2020 AUDI A8 steering

Sitting correctly and safely

Adjusting the outer head restraints
Applies to: vehicles with manual head restraints
> To adjust the head restraint upward, slide it un-
til it locks into place.
> To adjust the head restraint downward, press
the button @) and slide the head restraint. Re-
lease the button and slide the head restraint
farther until it locks into place.
Applies to: vehicles with power head restraints
> To adjust the head restraint upward or down-
ward, push the button 2) > page 76, fig. 64
forward or backward. Or:
> Applies to: Rear Seat Remote: To adjust the
head restraint upward or downward: select on
the home screen: Seats > Setting and press on
the picture of the head restraint for the respec-
tive seat. Press the up or down arrows until the
desired position is reached.
Adjusting the center head restraint
> Fold the head restraint upward until it clicks in-
to place > fig. 72.
> To fold the head restraint downward, press the
button on the back of the head restraint.
Removing the headrests
Applies to: vehicles with removable head restraints
> Move the head restraint upward all the way.
> Insert a suitable object, such as the the extend-
ed vehicle key or mechanical key, into the re-
lease point @ on the inside or outside of the
base.
> Press the button @) and pull the head restraint
out of the backrest > A\ in General informa-
tion on page 81.
Installing the headrests
Applies to: vehicles with removable head restraints
> Slide the posts on the head restraint down into
the guides until the posts click into place.
> Press the button @) and slide the head restraint
all the way down. It should not be possible to
remove the head restraint from the backrest
without pressing the button.
82
Safety belts
General information
Each seat is equipped with a three-point safety
belt. Safety belts that are worn correctly are the
most effective way to reduce the risk of serious or
fatal injuries in a collision. Therefore, wear your
safety belt correctly and make sure that all vehi-
cle passengers are also wearing their safety belts
correctly when the vehicle is moving.
Even though your vehicle is equipped with an air-
bag system, every vehicle passenger must still al-
ways wear the appropriate safety belt. In addi-
tion to their normal protective function, safety
belts also hold vehicle occupants in the correct
seating position in the event of a collision so that
the
airbags can deploy correctly and provide addi-
tional protection. Safety belts provide protection
during collisions when the airbags do not deploy
or if they have already deployed.

ZX WARNING
The risk of serious or fatal injury increases if
the safety belt is not fastened, if it is worn in-
correctly, or if it is damaged.
— All vehicle occupants, including the driver,
must fasten their safety belts correctly be-
fore every trip and must always keep their
safety belts fastened during the trip, regard-
less of whether the seat is equipped with an
airbag or not. This also applies to children
that are seated in a child safety seat that is
appropriate for their weight and age and
that is secured with a safety belt.
— In the event of a collision, vehicle occupants
that are not wearing safety belts could be
propelled through the vehicle interior and
collide with vehicle components, such as the
steering wheel, instrument panel, wind-
shield, or doors. In some situations, vehicle
occupants could also be ejected from the ve-
hicle. Vehicle occupants in the rear seats
who do not wear safety belts not only en-
danger themselves, but also other people in
the vehicle.
— Only one person may be fastened with a
safety belt at a time. Never secure more

4N0012721BD
Sitting correctly and safely

Adjusting the height of the safety belt

B4G-0004)



Fig. 77 Belt height adjustment for the front seats - safety
belt relay
> To move the belt higher, slide the safety belt re-
lay @ upward.
> To move the belt lower, press the release but-
ton @ and slide the safety belt relay 2) down-
ward.
> To check if the safety belt relay is securely
locked in place, pull firmly on the belt.
@ Tips
You can also adjust the height of the front
seats to change the position of the safety
belts.
Additional safety belt functions
Belt retractor lock
The safety belts on the rear seats and on the
front passenger seat are equipped with a belt re-
tractor lock.
> If you secure a child safety seat with a safety
belt, the belt retractor lock on the safety belt
may need to be activated. Follow the instruc-
tions from the child safety seat manufacturer.
> When a vehicle passenger has fastened a safety
belt, the belt retractor lock should not be acti-
vated. If the belt retractor lock has been acti-
vated unexpectedly, deactivate it.
Deactivating or activating the belt retractor lock
=> page 94.
Safety belt retractor
The safety belts are equipped with an automatic
belt retractor. This automatic retractor allows the
safety belt to be pulled all the way out when the
belt is pulled slowly. However, the automatic re-
tractor locks during sudden braking maneuvers.
It also locks the belts when accelerating, driving
uphill, and driving around curves.
Belt force limiter
Safety belts with belt force limiters reduce the
force placed on the body by the safety belts dur-
ing a collision.
Safety belt pretensioners
Safety belts may be tightened with reversible
belt tensioners when you start driving and in cer-
tain driving situations. If the safety belt is too
loose, it will be tightened so that the belt will
rest closer to the body.
In some collisions, pyrotechnic belt tensioners
may secure the safety belts so that they cannot
loosen. This reduces forward movement by the
vehicle passengers.

ZA WARNING
The pyrotechnic system can only provide pro-
tection during one collision. If the pyrotechnic
belt tensioners deploy, the pretensioning sys-
tem must be replaced by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
G) Tips
Smoke may be released when pyrotechnic belt
tensioners deploy. This is not a sign of a vehi-
cle fire.

Memory function
General information
Applies to: vehicles with memory function
With the memory function, you can save and call
up seat profiles using the memory buttons in the
door trim panel.
Depending on the equipment, it may be possible
to store the following settings:
— Driver's seat: seat, head restraint*, steering
wheel, exterior mirrors
— Front passenger's seat: seat, head restraint
8s
>

Sitting correctly and safely

— Outer rear seats*: seat
Storing and recalling a seat profile
Applies to: vehicles with memory function
The memory function buttons are located in the
door trim panel.
Storing a seat profile

> Press the [SET] button. If the LED in the button
turns on, a seat profile can be stored.
> Push one of the numbered memory buttons. A
tone confirms that the settings were stored.

Accessing a seat profile
> When the a door is open and the ignition is
switched off, press the memory button once
briefly. The seat will be fully adjusted to the
settings in the seat profile.
> If the door is closed or the ignition is switched
on, press and hold the memory button until the
seat is fully adjusted to the settings in the seat
profile.

Z\ WARNING
—To reduce the risk of an accident, the seat
setting can only be recalled when the vehicle
is stationary.
— In an emergency, the recall process can be
canceled by pressing the seat adjustment
button on that seat.
@) Tips
Certain settings are stored automatically in
the active personal profile.

Airbag system
ZA\ WARNING
— If you have not fastened your safety belt,
you are in an incorrect seating position, or
you are too close to the airbag system, the
airbag system will not be able to protect
you. This increases the risk of serious or fa-
tal injuries. Make sure that every vehicle
passenger has his or her safety belt correctly


86


fastened and is sitting in a correct seating
position = page 72. This is necessary regard-
less of whether the seat is equipped with an
airbag or not.
Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, out of the window, or on the seat sur-
faces. To help ensure that the airbag system
can deploy correctly, never bend forward or
lean on the door or the side window. Other-
wise, serious and possibly fatal injuries can
occur if the airbags deploy.
People, animals, or objects between the
passengers and the airbag system can inter-
fere with the correct deployment of the air-
bag or can be thrown through the vehicle in-
terior, increasing the risk of serious or fatal
injuries. Make sure that nothing is located
between the vehicle occupants and the air-
bag system. Do not secure or transport any
objects within the deployment zone of the
airbag systems, especially on the steering
wheel, on the instrument panel, on the
doors, on the windows, in the footwell, or
on the rear shelf.
Never put stickers on the airbag system cov-
ers or cover them with any objects.
Only lightweight clothing should be hung
from the garment hooks in the vehicle. Do
not use clothes hangers to hang clothing.
The pockets of the clothing must not con-
tain any heavy, breakable, or sharp-edged
objects. This could impair the effectiveness
of the side curtain airbags.
You must not use seat or protective covers
that are not specifically approved for use on
Audi seats with side airbags. Since the side
airbags deploy from the seat backrest, such
covers could impair the protective function
of the side airbags.
Applies to: vehicles with front center airbag:
You must not use seat or protective covers
that are not specifically approved for use on
Audi seats with center airbags. The center
armrest must be closed while driving. Since
the front center airbag deploys from the
driver's seat backrest, such covers could im-
pair the protective function of the center air-
bag.

4N0012721BD
Sitting correctly and safely

Each deployed airbag is filled with gas. When this
occurs, the airbag covers open and the airbags
unfold with great force into the deployment zone
within milliseconds. Inflated airbags reduce the
movement of passengers wearing safety belts in
the direction of the impact and thus help to re-
duce the risk of injury. They can help to protect
the head, upper body, and lap, for example. How-
ever, there is the possibility that airbag deploy-
ment can cause injuries.
The airbag system only works when the ignition
is turned on.
If you or other vehicle passengers have physical
limitations that prevent sitting in a correct posi-
tion, modifications to the vehicle may be neces-
sary. For more information, contact an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facili-
ty, or call Audi customer support at
1-800-822-2834.
@) Tips
The side curtain airbags in your vehicle have
ejection mitigation functions. This reduces
the risk of being ejected from the vehicle inte-
rior during an accident, especially in the event
of a vehicle rollover.
Advanced airbag system

Fig. 79 Headliner: indicator light to display the status of
the front passenger's airbag
The Advanced Airbag System in your vehicle has
been certified to comply with the requirements
of the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard (FMVSS) 208, as well as Canada Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 208 as applica-
ble at the time your vehicle was manufactured.
According to these requirements, the front Ad-
vanced Airbag System on the passenger’s side
has been certified for “suppression” for infants
approximately 12 months old and younger, and
for “low risk deployment” for children aged 3 to
6 years old (as defined in the standard).
The advanced airbag system will activate or deac-
tivate the front passenger's airbag based on the
occupancy of the seat. If a front airbag deploys
during an accident, the deployment force will
adapt to the passenger.
Components
The advanced airbag system consists of the fol-
lowing components:
— Front airbags in the steering wheel and in the
instrument panel on the front passenger's side:
these can protect the front passengers during
an accident
— Passenger occupant detection sensor in the
front passenger's seat: this detects if the front
passenger's seat is occupied (for example, by a
person or a small child in a child safety seat)
— Seat position sensors on the front seats: these
determine the distance between the seat and
the steering wheel or instrument panel
— Sensors in the front seat belt latch: these de-
tect if the safety belts are fastened
—The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ®; ON @
indicator light in the headliner:this indicates if
the front passenger's airbag is activated or de-
activated
- Ea indicator light in the instrument cluster:
this monitors the function of the Advanced Air-
bag System components to ensure they are
functioning correctly
How the components function together
The passenger occupant detection sensor in the
front passenger's seat detects if the front pas-
senger's seat is occupied. The passenger occu-
pant detection sensor measures the electrical ca-
pacity on the front passenger’s seat. The pas-
senger's airbag is activated or deactivated de-
pending on the electrical capacity that is meas-
ured.
The passenger's airbag is activated if:
89

Warm and cold

Air quality display
Applies to: vehicles with air quality display
You can display information about the air quality.
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Climate control > Air quality.
> Applies to: Rear Seat Remote: Press AIR QUAL.
on the home screen.
Pollutant filter
A pollutant filter cleans the air in the vehicle inte-
rior when the blower is switched on.
A schematic display represents the effectiveness
of the filter. The display visualizes the amount of
pollutant particles in the vehicle interior in com-
parison to the surroundings.
@ Tips
For optimal air quality in the vehicle interior,
close all windows and doors and activate A/C
cooling mode, the AUTO function, and recircu-
lation mode.
Well
a/c] Air conditioner: increase in CO2 concentra-
tion. Ventilate vehicle. See owner's manual
Ventilate the vehicle. If this message continues
to display, stop driving as soon as you can safely
park your vehicle and contact an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility. If this
message appears, drive to an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility immedi-
ately.
Steering wheel heating
Switching on and off
Applies to: vehicles with steering wheel heating
> Press the @ button to switch steering wheel
heating on/off.
You can also operate the steering wheel heating
using the multifunction steering wheel
=> page 40.
108
G) Tips
The steering wheel heating setting will be au-
tomatically stored in the active personal pro-
file.
Applies to: vehicles with steering wheel heating
@& Steering wheel heating: on/Steering wheel
heating: off
This message appears if you have switched the
steering wheel heating on or off.
Steering wheel heating: malfunction! See own-
er's manual
If this message appears, there is a malfunction.
Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the
malfunction repaired.
Auxiliary climate control
Applies to: vehicles with auxiliary climate control
The auxiliary climate control system warms or
cools the vehicle interior. The vehicle will turn on
the auxiliary climate control system if needed,
depending on the last temperature that was set
with the climate control system controls. This
function can be used when the drive system is
switched off.
You can turn the auxiliary climate control system
on and off immediately in the MMI or set a timer.
Requirement: The charge level of the high-volt-
age battery must be sufficient.
@ Tips
— The temperature that the auxiliary climate
control adjusts to depends on the last tem-
perature that was set > page 104.
— Using the auxiliary climate control while
charging can also reduce the charge level of
the high-voltage battery.
— Starting or stopping the vehicle will not
switch off the auxiliary climate control auto-
matically.

4N0012721BD
Warm and cold

Applies to: vehicles with auxiliary climate control
Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Climate control. F
Immediate start
You can immediately switch the auxiliary climate
control on and off using the f button. When this
function is switched on, a colored bar lights up
over the button and the remaining time is dis-
played.
The auxiliary climate control will run for a maxi-
mum of 30 minutes after the immediate start.
Timer programming
You can set up to two timers for the departure
time. Each one of the timers can be activated.
> Select one timer.
> Set the date and select Next.
>» Set the time (departure time) and select OK.
> Activate the timer with CD.
By setting the departure time, you determine
when your vehicle should reach the desired tem-
perature. The departure time can be a maximum
of six days in the future. The auxiliary climate
control will continue to run approximately ten
minutes after the departure time is reached.
After switching off the ignition
Information about the active timer(s) will appear
on the upper display after switching off the igni-
tion. You can start the set climate control set-
tings immediately with the f button, or go to the
auxiliary climate control menu with the > button.
G) Tips
— Make sure the time and date match in the
system settings so that the timer can func-
tion correctly > page 266.
— The auxiliary climate control can also be
switched on and off immediately when a
timer is set.
— You can operate the climate control in the
vehicle interior when the high-voltage bat-
tery is charging using the charging timer
= page 141. The climate control output de-
pends on the power socket capacity.
— The auxiliary climate control can continue to
run after the departure time is reached.
Additional settings
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Climate control > Auxiliary air con-
ditioning > ©.
Start air conditioning after unlocking*
If this function is activated, the climate control
will continue to run for five minutes after the ve-
hicle has been unlocked.
Comfort aux. A/C*
Applies to: vehicles with comfort auxiliary air conditioning
You can set if the steering wheel heating* and
seat heating or seat ventilation should also be
automatically activated with auxiliary climate
control. You can select the respective zones.
Window and mirror heating*
Applies to: vehicles with comfort auxiliary air conditioning
You can set if the rear window and mirrors should
also be heated during auxiliary climate control.
2— There is a malfunction in the auxiliary air
conditioning.
If this message appears, there is a system mal-
function. Drive immediately to an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility to
have the malfunction repaired.
Fluids in the A/C system
Refrigerant in the A/C system
The sticker in the engine compartment provides
information about the type and amount of refrig-
erant used in the vehicle’s A/C system. The stick-
er is located in the front section of the engine
compartment or at the front or back of the hood. >
109

4N0012721BD
Driving

Driving
Starting the vehicle
Dye Tod f ola (ela)




Fig. 97 Center console: starting the engine
Requirement: the key must be in the vehicle.
Starting the engine
> Press and hold the brake pedal.
> Press the [START ENGINE STOP] button. The
engine will start.



Plug-in hybrid drive: the electric drive system is
switched on. The combustion engine only starts
when necessary. The power meter indicates if the
electric drive system is switched on > page 15.
Equipment that uses a lot of electricity is switch-
ed off temporarily when you start the engine. If
the engine does not start immediately, the start-
ing procedure stops automatically after a short
time. If this is the case, repeat the starting pro-
cedure after approximately 30 seconds.
Stopping the engine
> Bring the vehicle to a full stop.
> Press the [START ENGINE STOP] button. The
engine will switch off.



Plug-in-hybrid drive: the electric drive system and
the combustion engine are switched off.
Applies to: vehicles with steering lock: The steer-
ing is locked when you turn off the engine with
the selector lever in the P position and open the
driver's door. The steering lock helps prevent ve-
hicle theft.
Stopping the engine in an emergency
If necessary in an emergency, the engine can also
be stopped while driving using the emergency off
function*.

> Press the [START ENGINE STOP] button twice in
a row or press and hold it one time.

Switching on and off
If you would like to switch the ignition on or off
without starting the engine, follow these steps:

> Press the [START ENGINE STOP] button without
pressing the brake pedal.

Switching the ignition off automatically
To prevent the vehicle battery from draining, the
ignition and possibly the exterior lighting may
switch off automatically.
Requirements:
— Conventional drive system: The Start/Stop sys-
tem must have stopped the engine.
— Plug-in hybrid drive: You must have driven the
vehicle. The combustion engine must not be
running.
— You must have left the vehicle for longer than
30 seconds.
— The ignition must be switched on.
Among other indicators, the system detects that
you have left the vehicle based on the following
factors:
— The driver's door has been opened.
— The driver's safety belt has been unbuckled.
— The brake pedal is not being pressed.
The ignition will also be switched off after 30 mi-
nutes or if you lock the vehicle from the outside.

ZA WARNING
—To reduce the risk of asphyxiation, never al-
low the engine to run in confined spaces.
— Never turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. Switching it
off before the vehicle has stopped may im-
pair the function of the brake booster and
power steering. You would then need to use
more force to steer and brake the vehicle.
The fact that you cannot steer and brake as |P>


111

Driving


usual may increase the risk of accidents and
serious injuries.
— Always select the “P” selector lever position
when parking the vehicle; otherwise, the ve-

hicle could roll away.
C) Note
— Avoid high engine speed, full throttle, and
heavy engine load if the engine has not
reached operating temperature yet. You
could damage the engine.
— If the engine has been under heavy load for
an extended period of time, heat builds up
in the engine compartment after the engine
is switched off and there is a risk of damag-
ing the engine. For this reason, let the en-
gine run at idle for approximately two mi-
nutes before shutting it off.
G) Tips
— Brief noises are normal when starting and
stopping the vehicle and are no cause for
concern.
— For up to 10 minutes after stopping the en-
gine, the radiator fan may turn on again au-
tomatically or it may continue to run, even if
the ignition is switched off.
— It may not be possible to start the vehicle in
extremely low temperatures.
— Power will be fully available once the engine
is at operating temperature.
= Engine start system: malfunction! Please
contact Service

Do not switch the ignition off because you may
not be able to switch it on again. Drive to an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility immediately to have the malfunction cor-
rected.
|| Engine start system: malfunction! Please
contact Service
There is a malfunction in the engine start system.
Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer
112
or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the
malfunction repaired.
B Remote control key: key not detected. Is the
key
still in the vehicle?
The vehicle key was removed from the vehicle
while the engine is running. If the vehicle key is
no longer in the vehicle, you cannot switch the ig-
nition on or start the engine once you stop it. You
also cannot lock the vehicle from the outside.
Remote control key: hold back of key
against the designated area. See owner's man-
ual
The battery in the vehicle key may be drained or
there may be a malfunction. To start the vehicle,
you must also hold the vehicle key against the lo-
cation shown ?) & page 111, fig. 97.
If the malfunction remains, drive immediately to
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility to have the malfunction correct-
ed.
When driving
Starting to drive, stopping, and parking
Starting from a stop
> Press and hold the brake pedal.
> Start the engine.
> Select a gear.
> Release the parking brake.
> Release the brake pedal. The vehicle may roll.
> Press the accelerator pedal to accelerate.
Stopping and parking
> Bring the vehicle to a full stop and press and
hold the brake pedal.
> Set the parking brake.
> Select the “P” selector lever position to secure
the vehicle from rolling away.
> Turn the steering wheel when parking on in-
clines so that the wheels will roll into the curb
if the vehicle starts moving.
> Switch off the ignition before leaving the vehi-
cle.
On hills, activate the parking brake first and then
shift into the "P" selector lever position. This >