2013 AUDI A8 warning light

Instruments and warning/indicator lights 17
If th is message turns off after a litt le whi le,
the battery charged enough whi le driving.
If the message does not turn
off, have your
authorized Audi dealer or qua lified workshop
correct the malfunction .
'l:::7-: Engine oil pressure malfunction
The red engine oil pressure warning symbol
requires immediat e servic e or repair. Driving
with a Low-oil-pressure indication is Likely to
inflict severe damage to the engine .
• Switch off engine and check oil level
If the indicator light turns on and the mes­
sage appears, the oil pressure is too low.
.,. Pull
off the road .
.,. Stop the vehicle .
.. Turn
off the engine .
.,. Check the engine oil level c::> page 23 7.
.,. If the engine oil leve l is too low, add engine
o il
c::> page 238. Make sure that the oil p res ­
s ur e warning symbol. appears no longe r
in the display before you start driving again.
.. If the engine oil leve l is correct and the indi­
cator light st ill turns on, turn the engine
off
and do not continue driving. Seek professio­
nal assistance.
-The engine oil pressure symbol. is
not an indicator for a low engine oil lev­
el. Do not rely on it. Instead, check the
oil level in your engine at regular inter­
vals, preferably each time you refuel,
and always before going on a long trip.
- The yellow oil level warning indication
II requires oil refill or workshop serv­
ice without delay . Do not wait until the
red oil pressure warning. starts to
flash before you respond to the low oil
level warning
II. By then, your engine
may already have suffered serious dam­
age .
~ Engine oil level
• WARNING: Please add oil immediately
When the symbol and the driver message ap ­
pear, the oil has to be replen ished right now
c::> page235.
If the indicator light and the message appear,
add engine oil immediately
c> page 238 .
II Add oil, max. x qt (l). You may continue
driving
When the symbol and the driver message ap ­
pear, add the amount of oil appearing in the
display at the next opportunity
c::>page 235.
@-Steering column lock
• Do not drive vehicle: Steering defective
If the indicator light turns on and the mes­
sage appears, there is an e lectronic steering
column lock malfunction. You cannot switch
the ignition on.
Do
not tow your vehicle because it cannot be
steered. Seek professiona l assistance .
1!11 Steering lock: system fault. Please con­
tact dealer
If the indicator light turns on and the mes­
sage appears, there is an electronic stee ring
column lock malfunct ion.
Drive to your authorized Audi dealer immed i­
ate ly to have the malfunction corrected .
.8, WARNING
-
Your vehicle must not be towed in the
event of a malfunction in the elec tron ic
steering column lock because it cannot be
steered due to the locked steering . If it is
towed with the steering locked, there is
the r isk of an accident.
© -Engine start system
• Engine start system fault. Please con­
tact dealer

18 Instruments and warning/indicator lights
If the indicator light turns on and the mes­
sage appears, do
not switch the ignition off
because you may not be able to switch it on
again.
Drive to your authorized Audi dealer immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
II! Engine start system fault. Please con­
tact dealer
If the indicator light turns on and the mes­
sage appears, there is a malfunction in the en­
gine start system.
Drive to your authorized Audi dealer immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
0 Air suspension
• Air suspension: system fault. Can contin­
ue slowly with max. 35 mph.
There is a malfunction that can result in re­
stricted driving stability.
Carefully drive at a maximum speed of 35
mph (60 km/h) to your authorized Audi dealer
or qualified workshop to have the malfunction
corrected.
• Air suspension: service mode. Vehicle
can only be moved with restrictions
Carefully drive to your authorized Audi dealer
or qualified workshop immediately to have
the service mode deactivated.
II Air suspension fault
There is a system malfunction that can result
in restricted driving stability or reduced
ground clearance.
Drive to your authorized Audi dealer immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
II Air suspension: vehicle too low. Ground
clearance reduced
The ground clearance is very low due to a sys­
tem malfunction . Wait until the air suspen ­
sion system has restored normal ground clear­
ance. Otherwise, conditions such as an uneven
road surface can lead to vehicle damage.
AIR/ e;, 5 f BAG -, a ety systems
The fl (USA models)/E,l(Canada models) indi­
cator light monitors the safety systems e.g.
airbags, pretensioners and illuminates for a
few seconds each time you switch the ignition
on.
If the
fl (USA models)!E,I (Canada models)
indicator light does not go out, or if it illumi­
nates while you are driving, or if it starts to
blink, then there is a malfunction somewhere
in the system.
If the light does not illuminate
when you switch the ignition on, this also means there is a malfunction.
A WARNING >=
If you have a malfunction in the safety sys-
tems, contact your authorized Audi dealer
immediately. Otherwise the safety sys­
tems may not work properly in an acci­
dent.
f'!.l f); Electronic Stabilization Control
(ESC)
This warning/indicator light monitors the
Electronic Stabilization Control.
When you switch the ignition on, the indicator
light
D.1 turns on briefly to check the function.
If the
Ip] indicator lamp blinks while driving,
the ESC or ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) is active­
ly regulating.
If the
Ip] indicator lamp illuminates, the sys ­
tem has switched the ESC off.
If the indicator light
I turns on, the ESC was
switched to ESC sport mode with the button
[!l ¢ page 198. If this is case, you can reacti­
vate the ESC by switching the ignition off and
then on again. The warning/indicator light
should go out to show that the system is fully
functional again.
Stabilization control (ESC/ABS): Fault! See
owner's manual
111-

Instrument s and warnin g/indic ator ligh ts 19
If the indicator light DJ and the ABS indicator
light
r.t.1:1:1 (USA models) 1 11] (Canada mod­
e ls) turn on and the message appears, there is
a ma lfunction in the ABS system or e lectronic
d ifferential lock. This also interrupts the ESC.
The brakes still function with their normal power, but ABS is not active.
Drive to your authorized Aud i dea ler immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
If the battery terminals were disconnected
and re -connected, the vehicle was jump start­
ed or the battery is very weak, the ESC sensor
system goes through a learning process for
the first few yards. The warning/ind icator
light illuminates. The warn ing/ indicator l ight
goes out as soon as the learning process is
comp lete.
For more informat ion about the ESC
c::>page 198.
ABS/(@) Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
This warning/indicator light monitors the ABS
and the electronic differential lock (EDL).
The warning/indicator light
E (USA mod­
els)
Ill] (Canada mode ls) will come on for a
few seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The light will go out after an automat ic check
sequence is completed .
There i s a malfunction in the ABS when:
-The warning/ ind icator light does not illumi­
nate when you switc h the ignition on.
- The warning/indicator light does not go out after a few seconds.
- The warning/indicator light illuminates
whi le driving.
The ESC indicator light also illuminates if
there is a malfunction in the ABS. The mes­
sage
Stabilizatio n control (ESC /ABS ) Fault !
See owne r's manual
also appears in the in­
strument cluster display and a warning tone
sounds .
The brake s ystem will still respond even
without the assistance of the ABS s ystem .
See your authori zed Audi dealer as soon as po
ssible to re store full br aki ng performance.
For more information regarding the ABS
c::> page 198 .
Malfunction in the brake system
If the brake war ning l igh t c::> page 14 and the
ABS warning illum inate together th ere may be
a mal function in the ABS, and there may a lso
be a malfunction i n the brake system itself
c::> .& . The ABS will not wo rk and you will no ­
tice a change in b raking response and per ­
formance .
In the event of a malfunction in the brake
s y stem
the warning/indicator light 1111
(USA mode ls)/ . (Canada models) in the in­
strument cluster flashes
c::> page 14.
Malfunction in th e electronic diff erential
lock (EDL)
The EDL works together w ith the ABS. The
ABS warning light will come on if there is a malfunction in the EDL system¢ page 198 .
See your author ized Audi dealer as soon as
poss ible .
.&_ WARNING
- If the r.t.1:1:1 (USA mode ls)/ [IJ (Canada
models) w arning light does not go ou t,
or if it comes on whi le dr iving, t he ABS
system is not wor king properly. The vehi­
cle can then be stopped only wit h the
standard brakes (without ABS). You w ill
not have the protect ion ABS prov ides.
Contact your Audi dea ler as soon as pos­
sible.
- USA models: If the
1111 warning light,
the:
JjJ warning light and the E warn­
ing light come on together, the rear
wheels could lock up f irst under hard
brak ing. Rear wheel lock-up can ca use
loss of vehicle control and an accident.
Have your vehi cle repaired immediately
by your authorized A udi dealer or a quali ­
fied workshop . Drive slow ly and avoid
sudden, hard brake applications.
- Canada models:
If the brake warning
light ., the
D] warning light and the
ABS warning light
[I] come on together, ~

20 Instruments and warning /indicator lights
the rear wheels could lock up first under
hard braking. Rear wheel lock-up can
cause loss of vehicle control and an acci­
dent . Have your vehicle repaired immedi­
ately by your authorized Audi dealer or a
qualified workshop . Dr ive slowly and
avo id sudden, hard brake applicat ions.
(0) Wo rn b rake pad s
liJ Brake pads!
If the warn ing l ight illuminates, immediately
contact your authorized Audi dealer or quali­
fied workshop to have all brake pads inspect­ ed. On USA models the warni ng light
liJ
comes on together with the warning light
1111 -Both sets of brake pads on an axle
must always be replaced at the same time .
A WARNING
Driving with bad brakes can cause a colli­
sion and serious personal injury .
- If the warning light
liJ and the warning
light
11111 ) with the message Brake
pads!
comes on in the instrument cluster
display, immediately contact your au­
thorized Aud i dealer or qualified work­
shop to have all brake pads checked or
replaced if necessary.
EPC Electronic powe r cont rol
This warning/indicator light monitors the
electronic power control .
The~ warn ing/ indicator light (Electronic
Power Control) illuminates when you switch
the ignition on as a function check .
(D Tips
If this warning/indicator light illuminates
while you are dr iving, then there is a mal­
function in the engine electron ics. Have
the malfunction corrected as soon as pos­
sible by your authorized Aud i dealer or
qualified repair facility.
l) - : USA mod els only
-
o Malfunction Ind icator Lamp (MIL )
The Ma lfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is pa rt
of the On-Board Dia gnostic (OBD II) system.
The symbo l
¢-ff lights up when the ignition is
switched on and will turn off after the engine
has started and has settled at a constant idle
speed. This indicates that the MIL is work ing
proper ly.
The warning light illuminates when there is a
malfunction in the engine electronic system.
Contact your authori zed Audi dea ler and have
the malfunction corrected.
An improperly closed fuel filler cap may also
cause the MIL light to illuminate
c:> page 230.
For more information c:> page 28.
!?) Engine speed lim itation
Applies to vehicles: wit h engine speed li mitatio n
lfl Engine speed maximum XXXX RPM
The eng ine speed is automatically limited to
the speed displayed in the driver information
system . This protects the engine from over ­
heating.
T he eng ine speed limitation deactivates once
the engine is no longer in the critical tempera­
ture range and you have re leased the accele ra­
tor pedal once.
If the engine speed limitation was activated
by an engine control malfunction, the indica ­
tor light~ also turns on . Make sure that the
speed does not go above the speed displayed .
Drive to your authorized Audi dealer immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected .
· ~ Engine oil level
Ill Add oil, max. x qt (l). You may cont inue
driving
When the symbol Ill and driver message ap­
pear, add the amount of oil appearing in the
display at the next opportunity
c:> page 238.

Instruments and warning/indicator lights 21
't'::1".., Engine oil sensor
II Oil level! Sensor defective
If the symbol illuminates, contact your au ­
thor ized Audi dealer and have the oil sensor
in spected. Until you have th is done, check the
oil level each time you refuel just to be on the
safe side¢
page 23 7.
Bil Fuel level indicator
ID] Please refuel
If the indicator light turns on for the first
time and the message appears, there are
about 4 gallons (15 liters) of fuel left in the
tank. Time to refue l
¢page 229.
1B] 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 authori zed Aud i dea ler immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
<;;> Windshield washer flu id level
- Please refill washer fluid
If the symbol illuminates, add windshield
washer fluid to the washer system/headlight
washer system* ¢
page 247.
'1:> Windshield wipers
E•$ vVindshield wiper defective
There is a malfunct ion with the w indshield
wipers .
Drive to your authorized Audi dea ler immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
~ l}D 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.
El-if a fog lamp* has failed, the indicator
light turns on to indicate the location on the
vehicle.
au-if a rear fog lamp has failed, the indicator
light turns on to indicate the location on the
vehicle.
Vehicle lights : malfun ction
If the message appears, there is a malfunc­
tion in the headlights or light sw itch .
Drive to your au thorized Audi dealer immedi­
ate ly to have the malfunction corrected .
A WARNING
-Light bulbs are pressurized and could ex­
plode wh ile they are being changed caus­
ing serious personal injury.
- Work with due care when hand ling the
h igh-vo ltage sect ion of gas discharge
(xenon) lights . Failure to do so could re­
sult in death or serious injury.
(D Tips
Have the bu lb replaced or the connect ion
repaired by your authorized Audi Service
department .
~0 Headlight range control
II Headlight range control: defective!
If the symbol illum inates, the headlight range
control is no longer working properly. Have
the system checked and repaired at your A udi
dealer.
§0 Adapt ive Light
Applies to vehicles: with Adaptive Light
mfJ 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 sti ll
functio n.
Go to an authorized dealership to have the
headlights or the control unit for the Adaptive
Light repaired.

22 Instruments and warning/indicator lights
@.D Light/rain sensor
II Automatic headlights/automatic wipers:
system fault
If the indicator light turns on and this mes­
sage appears, the light/rain sensor is not
functioning correctly.
For safety reasons the low beams are turned
on permanently with the switch in AUTO .
However, you can continue to turn the lights
on and off using the light switch. You can still
control all functions that are independent of
the rain sensor through the windshield wiper
lever.
Contact your authorized Audi dealer as soon
as possible to have the problem corrected.
@! Dynamic steering
'T-ij Steering: system fault. you can continue
driving
If the indicator light turns on and the mes­
sage appears, the steering may be more diffi­
cult to move or more sensitive than usual. The
steering wheel may also be at an angle when
driving straight.
Drive slowly to your authorized Audi dealer or
qualified workshop to have the malfunction
corrected.
(;y.ij Dynamic steering: initializing
If this driver message appears and the indica ­
tor light is flashing on the instrument panel,
dynamic steering is being reinitialized . Once
you start the engine after this is finished, the
steering wheel will be easy to move . Re-initi­
alization might be necessary if the steering
wheel was moved hard to the left and right
while the vehicle was not moving. The display
goes out as soon as initialization is complete.
A WARNING
-
Have the dynamic steering system mal­
function repaired as soon as possible by an
authorized Audi dealer or any qualified
workshop -risk of accident!
(D Tips
- The dynamic steering stability systems
are not available in the event of a system
malfunction.
- For additional information on dynamic
steering, refer to¢
page 109.
~= Sport differential
I'll Sport differential: system fault
There is a malfunction with the sport differen­
tial.
Drive to your authorized Audi dealer immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
I'll Sport differential: overheating
The transmission temperature has increased
significantly due to the sporty driving manner. Drive in a less sporty manner until the tem­
perature returns to the normal range and the
indicator light switches of.
.&_ WARNING
Contact your authorized Audi dealer or a
qualified workshop if the sport differential
is faulty or malfunctioning. The repair
must be performed by trained personnel
using the correct oil in order to ensure
safety.
¢i ¢ Turn signals
-
The indicator light blinks when you use either
turn signal.
Whenever you use the left Hor the right II
turn signal, the indicator light blinks. When
you use the emergency flashers, both indica­
tor lights flash .
If one of the turn signal light bulbs burn out,
the turn signal will blink twice as fast as nor­ mal. Carefully drive to your authori zed Audi
dealer immediately to have the malfunction
corrected. The indicator light does not indi­
cate a malfunction if a turn signal on the trail ­
er or on the vehicle fails in trailer towing
mode. ..,

Instrument s and warning /indicator lights 23
@ Tips
For more information on the turn signals,
refer to
c::> page 47.
Driver information
display
Overview
Fig. 4 Driver information system in t he instr ument
cluste r
Fig. 5 Display: exa mple of th e in forma tion line
The driver information system contains infor­
mation
® that is displayed on tabs ®
c::;, fig. 4. The following content is possible de­
pending on vehicle equipment:
®
Tab
1
®
Content
Vehicle functions :
On-board computer c::;, page 24
Digital speedometer
Cruise control*
c::;, page 90
Adaptive cru ise control and braking
guard*
c::> page 93
Audi lane assist* c::;,page 102
Display darkened
-
® ®
Tab Content
2 Indicator lights and messages
Warn ing when a door, the hood or
the rear lid is not closed
c::;, page 2 8
Service interval display c::;, page 2 7
Speed warning system
c::;, page 90
3 Night vision assistant* c::;, page 112
~
I
4 Audio/video
5 Telephone*
6 Navigation*
The second and third tabs are only visible if at
least one indicator light or message is shown
or if that system is switched on .
The status line © is located in the bottom
part of the disp lay
c::;, fig. 4. It displays the ex­
terior temperature, time, selector lever posi­
tion, trip odometer and odometer .
For some vehicle functions, you can access the
trip information from the temporary memory
c::;, page 24 in the line (!)¢ fig. 5.
&_ WARNING
--
- Never rely exclusively on the outside
temperature display to determine if a
road surface is icy or not. Keep in mind
that road surfaces, especially bridges
and overpasses, could be ice cove red and
slippery even at an outside temperatu re
above 41
Of (+5 °().
-Always remember, even if the "snow­
f la ke" symbo l (ice warning) does not ap­
pear in the disp lay, black ice could be on
the road.
-Always reduce your speed and drive with
special care in cold weather cond itions
when the chance of encountering icy road surfaces increases.
(j) Tips
- At temperatures below 14 °F (+ 5 °() a
snowf lake symbol appears ahead of the
temperature display.
It is intended to re-
mind the driver to pay special attention
~

24 Instruments and warning /indicator lights
to ice on the road ¢ & . If the vehi cle is
stationary, o r if you are dr iving at a very
l ow speed, the tempe rat ure shown in the
display might be slightly higher t han the
actua l o utside temperature. This is
ca used by the heat being rad iated from
t h e eng ine.
- You can se lect the un its used for temper ­
atu re, speed a nd other measurements in
the MMI.
- Fo r informat ion on the a udio/video and
nav iga tion* functions, refer to the sepa­
r ate MMI owner's manual.
Operation
The driver information system is operated us­
ing the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
ffi
------,±.
~
Fig. 6 Multifunct ion steer ing wheel: operating "the driv­
e r info rmatio n system
Fi g. 7 Driver infor mat ion syste m: opening t he ve hicle
functio ns me nu
Operating concept
.. Swi tch the ignition on.
.. To sw itch between the tabs, press the ro ck­
er switch @to the left or righ t
c:::> fig. 6.
.. To access addi tio nal in fo rmat ion be low or
above, rotate t he thumbw heel @ dow n or
up. ..
To confirm a select ion, press t he thumb­
wheel @.
Accessing Vehicle functions
.. Sele ct the first tab wit h the ro cker swi tch
@ .
.. Press t he bu tton l==L Th e Vehicle functions
menu a ppears c:::> fig . 7.
.. To se lect a menu item, tu rn and press t he
thumbwhee l
®·
Resetting values to zero
.. Sele ct the on-board computer / Efficiency
program
menu item in the Vehicle func­
tions
men u.
.. Yo u can now select between the long-term
memory and short-term memory.
.. To reset the values in a memory, press and
hold th e thumbw heel @ for one second.
The last function selected d isp lays when you
switch the ignition on .
On-board computer
You can ca ll up the fo llowi ng i nformation in
the on -boar d computer:
- Dat e
- Dr iv ing t ime (h) fro m the short-term memo-
ry
- Average consumption in MPG ( l/100 km)
from the short-te rm memory
- Average speed i n mph (km/h) from the
short-te rm memory
- Distance driven in miles (km) from the
short-term memory
- Current fuel consumption in MPG ( l/100
km)
- Short-term memory overview
- Long-te rm memory ove rview
T he short-te rm memory collec ts dr iv ing in for­
mation from the time the ig nition is switched
o n unti l it is switched off. If you continue driv­
ing within two ho urs after switch ing the ign i­
tion off, the new values are incl uded when cal­
cu lating the cu rrent trip information .
Unli ke the short-term memory , the long-term
memo ry is not erased automatically. Yo u can ..,.