
38 Opening and closing
• Reach under the closed glove compartment .
There is a red plastic cord under the glove
compartment.
• Pull the red plastic cord towards you .
Anti-theft alarm
system
Description
The anti-theft alarm triggers on alarm if any
one attempts to break into the vehicle .
Fig. 37 Diode posit io n in the instr um ent p anel
The anti-theft alarm system triggers an audi
ble alarm and turns on the emergency flasher
if an unauthorized interference w ith the vehi
cle is sensed by the system .
How is the anti-theft alarm system
switched on?
The anti -theft alarm system is switched on
when you lock the driver's door manually us
ing the fold-out key, or when you use the re
mote control. The system is activated approxi
mately 30 seconds after the veh icle is locked.
The indicator light
q fig. 37 starts flashing
rapidly for 2 seconds and then blinks slowly.
How is the anti-theft alarm system
switched off?
The anti-theft a larm system is switched
off
only when you unlock your vehicle. If you do
not open a door within 30 seconds after you
have un locked with the remote contro l, the
vehicle will lock itself again automatically. When will the
anti theft alarm system be
triggered?
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm system
monitors and protects the following parts of
the vehicle:
- engine compartment
- luggage compartment
- doors
- ignition
When the system is ac tivated, the alarm will
be triggered if one of the doors, the engine
compartment lid or the front lid are opened.
The anti-theft alarm system wi ll also go
off
when the battery is disconnected .
You can also trigger the a larm by pressing the
PANIC button on your remote-control key.
This will alert other people in case of emer
gency . Press the
PANIC button again to turn
off the alarm.
How is the anti-theft alarm switched off
when trigge red?
To switch the alarm
off, press the button @Jon
the master key or switch the ignition on. The alarm will also switch itself off when it comes
to the end of its cycle .
Emergency flasher
The emergency flasher will blink briefly when
the doors, engine compartment lid and front lid are properly closed.
If the emergency flashers do not blink, check
the doors, engine compartment lid and front
lid to make sure they are properly closed. If
you close a door, the engine compartment lid
or the front lid with the anti -theft alarm
switched on , the emergency flashers will blink
only after yo u have closed the door or l id.

40 Convertible top
Convertible top
Convertible top
General information
The fabric convertible top opens and closes
automatically. When it is open, it is stored in
the convertible top storage bay. The converti
b le top may be opened or closed at speeds up
to 31 mph (SO km/h) .
The convertible top is wind- and wate rproof
under normal conditions . Some moisture may
collect in the vehicle interio r, b ut only under
extreme ly adverse weather conditions such as
torrential rain . That is normal and no cause
for concern.
Follow the cleaning and maintenance instruc
tions ~
page 156 to ensure the convertible
top remains wind- and waterproof. Also note
the following points:
- Only stow the convertib le top when it is
clean and dry . Grains of sand or coarse dirt
particles can cause abrasions on the conver
tible top when stowed that can lead to dam
age to the fabric over time. Stowing the con
vertib le top when it is damp can cause
marks or permanent mildew spots to form .
- Do not leave the convertible top open for
several weeks or the creases in it may be
come discolored . This is especia lly true if the
top was stowed when damp .
- Remove ice and snow before opening the
convertible top . Do not use any sharp edged
objects to remove ice and snow or the con
vertib le top could be scratched or damaged.
T he rear window may be cleared with a
standard ice scraper.
- T he fabric in the convertible top loses elas
t icity in sub-zero temperatures. We recom
mend not opening or closing the convertib le
top when the temperature is below 32 °F (0 QC). The convertible top will not open
when the temperature is 5 °F (-15 QC) or be
low.
Opening/closing the convertible top
Fig. 40 Center co nsole : convertible top sw itc h
Requirement: the front lid must be closed and
the ignition must be switched on.
Opening the convertible top
.. Pull and hold the convertible top switch un
til the top is stowed in the bay and the cover
on the bay has closed completely.
Opening the convertible top using the
one-touch function
.. Pull the switch briefly to open the converti
ble top completely . It is not necessary to
hold the switch. The one-touch function is
only available at speeds between 4 and
31 mph (6 and 50 km/h) .
Closing the convertible top
.. Press and hold the switch until the converti-
ble top is closed and the latch is locked.
T he indicator light
M! in the instrument clus
ter goes out when the top is completely open
or closed.
The side w indows automa tica lly lower slightly
during the opening/closing process.
A WARNING ~
- Never drive when the convertible top is
not locked correctly . The wind generated
by driving cou ld cause it to open, which
could injure vehicle occupants or damage
the vehicle.
- Make sure no one will be injured by the
convertible top supports and other mov ing objects on the vehicle when open ing
and clos ing the top .

(D Note
To p reve nt damage t o the conve rtible top:
- do no t s tore any objects in the converti
ble top storage bay .
- make sure there is enough space above
the veh icle when opening or closing the
convertible top.
@ Tips
- When the indica to r l amp iii blinks,
there is a system malfunc tion
c> page 15 .
-The one-touch openi ng fun ction is not
ava ilable when the vehicle is traveling
below 4 mph (6 km/h) or above 31 mph
(SO km/h).
If this is the case, a wa rning
tone w ill sound and a message will ap
pear in the instrument cluster
c> page 41.
Error message in the instrument cluster
display
An error message appears if the convertible
top cannot open or close.
Severa l conditions must be met for the con
ve rtible top to open or close automatically .
An error message in the inst rument cluste r
d isp lay ind icates if one of the condit ions is not
met or there is a malfunct ion.
Soft top: Please clo se engine lid!
The engine compa rtment lid must be closed
when opening or closing the convertible top .
T his message appears in the instrument clus
ter d isp lay if the engine compartment lid is
not closed.
Soft top : Cannot be used!
This error message appears if the convertib le
cannot open or close because of safety rea
sons or if there is a malfunction . The follow
ing causes are poss ible:
- The vehicle is t ra veling too fa st: Converti
ble top operation is deactivated for safety
reasons if the vehicle is traveling too fast . A
message w ill appear . Reduce the vehicle
Con vertible top 41
speed and pu ll or press the sw itch again to
open or close the convertible top.
- The battery voltage i s too low: Th e conver
tible top cannot open or close if the battery
voltage is too low. This ens ures there will be
enough battery vo ltage left to start the ve
hicle . The convertible top can be operated
aga in after the engi ne is started.
- Ove rload protect ion is acti ve: Operating the
convert ible top continuously for a long peri
od of time p laces stress on the hydraulic
un it. Over load protect io n is act ivated to p re
vent damage to the system . This protective
fu nction preve nts t he conver tible top from
open ing or close fo r approximate ly 15 to 30
m inu tes.
It will f unct io n a gain a fter tha t
c:::> &..
-Malfun ction : Failure of system components
is one possib le cause fo r malfunction. If this
happens, you can a lso operate the converti
ble top by hand
c:> page 43 .
-The exterior temperature is too low: The
converti ble top will not o pen in tempera
t u res below (S °F) (-15 QC).
Soft top not secure
If the conve rtib le to p is not complet ely open
or closed and the vehi cle is t raveling too fast,
the error message above appears and a warn
ing tone sounds. Reduce the vehicle speed
and pull or press the switch again to open or close t he convertible top.
A WARNING
N eve r drive when the c onvertible top is not
locked correctly . The wind from driving
could cause the co nvertib le top to open.
T his ca n resu lt in i nju ries and damage to
the vehicle.

The rear window can be extended comp lete ly
for cleaning. This is ca lled the cleaning posi
tion.
E xte nding the re ar w indow into the wind
defl ector po siti on
~ Pu ll and hold the rear window switch
¢fig. 44.
~ Release the switch once the rear w indow
has reached the wind def lector posit ion.
E xte ndin g th e rear window into the
cleaning po sition
~ Pull and hold the rear window switch
¢ fig . 44.
~ Release the switch once the rear window
has reached the wind deflector posit ion .
~ Pull and hold the rear window switch again .
~ Pull and hold the conve rtible top switch
within one second
¢ page 40, fig . 40.
R etra cting the re ar window
~ Press and ho ld the rear window switch until
the window has been retracted .
Ret racting the re ar w indow u sing the one
touch funct ion
~ Press the rear window switch briefly . There
is no need to hold the switch.
The rear w indow can on ly be operated when
t he ignition is switched on.
The rear window can also be extended or re
tracted when the convertib le top is closed.
_&. WARNING
- Do not use the rear window to secure car
go or other objects. This could result in
injury .
- Always pay attention and be careful
when extending or retracting the rear
window . It could cause injury by pinch
ing .
@ Tips
-Keeping all of the w indows raised pro
v ides the best wind protection.
Con vertible top 43
- The vehicle must be stationary to bring
the rear window into the cleaning posi
t ion . The rear window will retract once
you begin dr iv ing.
Convertible top
emergency operation
General information
The convertible top can be closed by hand if
there is a malfunction .
First check if overload protection is active
~ page 41. If this is the case, the convertible
top w ill operate again after a short de lay . Oth
erwise the following steps must be completed before closing the convertib le top:
~ Act ivate the park ing brake.
~ Open the side windows, if necessary.
~ Remove the key from the ignition.
Emergency loc king is not intended for long
term use o r long drives . The convertib le top
will not be completely waterproof after using
the emergency locking procedure because the
seals will not be seated correctly. Only close
the convertible top manually in an emergency .
Please see an au thorized Audi R8 dealer to
have the cause of the malfunction corrected .
_&. WARNING
-The ignition must be sw itched off during
the entire closing procedure.
- When positioning the convertible top,
avoid contact with the supports or other
mov ing parts. Otherwise you could p inch
your hands.
- Never drive when the convert ible top is
not locked correctly. The wind from d riv
ing could cause the convertible top to
open . This can resu lt in injuries and dam
age to the vehicle.
@ Tips
Have a second person assist when closing
the convert ible top. Opening the storage
bay lid and positioning the conve rtible top
is easier when a second person is assisting.

44 Convertible top
Step 1: Retract the rear window
Fig. 45 Upper storage compa rtme nt: re mov ing the
cover
F ig. 46 Upper sto rage compartment: using the Allen
wrench as a crank to lower the rear win dow
M 0 N ... a,
... ... M 0
The rear window must be retracted in order to
close the convertible top. If the rear window
switch is not functioning¢
page 42, the rear
window can be cranked .
.. Open the upper storage compartment be
tween the seat backrests ¢
page 63 .
.. Remove the cover using the screwdriver
from the vehicle tool kit¢
fig. 45.
• Press the Allen wrench from the veh icle tool
kit firmly into the opening until it clicks into
place ¢
fig. 46.
• Turn the bolt clockwise until the rea r w in
dow is lowered .
Step 2: Release the pressure in the
hydraulic system
The pressure in the hydraulic system must be
re leased before the convertible top can be
closed.
.. Switch the ignition off.
.. Pu ll or press the convertible top switch
¢
page 40, fig. 40 for approximately 10 sec
onds.
A WARNING
-
If convertib le top operat ion fa ils when
opening o r closing the top, do not hold or
touch the supports or other moving parts
when releasing the pressure. The converti
ble top will sink down and could pinch your
hands.
Step 3 : Open the convertible top storage
bay lid
Fig. 47 E ng ine compartme nt: install ing the eme rgency
ope rat io n bolts
Fig. 48 Ra is ing t he sto rage bay lid and pulling it back
The engine compartment lid must be released
using the emergency procedure in order to re
l ease the storage bay lid
¢page 171.
Releasing the convertible top storage bay
lid
.. Tur n the emergency operation bolts on the
left and right sides of the engine compart
ment¢
fig. 47 clockw ise using the open end
wrench from the vehicle too l kit until t he
bolts are installed completely . The co nverti
ble top sto rage bay lid will raise app rox i
mate ly 0,4 in (1 cm) from the vehicle when
t he bolts are install ed comp letely.
• Close the engine compartment lid
r=;, page 170.

46 Convertible top
• Pull the convertible top all the way out in
the direction indicated @. Position the fins
upward at the same time.
• Press the convertible top as far forward to
ward the windshield frame as possible
r=> fig . 52 .
Have a second person assist when positioning
the convertible top. That person should stand
on the opposite side of the vehicle and per
form the same steps .
A WARNING
-When positioning the convertible top,
avoid contact with the supports or other
moving parts. Otherwise you could pinch
your hands .
- When pressing the convertible top down
onto the windshield frame, make sure
that you do not pinch yourself or anyone
else.
Step 6: Secure the convertible top
-
Fig. 53 Conve rtible top sto rage bay: install ing the driv
er
Fig. 54 Securing the co nvertible top
The convertible top must be under tension to
secure it to the windshield frame . The wheel
wrench, driver and bolts from the vehicle tool kit are required for this. Have a second person assist with this step
.
That person should stand on the opposite side
of the vehicle and perform the same steps.
• Position the driver @ on the bolt @ in the
front section of the convertible top storage
bay and rotate clockwise to install in the
threads
r=> fig. 53.
• Position the wheel wrench © with the long
end on the driver@.
• Press the convertible top as far forward as
possible toward the windsh ield frame @
with one hand
c:> fig . 54. At the same time,
pull the fins upward @ for support with the
other hand.
• Now, grasp the fins with the hand that you
used to move the convertible top forward
and hold the fins in this position . With the
other hand, turn the wheel wrench upward
until it stops @.
(0 Tips
-When pressing the convertible top for
ward, make sure the locking pins are
seated in the latch on the windshield
frame and not on the frame itself.
- When pressing the convertible top for
ward, make sure the locking pins are
seated exactly in the latch on the wind
shield frame and not on the frame itself
This is the only way that the convertible
top can be latched correctly.

Step 7: Lock the convertible top
Fig. 55 Inner s ide of the conve rtible top: remov ing the
cap
Fig. 56 Inner s ide of the convertible top : pos it ion ing
the Allen wrench
.. Remove the cap in the center of the conver
tib le top using the screwdriver from the ve
hicle tool kit¢
fig. 55. The emergency lock
ing mechanism is located behind it.
.. Insert the Allen wrench
(D and turn the bolt
to the left@ until it is tight and the conver
t ibl e top is locked securely ¢
fig. 56.
.,. Remove the Allen wrench from the ope ning
and cover the opening with the cap.
.,. Remove the wheel wrench from the conver
tible top storage bay .
.. Close the convertible top storage bay lid.
A WARNING
Make sure the convert ible top is locked
correctly. Otherwise the wind from driving
could cause the convertible top to open.
This can result in injuries and damage to
the vehicle .
-
Convertible top 4 7
Step 8: Secure the fins on the body
Fig . 57 Co nvert ible top: pressing t he fins downward
Fig. 58 Interior: t ighten ing the bolt
The following steps must be performed on
both sides of the veh icle .
.. Press the fin downward firmly
~fig . 57 .
.. Hold the fin in th is position and tighten the
bolt above the seat belt -arrow- using the
Allen wrench from the veh icle tool k it at the
same time¢
fig. 58.
A second person should assist when securing
the fins to the body. Tightening the bolts is
much easier if a second person presses the
fins down.
A WARNING
-Make sure the fins lie on the body. Other -
wise the convert ible top will not lock se
cure ly and it could open while driving. This
can resul t in in juries and damage to the
vehicle.
-

48 Convertible top
Step 9: Extend the rear window
Fig. 59 Upper storage compartment between the seat
backrests: extend ing t he rear w indow
~ Press the Allen wrench from the vehicle tool
kit firmly into the opening until it clicks into
place
~fig. 59.
~ Turn the bolt counterclockwise until the
rea r window is extended. Press the rear win
dow back lightly while doing this.
0 Note
To prevent damage to the vehicle, make
sure the rear window is in the guide in the
convertible top when extending the win
dow and the fins are secured on the body.