2020 AUDI A8 warning lights

Sitting correctly and safely


then the safety belt's protective function
will be impaired in the event of an accident.
Make sure the safety belt is at the right
height and is routed correctly for the pas-
senger using it.
—A safety belt that is too loose may lead to in-
juries during an accident, because your body
will move farther forward due to kinetic en-
ergy and will be stopped abruptly by the
belt.
— Heavily bulky, loose clothing (for example, a
coat over a sports jacket) may prevent the
seat and safety belts from functioning cor-
rectly.
— Do not position the safety belt over hard or
breakable objects (such as glasses, pens,
etc.).
— The lap belt portion of the safety belt must
sit as low as possible on the lap of pregnant
women and lie flat under the belly.
@) Note
Make sure that there are no hook-and-loop
fasteners or sharp objects such as zippers or
rivets on clothing in the area where the safety
belt is worn. Otherwise, the safety belt could
be damaged.
ream Meet emt Lia All}
a _ ‘
2a,
Fig. 75 Belt buckle and belt latch


B4H-0462


84

|
B4H-0270


Fig. 76 Releasing the belt buckle from the belt latch
Follow the safety precautions > page 82.
Fastening the safety belt
> Pull the safety belt by the belt buckle evenly
across your chest and lap.
> Insert the belt buckle in the belt latch belong-
ing to the seat until it audibly engages
> fig. 75.
> Pull on the belt to make sure that the belt is se-
curely locked in the latch.
Unfastening the safety belt
> Press the red button on the belt latch > fig. 76.
The belt buckle will pop out.
> Guide the belt back by hand so that the safety
belt can roll up more easily.
Safety belt monitoring system
Ba - If the indicator light turns on or flashes, a
safety belt is not fastened or it has been unfas-
tened while the vehicle is in motion. Above cer-
tain speeds, additional warning tones will sound.
Depending on the equipment, the safety belts in
the rear may also be monitored using the follow-
ing indicator lights:
a} - If this indicator light turns on, the safety
belt for the corresponding rear seat is not fas-
tened.
EB - If this indicator light turns on, the safety
belt for the rear seat has been fastened.

Driving

@) Note
— Never let the brakes “rub” by pressing the
pedal lightly when braking is not actually
necessary. This can cause the brakes to over-
heat and increases braking distance and
causes wear.
— Observe the important information for driv-
ing downhill > page 126. This especially ap-
plies when towing a trailer.
@ Tips
— If you retrofit your vehicle with a front spoil-
er, wheel covers or similar items, make sure
that the air flow to the brakes is not ob-
structed. Otherwise the brake system can
overheat.
— Also refer to the information about brake
fluid > page 283.
WEEE Tel
GG 7 @ Brakes: malfunction! Safely stop ve-
hicle
There is a malfunction in the brake system. If
fs) and also turn on, there is a malfunc-
tion in the ABS, ESC, and braking distribution.
Do not continue driving. See an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for as-
sistance. Read and follow the other safety pre-
cautions > A.
Gia / © Brake pads: wear limit reached. You
can continue driving. Please contact Service
The brake pads are worn. Drive to an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility as
soon as possible to have the malfunction correct-
ed.
Brake booster: limited functionality.You can
continue driving. Please contact Service
There is a brake booster malfunction. The brake
booster is available, but its effectiveness is re-
duced. The braking performance may be different
compared to the usual performance. Drive to an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility immediately to have the malfunction cor-
rected.
124
Brake booster: deactivated. See owner's manual
The brake booster remains active for a brief peri-
od of time after switching off the ignition. Secure
the vehicle from rolling by setting the parking
brake and select the “P” gear.
Other indicator lights
if is displayed when there is a malfunction,
the brakes were under heavy load. Follow the in-
structions in the message to utilize the engine
braking effect and to relieve the brakes.

Z\ WARNING
If a malfunction occurs in the ABS, ESC, and
braking distribution, interventions that stabi-
lize the vehicle will no longer be available.
This could cause the vehicle to swerve, which
increases the risk that the vehicle will slide.
Do not continue driving. See an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility
for assistance.

Electromechanical
parking brake
Operating the parking brake
The electromechanical parking brake is used to
secure the vehicle from rolling away unintention-
ally.
The @) switch is located under the selector lever
in the center console. It turns on when the park-
ing brake is set. You can release the parking brake
manually or automatically when you start to
drive.
Setting and releasing the parking brake
> Closing: Pull the © switch.
> 1* ©) appears, the parking brake is hold-
ing the vehicle. You can remove your foot from
the brake pedal.
> Releasing: when the ignition is switched on,
press and hold the brake pedal and press the
button.
If the red indicator light flashes, the braking
force has not built up enough or it has decreased.
You can also secure the vehicle by selecting the >

Driving dynamic

EDL will switch on again automatically when con-
ditions have returned to normal.
Power steering
The ESC can also support vehicle stability
through steering.
Selective wheel torque control
Selective wheel torque control is used when driv-
ing on curves. Braking is targeted toward the
wheels on the inside of the curve as needed. This
allows more precise driving in curves.
Automatic post-collision braking system
The automatic post-collision braking system can
help to reduce the risk of sliding and of addition-
al collisions after an accident. If the airbag con-
trol module detects a collision, the vehicle is
braked by the ESC.
The vehicle does not brake automatically if one of
the following occurs:
— The driver presses the accelerator pedal, or
— The braking force generated by the pressed
brake pedal is greater than the braking force
that
would be initiated by the system
— The ESC, the brake system, or the vehicle elec-
trical system is not functioning

Z\ WARNING
— The ESC and its integrated systems cannot
overcome the limits imposed by natural
physical laws. This is especially important on
slippery or wet roads. If the systems begin
acting to stabilize your vehicle, you should
immediately alter your speed to match the
road and traffic conditions. Do not let the in-
creased safety provided tempt you into tak-
ing risks. This could increase your risk of a
collision.
— Please note the risk of a collision increases
when driving fast, especially through curves
and on slippery or wet roads, and when driv-
ing too close to objects ahead. There is still
a risk of accidents because the ESC and its
integrated systems cannot always prevent
collisions.

134

— Accelerate carefully when driving on
smooth, slippery surfaces such as ice and
snow. The drive wheels can spin even when
these control systems are installed and this
can affect driving stability and increase the
risk of a collision.
@) Tips
— The ABS and ASR only function correctly
when all four wheels have a similar wear
condition. Different tire sizes can lead to a
reduction in engine power.
— You may hear noises when the systems de-
scribed are working.
The So button for controlling the ESC is located
in the center console, in front of the selector lev-
er.


The ESC is automatically switched on when the
ignition is switched on. It may make sense in
some situations to limit the ESC so that the
wheels can spin:
— Rocking the vehicle to free it when it is stuck
— Driving in deep snow, on unpaved ground, or
with snow chains
Limiting ESC (sport mode)
—To limit the ESC, press the oF button briefly.
The B indicator light turns on.
— To completely reactivate the ESC stabilization
function, press the button again. The indicator
light turns off.
Switching off ESC
— To switch off the ESC, press and hold the Sor
button for more than three seconds. The B
and Ea indicator lights turn on.
— To completely reactivate the ESC stabilization
function, press the button again. The indicator
lights turn off.

Z\ WARNING
- When the ESC is switched off or limited,
there will be no vehicle stabilization or it will
be limited. The driving wheels could spin >

Trailer towing

you are operating the vehicle. Contact an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facili-
ty for more information.
Before you start driving, check all lighting equip-
ment on the trailer while it is hitched to the vehi-
cle.
The headlight range control automatically ad-
justs the light range of the headlights.
Safety chains
Make sure the safety chains are correctly applied
when pulling a trailer. The chains should hang
enough so that the trailer can drive around
curves. However, they must not touch the
ground.
Air suspension
Applies to: vehicles with air suspension
The Audi drive select* comfort mode > page 128
must be selected before you adjust the tongue
weight on the trailer and hitch the trailer >@,
=> page 130.
Likewise, the vehicle cannot be raised manually
using the Raise function > page 130.
For vehicles with a retrofitted trailer hitch, you
must switch on the air suspension trailer mode
manually.
Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Air suspension:
trailer.
Switch it off again when you are no longer towing
a trailer.
When using carrier systems that are mounted di-
rectly on the trailer hitch ball head, you can also
switch trailer mode off manually.
If you must drive on roads that are in poor condi-
tion, you can raise the vehicle again after hitching
the trailer or after adjusting the tongue weight
=> page 130.
Vehicle levels below the values set in the comfort
level will no longer be available, even if you are
lowering the vehicle manually.
152

Z\ WARNING
— Never turn off trailer mode while driving
when a trailer is hitched, because then the
restrictions for controlling the vehicle level
will be turned off.
— Driving with a trailer on unpaved roads when
the vehicle is raised may change the vehicle
handling. Adapt your speed.
— Note that the vehicle will lower automatical-
ly at certain speeds if you have lifted the ve-
hicle manually.
() Note
— Applies to: vehicles with air suspension: Se-
lect the Audi drive select* comfort mode.
Otherwise, the tongue load specified for
your vehicle will no longer be applicable.
— Attachments retrofitted on the vehicle may
cause damage, especially on the trailer
hitch ball head. In cases of damage, have
the function checked by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
G) Tips
— Block the wheels with chocks when parking
on inclines if the trailer is loaded.
— Having the vehicle inspected between the
inspection intervals is recommended if you
tow a trailer frequently.

— Avoid driving with a trailer during the vehi-
cle break-in period.
Driving with a trailer
Driving with a trailer requires extra caution.
Speed
Adhere to the legal speed limits. Follow the legal
regulations that are applicable in the country
where you are operating the vehicle.
As the speed increases, the driving stability of
the trailer decreases. Therefore you should not
exceed the maximum legal speed limit when
there are unfavorable road, weather, and/or wind
conditions. This especially applies when driving
downhill.

Assist systems

Assist systems
General information
Safety precautions

ZA WARNING
— As the driver, you are always completely re-
sponsible for all driving tasks. The assist
systems cannot replace the driver's atten-
tion. Give your full attention to driving the
vehicle, and be ready to intervene in the
traffic situation at all times.
— Activate the assist systems only if the sur-
rounding conditions permit it. Always adapt
your driving style to the current visual,
weather, road, and traffic conditions.
— Loose objects can be thrown around the ve-
hicle interior during sudden driving or brak-
ing maneuvers, which increases the risk of
an accident. Store objects securely while
driving.
— For the assist systems to be able to react
correctly, the function of the sensors and
cameras must not be restricted. Note the in-
formation on sensors and cameras
=> page 155.

@ Tips
— Pay attention to applicable local regulations
relating to driving tasks, leaving space for
emergency vehicles, vehicle distance, speed,
parking location, wheel placement, etc. The
driver is always responsible for following
the laws that are applicable in the location
where the vehicle is being operated.
— You can cancel a steering or braking inter-
vention by the system, by braking or accel-
erating noticeably, steering, or deactivating
the respective assist system.
— Always check the assist systems settings be-
fore driving. The settings could have been
changed, for example, by other drivers or if
another personal profile was used.
154
System limitations
ZA\ WARNING
— The use of an assist system cannot over-
come the natural laws of physics. A collision
cannot be prevented in certain circumstan-
ces.
— Warnings, messages, or indicator lights may
not be displayed or initiated on time or cor-
rectly, for example, if vehicles are approach-
ing very fast.
— Corrective interventions by the assist sys-
tems, such as steering or braking interven-
tions, may not be sufficient or they may not
occur. Always be ready to intervene.
G) Tips
— Due to the system limitations when detect-
ing the surrounding area, the systems may
warn or intervene unexpectedly or too late
in certain situations. The assist systems may
also interpret a driving maneuver incorrectly
and then warn the driver unexpectedly.
— The systems may not function as expected
in unusual driving situations, such as driving
offroad, on unpaved roads, on loose ground,
on inclines, or on grooves in the road.
— The systems may not function correctly in
unclear traffic situations, such as turning
lanes, exit ramps, construction zones, rises
or dips that obstruct visibility, intersections,
toll stations, or city traffic.
— The detection of the surrounding area can
be limited, for example by vehicles driving
ahead or by rain, snow, heavy spray, or light
shining into the camera.
— If accessories have been mounted on the
steering wheel, the ability for the steering
systems to react may be limited.

4N0012721BD
Driving information

Traffic light information
Applies to: vehicles with traffic light information

Fig. 121 Instrument cluster: traffic light information dis-
play
The traffic light information gives you a speed
recommendation in order to reach the next traffic
light when it is green @, or it informs you of the
wait time at the next red light 2). Once traffic
light
data is received, the traffic light information
will be displayed in the instrument cluster and in
the head-up display*. If the vehicle is in an area
with traffic light information but cannot receive a
traffic light signal, then a gray traffic light sym-
bol will be displayed @).
General information
The traffic light information is subject to system
limitations and may be unavailable or only parti-
ally available in the following situations:
—If the permitted speed limit is exceeded
— If driving below a certain speed limit
— If the next traffic light is less than approxi-
mately 100 feet (30 m) away
— If the estimated wait time at a red light is less
than four seconds
— If there is no traffic light data available
— If emergency response vehicles or public transit
systems are active
— If traffic lights are in construction zones or be-
ing serviced
— If there are warnings from the camera-based
traffic sign recognition*
— If the camera-based traffic sign recognition* is
malfunctioning or not available
—If the data connection has been interrupted
— If data transmission is deactivated in the priva-
cy settings
— If the subscription has expired
If this is the case, the menu item will be grayed-
out or it will not be possible to select it.

ZA\ WARNING
— When traffic light information is shown, al-
so always pay attention to the traffic situa-
tion, the distance to other vehicles and the
area around the vehicle. The driver is always
responsible for assessing the traffic situa-
tion.
— Always adapt your speed to the current
weather, road and traffic conditions. The dis-
played information must never cause you to
ignore legal traffic regulations and pose a
safety risk.
— Regardless of the traffic light information,
you should always monitor your speed using
the speedometer and make sure you are ad-
hering to the legal speed limit.
— The traffic light information does not adjust
your vehicle's speed to the speed recom-
mendation shown in the display.
— Follow the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 154.
(i) Tips
— Traffic light information was only available
in select cities at the time this manual was
printed.
— Traffic light information is not available na-
tionwide.
— The functions depend on the navigation da-
ta* being up-to-date and correct identifica-
tion by the traffic sign recognition*.
— Incorrect values from the camera-based
traffic sign recognition* or outdated naviga-
tion system* map data can result in missing
or incorrect display images.
— Certain traffic lights can automatically ad-
just to the current traffic situation. If this
occurs, the display of traffic light informa-
tion can change suddenly.


161

4N0012721BD
Driving information

The Sl symbol will appear when pedestrian and
wild animal detection is not available.
Marking light*
To direct the driver's attention to a pedestrian,
the headlights can flash on the pedestrian when
there is a pedestrian warning.
This occurs at speeds above approximately
35 mph (60 km/h) if you are outside of illuminat-
ed areas and no detected vehicles are shown. The
marking light is not used for wild animals. The
high beam assistant* controls the marking
light*> page 61.
Adjusting the contrast
Applies to: vehicles with night vision assist
Requirement: the night vision assist must be
switched on and the 1 tab must be displayed.
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Driver assistance > (23) > Night vi-
sion assist.
> To set the desired contrast, move the slider.
G) Tips
Certain settings are stored automatically in
the active personal profile.
Applies to: vehicles with night vision assist
Night vision assist: currently unavailable.
See owner's manual
The system is not functioning correctly so it has
been switched off. If this malfunction persists,
drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility to have the mal-
function repaired.
165

Driver assistance

Driver assistance
Cruise control system
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
The cruise control system assists the driver in
maintaining a constant speed above approxi-
mately 15 mph (20 km/h). The system maintains
the desired speed by braking and accelerating.

ZA WARNING
— Always pay attention to the traffic around
your vehicle when the cruise control system
is in operation. As the driver, you are always
responsible for controlling your vehicle
speed and the distance between your vehicle
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 conditions that could lead to hydroplan-
ing), because this increases the risk of an ac-
cident.
— Switch the cruise control off temporarily
when driving in turning lanes, highway exits,
or in construction zones.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, you should
only resume the stored speed if it is suitable
for the current traffic conditions.


C) Note
— Conventional drive system: Before driving
downhill a long distance on a steep hill, de-
crease your speed and select a lower gear.
This makes use of the engine braking effect
and reduces the load placed on the brakes.
— Plug-in hybrid drive: Before driving downhill
a long distance on a steep hill, decrease
your speed and use the braking effect of re-
cuperation > page 118. This reduces the
load on the brakes.
@ Tips
The brake lights turn on when the brakes are
applied automatically.
166
Switching the system on
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system

BFV-0220



Fig. 123 Lever: switching on the cruise control system
Requirement: The ignition must be switched on.
> To switch the system on, pull the lever toward
you to position @.
The Ga or 8) indicator light and the corre-
sponding message will appear in the instrument
cluster.

A WARNING
If the brakes are malfunctioning (for example,
overheating) while the cruise control system
is switched on, it may shut off automatically.
Preselecting or activating a cruise control
speed
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system

When the vehicle is stationary, you can preselect
the cruise control speed or activate the speed
while driving.
Requirement: the system must be switched on.
> To preselect a cruise control speed when the ve-
hicle is stationary, tap the lever toward @)/C)
=> page 166, fig. 123.
> To activate the cruise control speed, pull the
lever
toward position @ while driving, or
> To set the current driving speed as the cruise
control speed, press the button @) on the lever.
The active cruise control speed is indicated with
the Gs or kl indicator light in the instrument
cluster.
An additional indicator appears in the head-up
display*.