the hexagonal
socke t in the hand le to turn the wheel
bolts.
- Whe n mount ing tires w ith
unidire ctional
t read de sign
make sure the tread pat ­
tern is pointed the right way
¢page 264.
- The wheel bo lts s hou ld be clean and ea sy
to turn . Check for dirt and corrosion on
the mating surfaces of both the wheel

264 What do I do now?
and the hub. Remove all dirt from these
surfaces before remo unting the wheel.
Tires with unidirectional tread design
Tires with unidirectional tread design must be
mounted with their tread pattern pointed in
the right direction.
Using a spare tire with a tread pattern
intende d fo r use in a specific direction
When using a spare tire with a tread pattern
intended for use in a specific direction, p lease
note the fo llowing:
- T he direction o f rotation is marked by an a r­
row on the side of the tire.
- If the spare t ire has to be installed in the in ­
correct di rection, use the spare tire only
temporarily since the tire will not be able to achieve its optimum performance character­
ist ics with regard to aquaplaning, noise and
wear.
- We recommend that you pay particular at­
tent ion to this fact during wet weather and
that you adjust your speed to matc h road
condit ions .
- Replace the flat tire w ith a new one and
have it installed o n your ve hicle as soon as
poss ible to restore the handling advantages
of a un id irect iona l tire .
Notes on wheel changing
Please read the information i:> page 246, New
t ires and repla cing tires and wheels
if you are
going to use a spare tire which is differen t
from the tires on your ve hicle.
Afte r you cha nge a tire :
-Check the t ire pressure on the spare imme ­
diately after installation .
- Have the wheel bolt tightening torque
checked with a torqu e wrench as soon as
possib le by your authorized Audi dealer or
a qualified servi ce station .
- With st eel and alloy wheel rims , the wheel
bolts are correctly tightened at a torque of
90 ft lb (120 Nm) . -
If you notice that the wheel bolts are cor­
roded and difficult to turn while chang ing
a tire , they should be repl aced before you
check the t ightening torque.
- Repl ace the flat ti re w ith a new one and
have it installed on your vehicle as soon a s
possible. Remount the wheel cover .
Until then , dri ve with extra care and at re­
duced speeds.
A WARNING
- I f you are going to equip your vehicle
with tires or rims which differ from those
which were factory installed, then be
sure to read the information
i:> page 246,
New tires and replacing tires and
wheels.
- Always make sure the damaged wheel o r
even a flat tire and the jack and tool ki t
are properly secu red in the luggage co m­
p ar tment and are no t loo se in the pas­
senger compartment .
- I n an accident or sudde n maneuver they
could fly forward, injuring anyone in the
veh icle.
- Always s to re dam aged wheel, j ack a nd
t oo ls sec urely in the l uggage compa rt­
men t. Othe rwise, in an accident or s ud ­
den maneuver they could fly forwa rd,
causing injury to passengers in the vehi­
cle.

2 7 4 Emergency situations
@ Tips
Check carefully to make sure the hook-up
is secure before moving the car up the flat­
bed truck ramp.
Vehicle transport
Whenever you have your vehicle transported,
be sure to note the following:
(D Note
Mount the tie-down chains/cables over the
running surface (circumference) of the
tires. Never secure the vehicle by the axle,
the suspension struts or the front or rear
towline eye. For technical reasons, the
pressure in the suspension struts may
change during the transport and this will
adversely affect vehicle handling.
Lifting vehicle
Lifting with workshop hoist and with
floor jack
The vehicle may only be lifted at the lifting
points illustrated.
Fig. 215 Front lift in g po int
Fig. 216 Rear lifti ng point
.,. Read and heed WARNING ¢ _&.
.,. Activate the vehicle jack mode in the MMI :
!CARI function button > Car systems control
button
> Servicing & checks > Air susp.:
jack mode
> On.
.,. Locate lifting points ¢ fig . 215 and
¢fig. 216 .
.,. Adjust lifting arms of workshop hoist or
floor jack to match veh icle lifting points .
.,. Insert a rubber pad between the floor jack/
wo rkshop hoist and the lifting points.
The vehicle jack mode must be act ivated so
that the automat ic adjustment of the Adap­
tive Ai r Suspens ion does not make it more dif­
ficult to raise the vehicle with the floor jack.
If you must lift your vehicle with a floor jack
to work underneath, be sure the vehicle is
safely supported on stand s intended for this
purpose.
Front lifting point
The lifting point is located on the floor pan re­
i nforcement about at the same level as the
jack mounting point
¢ fig. 215 . Do not lift
the vehicle at the vertical sill reinforcement.
Rear lifting point
The lifting point is located on the vertical rein ­
forcement of the lower sill for the on-board
jack
¢fig. 216.
Lifting with vehicle jack
Refer to ¢page 262.
A WARNING ,= -
-To reduce the risk of serious injury and
veh icle damage.
- Always lift the vehicle only at the spe­
cia l workshop hoist and floor jack lift
points illustrated
¢ fig . 215 and
¢ fig. 216 .
-Failure to lift the vehicle at these
points could cause the vehicle to tilt or
fall from a lift if there is a change in ve­
hicle weight distribution and balance.
This might happen, for example, when heavy components such as the eng ine
block or transmission are removed .

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 .

A
Accessories .................. ... ... 282
AC (automatic climate control) ... .. .. .. 76
Adaptive air suspension/sport ......... 103
adaptive cruise control Stop-and-go traffic ................. 91
Adaptive cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Request for driver intervention . . . . . . . . 92
Sensoren/Kamera reinigen .......... 205
Adaptive Light (defective) ... .......... 21
Adding Engine coolant .............. ... ... 228
Eng ine oil ........................ 225
Windshield washer fluid ............ 234
Additives Engine oil .. ................. .. ... 225
Adjustable steering column ............ 79
Adjusting Air distribution (automatic climate con-
trol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Instrument illumination ............. 47
Steer ing column .............. ...... 79
Temperature (automatic climate control) 77
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142, 161
Advanced Airbag System ............ 146
Advanced Airbag System components . 149
Care ........................ ..... 155
Ch ildren ......................... 167
Ch ild restra ints ............... ..... 168
Components (front airbags) . ... .. .. . 149
Danger of fitting a child seat on the front
passenger seat .................... 144
Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146, 147
How do the front airbags work? ... .. . 151
How many airbags does my vehicle
have? ... ..... ........... ...... .. 149
H ow the Advanced Airbag System com-
ponents work together ............. 150
I mportant safety instructions on the
knee airbag system .......... ... .. . 159
Important things to know ... ... .. .. . 142
Knee airbags ...................... 157
Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light ...... . 153
Index 285
Repairs .......................... 155
Safety instructions .. .............. . 155
Side a irbags ... .. .. ............... 160
Side curtain airbags ................ 163
Warning/indicator lights ............. 18
Warning/Indicator lights .......... . 153
Weight-sensing mat ... .. ..... ..... 167
When must the system be inspected? 153
Aircraft Transporting your vehicle ........... 274
Alloy wheels .. .... .. ............... 208
All Wheel Drive ..................... 191
Winter tires ...................... 250
Ambience lighting ................... 46
Anti-freeze
refer to Engine coolant ............ . 227
Anti-lock braking system ............. 187
Warning/ind icator lights ............. 19
Anti-slip regulation ................. 187
Anti-theft systems Electronic immobilizer ............... 29
Audi braking guard
refer to b rak ing guard ............... 87
Audi drive select
refer to drive select 103
Audi Service Repair Manuals and Litera-
ture .............................. 280
AUTO Automat ic climat e control ............ 76
Automatic headlights ............... 43
Auto Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Automatic belt retractor ............. 137
Automat ic car wash ................. 204
Automatic climate control Air vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Automatic recirculation .............. 78
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Setup ............................ 78
Automatic climate control system
synchronizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Automat ic transmission (t iptronic) ..... 109
Emergency mode .................. 112
Kick-down ... ..................... 112
Manual shifting .. .. . .. .. ..... ..... 112
Parking lock emergency release ...... 113
Se lector lever positions ............. 109
Automatic wipers .................... 48
•
•

286 Index .:..:..:..::....::.....:..._ ___________________________ _
Auto Safety Hotline ....... ... .. .... . 132
Average consumption ........... .. .... 24
Ave rage speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Avoid damaging the vehicle .. .. .. .... . 195
B
Battery ... .. .. . .. ..... ..... .. .. .. . 230
Charging . .. .. . ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. . 233
Important warnings .. .... .. .. .... . 231
Location ... ... ............ .. .... . 231
low ..... .. ................ ..... . 192
Replacing the battery ....... ... ... . 234
State of cha rge .... .... ....... .. .. . 192
Winter operat ion .. ... .... .. .. .. .. . 230
Working on the battery .. ... ... .... . 231
Before driving .............. ... .... . 124
Blended gasoline ....... .... ... .. .. . 215
Blower (automatic climate control) . . . . . . 77
Body cavity sealing .. ..... .. .. .. .. .. . 208
Booster seats ................ ... ... 174
Brak e fluid
Ch anging the brake fluid ... .. .. .. .. .
230
Che cking the brake f luid level ... .. .. . 229
What is the correct brake flu id level? ..
229
What should I do if the brake fluid warn -
ing light comes on? ........ .... ....
229
Brake system
Anti-lock b raking sys tem ... .. .. .... ..
19
Brake a ssi st s ystem ...... ..... .. .. . 187
Brake booster ............. ... .. ... 190
Brake fluid .... ... .... ..... .. .. .. . 229
Brake fluid spec ificat ions for refill and re-
p lac ement ....... ....... .. .. .. .. .
230
Brake light defect ive .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 21
Brake pads ............... ... .... . 194
Electromechanica l parking brake .... .. 82
Fluid reservoir ............ ... .... . 229
How does moisture or road s alt affect the
br akes? .. ...... .. ... .... .. .. .. .. .
189
Warning/indicator lights .... .... ..... 14
Worn brake pads symbol ....... .. .... 19
braking guard .............. ... .... .. 87
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Se ttings . .. .. . .. ..... ..... .. .. .. .. 94
Break-in period .............. .. .... . 194
Brake pads ............... ... .... . 194
Tires 194
Bulbs ..... ..... .. ............. .... 269
C
Cal iforn ia Proposition 65 Warn ing . .. .. 220
Battery specific . .................. 232
Capacities .. .. .. .. .. ...... ..... .. .. 278
Engine oil ....... ................ . 222
Car care ...... .. .. .. ....... .... .... 203
Exterior ... .. .. .. ...... ..... .. .... 203
Interior .......... .... ........... . 209
Car carrier
Transporting your vehicle .......... .
274
Catalytic converter 195
Center armrest
Cockpit ...... ... .. .............. ..
5 7
Rear .... ... .. .. .. ...... ..... .. .. . 64
Central locking .. .. .... ... .. .. .. .. .. . 30
Eme rgency locking ... ... .... ... .. .. . 34
Certification .. .. . .. ... ..... ... ... .. 283
Chang ing a wheel .. .......... ...... . 259
Changing engine oil ................ . 226
Chassis (undercoating) .. ....... .... .. 208
Checking
Engine coolant level ............... .
227
Tire pressure ... .. ....... ...... .. .. 241
Child restraints
Danger of using child restraint s in the
front sea t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
144
Where can I get additional information
about child restraints and the ir use? ..
184
Child restraint system anchors ..... ... 178
Child safety . .. .. .. ...... ..... .. .... 166
Convertib le locking retractor ..... .. .. 175
Guidance fixtures for lower anchorages 180
Important safety instructions for using
child saf ety seats ................. .
169
Important things to know when driving
wi th children .. .. ....... ...... ....
166
Tether anchors ... ....... ...... .. .. 1 82
Tether straps .. .. ................ . 182
Child safety lock
Rear doors (mechanical) . ..... .. .... .
37
Rear doors (power) ...... ..... ..... . 38
Child safety seats . ................. . 171
Booster seats .... ................. 174
Convertib le child sea ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172