2013 AUDI A8 Owners Manual

A WARNING
-The ski sack is intended only for the
transportation of skis and other light ob­
jects. To reduce the risk of serious per­
sonal injury, never transport heavy or pointed objects in the ski sack.
- When brak ing rapidly or during an acci­
dent, the load could be displaced and
cause injury to occupants.
- Sharp edges on the load must be covered
for protect ion. Always fasten the belt
t ightly around the sack and its contents
~fig. 73.
-For safety reasons, do not transport
more than two pairs of skis in the ski
sack.
- You must secure the ski sack with the strap after loading.
- Make sure all objects that you are trans­
porting in the pass-th rough a re secured.
Otherwise they cou ld slide around during
s u dden braking maneuvers and cause in­
jury.
(D Tips
- Never stow the sk i sack away when it is
still wet or damp ( for example, snow
melting from skis). Allow it to dry com­
plete ly before stowing it away.
- Position skis in the ski sack w ith the
pointed ends facing the front and ski
po les w ith the pointed ends facing the
rear.
S ea ts a nd s to rage 71
Roof rack
Description and mounting locations
Additional cargo can be carried with a roof
luggage rack.
Fi g. 74 Roof r ack attac hmen t po ints
.,. Always read and follow the instructions pro­
vided by the roof rack man ufacturer when
installing the roof rack system .
If luggage or cargo is to be carr ied on the
roof, you must observe the following:
- To enhance the vehicle's streamlined design,
rai n gutters have been molded into the roof.
It is not poss ible to use normal roof racks.
On ly install a roof rack specifically designed
for your model AB. Contact the nearest Audi
dea ler for information on approved modular
roof racks for your vehicle.
- On ly use roof racks approved for your vehi ­
cle. These approved roof racks are the basis
for a complete roof rack system. Additional
attachments or carrier systems are needed
to transport luggage and sports equipment.
We recommend using roof racks from the
Audi orig inal accessories program.
- When installing the roof rack, make sure it
is only mou nted on the designated locations
on the roof ~
fig. 74 .
-We recommend that you keep the installa­
tion instructions for your roof rack system
together w ith your Owner's literature in the
vehicle.
When sh ould the roof rack be remo ved?
-Before going through an automatic car wash
(it is best to ask the car wash operator for
adv ice)
..

72 Seats and storage
-When not in use, to reduce fuel consump­
tion, wind noise and to guard against theft.
A WARNING
- Use of an unapproved roof rack or incor­
rect mounting of an approved roof rack
can cause the roof rack or the items at­
tached to it to fall off the roof onto the
road .
- Objects falling from the roof of a vehicle
can cause a crash and personal injury .
- Only mount the roof rack on the desig­
nated locations on the roof
c::> fig. 7 4.
-The roof rack system must be installed
exactly according to the instructions pro­
vided.
- When driving with a roof rack system,
changes to the center of gravity and wind
resistance can change the vehicle han­
dling and lead to a collision . Always
adapt your driving and your speed to the
current conditions.
- Your vehicle warranty does not cover any
damages to the vehicle caused by using
roof racks or mounting structures not
approved by Audi for your vehicle. The
same applies to damage resulting from
incorrect roof rack installation.
- Always check the roof rack mountings
and hardware before each trip and dur­
ing a trip to make sure everything is se­
curely tightened. If necessary, retighten
the mountings and check the entire sys­
tem from time to time.
- After mounting a roof rack system, or
when you transport objects on the roof
of your vehicle, the height of the vehicle
is naturally increased. Be careful when
driving under low bridges or in parking
garages for example . This could cause
damage to the load and even the vehicle itself.
- Make sure the open rear lid and the sun­
roof* do not come into contact with the
roof rack.
Loading the roof rack
Always distribute loads evenly. Make sure
anything on the roof rack is securely tied
down.
.. Always distribute the loads on the roof rack
evenly .
.. Always attach items to the roof rack secure-
ly before you drive off.
The maximum permissible roof weight is
220
lb (100 kg).
The roof weight is the total of
the weight of the roof rack, the attachments
and the cargo you are carrying. You must also
not exceed the maximum load weight for the
roof rack you are using.
When using a roof rack system which has a lower load carrying capacity, you must not use
up the total maximum permissible load carry­
ing capacity specified above. Instead, you
should load the roof rack system only to the
maximum capacity specified by the manufac­
turer of the roof rack system .
A WARNING ,_
Weak, damaged or improper straps used
to secure items to the roof rack can fail
during hard braking or in a collision and
cause serious personal injury .
- Make sure the roof rack is installed exact­
ly as specified above
c::> page 71.
-Always use suitable mounting straps for
securing items to the roof rack to help
prevent items from shifting or flying for­
ward .
- Items on the roof rack must always be securely mounted .
- The use of a roof rack can negatively af­
fect the way a vehicle handles . Cargo
that is large, heavy, bulky, long or flat
will have a greater negative influence on
the vehicle's aerodynamics, center of
gravity and overall handling. Always
drive slowly, avoid sudden braking and
maneuvers when transporting cargo on
the roof of your vehicle.

-Never exceed the maximum permissible
load carry ing capacity of the roof of your
vehicle, the permissible axle weights and
the permissible total weight of your vehi­ cle
~ page 290, Weights.
@ For the sake of the environment
As a result of the increased wind resist­ance created by a roof rack, your vehicle is
using fue l unnecessarily. So remove the
roof rack after using it.
12-volt sockets
Applies to vehicles: 12-volt sockets
Electrical accessories can be connected to ev­
ery 12-volt socket.
Fig. 75 Section of the trim panel of the luggage com­
part men t; 12-volt socket
Fig. 76 Rear center console: 12-volt socket
"' Open the socket cover¢ fig. 75 or¢ fig. 76.
"' Insert the plug of the e lectrical device into
the socket.
There is an additional 12 volt socket in the
front center console¢
page 74, fig. 77.
The 12 volt sockets can be used for electrical
accessories. The power input must not exceed
120 watts.
Seats and storage 73
Before you purchase any accessories, always
read and follow the information in
~ page 298, Additional accessories and parts
replacement.
A WARNING
The sockets and the electrical accessories
connected to them operate only when the ignition is switched on. Incorrect usage
can lead to ser ious injuries or burns. To re­
duce the risk of injuries, never leave chil­
dren unattended in the vehicle with the ve­
hicle key.
(D Note
To avoid damaging the socket, only use
plugs that fit properly.
- Never connect equipment that generates
electrical current, such as a solar pane l
or battery charger, to the 12 volt socket.
This could damage the vehicle's electri­
cal system .
- The 12 volt socket should only be used
for a short period of ti me as a power
source for electrical equ ipment . Please
use the electrical sockets in the vehicle
when connecting equipment for longer periods.
(D Tips
When the engine is off and accessories are
still plugged in and are on, the vehicle bat­
tery can still be drained.

7 4 Seats and storage
Storage
(upholder
Fig . 77 Center conso le: front cupholder
Fig. 78 Section of the rear bench seat: rear cupholder
Fr ont cuphold er
., To open the cupholder, tap the cover
¢ fig. 77, ¢ &_ .
Rear cupholder
., To open the cupholder, tap the front strip
¢ fig. 1a, ¢ A .
In vehicles with a full-length center console in
the rear, the cupholder is located at @
¢ page 67, fig. 65.
A WARNING
Spilled hot liquid can cause an accident
and personal inj ury .
- Never car ry any beverage containers wi th
hot liquids, s uch as hot coffee or hot tea,
in the veh icle while it is mov ing. In case
of an accident, sudden braking or other
vehicle movement, hot liqu id could spill,
causing scalding burns. Spi lled hot liquid
can also cause an accident and personal injury. -
Use on ly soft cups in the cupholder. Hard
cups and glasses can cause injury in an
accident.
(D Note
Only drink containers with lids should be
carried in the cupholder. Liquid could spill
out and damage your vehicle's electronic
equipment or stain the upholstery, etc.
Cooled glove compartment
The cooled glove compartment only functions
when the AIC system is switched on.
Fig. 79 Glove compartme nt: sw itching cool ing mode
on/off
., Turn the knob @counterclockwise to
sw itch cooling on . The symbols on the knob
indicate the correct position¢
fig. 79 .
., Turn the knob @clockwise to switch cool·
ing off.
The glove compartment cooling mode only
funct ions when the vehicle A/C system is
switched on. If the heat ing is sw itched on,
switching the glove compa rtment cooling
mode off is recommended.
A WARNING
A lways leave the lid on the glove compa rt­
ment cove r closed while dr iving to reduce
t he r isk o f injury.
(1) Tips
The glove compartment can be Locked us·
i ng the mechanical key
¢page 31.

Additional storage
There are a variety of storage compartments
and fasteners in various places in the vehicle.
- Storage compartments in the doors
- Net in the front passenger footwell
- Eyeglasses compartment in the headliner (near the rearview mirror)
- Storage compartments under the center
armrests
- Compartments* on the back of the front
seat backrests
- Garment hooks over the rear doors
- Compartment in the center console with
pass-through)* (rear)
- Compartment behind the rear center arm­
rest (in vehicles without the pass-through*
or refrigerator*)
- Bag hooks in the luggage compartment
A WARNING
-When driving, do not leave any hard ob­
jects on the rear window shelf or allow
your pet to s it on the shelf. They could
become a hazard for veh icle occupants in
the event of sudden brak ing or a crash.
- Always remove objects from the instru­
ment panel. Any items not stored could
slide around inside the vehicle while driv­
ing or when accelerating or when apply­
ing the brakes or when driv ing around a
co rner.
- When you are driving make sure that
anything you may have placed in the cen­
ter console o r othe r storage lo cat ions
cannot f all out in to the footwells. In case
of sudden braking you would not be able
to brake or acce lerate .
- Any articles of clothing that you have
hung up must not interfere with the driv ­
er's view . The coat hooks are designed
only for lightweight clothing. Never hang
any clothing w ith hard, pointed or heavy
objects in the pockets on the coat hooks.
During sudden braking or in an accident -
especially if the airbag is deployed -
Seat s an d sto rage 75
these objects co uld inj ure any passen­
gers ins ide the vehicle.
- To reduce the risk of persona l injury in an
accident or sudden stop, a lways keep the
glove compartment closed wh ile driving.
- Read and follow a ll WARNINGS
¢ page 172, Important safety instruc­
tions on the side airbag system.
- Hang clothes in such a way that they do
not impair the driver's vision.
- The coat hooks must only be used for
lightweight clothing. Do not leave any
heavy or sharp edged objects in the pock­
ets which may interfere with the s ide cur­
tain airbag deployme nt and can cause
pe rsonal injury in a crash .
- Do not use coat hangers for hanging cloth ing on the coat hooks as t his can in­
terfere with proper deployment of the
side curta in a irbags in an acc ident.
- Do not hang heavy objects on the coat
hooks, as they could cause perso nal in­
jury in a sudden stop.
(D Note
Objects located on the rear shelf that rub
against the rea r window could damage the
heating wires for the rear window defog­
ger.
@ Tips
- A vent slot is located between the shelf
and the rear w indow. Do not bloc k the
vent with any items you may place o n the
rear window she lf.
- Do not place bu lky i tems o n the rear win­
dow shelf as they could res tri ct or bloc k
t he drive r's vision in the rear view m irror.
Cooler
Introduction
App lies to vehicles : wi th coo ler
Please clean the cooler before using it for the
first time
¢ page 226.
You can only sw itch on the coo ler if

76 Seats and storage
-the temperature in the luggage compart­
ment is below 131 °f (55 °C). The cooler
switches off automatically if the tempera­
ture in the luggage compartment exceeds 131 °f (55 °C). Once the tempera ture falls
below 131 °f (55 °C) again, the cooler
switches on aga in automatically .
- the battery is adequately charged . The cool­
er switches off automatically if the vehicle
battery voltage falls below a minimum lev­
el. This prevents the battery from discharg­
ing. The cooler switches back on again auto­
matically when the battery voltage increases
again (e.g . after starting the engine).
The cooler cools to 42.8 °f
(+ 6 °C) and the
freezer cools to 21.2 °f (-6 °C) in opt imum
cooling conditions . The cooling performance
is affected by the temperature in the luggage
compartment. The temperature inside the
cooler will be higher if the luggage compart­
ment is hot.
A WARNING
To avoid putting the occupants at any risk, please observe the following safety rules:
- The maximum capacity is 2.5 kg (5.5
lbs.).
- Never overload the cooler. This could
cause injury in the event of a collision or
sudden braking.
- The cooler lid must always be kept closed
while you are driving. Make sure the re­
taining catch is securely engaged. The contents of the coo ler could be thrown
forward into the passenger compart­
ment in the event of a collision or under
sudden braking -risk of injury!
- Inflammable liquids, gas canisters, etc.
must not be stored in the cooler -risk of
explosion! This also includes any prod­
ucts that might emit volatile or inflam­
mable gases.
- Liquids will freeze at temperatures at or
below 32 °f (0 °C) and may cause glass
bottles to burst!
(D Note
- The ventilation openings for the cooler
are located on the back panel trim in the
luggage compartment and
must be kept
clear at all times.
- If the cooler is not functioning properly,
switch it off to prevent further damage.
Have it checked by a qualified workshop.
Operation
App lies to vehicles: wit h cooler
Fig. 80 Rear cen ter armrest
The cooler is located in the rear cabin behind
the center armrest or behind the sliding
cover
(depending on the equipment fitted in your
vehicle) . The cooler and freezer only work
when the ignition is on .
Opening / closing the cooler
.,. To open the cooler, pull the release lever(!)
c!> fig. 80.
.. To close the cooler, push the lid back into its
original position . You should hear the re­
lease lever
(D engage if the lid is properly
closed.
Switching on/off .,. Press button @c::>fig.
80 to switch the cool­
er on/off. The symbol in the button is lit
when this function is a ctivated .
.. Press button
@ to switch the freezer on/
off . The symbol in the button is lit when this
function is activated.

@ Tips
-Always try to leave the lid open for as
short a time as possible to prevent con­
densation buildup.
- Do not put hot food or drinks in the cool­
er.
Seats and storage 77

78 Warm and cold
Warm and cold Climate controls
Description
The climate control system warms, cools and
adds humidity to the air in the vehicle interior.
It is the most effect ive when the windows and
sunroof* are closed . If the temperature inside
the parked vehicle becomes very warm, open­ ing the window briefly will speed up the cool­
ing process.
I n all heating mode functions except
defrost,
the blower on ly switches to a higher speed
once the engine coolant has reached a certain
temperature.
Condensation from the cooling system can
drip and form a puddle of water under the ve­
hicle. This is normal and does not mean there
is a leak.
Pollutant filter
The pol lutant filter removes pollutants such
as dust and pollen from the air.
The air pollutants filter must be changed at
the intervals spec ified in you r Warranty
&
Maintenance booklet, so that the air condi­
tioner can properly work.
I f you drive your vehicle in an a rea with high
a ir po llution, the fi lter may need to be
changed more frequent ly than specified in
your Aud i Warranty
& Maintenance booklet. If
in doubt, ask your authorized Audi Service Ad­
visor for advice .
Key coded settings
The climate control settings are a utomat ically
stored and assigned to the remote control key
that is in use.
A WARNING
Reduced visibility is dangerous and can
cause accidents. -
- For safe driving it is very important that
all windows be free of ice, snow and con­
densation.
- Comp letely familiarize yourself with the
proper use and funct ion of the heat ing
and ventilation system and especially how to defog and defrost the windows.
- Never use the windshield wiper/washer
system in freez ing weather unt il you
have warmed the windshield first, using
the heating and ventilation system. The
washer solution may freeze on the wind­ sh ie ld and reduce visib ility.
(D Note
- If you suspect that the air conditioner has been damaged, switch the system
off to avoid further damage and have it
inspected by a qualified dealership.
- Repairs to the Audi air conditioner re­
quire special technical know ledge and
special tools. Contact an authorized Aud i
dea ler fo r assistance.
@ For the sake of the environment
By reducing the amount of fuel you use,
you also reduce the amount of pollutants
emitted into the air.
(D Tips
- Keep the air intake s lots (in fro nt of the
w indshield) free from ice, snow and de ­
bris in order to maintain the proper func­
tion of the climate control system.
- T he energy management system may
switch the seat heating* or rear window
defroster off temporari Ly . These systems
are available again as soon as the energy
balance has been restored.
- Air escapes through vents under the rear
window. When placing items of clothing
on the luggage compartment cover, en­
sure that the openings are not covered.