2018 AUDI A8 ESP

u. co .... N
" N .... 0 0 :c ' Air suspension*
When driv ing with a trailer, activate the trailer
mode of the air suspension. Switch the air sus ­
pension trailer mode on when you are towing a
trailer . This will limit the regulation by the air
suspension while driving. Select in the MMI:
ICARI function button> (Car)* systems control
button >
Vehicle settings > Air susp.: towing >
On.
Coolant temperature
The coolant temperature gauge ¢ page 9 must
be observed carefully . The coolant temperature
can increase if you dr ive on long inclines in a low
gear at h igh engine speeds . Reduce your speed
i mmed iately if the LEDs in the top part of the dis­
p lay turn on.
For more information about ind icator lights, re­
fer
to . ¢ page 20.
A WARNING
Anyone not properly restrained in a moving
veh icle is at a much greater risk in an acci­
de nt. Never let anyone ride in you r car who is
not properly wearing the restraints p rovided
by Audi.
Trailer towing
information
Important to know
-
Your ve hicle handles different ly when towing a
tra ile r because of the additiona l we ight and dif­
ferent weight distribution . Safety, performance
and economy wi ll greatly depend on how careful­
l y you load your trailer and operate your rig.
Before you actually tow your trailer, practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area away
from traffic . Keep practicing until you have be­
come comp letely familiar with the way your vehi­
cle-trailer combination behaves and responds.
Backing up is difficult and requires practice .
Backing up with a trailer generally requires steer­
ing action opposite to that when backing up your
vehicle without a trailer.
Trailer towing
Maintain a greater distance between your vehicle
and the one in front of you . You will need more
room to stop . To compensate for the trailer, you
will need a larger than normal turning radius.
When passing, remember that you cannot accel­
erate as fast as you normally wou ld because of
the added load. Make sure you have enough room
to pass. After passing, allow p lenty of room for
your trailer before changing lanes again.
Avoid jerky starts, sharp turns or rapid lane
c h anges.
(D Tips
-Do not tow a trailer during the break-in peri­
od of your ve hicle.
-If you tow a trailer, your Audi may require
more frequent maintenance due to the ex ­
tra load
¢ page 336 .
Parking on a slope
Do not park on a slope with a trailer. If it cannot
be avoided, do so only after doing the following:
When parking:
.,. App ly the foot brake.
.,. Have someone place chocks under both the ve­
hicle and the trailer wheels .
.,. With chocks in place, slowly release the brakes
until the wheel chocks absorb the load .
.,. Tur n the whee ls towards the curb .
.,. Apply the parking brake .
.,. Select the P selector lever posit ion.
When restarting after parking:
.. App ly the foot brake .
.. Start the engine .
.,. Select the D selector lever position.
.,. Release the parking brake and slowly pull out
and away from the wheel chocks.
.,. Stop and have someone retrieve the wheel
chocks .
(D Tips
If you move the selector lever of the automat­
i c transmission to P befo re applying the park-
in g brake and before blocking the wheels, you
.,_
91

lL t:0 ....
"' ......
"' .... 0 0 :c ' Assistance systems Speed warning system
The speed warning system helps you to stay un­
der a specified maximum speed.
The speed warning system warns you if you are
exceeding the maximum speed that you have set.
A warning tone will sound as soon as your speed
exceeds the stored value slightly.
The. (USA models)/ . (Canada models) indi­
cator light and a message appear in the instru­
ment cluster display at the same time. The
•
• indicator light and the message turn off if the
speed falls back below the stored maximum
speed.
Setting a threshold is recommended if you would like to be reminded when you reach a certain
maximum speed. Situations where you may want
to do so include driving in a country with a gener­
al speed limit or if there is a specified maximum
speed for winter tires.
Setting the warning threshold
The warning threshold is set in the Infotainment
system.
.. Select: I CARI function button > Car systems
contro l button > Driver assistance > Speed
warning.
(D Tips
Regardless of the speed warning system, you
should always monitor your speed using the
speedometer and make sure you are following
the legal speed limit.
Assistance systems
Cruise control system
Switching on
The cruise control system makes it possible to
drive at a constant speed starting at 20 mph (30
km/h).
0
f
®t
0
Fig. 102 Operating lever: cruise control system
g M 0 :i: ;A
.. To switch the cruise control on, pull the lever
into position
(D ¢ fig. 102.
.. Drive at the speed to be maintained.
.. To store the speed, press the button @.
The stored speed and the
(ij;ji)M~ (USA models) /
l'I (Canada models) indicator light are displayed
in the instrument cluster.
This information is also shown briefly in the
head-up display* .
The speed is maintained by modifying engine
power or through an active brake intervention.
_.&. WARNING
-
-Always pay attention to the traffic around
you when the cruise control system is in op ­
eration. You are always responsible for your
speed and the distance between your vehi­
cle and other vehicles.
-For safety reasons, cruise control should not
be used in the city, in stop-and-go traffic, on
winding roads and when road conditions are poor (such as ice, fog, gravel, heavy rain and
hydroplaning), because this increases the
risk of an accident.
-Switch the cruise control off temporarily
when driving in turning lanes, highway exits or in construction zones.
~
93

Assistance systems
-With stationary objects ¢ page 97.
A WARNING
Always pay attention to traffic when adaptive
cruise control is switched on and braking
guard is active. As the driver, you are still re­
sponsible for starting and for maintaining
speed and distance to other objects. Braking
guard is used to assist you . The driver must
always take action to avoid a collision. The
driver is always responsible for braking at the
correct time.
- For safety reasons, do not use adaptive
cruise control when driving on roads with
many curves, when the road surface is in
poor condition and/or in bad weather (such
as ice, fog, gravel, heavy rain and hydroplan­
ing). Using the system under these condi­
tions increases the risk of an accident.
- Switch adaptive cruise control off tempora­
rily when driving in turning lanes, on ex­
pressway exits or in construction zones. This
prevents the vehicle from accelerating to
the stored speed when in these situations .
- The adaptive cruise control system will not
brake by itself if you put your foot on the ac­
celerator pedal. Doing so can override the
speed and distance regulation.
- When approaching stationary objects such
as stopped traffic, adaptive cruise control
will not respond and braking guard will have limited function.
- The adaptive cruise control system and
braking guard do not react to people, ani­
mals, objects crossing the road or oncoming
objects.
- The function of the radar sensors can be af­
fected by reflective objects such as guard
rails, the entrance to a tunnel, heavy rain or
ice.
A WARNING
- Improper use of adaptive cruise control can
cause collisions, other accidents and serious
personal injury.
- Never let the comfort and convenience that
adaptive cruise control and braking guard
96
offer distract you from the need to be alert
to traffic conditions and the need to remain
in full control of your vehicle at all times,
- Always remember that the adaptive cruise
control and braking guard have limits -they
will not slow the vehicle down or maintain the set distance when you drive towards an
obstacle or something on or near the road
that is not moving, such as vehicles stopped
in a traffic jam, a stalled or disabled vehicle.
If registered by the radar sensors, vehicles
or obstacles that are not moving can trigger
a collision warning and if confirmed by the
video camera, an acute collision warning.
- Never follow a vehicle so closely that you
cannot stop your vehicle safely. The adap­
tive cruise control cannot slow or brake the
vehicle safely when you follow another vehi­ cle too closely. Always remember that the
automatic braking function cannot bring the
vehicle to a sudden or emergency stop un­
der these conditions .
- To prevent unintended operation, always
switch ACC off when it is not being used .
@ Note
The sensors can be displaced by impacts or
damage to the bumper, wheel housing and
underbody. That could affect the adaptive
cruise control system and braking guard .
Have an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility check their function.
© Tips
For an explanation on conformity with the
FCC regulations in the United States and the
Industry Canada regulations, see
¢page 339.

Ass is tance sy stem s
~-~ ---Di sta nce 1: this setting corresponds
to a distance of 92 ft (28 m) when traveling at 62
mph (100 km/h), for example (time between: 1
second) .
~-- ~--Di stan ce 2: this setting corresponds
to a distance of 118
ft (36 m) when traveling at
62 mph (100 km/h), for example (time between:
1.3 seconds) .
~--- ~-Distance 3: this setting corresponds
to a distance of
164 ft (SO m) when traveling at
62 mph (100 km/h), for example (time between:
1.8 seconds) .
~--- -~ Distance 4 : This setting corresponds
to a distance of 210
ft (64 m) when traveling at
62 mph (100 km/h), (time d istance of 2.3 sec­
onds).
A WARNING
Following other vehicles too closely increases
the risk of collisions and ser ious personal in­
jury .
- Setting short distances to the traffic ahead
reduces the time and distance available to
br ing your vehicle to a safe stop and makes
it eve n mo re necessary to pay close atten­
t ion to traffic.
- Always obey applicable traffic laws, use
good judgment, and select a safe following
distance fo r the traffic, road and weather
cond itio ns.
(D Tips
-Distance 3 is set automatically each time
you switch the ignit ion on.
-Your settings are automatically stored and
assigned to the remote control key being
used.
Selecting the driving mode
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control
.. Se lect the des ired driving mode in dr ive se lect
¢ page 111 .
100
@ Tips
Your settings are automatically stored and as­
signed to the remote contro l key being used.
Driver intervention request
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control
Fig . 112 Instrument cluster : request for driver interven·
t ion
In certain situations, the system will request you
to take action:
- If the braking from the adaptive cru ise control
system is not enough to ma inta in enough dis­
tance to the object ahead.
The danger is indicated by
the . indicator light
¢fig. 112. An audio signal will also sound.
- Press the brake peda l to slow yo ur vehicle
down .
Audi braking guard
Applies to: vehicles with Aud i adaptive cruise control
F ig . 113 In strume nt cl us ter: approach warning
The brak ing guard uses radar sensors and a video
camera .
It also functions within the limits of the
system when adaptive cru ise cont rol is switched
off.
IIJ,,

u. co .... N
" N .... 0 0 :c ' What can the braking guard do?
When detected in time, the system can assess
dangerous sit uat ions where an object a head
brakes suddenly or if your own vehicle is traveling
at a high speed and approaching an object that is
mov ing more slowly. The brak ing guard does not
react if it cannot detect the situation.
The system advises you of various dangero us sit­
uations :
- T he
distan ce warning occurs if you d rive too
closely to the object ahead for a long period o f
time . If the object ahead brakes strongly, you
would not be able to avoid a collision .
The.
indicator light appears as an indication for th is.
- The
app roach wa rning occurs when an object
ahead is traveling more s low ly or brakes
strongly. When th is warning occurs, it may on ly
be poss ible to avoid a co llision by swerving or
braking strongly . The danger is indicated by the
• ind icator light ¢ fig . 113 . An aud io signal
will a lso sound .
If you do not react early enough or at a ll to a dan­
ge rous situation, the braking guard suppo rts you
w ith a brak ing intervent ion . T he approach warn­
i ng indicators and the message
Braking guard :
e ngaged
also appea r.
- If a co llision is imminent, the system will first
provide a n
acute warning by braking sharply .
- If you do not react to the acute warning, the
brak ing guard can increase the braking force
withi n the l imits of the system . This reduces
the vehicle speed in the event of a co llision.
- T he system can init iate complete decelerat io n
sho rtly befo re a collis ion
l) . Full dece le ration at
high speeds occu rs on ly in vehicles with adap­
t ive cr uise con trol and s ide ass ist (pre sense
p lu s) .
-If the bra king g uard determines tha t you are
not brak ing st rongly eno ugh when there is an
impending co llision, i t can increase the brak ing
force.
- T he pre se nse f unctions also engage when
there is an impending collision
¢ page 217 .
ll Mark et-sp ecific
A ss istance systems
Which functions can be controlled?
Yo u can swi tch t he b raking guard and t he d is ­
tance/approach warning on or
off in the Infotain ­
ment system
¢ page 102, Settings in the Info­
tainment system .
A WARNING
--
Lack of attention can cause collisions, other
accidents and ser ious personal in juries . The
braking guard is a n assist system and cannot
pr event a collision by itself . T he dr iver m ust
a lways inte rvene . The d river is always respon­
sib le for b raking at the co rrect t ime .
- Always pay close atten tion to traffic, even
when the b raking gua rd is switched on. Be
ready to in tervene and be rea dy to take
comp lete co ntro l wheneve r ne cess ary. A l­
ways keep the sa fe and legal distance be ­
tween your vehicle a nd ve hicl es up ahead .
- B raki ng g uard works w it hi n limi ts a nd will
not respond o uts ide the system limits, fo r
examp le when approac hing a stopped veh i­
cle or stationary obstacle (end of a traff ic
jam or vehicle that has broken down in traf ­
fic).
- Always remember that the radar sensor for
the brak ing guard works only within def ined
detection and range limits that may prevent
the proper detect ion of other vehicles.
- The radar sensor's function and range can
be reduced by rain, snow and heavy spray.
Mov ing vehicles up ahead may not be
p romptly de tected or may no t be detected
at a ll.
- Reflective surfaces includi ng crash ba rriers
or tunne l entra nces may impair the function
of t he rad ar senso r.
(D Tips
- You can cancel the braking with increas ing
force tha t is initiated by t he sys tem by brak­
ing yourse lf, by acce le ra ting not iceably or
by swe rving.
101

u. co .... N
" N .... 0 0 :c ' Three white dots appear if a se tting cannot be se ­
l ected with the operating lever. For examp le, this
h appens if adaptive cruise contro l cannot start
driving automatically in stop-and-go traffic be­
cause the driver has not fastened their safety belt .
Door open
The adap tive c ruise co ntro l system cannot sw itch
on w hen a door is open.
Stationary object ah ead
This message appears if you would like to switc h
adapt ive cruise control on and there is a station­
ary object o r obstacle directly ahead of you r vehi­
cle .
Audi active lane assist
(lane departure assist)
Description
Applies to: vehicles with Audi active lane assist
Active lane ass ist detects lane marker lines with­
in the limits of the system us ing a came ra in t he
w indsh ie ld. If you are app roaching a de tected
l ane marker line and it appea rs likely t hat you
will leave the lane, the system wi ll warn you with
corrective steering. Yo u can override t his steering
at any time . If you pass over a line, the steer ing
wheel will v ibrate lightly. In order for this warn­
i n g vibration to occur, it must f irst be sw itched
on in the Infotainment system . Active lane assist
i s ready for operation whe n the lane marke r line
i s detected on at least one s ide of the vehicle .
The system is designed for driv ing on express­
ways and highways and therefore only activates
at speeds above approximate ly 40 mph (65 km/
h).
Applies to vehicles with side assist
If you activate a tur n signa l when active lane as­
sist is ready and it class ifies a la ne cha nge as cr it­
i cal because of ve hicles t raveli ng a longs ide you o r
approaching you, the re w ill be not iceab le correc­
tive stee rin g short ly before you leave t he lane.
This will attempt to keep yo ur vehicle in t he lane.
A ss istance systems
Applies to vehicles w it h out side assist
T he system wi ll not warn yo u before c ross ing a
l ane marker line if you have activated the t urn
s ignal. In this case, it assumes that you are
changing lanes intentionally.
Appl ies to: vehicles with adaptive c ruise control
The co rrective steer ing is targeted based o n the
dr iv ing s itu ation . In add it ion to the lane mar ker
li nes, the system can al so t ake into accoun t other
objects s uch as gua rd rai ls. If they a re detected in
close proximity to t he vehicle, active lane assist
helps p reve nt the vehicle from driving too close
to them. The re is a lso pass ing ass istance. The
system does not provide any corrective steering if it detects that you are pass ing anot her vehicle .
A WARNING
-
-The system warns the drive r that the vehicle
is leaving the lane using corrective steering.
T he drive r is always responsible fo r keeping
the vehicle within the lane.
- T he system can assist the dr iver in keeping
the vehicle in the l ane, but it does not dr ive
by i tsel f. Always keep your hands on the
s teer ing whee l.
- Cor rec tive stee ring may not occur in cert ain
situa tions, such as during he avy b raking .
- T here may be cases whe re t he came ra does
not recogni ze all lane mar ker lines . Cor re c­
tive steering can only take pla ce on the s ide
of the vehicle where lane marker lines are
detected.
- Other road structu res or objects could poss i­
b ly be identified un intentionally as lane
marker lines. As a result, co rrective steering
may be unexpected or may not occ ur.
- The camera view can be rest ricted, for ex­
ample by vehicles driving ahead or by ra in,
snow, heavy spray or light shining into the
camera. Th is can result in active lane ass ist
not detecting the lane marker lines o r de­
tect ing them inco rrectly .
- Unde r ce rtain condit ions such as r uts in the
road, a ban ked roadway or crosswinds, the
correct ive steer ing alone may not be enough
to keep the vehicle in the middle of the lane.
~
103

White line(s) Active lane assist is activated
and ready to provide warnings.
Red line(s) Active lane assist warns you
(left or right) before leaving a lane
¢ fig. 116. In addit ion, the
steering wheel vibrates light ly .
Gray line(s) Active lane assist is activated,
but not ready to give warning
¢ fig. 117.
Me ssages in the in strum ent clu ster di splay
If the active lane ass ist switches off automat ica l­
l y, the indicator light in the display turns off and
one of the following messages appears:
Audi active lane a ssist: Cu rrentl y un available.
N o ca mera view
This message appea rs if the came ra is u nable to
detect the lines. This co uld happen if :
- The came ra field of v iew
<;;) page 104, fig. 115 is
dirty o r cove red in ice. C lean this area on the
wi ndshield .
- The came ra field of v iew is fogged over . Wait
u ntil the fog has cleared before sw itching the
active lane assis t on agai n.
- T he system has been unab le to detec t the lanes
for an extended period of time d ue to road con­
di tions. Sw itch act ive lane assis t back on when
the lines are more visible.
Audi active lane a ssis t: Currently una vailabl e
There is a temporary active lane assist malfunc­
tion . Try sw itch ing the active la ne assist on aga in
later.
Audi acti ve lane assist : Syste m f ault!
Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or a uthorized
Audi Service Facility immediately to have the
malfunct ion corrected.
Audi acti ve lane a ssis t: Pl ease take over steering
This message appea rs if you are not stee ring by
yourse lf. If th is is the case, act ive lane assis t does
not switch off, but it is
"not ready " to provide a
~ warn ing. The system can he lp you keep the veh i-...,
~ cle in the lane . However, you a re responsible for
~ driving the vehicle and must steer it yourself . 0 0 :c " Assi st a nce systems
A WARNING
Note that messages may be de layed or not
d isplayed o n veh icles w ith accesso ries mount­
ed on the stee ring wheel, such as a steer ing
whee l spinne r knob. Always keep your hands
on the s tee ring wheel.
Setting the vibration warning
App lies to : veh icles w ith Aud i act ive lane ass ist
11> Select: the ICAR I func tion but ton> C ar sy stem s
control b utt on > Driver assi stance > Audi a c­
ti ve lane as sist .
Vibration warning
You can switch the addit io nal vibration warn ing
in the steer ing wheel on or off.
(D Tips
Your settings are automatically stored and as­
s igned to the remote control key being used.
Audi side assist
Description
Applies to: vehicles w ith Audi s ide ass ist
Fi g. 1 18 Sensor detect ion ra n ge
F ig . 119 Disp lay on the exterio r m irror
,... .,,
9 ::c
"' co
105

u. co .... N
" N .... 0 0 :c ' are indicated by the time they enter your "blind
spot", at the latest .
© Vehicles you are passing
If you slowly pass a veh icle that side assist has
detected (the d ifference in speed be twee n the
ve hicle and your ve hicle is less than 9 mph (15
km/h)), the disp lay in the exterior mirror turns
on as soon as the vehicle enters your blind spot .
The display will not tu rn on if you quic kly pass a
ve hicl e that side assist has detected (the diffe r­
ence in speed is greater t han 9 mp h (1 5 km/h)).
Functional limitations
The rada r senso rs a re desig ned to detect the left
a n d right adjacent lanes when the road lanes a re
the normal wid th . In some s ituat ions, the d isplay
i n the exterior mir ror may turn on even tho ugh
there is no vehicle located in the area that is criti ­
cal for a lane change. For example:
- If the lanes a re n arrow o r if yo u are driv ing on
the edge of your lane . If this is the case, the
system may have detected a vehicle in another
l ane that is no t adjacent to your c urrent lane .
- If you are dr iving through a cu rve . Side assist
may react to a vehicle that is one lane over
from the adjacent lane .
-If side assist reacts to other objects (such as
high or displaced guard rails) .
- In poor weat her condit ions . The side assis t
functions are limited.
D o not cove r the rada r
senso rs ~ fig. 121 with
s tickers, deposi ts, bicycle whee ls o r othe r ob ­
jects , beca use they w ill impair the f unct ion . Do
not use side assist when towing a trailer . For in­
formation on clean ing,
see ~ page 306 .
A WARNING
- Always pay atte ntion to traffic and to the
area around yo ur vehicle. Side assist cannot
replace a dr iver's attention . The dr iver alone
is a lways responsible for lane changes and
s imi lar d riving maneuvers .
- In some situat ions, the system may not
func tion or its funct io n may be lim ited . For
example:
-
A ss istance systems
- if vehicles are approach ing or being left
behind very q uick ly. The disp lay may not
turn o n in time.
- In poor weat her condit ions such as heavy
r ain, snow or heavy m ist .
- On very w ide lanes, in tight curves, or if
the re is a rise i n the road surface. Veh icles
i n the ad jacent lane may not be detected
because they are outside of the sensor
range.
- Aud i side assist cannot detect all vehicles
under all conditions, which can increase the
r isk of acc idents .
- Please note that s ide ass ist only d isp lays ap­
proaching vehicles or vehicles in yo ur blind
spo t if your ve hicle is traveling a t least
19 mph (30 km/h).
- In ce rtain s ituations, the system may not
wo rk or its f unct io n may be lim ited . For ex­
a m ple:
- The display may not turn on at the r ight
time if vehicles are approach ing or pass ing
very quickly.
- In poor weat he r con dit ions, such as heavy
rain, snow or fog .
- In very wide lanes, in tig ht c urves or whe n
there are slopes in the roadway, vehicles
i n the ne ighbor ing lanes may not be de­
tected because they are o utside of the
senso r range.
@ Note
The sensors can be d isp laced by impacts or
damage to the bumper, wheel housing and u nderbody. This ca n impair the system. Have
an a uth or ized Audi dea ler or author ized Audi
Service Fac il ity check the ir fu nct io n.
(D Tips
- If the w indow glass i n the dr iver's door or
fro nt passenger's door has bee n tinted, the
disp lay in the ex ter ior m irro r may be inco r­
rect .
- For an ex plana tion on co nform ity w ith the
FCC reg ulat io ns in the U nited S ta tes and the
Indus try Cana da regulat io ns, see
~page 339.
107