2012 AUDI R8 SPYDER warning

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the window has been retracted .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.

Opening the convertible top storage bay
lid
• From th e rear of the vehicle, reach into the
center ventilation slot in the storage bay lid
with both hands and raise the lid approxi­
mately 12 in (30 cm).
"' Hold the storage bay lid in this position and
pull it toward you until it stops ¢
fig. 48 .
& WARNING
When working in the engine compart­
ment:
- Turn the engine off .
- Act ivate the parking brake.
-
-In veh icles with a manual transm ission,
move the shifter lever into idle. In vehi -
cles with the R tronic transmission, move
the selector lever into the N position.
- Remove the ignit ion key.
- Let the engine cool down.
- Keep children away from the engine com- partment .
(D Note
To prevent damage to the vehicle, only
open the convertible top storage bay lid
when the engine compartment lid is
closed.
Step 4: Remove the covers
Fig. 49 Conve rtib le t op : cove rs ma rk e d
Convertible top 45
Fig . SO Co nver tible top sto rage bay lid: remov ing the
c ov er
The following steps must be performed on
both sides of the vehicle.
"' Remove the bolt in the cover on the bottom
side of the st orage bay lid using the open
end wrench from the vehicle tool kit@
¢fig. 50.
• Move the cover up and down carefully unt il
it can be pulled downward from the teeth
@ .
Step 5:
Lift the convertible top out
Fig. 51 Co nve rtible top s tora ge bay: liftin g th e co nver ­
tible top out
Fig. 52 Wind shi eld fra me: press ing the conve rti ble top
fo rward
"' Ho ld the conve rtible top at the@ point (ar-
row)
¢ fig. 51 and raise it carefully ¢_& . II--

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.
-

50 Clear vision
shown as active in the driver information
system.
The
coming home function illuminates the
area around the vehicle when the ignition is
switched off and the driver 's door is opened.
The length of time the lights rema in on can be
set in the menu display
(Lights> Exterior
lights > coming home) .
The leaving home function illuminates the
area around the vehicle when unlocking it.
.&_ WARNING
-Never use daytime running lights to see
where you are going. They are not bright enough and will not let you see far
enough ahead for safety, especially at dusk or when it is dark . Be aware of
changes in outside light conditions when
you are driving and respond by switching on your low beams.
- Automatic head- and taillight control is
only intended to assist the driver. This
feature does not relieve the driver of his
responsibility to check the headlights
and to turn them on manually according
to the current light and visibility condi­
tions. For example, fog and rain cannot
be detected by the light sensors. Conse­
quently, always switch the headlights on
under these weather conditions and
when driving in the dark .
- Crashes can happen when you cannot see
the road ahead and when you cannot be
seen by other motorists .
-Always turn on the headlights so that you can see ahead and so that others can see your car from the back.
- Please observe legal regulations when
using the lighting systems described .
@ Tips
-Always observe the specific local regula­
tions for your area when to use your lights .
- Turn on low beams as evening ap­
proaches or in conditions of poor visibili­
ty. -
Do not attach stickers to the windshield
in front of the sensors as this can disable
the automatic head- and taillight control
and the automatic glare-dimming of the
rearview mirror(s)*.
- If you remove the ignition from the igni­
tion lock while the headlights are still
on, a buzzer will sound as long as the
driver's door is open to remind you to
turn off the lights .
- In the AUTO mode, the low beams are
turned off when the ignition is turned
off . The remaining lights are turned off
when the key is taken out of the ignition.
- In cool or damp weather conditions the
headlights may fog over temporarily on
the inside .
- The critical factor is the temperature
difference between the interior and the
exterior of the headlight lens.
- With the main beams switched on, the
light-emitting area will be free of con­
densation after a short time , however
the edges of the glass may still be fog ­
ged .
- This physical phenomenon has no ef­
fect on the life of your vehicle's l ight­
ing system .
Emergency flasher
Fig. 61 Center console: em erge ncy flasher sw itc h
The emergency flasher makes other motorists
aware that you or your vehicle are in an emer­
gency situa tion.
... Press the switch ~
Q fig. 61 to switch the
emergency flasher on or off .
ll>

When the emergency flasher is on, all four
turn signal blink at the same time . The turn
signal ind icator lights
R II in the instrument
cluster, as well as the light in the emergency
flasher switch~ blink likewise . The emergen­
cy flasher also works when the ignition is
switched off.
The emergency flasher wi ll automatically
sw itch on if you are in an acc ident where the
a irbag has deployed .
(D Tips
You should switch on the emergency flash­
er when:
-you are the last vehicle standing in a traf ­
fic jam so that any other vehicles coming
can see you, or when
-your vehicle has broken down or yo u are
in an emergency situation , or when
- your vehicle is being towed by a tow
truck or if yo u are towing another vehicle
behind you.
Turn signals and high beam lever
The lever is used to operate the turn signals
and the high beam as well as the headlight
flasher .
t
t
F ig . 6 2 Turn signa l an d h igh beam lever
The turn s ignal and high beam leve r has the
followi ng functions:
Turn sign als ¢ 9
N
"' 8
"' ... a,
~ Lift the lever up all the way c:> fig . 62 to use
the right turn s ignals
(D , or push the lever
down all the way to use the left turn signals
@ .
Clear vi sion 51
~ Move the lever (up or down) just to the
point of resistance to use the turn signals
for as long as you need them, for example
when changing lanes .
~ Briefly move the lever up or down just to
the point of resistance and t hen release it to
flash the turn s ignals three times in succes­
sion . This
C o nveni ence turn signal funct ion
must be activated in the menu disp lay
c:> page25 .
High beam ~D
~ Push the lever forward @to switch on the
high beam .
~ Pull the lever back towards you to sw itch off
the high beam.
Headlight flasher ~D
~ Pull the lever toward the steering wheel ©
to use the headlight flasher .
Notes on the se feature s
-The turn signals only work with the ignition
switched on . T he indicator lights
IJ or Bi n
the instrument cluster c:> page 11 also blink.
- After you have turned a corner, the turn s ig-
nal switches off automatically.
- The high beam works only when the head ­
lights are on. The indicator light
II i n the
instrument cluster illuminates when the
high beams are on .
- The headlight flasher works only as long as
you ho ld the lever - even if there are no
lights switched o n. The ind icator light
II i n
the instrument cluste r illuminates whe n you
use the headlight flasher .
.&, WARNING
Do not use t he h igh beam or hea dligh t
fl ashe r if yo u know th at these could be
b lin ding oncoming t raffic .

54 Clear vis ion
Moving w ip er blade s to th e service
po sit ion
.. Do not lift the wiper arms away from the
glass when they are in their parked position;
this would damage the paint on the front
lid .
.. When there is a risk of frost, make sure t hat
the wiper blades are not frozen to the wind­ shield .
.. Move wipe r blades to the service pos it ion
¢page 55.
The windshield wipers and washer on ly work
when the ignition is turned on.
To reduce the sensit iv ity of the sensor, move
switch @down . To increase the sens itiv ity,
move the switch up. The higher you adjust the
sens itivity, the faste r th e sensor will react
when i t senses moisture on the w indshield.
The pauses between w iper t urns depend not
only on the sensitivity setting, but on the ve ­
hicle speed as well.
Du ring a temporary stop, e.g . at a t raff ic sig­
na l, the set wipe r speed is automatically re­
duced by one stage.
When the igni tion is tu rned on, the washer
jets are heated.
_& WARNING
- Wipe r blades a re cruc ial for safe driving!
Only when they are in good condition are
they able to clear the windows properly
to provide uncompromising visibility.
Worn or damaged wiper blades are a safety hazard ¢
page 55, Replacing
front wiper blades!
- The light/ra in sensor is only des igned to
assist and support the dr iver .
It remains
entirely the driver 's responsibility to
mon itor outs ide weather conditions and
to manually activate the w ipers as soon
as rain o r dri zz le red uces visibi lity
thro ugh the windshie ld.
- T he windshie ld must not be treated with
water-repe llent materials. They can in­
crease glare under poor visib ility condi­
tions such as wetness, darkness, or when the s
un is low on the horizon . In addi­
tion, they can cause the w indshield w ip­
ers to chatter .
(D Note
In freezing or near freezing conditions:
- Always check that the wiper blades are
not frozen to the g lass before you turn
the wipers on . Loosen a wiper blade
which is frozen in place before operating
the wipers to prevent damage to the
w iper blade or the wiper motor.
- Do not use the w ipers to clear a frosted
window. Us ing the wipers as a conven­
ient ice scraper will destroy the wiper
blades .
- Before you take your veh icle to an auto­
matic car wash, make sure you have the
w indshield w iper system switched off
(lever in position 0), otherwise the w ind­
shield w iper system could get damaged
in the car wash if it should suddenly
come on .
(D Tips
-The windshie ld w ipers are switched off
when the ignit ion is turned off. Act ivate
t he winds hield wipers after the ignition
is switched back on by moving the wind­
shield wiper lever to any position.
- Worn or dirty windshield wipe r blades
cause smearing, which can affect the op­
eration of the light/rain sensor . Check
the cond ition of your windsh ield wiper
blades regularly.
- When the wipers are switched on man­
ually and in ra in cond itions, the auto­
matic headlights turn on¢
page 49 or
off during the day when the wipers are
no longer operating . The automat ic
head lights fu nction is avai lab le in this
case on ly w hen the light switch is in the
"A UTO" posit ion¢
page 49, fig. 60.
- Make su re the washer fluid reservoir is
t opped off before goi ng on a long tr ip.
Look up ¢
page 182 for checking and
filling the washe r container .