2012 AUDI A8 TPMS

or ridges on the road, particularly if the tire is underinflated .
I n o rder to m inim ize the occu rrence of impact
damage to the t ires of your veh icle, we recom ­
mend that you observe the following precau­
tions :
- Always maintain recommended inflat ion
pressures. Chec k your tire pressure every
2,000 miles (3 ,000
km) and add air if neces­
sary.
- Drive carefu lly on roads with potholes, deep
gullies or ridges. The impact from driving
through or over such obstacles can damage
your tires. Impact with a curb may a lso
cause damage to your tires.
- After any impact, immediately inspect your
tires or have them inspected by the nearest
authorized Aud i dealer. Replace a damaged
t ire as soon as possible .
- Inspect your t ires every 2,000 miles (3,000
km) for damage and wear . Damage is not al­
ways easy to see. Damage can lead to loss of
air and underinflation, wh ich could eventu­
ally cause tire failure . If you be lieve that a
t ir e may have been damaged , replace the
t ire as soon as possible.
- T hese tires may wea r mo re qui ck ly than ot h­
ers.
- Please a lso remember that, whi le these tires
deliver respons ive handling, they may ride
l ess comfortably and make mo re noise than
othe r choices.
Reduced performance in winter /cold
season condition s
All tires are des igned for certa in pu rposes.
The low aspect ratio, ultra high performance
tires originally installed on your veh icle are in­
tended for maximum dry and wet road per­
formance and handling . They are not suitable
for cold , snowy or icy weather condit ions .
If
you dr ive under those circums tances, you
should equip your veh icle with all -season or
winter tires, which offer better traction under
those cond itions . We suggest you use the rec­
ommended snow or all-season tires specified
for your ve hicle, or their equ ivalent.
Tire s an d wheel s 253
Refer to q page 250 for more detailed infor­
mation regard ing winter tires.
Tire pressure
monitoring system
ill General notes
Applies to veh icles: w ith t ire pressure monitoring system
Each tire, incl uding the spare (i f provided),
shou ld be checked monthly when co ld and in ­
flated to the inf lation pressure recommended
by the veh icle manufacturer on the veh icle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your
vehicle ha s tires of a different size than the
s ize indicated on the vehicle placard or tire i n­
flat ion pressu re labe l, you shou ld dete rm ine
the p roper t ire inflation p ress ure fo r th ose
t ir es).
As an added safety feature , your ve hicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure mon ito ring
system ( TPMS) that illum inates a low ti re
pressure te lltale when one or more of your
tires is significant ly under -inflated . Acco rding­
l y, when the low tire pressure te lltale i llumi­
nates, you shou ld stop and check your tires as
soon as possib le, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a sign ificantly un­
der- inflated t ire causes the tire to overheat
and can lead to tire fa ilure. Under -inflation al ­
so reduces fuel effic iency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle 's hand ling and
stopp ing ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire ma intenance, and it is the driv­
er's respons ibility to maintain co rrect tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
rea ched the leve l to tr igger illum inat ion of the
T PMS low tire p ressure tellta le .
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
T PMS ma lfunction indicator to ind icate when
the system is not operating prope rly . T he
T PMS ma lfunction indicator is combined w ith
the low tire pressure te lltale. When the sys­
tem detects a malfunction , the telltale wi ll
flash for approximate ly one min ute and then ..,_
•
•

254 Tires and wheels
remain continuously illuminated. This se­
quence will continue upon subsequent vehicle
start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminat­
ed, the system may not be able to detect or
signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of rea­
sons, including the installation of replace­
ment or alternate tires or wheels on the vehi­
cle that prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction
tellta le after replacing one or more tires or
wheels on your veh icle to ensure that the re­
placement or alternate tires and wheels allow
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
Tire pressure indicator appears
Appl ies to vehicles: with tire pressure monitoring sys te m
The tire pressure indicator in the instrument
cluster informs you if the tire pressure is too
low or if there is a system malfunction.
Fig. 188 Display: underinflation warning
Fig. 189 Display: System malfu nction
Using the ABS sensors, the tire pressure moni­
toring system compares the tire tread circum­
ference and vibration characteristics of the in­
dividual tires. If the pressure decreases in one
or more tires, this is indicated in the instru- ment
cluster with a warning symbol
[I] and a
message
r=> fig. 188.
The tire pressure monitoring system must be
reset via MMI each time the pressures are ad­
justed (e.g. when switching between partial
and full load pressure) or after changing or re­
plac ing a tire on your vehicle
r=> page 255. You
can find the recommended tire pressures for
your vehicle on the Label on driver's side 8-pil­ lar
¢ page 239.
Tire tread circumference and vibration charac­
teristics can change and cause a tire pressure
warning if:
- the tire pressure in one or more tires is too
low,
- the tire has structural damage,
- the tire pressure was changed, wheels rotat -
ed or replaced but the TPMS was not reset
r=> page 255.
Warning symbols
[I] Loss of pressu re in at least one tir e ¢ ,&. .
Check the tire or tires and replace or repa ir if
necessary. The indicator light
[I] in the instru­
ment cluster also illuminates
¢page 11 .
Check/correct the pressures of all four tires
and reset TPMS via MMI.
IIQllfl (Tir e Pressure Monitoring System) Tire
pressure! System malfunction .
If IIQIS, appears after switching the ignition
on or while driving¢
fig. 189 and the indica­
tor light
[I] in the instrument cluster blinks
f or approximately one minute and then stays
on, there is a system malfunction . See your
authorized Audi dealer as soon as possible.
A WARNING
-- If the tire pressure indicator appears in
the instrument cluster display, one or more of your tires is significant ly under­
inflated. Reduce you r speed immediately
and avoid any hard steering or braking
maneuvers. Stop as soon as possible and
check the tires and their pressures. In­
flate the tire pressure to the proper pres-
sure as indicated on the vehicle's tire .,..

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 .
•
•

Index 295
Uniform tire quality grading . ... .. .. . 2 49 Unfastening safety belts . ..... ... .. .. 139
Winter tires . ... .. .... ... .. .. .. ... 250
Unidirectional tires .................. 235
•
Tires and vehicle load limits .. .. .. .. .. . 24 3
Uniform tire quality grading ...... .. .. 249 •
Tires and wheels
Unl ocking
Checking tire pressure ..... .. .. .. .. . 241
Power locking switch . ... .... ... .. .. . 33
Cold tire i nflat ion pressure ..... ... .. 239
Rear lid ... .. .... .. . .. .. ..... ... .. . 34
Dimensions . ................ ... ... 246
Remote contro l .. .. . ... ...... ... .. . 32
Gene ral notes ............ .... .. .. . 235
Using the key .. .. .... ............. . 33
Glossary of t ire and load ing te rm ino lo-
gy .. .. .. .. ............... .. .. .. . 236
L ow aspect ratio t ires ... ... .. .. .. .. . 2 52
V
New tires and wheels ... ... .. .. .. .. . 246 Valet pa
rking . ..... .. . .. .. ..... ... .. . 39
Replacing . ... .... .... ... .. .. .. ... 247 Vanity mirrors .
.. .. .. . ... ...... .. 47,48
Snow chains ............. .... .. .. . 251 Vehicle-care products ................ 203
Tires and vehicle load limits .. .. .. .. . 243
Vehicle electr ical sys tem . ..... ... .. .. . 16
Wheel bolts .............. ... ... .. 252
Vehicle identification label . .......... . 276
W inte r tir es .............. ... ... .. 250
Vehicle Identificatio n Number (VIN) . ... 276
Tire service life ... .. .... ... .. .. .. ... 245
Vehicle jac k ... .. .. ............ 257, 262
Tools . .... .. .. ............. .. .. ... 257
Vehicle literature .. .... ............. .. S
Torn or frayed safety belts ... .. .. .. .. . 137
Vehicle transport .. .. . ... ...... ... .. 274
Touch -up paint ... .. .... ... .. .. .. ... 207
Ventilation ....... .. ................ 75
Towing
Tow truck pro cedures ...... .. .. .. .. . 27 2
W
TPMS
Tire pressure monitoring system 254
Trailer towing . .... ..... ... .. .. .. ... 199
Operating instructions .. ... .. .. .. .. . 199
T echnical req uirements . . . . . . . . 199, 200
Trailer towing tips ........ .. .. .. .. . 201
Train (transporting your vehicle) . ... ... 274
Transm ission malf unct io n (ind icator
light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Transport Canada .......... .... .. .. . 132
Transport ing your vehi cle .... .. .. .. .. . 274
T read Wear Indicato r (TWI) ...... . ... . 245
T rip odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
What does it mean when D EF appears in
the trip odometer d isplay? . .. .. .. .. .. 25
T runk
refer to Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Trunk escap e hand le ........... .. .... 256
Turn signa ls .. ............. .... .. .... 45
War ning/ indicator lights ... .. .. .. .. .. 22
u
Undercoat ing ............. .... .. ... 208 Warning/indicator lights
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Airbag system ... .. ... ....... ...... 18
Anti- lock b raking system (ABS) . . . . . . . . 19
Br ake system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
El ectromechani ca l p ar king brake . .. .. . 15
El ec tronic power contro l . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
El ectronic Stability Co ntrol (ESC) ... .. . 18
Generator ....... .. . .. .. ..... ... .. . 16
Instrument cluster .... ............. . 10
Malfunction Ind icator Lamp (MIL) .. .. . 20
Safety be lt .. .. .. ................. . 16
Turn signals . .. .. .. ... ....... ...... 22
Warning/Indicator lights
Airbag system . .. ................. 153
Dynam ic steering . ................. . 22
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ....... .... 153
War ranty coverages . .. .. .. ..... ... .. 280
Washe r reservo ir .. .. . .. .... .... .. .. 234
Washing . .. .. .. .. .. ............... 203
Automat ic car wash ............ .. .. 204
by hand . .. .. .. .. .. . .. ....... ... .. 204
with a power washer ............... 205
Waxing . ... .. .... .. . .. .. ..... ... .. 206
Wea r indica to r .. .. .... ........... .. 245