2012 AUDI A8 windshield wipers

Instruments and warning/indicator lights 21
Bu Fuel level indicator
II Please refuel
If the indicator light turns on for the first
time and the message appears, there are
about 4 ga llons (15 liters) of fuel left in the
tank . T im e to refuel
<=>page 216.
II Tank system malfunction! Contact dealer
If the indicator light turns on and th is mes­
sage appears, there is a malfunction in the
tank system.
Drive to your authorized Audi dea ler immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected .
co Windshield washer fluid level
II Please refill washer fluid
If the symbol illuminates, add windshield
washer fluid to the washer system/headlight
washer system* <=>
page 234.
4I:> Windshield wipers
!I Windshield wiper defective
There is a malfunction with the windshield
wipers.
Drive to your authorized Aud i dealer immedi­
ately to have the mal function cor rected .
~!}0 10$ Defective light bulb warning
I-If the indicator light turns on, a bulb has
fa iled. The message indicates the location of
the bulb.
II-if a fog lamp* has failed, the ind icator
light t urns on to indicate the location on the
vehicle.
[ti-if a rea r fog lamp has failed, the ind icator
light turns on to indicate the location on the
vehicle .
Vehicle lights: malfunction
If the message appears, there is a malfunc­
tion in the headlights or light switch. Drive to
your authorized A udi dealer immedi­
ate ly to have the ma lfunction corrected.
A WARNING
- Light bulbs are pressurized and could ex­
plode w hile they are being changed ca us­
ing serious personal injury.
- Work with due care when hand ling the
high-voltage sect ion of gas discharge
(xenon) lights. Failure to do so could re­
sult in death or serious injury.
(1) Tips
Have the bu lb replaced or the connection
repaired by your authorized Audi Service
department.
i.lD Headlight range control
II Headlight range control: defective!
If the symbol illuminates, the headlight range
control is no longer work ing properly. Have
the system checked and repaired at your Audi
dealer .
~0 Adaptive Light
Applies to veh icles: w it h Adaptive light
ml Audi adaptive light: system fault
If the indicator light turns on and this mes­
sage appears, there is a malfunct ion in the
adaptive light system. The headlights st ill
function.
Go to an authorized dealersh ip to have the
headlights or the control unit for the Adaptive
Light repa ired .
@ Light/rain sensor
!I Automatic headlights/automati c wipers:
system fault
If the indicato r light turns on and this mes­
sage appears, the light/rain sensor is not
funct io nin g correctly.
For safety reasons the low beams are turned
on permanently with the switch in
AUTO . liJI,

48 Clear vis ion
Extending /retracting th e re ar window
s h ad e*
• To extend or retract the sun shade from the
cockpit ,
press the rn button in the center
console
c> fig . 41 .
• To extend or retract the sun shade from the
r e ar of th e vehicle,
press the liiil button in
the door
c> fig . 42 .
Extending the re ar door sun shade s*
• Close the window in the rear door.
• To extend the sun shade
from the d rive r's
s eat ,
pull the left/right rear power window
switch~ in the driver's door .
• To extend the sun shade from the
rear of
th e v ehi cle,
pull the power window sw itch
~ in the left/right rear door.
Re tra cting the re ar doo r sun shades*
• To retract the sun shade from the driv er's
sea t,
press the left/right rear power window
switch~ in the driver's door .
• To retract the sun shade from the
re ar of
th e vehi cle,
press the power window swit ch
~ in the left/ right rear door .
You can adj ust the settings for the rear sun
shade so the shade ret ra cts automa tically
when you selec t the reve rse gear. Select:
CAR
function button > C ar sys tems control button
> Vehicle set tings > Aut omatic rear blind >
On. T he sett ings are automat ica lly stored and
assigned to the remote control key . The sun
shade extends again as soon as the veh icle be­
g ins traveling forward at a speed greater than
9 mph (1S km/h), as long as the ignition has not been switched off in th e mea ntime .
& WARNING
When lowe ring or raisi ng the sunshade,
make s ure there is no thing in its way and
t ha t it has a free path to trave l. This could
cause personal injury.
{D) Tips
- Pressing the b utton rn several times
consecutively can tr igger the overload
protection . The sun shade can only be ex- tended/retracted again after a brief wait­
ing period.
- The rear window sun shade on ly func­
tions when the vehicle interior is warmer
than 14°F (-10°C) .
Vanity mirror in the rear
Applies to vehicles: with vanity mirrors in the rear
Fig. 43 Rear hea dliner: van it y m irror
• Press the b utton to fold the m irror open.
The mir ro r li ght ing turns on automatically.
• To c hange the mir ro r's ang le, move it for ­
ward/back with your hand .
Wiper and washer
system
Switching the windshield wipers on
Fig . 44 Winds hield w iper leve r
Move the windshie ld wiper lever to the corre­
sponding posit ion :
@ -Windshield wipers off
(D -Rain sensor mode. The windshield wipers
switch on once the vehicle speed exceeds ap­
proximate ly 2 mph (4 km/h) and it is raining.
The higher the rain sensor sensit ivity is set
(sw itch @ to the right), the earlier the

windshield wipers react to moisture on the
windshield. You can deactivate rain sensor
mode in the MMI, which will then activate in­
termittent mode. Select:
ICARI function but­
ton
> Car systems control button > Driver as­
sist > Rain sensor> Off.
In intermitten t
mode, you can adjust the interval time using
the switch @.
@-Slow wiping
@-Fast wiping
©-Single wipe. If you hold the lever in this
position longer, the wipers switch from slow
wiping to fast wiping.
® -Clean the windshield . The wipers wipe
one time after several seconds of driving to
remove water droplets. You can switch this
function off by moving the lever to position ®
within 10 seconds after the afterwipe. The af­
terwipe function is reactivated the next time
you switch the ignition on.
Cleaning the headlights. The headlight wash­
er system* only functions when the lights are
sw itched on. The headlights and the night vi­
sion system camera* are cleaned automatical­ ly the first time the lever is press in position
® and every 8 times it is pressed after that.
They are also cleaned every time you hold the lever in position @for longer than 8 seconds .
A WARNING
- The rain sensor is only designed to assist
and support the driver.
It remains entire­
ly the driver's responsibility to monitor
outside weather conditions and to man­
ually activate the wipers as soon as rain
or drizzle reduces visibility through the
windshield.
- The windshield must not be treated with
water-repellent materials. They can in­
crease glare under poor visibility condi·
tions such as wetness, darkness, or when
the sun is low on the horizon. In addi­
tion, they can cause the windshield wip­
ers to chatter.
- Properly functioning windshield wiper
blades are required for a clear view and
Clear vision 49
safe driving ¢ page 50, Replacing
windshield wiper blades.
(D Note
- In the case of frost, check whether the
windshield wiper blades are frozen to the windshield. Switching on the wind­
shield wipers can damage the wiper
blades!
- Prior to using a car wash, the windshield
wiper system must be switched off (lever
in position @). This helps to prevent un­
intentional switching on and damage to
the windshield wiper system.
- Do not use the wipers to clear a frosted
window . Using the wipers as a conven­
ient ice scraper will destroy the wiper
blades.
@ Tips
- The windshield wipers are switched off
when the ignition is off . Activate the
windshield wipers after the ignition is
switched back on by moving the wind­
shield wiper lever to any position.
- Worn or dirty windshield wiper blades
result in streaking. This can affect the
rain sensor function. Check your wind­
shield wiper blades regularly.
- The washer fluid nozzles of the wind­
shield washer system are heated at low
temperatures when the ignition is on.
- When stopping temporarily, e.g. at a
traffic light, the set speed of the wind­
shield wipers is automatically reduced by
one speed.

50 Clear vis ion
Replacing windshield wiper blades
Wiper blades in good condition help keep the
windshield clear .
Fig. 45 Remov ing wi nds hield w ipe r blade s
Service p osition
"" Switch the w indshield wipe rs off (posit io n
@ ¢ page 48, fig . 44).
"" Se lect in the M MI:: !CAR !f unc tion button>
Car system s contro l button > Se rvicing &
checks > Wip er service position > On . The
windshield wipers move into the serv ice po­
s it ion.
O r
"" Switc h the ignition off and move the wind­
shield wiper lever to posit ion © ¢ page 48,
fig.
44.
Removing the wiper blade
"" Fold the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshie ld .
"" Press the locking knob
(D ¢ fig . 45 on the
wiper blade . Hold the wiper b lade firm ly.
"" Remove the w iper blade in the direction of
the arrow.
Installing th e wiper blade
"" Inse rt the new wiper b lade into the mount
on the wiper arm @until you hea r it latch
into place .
"" Place the wiper arm back on the windshie ld.
"" Switc h the ignition on .
"" Se lect : ICARI funct ion button >
Car sy stem s
control button > Servicing & checks > Wiper
servic e po sition
> Off .
Or
"" Press the w indshield wiper lever .
A WARNING
-If the windshie ld w ipers smear the wind­
sh ie ld, clean the wiper b lades w ith wind­
shie ld washer fluid .
If the wiper blades
are ext reme ly dirty, you can a lso clea n
them wi th a s oft sponge o r clo th.
- For your safety, you should replace the
wiper blades once o r twice a yea r. See
your author ized A udi de aler for re place­
men t blad es.
([) Note
-The windshield wip er b lades must only
be folded away when in the service pos i­
ti on! Ot herwise, you ris k damaging the
p aint on the hood o r th e windshie ld w ip­
er motor.
- Yo u should no t move your veh icle or
press the windsh ie ld wiper lever when
t he wipe r arms are folded away from the
w indshield. The windshie ld wipers wou ld
move back into their or iginal position
and co uld damage the hood and wind­
shield.
- To help prevent damage to the w iper sys­
tem, always loosen blades wh ich are fro­
zen to the windshield before operating
w ipers .
- To help prevent damage t o wiper blades,
do not use gasoline, kerosene, paint
thinne r, or o ther solven ts on o r near the
w iper blades .
- To help prevent damage to the w iper
arms or other components, do not at­
tempt to move the wipe rs by hand .
(j) Tips
- Comme rcial hot waxes appl ied by a uto­
matic ca r washes affect the cleanability
of t he windshie ld.
- Yo u can also use the se rv ice posi tion, for
example, if yo u want to p rotec t the
w indshield from icing by using a cover.
- Yo u cannot activate the se rv ice position
w hen the hood is ope n.

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
•
•

-----------------------------~I~ n~d~ e~x 291
Leather ... .. .. ................ ....
Leather (cleaning) ............. ... .. .
210
211
Leaving home ............. .... .. .. .. 45
Lifting jack .. ............. .... .. ...
262
Lifting vehicle
Light 274
Ambience lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Coming/Leaving home ....... .. .. .. .. 45
Day time running lights .... .. .. .. .. ..
43
E mergency flashers ............ .... . 44
Exterior lighting .... ...... .. .. .. .. .. 43
Headlight range control .......... ... 43
H igh beam . ............. .. .. .. .. .. 45
L ow beam .. ............. .... .. ....
43
Rear fog lights .............. ... .... 43
Side marker lights .................. 43
Turn signals ................ ... .... 45
L ight/ra in sensor
H eadlights . ............. .. .. .. ....
43
Intermittent (windshield wipers) . ... .. 48
Sensor defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Loading the roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Locking
Power locking swit ch ...... .. .. .. .. .. 33
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Remote control ............. .... ... 32
Using the key ......... ...... .... ... 33
Low beams .. ............. .... .. .... 43
Lower universal anchorages (Canada) 178
Luggage compartment
Luggage compartment net ... .. .. .. ..
66
Pass-through with ski sack ..... . ... .. 67
Stowing luggage ......... .. .. .. .. .
130
Tie-downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Lumbar support Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
Rear seats .. ................ ... ... . 57
M
Maintenance ............... ... ... .. 280
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) 20, 26
Massage function
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
Rear seats .. ............. .... .. .. .. 57
Reclining rear seat ..................
60
Mechanical key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Mirrors
Adjusting the exterior mirrors ...... .. .
51
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
d' . 1mming .... .. .. ................. . 51
Vanity mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 48
Monitoring the Advanced Airbag System 153
Mult ifunction steer ing whee l ......... .. 24
N
Nachtsichtassistent
K .. amera rein1gen .. .. .......... .... . 205
Natural leather .. .... ............... 210
New tires and wheels
NHTSA
Contacting 246
132
Night vision assistant
............... . 106
Number of seats . .. .... ........... .. 134
0
Occupant seating positions .......... . 125
Octane rating ... .. .. ............... 215
Odomete r .. .. .. .. ................. . 25
OFF (automatic climate control) . . . . . . . . 76
Oil
refer to Engine oil 222
On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
On-Board Diagnostic System (OBD) Data Link Connector (DLC) . .. .... .... .
27
Electronic speed limiter ............ .. 27
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) ..... 26
Open door/hood/rear lid warning .... .. . 26
Opening Hood ............................
219
Panoramic sunroof ................ .. 41
Power windows .. .. ................ 38
Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35, 37
Sliding/tilting sunroof .............. .
40
Sun shades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42, 47
Operate your vehicle economically and
minimize pollution ..................
196
Outs ide mirro rs
refer to Exterior mirrors ........ .. .. . 51
•
•

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

296 Index
Weights ...... .. .......... .. .. .... . 276
What happens if you wear your safety belt
too loose? ........................ . 138
What happens to unbelted occupants? .. 135
What impairs driving safety? ... ... ... . 125
What should I do after changing a
wheel? .. .... .. .. ...... .... ... .. .. . 242
What should
I do after rep lacing wheels? 242
Wheel bolts Torqu e ..... ... .......... .. .. .... . 252
Wheels ... .. ............ ... .. .. ... 235
Cast alloy ... .............. .. .. .. . 208
Checking tire pressure ......... .... . 241
Cold tire inflat ion pressu re ..... .. .. . 239
General notes .. .......... .. .. .... . 235
Glossary of tire and loading termino lo-
gy .. . ... ... .. .......... .. .. .... . 236
New tires and wheels ...... .. .. .... . 246
Tires and vehicle load lim its .. .. ..... 243
When must a safety belt be replaced? .. 137
When must the airbag system be inspect-
ed? ... .. .. .. .. .. .... ... .. .. .. .. .. . 153
When should I ad just the tire pressures? 242
When should I check the tire pressures? . 242
Where are lower anchorages located? .. . 179
Wh ere can I find the tire pressu res for my
car? .... .......................... 241
Why safety belts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134, 135
Windows Cleani ng ... ... .. .. ... ... ... ... .. . 207
defrosting ...... ...... ..... .. .. .. .. 77
Windshield Cleaning ... ....................... 48
defrosting .. .. .. ........ .... ... .. .. 77
Windshield washer system . ... .... .. . . 48
Washer fluid level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Washer reservoir ........... .. .. .. . 234
Windsh ield wipers
Folding up .... ........ .. .. .. .... .. 50
Indicator light ......... .. .. .. .... .. 21
Replacing windshie ld w iper blades ... .. 50
Switching on/off ............. ...... 48
Winter operation Batt ery ..... .. .......... .. .. .... . 230
Cooling system . ........ .. .. .. .... . 227
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Seat heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Steering
wheel heating ......... .. .. . 78
Tires ... .. .... .. .. ... ........ .. .. 191
Windows ..... .. .. ... ........ .. .. 207
W inter t ires ... .. .. ............. .. .. 250
All-wheel drive .................... 250
X
Xenon-Lights .... ............... .... 269
Xenon plus headlights ................ 43