2014 AUDI R8 SPYDER coolant level

Instrument s and warning /indicator lights 9
Tachometer (engine rev counter)
The tachometer indicates the engine RPM
(revolutions per minutes).
If engine RPM drops below 1,500, you should
downshift to the next lower gear. The red area
at the end of the scale ind icates maximum
perm iss ible engine RPM after the break-in pe­
riod . Before reaching th is area, move these­
lector lever to posit ion "A (Automat ic opera­
tion) " or ease your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
(D Note
The tachomete r needle should only briefly
be in the red zone : you could damage your
engine! The beginning of the red zone var­
ies depending on the engine.
@ For the sake of the environment
Upshifting early saves fuel and reduces en­
gine noise.
Digital clock with date display
Your vehicle is equipped with a quartz con­
trolled digital clock.
Fig. 4 Instr um ent cluster w ith t he digital clock
To set the hour
• Pull the knob (hour display flashes) and turn
it to the left or right.
To set the minutes
• Pull the knob as many times as necessary
until the minute display flashes.
• Turn the knob to the left or right.
To set the date
• Pull the knob as many times as necessary
until the day, month or year disp lay flashes.
• Tur n the knob to the left or right.
To hide or display the date
• Pull the knob as many times as necessary
until the date disp lay flashes.
• Turn the knob to the left or right.
When the date display stops blinking, this means the time and date have been success­
fully stored.
With the ign it ion off, pushing or pu lling the
Set/Check button
c::> page 8, fig. 3 o n the display field lighting for a few seconds.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
The eng ine coolant gauge c::> page 8, fig. 3 ®
only works when the ignition is on. To prevent
damage to your engine, please note the fol­
lowing important points.
Engine cold
As long as the needle remains at the bottom
of the gauge, the engine still has not reached its operating temperature. Avoid high engine
speeds, heavy engine loads and heavy throt­
tle.
Normal temperature
When the engine has reached its operating
temperature, the needle will move into the
midd le of the gauge and remain there. If the
engine is working hard at high outside tem­
peratures, the needle may turn further to the
right. This is no cause for concern as long as
the . warning light in the instrument cluster
does not illuminate.
When the. warning light starts to flash,
this can mean one of two things: either the
coolant
temperature is too high, or the cool-
ant
level is too low c::> page 15. IJJJ,

10 Instrum ents a nd warning /indic ato r li ghts
& WARNING
-Always observe the warning in
¢ page 172, Working in the engine
compartment
before open ing the engine
compartment lid and checking the en­
gine coo lant level.
- Never open the engine compartment lid
if you see or hear steam, or if you see en­
gine coo lant dr ipping from the eng ine
compartment. You could bur n yourse lf.
Let the engine coo l
off first until you can
no longer see or hear steam or coolant
escaping .
CD Note
- Mounting additional lights or ac cesso ries
in front of the air inlets reduces the cool­
ing effect of the radiator . At high outside
temperatures or high engine load, the
engine could overheat.
- The front spoi ler has been designed to
proper ly distribute the cooling air when
the vehicle is moving. If the spoiler is
damaged, th is could reduce the cooling
effect and the engine could then over­
heat. Ask your authorized Aud i dea le r fo r
ass istance.
Fuel gauge
The fuel ga uge works only when the ignition is
on. When the needle reaches the red area, the
warning light in the instrument cluster will i l­
luminate ¢
page 18 lil]. Tim e to r efu el!
CD Note
Never run the tank completely d ry! An ir­
regular supply of fue l can cause engine
misfiring and fuel could enter into the ex­
haust system . The catalyt ic converter
co uld then overheat and be damaged. Speedometer with odometer
The
speedometer shows you the vehicle
speed, and the odometer shows you how
many miles (kilometers) you have driven.
1S3.9
miles S2YY
F ig . S Speedometer close-up: odometer display
The distance driven is shown in m iles (USA
models) or in kilometers (Canada mode ls) .
Lower odomet er
The lower odomete r shows the tota l number
of miles (kilometers) driven.
Upper odometer (trip odometer )
The upper odometer shows the total number of miles (kilometers) driven s ince you last re­
set the odometer back to zero. You can use
t hi s odometer when you want to keep track of
how many m iles (kilometers) yo u have driven
f o r a si ngle tr ip or e rrand. The last dig it ind i­
cates 1/10 of a mile (100 meters). Yo u can set
the trip odometer back to zero by pressing the reset button ¢
fig. 5.
With the ignit ion off, pushi ng of the Set/
Check button
~ page 8 , fig . 3 0 can turn on
the display fie ld lighting for a few seconds.
Malfunction message
If there is a malfunct ion somewhere in the in­
strument cluster, dEF will appea r in the trip
odometer and w ill s tay on. Co ntact your au ­
thorized Audi dea ler to have the prob lem cor­
rected .
Immobilizer
When the ignition is sw itched on, the data on
the ignition key are scanned automatic ally. .,..

12 Instrum ent s and w arn ing /indic ato r light s
Engine oil pressure too low
¢page 14
Engine coolant level too low/
engine coolant temperature too high
¢page 15
Gearbox malfunction*
¢page 81
Yellow indic ator lights
Yellow symbols indicate a priority 2 malfunc ­
tion -Warning !
Convertib le top operation ./
¢page 15
Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC)
.f ¢ page 15
Electronic Stab ilizat ion Control (ESC)
.f ¢ page 15
n USA models: anti-lock brake sys tem
~ (ABS) ./ defective ¢ page 16
Canada models : anti-lock brake sys­
tem (ABS) ./defective ¢
page 16
Worn brake pads
¢page 17
Tire pressure too low
¢page 207
I Tire pressure monitoring system
11il~, 1 ¢
page206
~ Electronic power control./
~ ¢page17
l!'a USA models: Malfunction Indicator
Bil Lamp (MIL) ¢page 17
Can ad a mo dels: Ma lfunction Indica­
tor Lamp (MIL)
¢ page 17
l"ill Engine speed limitation*
lill ¢page17
11111 Check engine oil leve l
lill ¢ page 17
-----
Engine oil sensor malfunction
, ¢page 18
•
Battery voltage too h igh or too low
¢page 18
Low fuel level
¢page 18
• Windshield washer fl
uid level low ¢ page 18
l:J
Defective light bulb
¢page 18
•
USA mod els: Defective brake light
¢ page 18
[ll
Canada models : Defective brake
light¢
page 18
tm
Light/rain sensor defective (automat-
ic headlights)* defective ¢
page 19
B
Audi magnetic ride
¢page 19
--
Ill
Rear spoiler./
¢page 19
•
USA mod els : Speed warning 1
¢page 72
-
•
Canada mod els : Speed warn ing 1
¢ page 72
•
USA model s: Speed warning 2
¢page 72
•
Canad a models : Speed warning 2
¢page 72
rm
Gearbox malfunction*
¢page81
Other indic ator lig ht s
II
II
Turn signals
¢page 19
USA mod els : Cruise control acti-
-
CRUISE
vated ¢ page 19 ll>

Instruments and warning/indicator lights 15
Engine oil level OK
If
the . symbol st arts flash ing again even
though the engine oil leve l checks O K on the
d ipst ick,
do not start driving again and do
not let the engine run at idle .
Instead, con­
tact your author ized Audi dealer for assis ­
tance.
(D Tips
- 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
1\1 requires oil refill or workshop serv ­
ice without delay . Do not wait until the
red oil pre ssure warning symbol.
starts to flash before you respond to
the low oil level warning
11-By then,
your engine may already have suffered
serious damage.
- L Engine cooling system
A malfunction in the engine cooling system must be repaired as soon as possible .
When the. symbol in the disp lay fla shes,
then either the eng ine coo lan t
temperature is
too h igh, or the coo lant
level is too low. In ad ­
d ition to the symbol, t he fo llowi ng message
a ls o appears in the display:
Switch off engine and check coolant level
~ Pull off the road and stop th e vehicl e.
~T urnoff th e e ngine.
~ C heck coolan t leve l c:>page 182.
~ Add coolant if ne cessary c:> page 18 3.
~ Co ntinu e dr iving only after the eng ine coo l­
ant war ning/ indicato r light goes o ut.
~ Contact your a uthorized Audi dea ler for as-
s istance if necessary .
If the engine coolant level is co rrect, then the
radiato r fan may be t he cause of the malf unc­
tion . I
f the generator warn ing/ indicato r light
sho uld also illum inate
c:> page 14, then the
fan belt may be damaged .
_& WARNING
- If you r vehicle should brea k down for
mechanical or other reasons, park at a
safe distance fro m moving traff ic , tu rn
off th e eng ine and tu rn on the haza rd
warn ing ligh ts
c:> page 48, Em ergen cy
fla sher.
-
- N ever op en the eng ine c omp artmen t lid
i f you see or he ar stea m or co olan t es­
c a p ing from t he eng ine compar tment -
you risk being s ca lde d. Wa it unt il you can
no lo nger see o r hear s team or coolan t
escapin g.
- Th e engine compa rtment o f any vehi cle
is a dangerous area. Befo re you perform
a ny wo rk i n the engine com partment,
turn off the en gine and allow it to cool.
Follow t he war ning stickers
c:> page 172,
Working in th e engine compartment.
(D Note
Do not continue dr iv in g if the . symbo l
ill umina tes . There is a mal function in the
engine cooli ng system -you c ould damage
your engin e.
~ Convertible top operation
T he ind icator light tu rns o n II
- W hen the convert ib le top opens or closes or
- If the convert ible top did not open or close
comp letely .
T he ind ic a tor light blinks if the converti ble top
cannot open or close
c:> page 38.
;;,/ {); Electronic Stabilization Control
(ESC)
If the G1 i ndicator lamp blinks while dr iv ing,
t h e ESC or ASR (Anti-Slip Reg ulat ion) is ac tive ­
ly reg ulati ng .
If the
DJ indicato r lamp ill uminates, the sys­
tem has sw itched the ESC off. In th is case, you .,.

With S tronic transmission:
(!) Powe r steeri ng fluid rese rvoir
(~ ) ... .. ................ . . 149
@ Engine oi l filler cap ("1::r.) with
engine oil dipstick, ........ .. 180, 179
A WARNING
Before you ch eck a nything in the engine
compartment, always read and heed all
WARNINGS
~ A in Working in the engine
compartment on page 173.
@ Tips
The coolant expansion tank is located un­
der the convert ible top storage bay lid
~page 183.
Engine oil
Engine oil specifications (8-cyl.-engine )
The engine in your Audi needs the right kind
of oil.
-
The engine in your Audi is a soph istica ted
powerp lant tha t was b uilt to exacting specifi­
cations . This engine needs the r ight kind of
engine oi l that meets specifications regarding
qua lity and viscosity so that it can run
smoothly and reliably. Choos ing the right oi l
and changing oil within the time and mileage intervals printed in your veh icle's Warranty
&
Ma intenance book let matters a lot more to­
day than it d id yea rs ago. A udi has developed
a special quality standa rd for engine oil that
will he lp assure tha t your veh icle's eng ine will
get the lubrica tion it needs for prope r opera­
tion.
M odern eng ine lub rication has taken a quan­
t um leap in the last few yea rs. Ma ny synthetic
oils availa ble today provide be tter eng ine lu­
b rica tion that can outlast traditional pe trole ­
um-based o ils, making them a smart choice
for use throughout the life of your A udi.
Whether yo u use syn thetic or petroleum­
based engine oil, the oil that yo u use must
conform to Audi's oil qua lity standard VW S02
00 to help keep your vehicle's engine running
Checkin g and fillin g 175
smooth ly and he lp prevent the format ion of
harmful deposits, sometimes ca lled "s ludge,"
that over time can lead to expensive repairs.
At the time of prin ting, engine oils ava ilab le in
t h e U.S . and Canada that meet the exacting
specifications of Audi oi l standard VW 502 00
are synt het ic eng ine oi ls . Th is does not mean,
however, that every synthetic engine oil will
meet Audi o il standard VW 502 00. So always
be sure that you use an approved oil.
To he lp prevent the formation of harmfu l de­
pos its use on ly oil with the following specifi­
cations pr inted on the o il conta iner:
Audi oil standard VW 502 00
Oil containe r labels m ay car ry the s peci fica­
t ion sing ly or in combina tion wi th othe r desig ­
na tions and oil quality s tanda rds .
Viscosity
Engine o ils are graded accord ing to thei r vis­
cosity. The p roper viscos ity grade oil fo r yo ur
engine depends o n climactic or seasona l con­
ditions where yo u drive. You must use oil w it h
a v isco sity g rade of SA E 5W-30 all temper a­
tu re ranges fo r norma l d riving condi tions.
Because eng ine o il that meets the Audi oil
sta ndard may not be availab le everyw here
whe n you need i t, we strong ly reco mmend
t h at you a lways carry wit h you an ex tra quart
( li ter) of oil that exp ress ly con forms to the
VW 502 00, in case you have to top
off the oil
whi le on the road.
Only if the level of the o il is at or be low the
minimum ma rk on the oi l dipstick -and no oil
that expressly conforms to Audi oi l VW 502
00 is ava ilab le -may you top
off with a h igh
quality eng ine o il, preferab ly synthetic-based,
that meets ACEA A3 or API SM specifications. However, duri ng the entire time between oi l
c h ange in tervals, neve r top
off w ith more tha n
a total of 1 qt/lite r engine oil that does not
confo rm to Aud i oil spec ifi cat ion VW 50 2 00.
For more information abo ut eng ine oi l that
has been approved for your veh icle, please
contact e ither you r autho rized Aud i dea le r o r ..,.
•
•

182 Checking and filling
Checking the engine coolant level
Proceed carefully when checking the coolant.
Fig. 144 Convertible top: se rvice position
Fig. 145 Convert ible top sto rage bay: coo lant expan­
sion tank
Before you check anything in the engine com­
partment,
always read and heed all WARN­
INGS c:::> &_ in Working in the engine compart­
ment on page 173
and park your vehicle on a
level surface.
The coolant expansion tank is located in the
right side of the convertible top storage bay
under the round metal cover
c:::> fig. 145. The
convertible top must be in the service position
to check the coolant leve l
c:::> fig. 144.
Bringing the closed convertible top into
the service position
.. Switch the ignition on .
.. Pull and hold the convertible top switch .
.. Press and hold the rear window switch too
until the convertib le top moves into the
service position
c:::> fig. 144.
Bringing the open convertible to into the
service position
.. Switch the ignition on.
.. Press and hold the convertible top switch. ..
Press and hold the rear window switch too
until the convertible top moves into the
service position
c:::> fig. 144.
Opening the coolant expansion tank cover
.. Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
.. Switch the ignition off .
.. Care fully remove the bolts in the cover@
using a screwdriver and remove the cover.
The coolant reservoir is located below
¢fig. 145.
Checking the engine coolant level
.. Place a rag or cloth on the cap of the coolant
expansion tank and turn the cap
carefully to
the left (counter-clockwise)
c:::> .&, .
.. Read the coolant leve l inside the coolant ex­
pansion tank¢
fig. 145. With a cold engine,
it must be above the "min" mark. With a hot
eng ine, it can be a little above the indicated
range.
To obtain an accurate reading, the engine must be switched off.
The expansion tank in your vehicle is equipped
with an electric coo lant level sensor
c:::> page 15. We still recommend you check the
coolant level from time to time .
Coolant loss
Coolant loss may indicate a leak in the cooling
system. In the event of coolant loss, the cool­
ing system should be inspected immediately
by your authorized Audi dealer. It is not
enough merely to add coolant.
In a
sealed system, losses can occur on ly if
the boiling point of the coo lant is exceeded as
a result of overheating .
A WARNING
-- The cooling system is under pressure. Do
notopenthecapofthecoolantexpan­
sion tank when the engine is hot. You
ris k be ing sca lded.
- The coolant additive, and therefore the
coo lant itself, is haza rdous to hea lth .
Keep the coolant additive in the original

232 Index
B
Battery .......... ......... ... .... .
Charging ... .. .............. ..... .
Connecting ................. ..... .
Disconnecting ............... .... .
Important warnings ...... .... .... .
Location
. ...... .... ..... .... .. .. .
184
187
184
184
185
185
Low ..... .. ............ ... .. .. ... 150
Replacing the battery ...... ... .. .. . 185
State of charge ........... .. .. .. .. . 150
W inter operation ......... .. .. .... . 184
Working on the battery .. .. .. .. .. .. . 185
Battery voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Before driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Blended gasoline
Booster seats
Brake system 167
139
Anti-lock brake system ..... ... .... .. 16
Brake assist system ........ ... .... .
Brake fluid
.................. .....
144
183
Brake light defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
General information ...... .. .. .. .. . 146
How does the moisture or road salt affect
the brakes? ... .. ...... .... ... .. .. . 146
Malfunction ............. .... ...... 13
Warn ing/ indicator lights ....... .. .. . . 13
Worn brake pads symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Break -in period . .......... ... .. .. ... 153
Bulbs .. ... .................. ..... . 222
C
California Proposition 65 Warning . ... . 173
Battery specific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Capac it ies . ................. .. .. .. . 225
Carbon-fiber parts Exterior · · ............... .. .. .. .. . 160
Inter ior .. .. ... .... ...... ... ... .. . 162
Car care ..... ................ ..... . 156
Inter ior ...... ........... .. .. .... . 161
Cargo area
refer to Luggage compartment . . . . . . . . 98
Catalytic converter ........ ... .. .. .. . 153
Certification ................. ..... . 230
Changing a flat tire ....... .. .. .. .. .. . 214
Chassis
refer to Audi magnetic ride ... .. .. .. . . 75 Checking
Engine coolant level
................
Tire pressure ... .. ................ .
Child restraint
Danger of using child restraints in the
front seat
. .... .. ................ .
Child restraints
Where can I get additional informat ion
about child restraints and the ir use? ..
Child safety . .... .. ... .......... ... .
Convertible locking retractor . .. .. .. . .
Important safety instructions for using
child safety seats . ... .......... .. . .
Important things to know when driving
with children
................. ....
Child safety seat . .. ... ......... ... . .
Convertible locking retractor .. ... .. . .
Installing . .. .. .. .... .... ..... .. . .
Child safety seats Booster seats
................. ....
Convertible child seats .......... ...
How do I properly install a child safety
seat in my veh icle? ...... ....... .. . .
Infant seats
......... ' . ' . ' ' . ' .....
182
195
112
143
132
140
135
132
137
140
140
139
138
135
137
Safety instructions ... .......... .. .. 135
Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Cleaning Alcantara (synthetic suede) .......... 164
Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Exhaust tail pipes .................. 161
Fabrics and fabric coverings .. ... .. .. 162
Interior ....... .. ..... ..... ... .. .. 161
Leather . .. ... ... ... ......... ... .. 164
Matte finish paint ............. .... 158
Nav igat ion d isplay ............... .. 161
Radio display .... ................ . 161
Safety belts ... .. ................ . 165
Cleaning and protect ion . ...... ... .. . .
Climate controls
.....................
156
63
Dust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Pollen filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Clock
............................... 9
Closing
Engine compartment lid ......... ... 17 4
Cold tire inflation pressure ..... ... .. .. 193

coming home ...... .... ... .. .. .. .... 46
Compass m irror ........ ...... ... ... . 55
Comp liance .. ............. .... .. .. . 230
Consumer I nformation . . . . . . . . . . . 99, 227
Contact ing NHTSA ............ .. .... . 99
Controls and disp lays .... ... .. .. .. .. ... 6
Convertible c hild safety seats .. .. .. .. . 138
Convertible locking retractor
Activating .. .... .. .... ... .. .. .. .. . 142
Deactivating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Using to secure a ch ild safety seat
lAO , 142
Convertible top Emergency operation ...... .. .. .. .. .. 40
Error message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
General information ......... .... ... 37
Indicator light .............. .... ... 15
M alfunct io n ............. .... .. .... 38
Opening/clos ing .......... .... .. .. .. 37
Re tra cting/extend ing rear w indow . .. .. 39
W ind deflector . ... .... ... .. .. .. .... 39
Coolant system ............. ... ... .. 181
Adding coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Chec king the eng ine coolan t leve l .. .. . 18 2
Cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
73
Changing speed ................ ... . 74
P resetting your speed ..... .. .. .. .. .. 74
Sw itching off . ... ..... ... .. .. .. .. .. 74
Sw itch ing on ............. .... .. .... 73
War ning/ indica tor lights ... .. .. .. .. .. 19
Cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Current f uel mileage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
D
Damping
refer to Audi magnetic ride ... .. .. .. .. 75
D ata ...... ... ...... ............. .. 225
Data recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
D ate display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Daytime running lights ......... .... ... 46
Declaration of compliance Cell phone package ....... .. .. .. .. . 230
Electronic immobili zer ..... .. .. .. .. . 230
H omelink ® universal remote cont rol . . 230
Remote control key ........... ... .. 230
T ire pressure monitor ing system ..... 230
def ... .. .. .. ................. .. .... 10
Inde x 233
Defective light bu lb warning ... ... .. .. . 18
Defrost ing t he windows ............. .. 66
Determining correct load limit .... .. .. 197
Digi tal compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Dimens ions .... ... .. ............... 224
Dimming the rearview mirror .. ... .. .. . 50
D ipst ic k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178, 179
Distance ... .. .. .. ................. . 21
Doors Emergency locking . .. .. ..... ... .. .. . 33
Driver informat io n system
Menu butto n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Menu display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Open door or fron t lid warn ing ... .. .. . 20
Outside temperature disp lay . . . . . . . . . . 20
Red symbo ls ..... .. . .. .. ..... ... .. . 11
Serv ice interval display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Setting ..... .. ...... ............. . 24
Sound system display .......... .. .. . 20
Tr ip computer .. .. .. ................ 21
yellow symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Driver seat
refer to Seating position . . . . . . . . . 94, 95
Driving safely ... .. .. . .. ... .... ... .. . 93
Drivi ng through wate r ... ....... .... . 153
Dry sump lubrication .. ... .... ... .. .. 149
Dupli cate key . .. .. .... ............. . 28
D ust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
E
Efficiency program
Memory levels . .. ................. . 21
E lapsed time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
E lectrical voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
E lectronic differential lock (EDL) ... .. .. 144
Warning/ind icator lights .......... .. . 16
E lectronic immob ilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 29
E lectronic power contro l
EP C war ning/ indicato r light . ... ... .. . 17
E lectronic Stabilization Contro l (ESC) . .. 144
Warning/ind icator lights ........ .. .. . 15
Emergency flashe r ... .. ... ..... ... .. . 48
Warning/ind icator lights ..... ... .. .. . 19
Emergency locking ........ ......... .. 33
Emergency operation Convertib le top ...... ............. . 40
•
•