2015 AUDI R8 SPYDER ECU

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This is called the wind deflector position
¢ fig . 38 .
The rear w indow can be extended comp lete ly for
cleaning. This is ca lled the cleaning posit io n.
Extend ing the rear window into the w ind
deflector position
~ Pull and hold the rear window switch ¢ fig. 39.
~ Re lease the switch once the rear window has
reached the wind deflector position.
Extending the rear window into the cleaning
posit ion
~ P ull and hold t he rear window switch ~ fig. 39.
~ Release the switch once the rear window has
reached the wind deflector position.
~ Pull and hold the rear window switch again .
~ Pull and hold the convertible top switch within
one second
¢page 38, fig. 35.
Retracting th e rear w indow
~ Press and ho ld the rear window switch until the
window has been retracted .
Retracting the rear w indow using the one­
touch fun ction
~ Press the rear window switch briefly . There is
no need to hold the switch.
The rear w indow can on ly be operated when the
ignition is switched on.
The rear w indow can also be extended or retract­
ed when the convertible top is closed .
A WARNING
-Do not use the rear window to secure cargo
or othe r ob jects. This co uld res ult in inj ury .
- Always pay attention and be ca reful when
extend ing o r ret racting the rea r window.
It
cou ld cause injury by pinching.
(D Tips
- Keepi ng a ll of the w indows raised provides
the best wi nd p rotection .
- The v ehicle must be stat ionary to bring the
r ear w indow into the cleaning position. The
rear w indow w ill retract on ce you beg in driv ­
i ng.
Con vertible top
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 39. I f this is the case, the conve rtible top
will operate again after a short delay. Otherwise
the following s teps mus t be comp leted befo re
closing the convertible top :
~ Activate the parking brake.
~ Open the side windows , if necessa ry.
~ Remove the key from the igni tion .
~ Pull or p ress the convertib le top switch
¢
page 38, fig . 35 for approximate ly 10 sec ­
onds.
Emergency locking is not intended for long -term
u se or long dr ives. The convertib le top wi ll not be
complete ly waterproof afte r using the emergency
l ocking procedure because the seals wi ll not be
seated correctly. Only close the convertible top
manua lly in an emergency . P lease see an autho r­
ized Audi R8 dealer to have the cause of the mal ­
funct ion corrected.
A WARNING
- The ignition must be sw itched off d uring the
entire clos ing pro cedure.
- When pos itioning the convertib le top, avoid
contact w ith the s upports o r other moving
pa rts. Otherwise you cou ld pinch your
hands .
- I f conve rtible top operation fails whe n
open ing or closing the top, do not hold o r
touch the supports or other moving pa rts
when releasing the pressure. The converti­
b le top will sink down and co uld p inch your
hands.
- Never d rive when the convert ible top is not
locked correctly. The wind from dr iving
could cause the convertible top to open.
This can result in injuries and damage to the
veh icle. .,,.
41

Convertible top
Step S: Secure the convertible top
Fig. 48 Convertible top storage bay : install ing the driver
Fig. 49 Securing the co nvertible top
The convertible top must be under tension to se­
cure 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
9fig. 48.
• Position the wheel wrench © with the long end
on the driver
(D .
• Press the convertible top as far forward as pos­
sible toward the windshield frame @with one
hand
9 fig . 49 . 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 @.
44
@ Tips
-When pressing the convertible top forward,
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 forward, make sure the locking pins are seated exact­
ly in the latch on the windshield frame and
not on the frame itself . This is the only way
that the convertible top can be latched cor­
rectly.
Step 6 : Lock the convertible top
Fig. 50 Inner side of the convertible top: remov ing the cap
Fig. 51 Inner side of the convertible top: pos it ioning the
All en w rench
• Remove the cap in the center of the convertible
top using the screwdriver from the vehicle tool
kit
9 fig. 50. The emergency locking mecha­
nism is located behind it.
• Insert the Allen wrench
(D and turn the bolt to
the left @until it is tight and the convertible
top is locked securely
9 fig . 51.
• Remove the Allen wrench from the opening and
cover the opening with the cap.
• Remove the wheel wrench from the convertible
top storage bay.
• Close the convertible top storage bay lid. .,..

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,&_ WARNING
-
Make sure the convertible top is locked cor­
rectly. Otherwise the wind from driving could
cause the convertible top to open. This can re­
sult in injuries and damage to the vehicle.
Step 7: Secure the fins on the body
Fig. 52 Convertib le top: pressing the fi ns downward
Fig. 53 Interior: tightening the bolt
The following steps must be performed on both
sides of the vehicle.
"'Press the fin downward firmly
9 fig. 52.
"'Hold the fin in this position and tighten the
bolt above the seat belt -arrow-using the Allen
wrench from the vehicle tool kit at the same
time
¢fig. 53.
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. Otherwise
the convertible top will not lock securely and
it could open while driving. This can result in
injuries and damage to the vehicle .
Convertible top
Step 8: Extend the rear window
Fig. 54 Upper storage compartment between the seat
backrests: extending the rear window
"' Press the Allen wrench from the vehicle tool kit
firmly into the opening until it clicks into place
9fig. 54.
"'Turn the bolt counterclockwise until the rear
window is extended. Press the rear window
back lightly while doing this.
(D Note
To prevent damage to the vehicle, make sure
the rear window is in the guide in the conver­
tible top when extending the window and the
fins are secured on the body.
45

Seats and storag e
-Be careful when adjusting the seat height.
Check to see that no one is in the way, or
serious injury could result!
- Because the seats can be electrically adjust­
ed with the ignition key removed, never
leave children unattended in the vehicle. Un­
supervised use of the electric seat adjust­
ments may cause serious inj ury.
- To reduce the r isk of injury i n the case of
sudden braking or accident, front passen­ gers must never ride in a mov ing vehicle
with the seatback reclined. Safety belts and
t h e a irbag sys tem offer maximum protec­
t ion only when the seatback is upr ight and
the safety be lts are properly positioned on
the body . The more the seatback is reclined,
the greater the risk of personal in ju ry from
an incorrect seating position and improperly
positioned safety be lts!
- Always make sure the front seatbacks are in
th e upright posit io n and securely locked in
place when driving.
Head restraints
Adjusting head restraints
The head restraints must be adjusted properly to
provide protection.
F ig. 69 Drive r"s seat head restraint : adjusting the height
The head restraints on the front seats can be ad­
justed to provide safe support to head and neck
at the optimum height . When optimally adjust­
ed, the top of the restra int should be leve l w ith
the top of the head
¢ page 89 .
• Grasp the sides of the head restraint with both
hands and slide it upward/downward until you
feel it click into place
¢ fig . 69.
58
A WARNING
-Dr iving without head restraints or with head
restraints that are not properly adjusted in­
creases the risk of ser ious or fatal neck in­
jury dramat ically.
- Read and heed all WARNINGS
<=> page 89,
Proper adjustment of head restraints.
@ Tips
Correct ly adjusted head restraints and safety
belts are an extremely effective combination
of safety features.
Cup holder
Fi g. 70 Cup ho lder
A WARNING
Spilled hot liquid can cause an accident and
personal injury.
- Never carry any beverage co nta iners with
hot liqu ids, such as hot coffee or hot tea, in
the vehicle while it is moving. In case of an
accident, s udden braking or other veh icle
movement, hot liquid cou ld spill, caus ing
scalding burns. Spilled hot liquid can also
cause an acciden t and personal injury.
- Use on ly soft cu ps in the cupholder. Hard
cups and glasses can cause injury in an acci ­
dent .
- Never use the cup holder or ad apter as an
ashtray -risk o f fire.
(D Note
Only d rink contai ne rs with lids should be car­
r ied in the cupho lde r. Liqu id could sp ill out
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(D Note
If S tronic has switched to emergency opera­
tion mode, you should have the malfunction corrected as soon as possible.
Parking lock emergency release
App lies to vehicles: with S tro nic
The parking lock must be released using the
emergency release before towing the vehicle.
F ig. 87 Engine compart men t: emergency release
Fig. 88 Engine compa rtment: parking lock emergency re·
lease
The emergency release is located in the engine
compartment.
Releasing the parking lock using the
emergency release
.,. Turn the engine off .
.,. Set the parking brake to prevent the vehicle
from rolling unintentionally .
.,. Remove the removable plastic key from the lug­
gage compartment and extend the key to its
full length .
.,. Remove the cover over the emergency release
mechan ism .
Tran smission
.,. Insert the plastic key into the emergency re­
lease mechanism and turn it all the way to the
r ight ~
fig. 88.
Resetting the parking lock
.,. Turn the key all the way to the left.
.,. Install the cover.
The
[il indicator light appears in the instrument
cluster if the parking lock was released from
P
using the emergency release. The message Risk
of rolling! P not possible. Please set the parking
brake
also appears.
,&_ WARNING
- Only activate the emergency release whi le
on a level surface or a slight s lope.
- If you release the parking lock using the
emergency release, secure your vehicle with
the parking brake. The vehicle can roll away if it is not secured and cause a crash.
(D Tips
The transmission cannot detect if the parking
l ock was released with the emergency re lease.
An error message appears in the instrument
cluster as soon as the transmiss ion requires
the
P position but th is position is not engag­
ed.
79

Driving Sa fel y
Driving Safely
General notes
Safe driving habits
Please remember -safety first!
This chapter contains important information,
tips, instructions and warnings that you need to
read and observe for your own safety, the safety
of your passengers and others. We have summar­
ized here what you need to know about safety
be lts, airbags, chi ld restraints as well as child
safety. Your safety is for us
priority number 1 . Al­
ways observe the informat ion and warn ings in
t his section - for your own safety as well as for
that of your passengers.
The information i n this section applies to all
model ve rsions of your vehicle . Some of the fea­
t ures des cribed in this sect ion may be standard
equipment on some models, or may be optional
eq uipment on others . If you are not sure, ask
your author ized Audi dealer.
A WARNING
-Make certain that you fo llow the instruc­
t ions and heed the WARNINGS in this Man­
ual. It is in your interest and in the interest
of your passengers .
- Always keep the complete owner's literature
in your Audi when you lend or se ll you r vehi­
cle so that this important information will
always be ava ilable to the driver and passen­
gers.
- Always keep the owner's literature handy so
that you can find it easily if you have ques ­
ti ons.
Safety equipment
The safety features are part of the occupant re­
straint system and work together to help reduce
the risk of injury in a wide variety of occident si t­
uations.
Your safety and the safety of yo ur passengers
should not be left to chance. Advances in tec h­
nology have made a var iety of f eatures av ailable
to help re duce the r isk of inj ury in an accident.
86
The following is a listing o f just a few o f the safe ­
ty features in yo ur Audi:
- sophis tica ted s afety be lts for drive r and a ll pas-
senger sea ting pos itions,
- safety belt p rete nsio ners,
- front airbags,
- knee airbags,
- side airbags in the seats
- adjustab le head restraints,
- adjustab le steering column .
These ind iv idual safety featu res can wor k togeth­
er as a sys tem to he lp pro tect you a nd your pas­
sengers in a wide range of accidents . These fea­
tures cannot work as a system if th ey are not al­
ways proper ly adjusted and prope rly used!
Safety i s everyb ody' s re sponsibilit y!
Important things to do before driving
Safety is everybody's job! Vehicle and occupant
safety always depends on the informed and care­
ful driver.
Fo r you r safety and the safety of your passen­
gers,
before driving always:
.,. Make sure that all lights and signals are operat­
ing correctly .
.,. Make sure that the tire pressu re is co rrect.
.,. Ma ke s ure that all w indows are clean and affo rd
good visibility to the outs ide.
.,. Secure a ll luggage and o ther items caref ully
r=;,page 59 .
.,. Make s ure that nothing can interfere with the
pedals.
.,. Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors
correctly for your height.
.,. Instruct passengers to adjust the head re­
straints according to the ir height .
.,. Make su re to use the r ight child restraint cor­
rec tly to p rotect ch ild ren
r=;, page 122, Child
Safety.
.,. Sit p roperly in your seat and ma ke su re that
your passengers do the same
c::> page 56, Gen­
eral recommendations.
.,. Fasten your safety belt and wear it properly. A l­
so instruct your passengers to fasten their safe­
ty belts proper ly
c::> page 95 .

Driving Sa fel y
-never rest you r feet on the seat cushion or back
of the seat
- never ride in the footwell
- never ride in the cargo area
_& WARNING
Imprope r seating positions increase the risk
o f serious personal injury and death whenever
a vehicle is being used .
- Sitting incor rectly places occ upants at risk
of being critically in jured if the airbags de­
ploy and str ike them.
- Be fore you start dr iv ing, seat yourself prop­
erly and always maintain this seating posi­
t ion during the trip . Before each trip, in­
struct your passengers to seat themselves
properly and to maintain this seating posi­
t ion during the trip
c> page 56 , General rec­
ommendations .
Driver and passenger
side footwell
Important safety instructions
_& WARNING
Always make su re that the knee a irbag can in­
flate wi thout interferen ce. Ob je cts betwee n
yourself and the airbag can increase the risk
of injury in an accident by interfering with the
way the airbag deploys or by being pushed in­
to you as the airbag deploys.
- No persons (chi ld ren) or animals should ride
in the footwe ll in front of the passenger
seat. If the airbag dep loys, this can res ult in
serious or fatal in ju ries.
- No objects of any kind shou ld be carried in
the footwell area in front of the driver's or passenger's seat. Bulky objects (shopp ing
bags, for example) can hamper or p revent
proper deployment of the airbag . Small ob­
jects can be th rown t hrough the ve hicle if
the ai rbag deploys and injure you o r you r
passengers.
90
Pedal area
' Pedals
T he pedals must always be free to move and
must never be interfered with by a floor mat or
any other object.
Make sure that all peda ls move free ly without in­
terference and that nothing prevents them from
r et urning to the ir origi nal positions .
Only use floor mats that leave the pedal area free
and can be secured with floor mat fas teners.
If a brake circ uit fai ls, increased brake pedal trav ­
el is required to bring the vehicle to a full stop .
_& WARNING
Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss
of vehicle control and increase the risk of ser i­
ous injury .
- Never p lace any objects in the driver's foot­
wel l. An object could get into the pedal area
and i nterfere with pedal function. In case of
sudden b raking o r an accident, you would
not be able to b rake or ac celerate!
- Always ma ke sure that no thing can fall or
move into the d river's footwel l.
Floor mats on the driver side
Always use floor mats that can be securely at­
tached to the floor mat fasteners and do not in ­
terfere with the free movement of the pedals.
.. Make sure that the floor mats are properly se­
cured and cannot move and interfere with the
pedals
c> ,&. .
Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area un­
obstructed a nd that are firmly secured so that
they cannot s lip out of position . You can obta in
su itab le floor mats from your authorized Audi
Dealer .
Floor mat fasteners are insta lled in your Audi.
Floor mats used in yo ur vehicle must be attached
to these fasteners. Properly sec uring the floor ..,_

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mats wi ll prevent them from sliding into posi ­
tions that cou ld interfere wit h the peda ls or im­
pa ir safe operation of your veh icle in other ways .
A WARNING
Pedals that cannot move freely can result in a
loss of vehicle control and increase the r isk of
ser ious personal injury.
- Always make sure that floor mats are prop­
erly secured .
- Never place or insta ll floor mats or other
floor coverings in the veh icle that cannot be
properly secured in place to prevent them
from slipping and interfering w ith the ped­
als or the ability to control the veh icle.
- Never place or install floor mats or other
floor coverings on top of already installed
floo r mats. Add itiona l floo r mats and other
cove rings w ill reduce the si ze of the pedal
area and interfere w ith the ped als.
- Always properly reinstall and se cu re f loor
m ats that have been taken ou t for clean ing .
- Always make sure that objects cannot fall
into the dr iver footwell while the vehicle is
moving. Objects can become tr apped under
the brake pedal and accelerator peda l caus ­
ing a loss of vehicle contro l.
Stowing luggage
Loading the luggage compartment
All luggage and other objects must be properly
stowed and secured in the luggage compart­
ment .
Loose items in the luggage compartment can
shift suddenly, changing vehicle handling charac­
ter istics. Loose items can also increase the risk of
serious personal injury in a sudden veh icle ma ­
neuver or in a coll is ion.
In a collis ion, the laws of p hys ics mean that even
smal ler items that are loose in the vehicle will
become heavy miss iles that can cause ser ious in ­
jury . Items in the vehicle possess energy which
va ry w ith vehicle speed and the we ight of the
item. Vehicle speed is the mos t significant fa ctor.
Dr iving Sa fel y
For example, in a frontal collision at a speed o f
30 mp h (48 km/h) , the forces acting o n a 10-lb
(4 .5 kg) object are about 20 t imes the norma l
weight of the item. This means that the weight of the item would sudden ly be about
200 lbs . (90 kg) . You can imagine the injuries
that a 200 lbs. (90 kg) item flyi ng freely throug h
the passeng er compartment co uld cause in a col­
li sion like this.
A WARNING
Imp roperly store d luggage or other items c an
fly through the vehicle causing serio us pe r­
sonal injury in the event of hard braking or an
accident . To help reduce the risk of ser ious
personal injury:
- Always put o bjects, fo r example, luggage o r
other heavy items in the luggage compart­
ment.
A WARNING
Heavy loads w ill influence the way yo ur vehi­
cle hand les . To help reduce the r isk of a loss
of contro l leading to serious pe rsonal injury:
- Always keep in mind when transporting
heavy objects , that a change in the center of
grav ity can also cause changes in vehicle
handling .
- Never exceed the Gross Axle We ight Rating
or the G ross Vehicle We ight Rating specified
on the safety compliance stic ker on the left
door jamb. Exceeding pe rm issib le weight
s ta nd ards c an cause the veh icle to slide and
h a ndle differently.
- Please observe informa tion on safe dr iving
~page 86.
A WARNING
Always make sure that the doo rs, all windows
and the front lid a re secure ly close d and
l ocke d to reduce the r isk of injury when the
vehicle is not be ing used .
- Afte r closing the front lid, always make sure
that it is proper ly closed and locked .
- Never leave your vehicle una ttended espe­
cially with the f ront lid left open . A child
-
91