2020 AUDI R8 COUPE emergency towing

Table of contents

About this Owner's Manual......
SUMIMALY: ; « ss6% : osen ss sean cs poe s
Quick ACCESS ki... ose bs ees ae ees
Cockpit overview.............-000005
Indicator lights overview...........0.
Display and operation............
Instrument cluster...............
Instrument cluster overview...........
Coolant temperature indicator.........
Tachometer.......... 0.0 eee eee eee
Odometer as = s eee = seen ge zee a tows e
Outside temperature display...........
Fuellevel............20..0.000200005
Multifunction steering wheel..........
Vehicle TuUNCtionS « esivrs s «scene vo sonine vo
MessageS ... 0... eee eee eee
Starting and driving.............
Opening and closing.............
Central locking 2.2% ieee seven a eevee
Luggage compartment lid.............
Power windows.............0.00 0005
Garage door opener..........---..0--
POWER EOPE: « «cece 0 csv « o semiens 6 0 eens
Automatic power top.................
Wind deflector oces « eges sv sees se ees
Rear wind OW iar es cs Power top emergency operation........
Lights and Vision.................
Exterior lighting...................4.
Interior Ughtingcs « ¢ cean a cas cs ews 5
VISIONS « & comes oo man a 8 eee a a oa 3 oe
Windshield wipers...................
Digital compass.............0.-00 00
Stowing and using...............
POWerSOUTECES saa + gasem x 2 were oe wees
SEONAGE waver cv mamas a 6 maven ¥ 9 ane wv ERE
Luggage compartment...............
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12 12
14
16
21 21 21
27
28
29
32 32
34
35 35
40
40
45
45
47 49
50 50 50
53 53 53
54
Warnmmiameicolheicss «ssc x 6 sees ow vee
Climate control system............00.
DRIVING: & tacos 6 2 maemo e eae 0 x iano 4
Generalinformation.................
Steering « secu s ¢ rams 3 i ees FP ew Fe He
Starting and stopping the engine.......
Start/Stop system...............000.
Electromechanical parking brake.......
Starting tod rive « seus ¢ 2 eww a v aes sw oe
Sporty driving............ eee eee eee
Automatic transmission..............
Trailer towing « « cscs ss swans v ones 6 srs
Driver assistance.................
Assist systems................0..
Speed warning system...............-
Cruise control system................
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Audi drive select (drive settings)........
PA@FKING AIG): © access & eons s & cerns 2 ¢ Sa
INEROMUEHION ei: <2 ccswoe 2 siswinn oe wie 4 aries
Parking system plus.............-.00.

Rearview camera
Intelligent Technology...........
Electronic stabilization control (ESC) ....
SC@OMIING @ sxsicue ao ereses so cases wv oR ev OS
All wheel drive (quattro) ..............
Rear spoilers = ses « z sass s ¢ ees a F ews
Energy management.................
Notice about data recorded by the Event
Data Recorder and vehicle control
Infotainment system............
Multi Media Interface............
Traffic safety information.............
Introduction............. 0.000022 0 ee
MMI On/Off knob with joystick function . .
MMT Operations» « exis » + anvcene « w scree ¥
MMI touch.......... 0.0 cece eee eee ee
Control knob with joystick function... ..
56
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59,
60 60
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65
66 67 67
73
74 74 74 74
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91 93 93 93 93 93
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Table of contents

Airbagisy Stems: «5 ssisces oe swwewes w 8 on
Important information...............
FrONt airbags: « sews ss maw 5 2 oes * eee
Monitoring the Advanced Airbag System .
Knee airbags............ 0. eee eee eee
Side@ airbags -«. « ¢ ses 2 seus oe ees se oe
Side curtain airbags..............0 eee
Child safety......................
Important information...............
Child safety seats.............0..000.
Securing child safety seats............
Additional information...............
Refueling .......... 0000 ences
Emissions control system.............
Engine compartment.................
Engine oil... 6... ee eee eee ee eee
Cooling’system « « ace se wees sv een so oe
Brakesfluidss « s sssvon se ian a a scone a v annua
Electrical system. ..........0.02-000.
Battery’: s < sccm 7 « een ¢ 8 oe E RE BE He
Windshield washer system............
Service interval display...............
Care and cleaning................
Generalinformation.................
Car Washes « sues s « geen ce tem se ome sg
Cleaning and care information.........
Taking your vehicle out of service.......
Doilt VoOurselP sess cscs wos a 2 ween
Emergency assistance...........
Generalinformation.................
EQGUIPIMENE isos « o nowy 3 wees ao eenes & x oe
Tire mobility kit..................00.
Replacing wheels.............-...5-5
JUIMIPISTAKEING 5 x sors ow canons @ a sxmnwes vo seus 277
TOWING... cece eee 278
Fuses and bulbs.................. 281
Fuses... 00... ccc eee eee eee 281
BUILDS sss s ¢ ware 5% Soom 5 2 cores Bee gee 282
Customer information........... 284
Accessories and technical
GCHATIQGS:: « x cea 5 saws 5c epee oc wn ce 284
Warranty. c= cess oo wennire oo epee» e eres 284
Audi Literature Shop..............00- 284
Driving in other countries............. 284
Maintenance, repairs, and technical
modifications...............02.-008- 284
Accessories and parts..............-. 286
Reporting Safety Defects.............. 286
Declaration of compliance for
telecommunications equipment and
electronic systeMS........ 000. e eee 287
Techical Gata... ; cscs ss mance eas 289
Identification data................0.. 289
Vehicle data........ 2... eee eee eee 289
ENGUOX: s acces & 2 seeee © = ems & ¢ eee Fg Be 291,

Driving

lever positions, you must press the release but-
ton @ on the selector lever and/or press the
brake pedal > fig. 73.
You must press the brake pedal to engage a se-
lector lever position when the engine is running
and the vehicle is stationary.
You do not have to press the brake pedal if you
shift from "D" to "R" within one second. This al-
lows you to “rock” the vehicle to free it when it is
stuck.
P - Park
The wheels are locked in this position. Only shift
into park when the vehicle is stationary > A\. To
select the "P" selector lever position, press the
"P" button 2) on the selector lever > fig. 73. P
appears next to the selector lever.
You can only shift out of park when the engine is
running and you are pressing the brake pedal. To
release the parking lock, press the brake pedal,
press the locking button @ on the selector lever
and select the desired selector lever position
> fig. 73.
P engages automatically when you switch the en-
gine off while D, S or R is engaged or in manual
mode.
If you switch the engine off when the N position
is selected, the transmission remains in N for ap-
proximately 20 minutes and then P is engaged.
You must use the parking lock emergency release
before towing the vehicle > page 73.
R - Reverse
The reverse gear is engaged in this position. Only
select reverse gear when the vehicle is stationary
and the engine is running at idle speed > A. To
engage the "R" selector lever position, press the
brake pedal, press the release button (@) on the
selector lever, and select the "R" position
> fig. 73.
A tone will sound when the reverse gear is engag-
ed.
68
N - Neutral (idle)
The transmission is in idle in this position. To en-
gage the N selector lever position, press the lock-
ing button @ on the selector lever and select the
N position > fig. 73 or pull both shift paddles at
the same time > page 71, fig. 75.
If you switch the engine off when the N position
is selected, the transmission remains in N for ap-
proximately 20 minutes and then P is engaged.
You cannot select the "N" position when the igni-
tion is switched off. When driving through an au-
tomatic car wash, first select the "N" position and
then turn the engine off.
For safety reasons, the vehicle cannot be locked
when the transmission is in the "N" position.
D/S - Driving forward
When the transmission is in the "D/S" position, it
can be operated either in the normal "D" mode or
in the "S" sport mode. Move the selector lever
back to engage the "S" sport mode. You can only
select the S selector lever position when "D" is
engaged. To select the "D" selector lever position
again when "S" is engaged, move the selector lev-
er back > A\. To shift from "N" to "D" when travel-
ing at speeds below 1 mph (2 km/h), press the
brake pedal and shift into the "D" position > A.
In the normal mode "D", the transmission auto-
matically selects the correct gear. It depends on
engine load, vehicle speed and driving style.
Select the sport mode "S" for sporty driving. The
vehicle makes full use of the engine's power.
Shifting may become noticeable when accelerat-
ing.
The "S" selector lever position engages automati-
cally when you select the dynamic mode in drive
select.
Additional driving programs are available when
you select the performance mode* > page 79.

Z\ WARNING
— Before starting to drive, check if the desired
selector lever position is displayed next to
the selector lever.

4S1012721BA
Driving

Parking lock emergency release
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Fig. 76 Center console: parking lock emergency release
cover
[845-0087
|

Fig. 77 Center armrest: parking lock emergency release
The emergency release is located in the center
armrest. Remove the screwdriver and the red tool
from the vehicle tool kit.
Releasing the parking lock using the
emergency release
> To prevent the vehicle from rolling unintention-
ally, set the parking brake ®) > page 65 or
press the brake pedal.
> Open the cover on the center armrest.
> Remove the floor cover.
> Remove the slotted screw using the screwdriv-
er.
> Press the release tab > fig. 76 and remove the
plastic cover.
> Take the tool (vehicle tool kit) and fold up the
handle at a 90° angle.
>» Set the tool on the plastic base and guide it in-
to the emergency release mechanism > fig. 77.
> Tilt the handle in the direction of the arrow to-
ward the rear.
>» Leave the tool inserted.
Resetting the parking lock
> Tilt the tool forward.
> Remove the tool.
> Reinstall the cover and the floor cover.
When the parking lock emergency release is
used, the fs] indicator light and the "N" selector
lever position turn on in the instrument cluster.
The message Danger of rolling away! P not pos-
sible. Please apply parking brake also appears.

ZA WARNING
— The parking lock must be released using the
emergency release before towing the vehi-
tle.
— Only activate the emergency release while
ona level surface or a slight slope.
— The parking lock may only be released using
the emergency release if the parking brake
is set. If it is not working, secure the vehicle
from rolling using the brake pedal or other
suitable means, such as blocking a front and
a rear wheel. An unsecured vehicle may roll
away, which increases the risk of an acci-
dent.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, you must
not drive when the emergency release is ac-
tivated.

Trailer towing
General information
Your Audi is not designed to tow a trailer.
Towing a trailer with your Audi is not recom-
mended and can cause damage to the car. Dam-
aged caused by towing a trailer is not covered by
your Audi Warranty.
73

Emergency assistance

The jump start cable connections are located in
the luggage compartment.
Follow the information about the vehicle battery
=> page 240.
Connecting the positive cable (red) to the
positive terminal
> Open the cover for jump starting > page 242,
fig. 188.
1. Attach one end of the positive cable (red) to
the jump start connection @ © fig. 207 on
your vehicle.
2. Attach the other end of the positive cable
(red) to the positive terminal @) on the pow-
er source.
Connecting the negative cable (black) to the
negative terminal
3. Attach one end of the negative cable (black)
to the negative terminal @) on the power
source.
4. Attach the other end of the negative cable
(black) to the jump start connection @) on
the vehicle.
Starting the engine
> Start the engine in the vehicle giving the charge
and let it run at idle.
> Now start the engine in your vehicle, which has
the
drained battery.
> If the engine does not start: Stop the starting
procedure after 10 seconds and then repeat it
after approximately 30 seconds.
> Turn on the rear window defogger in your vehi-
cle in order to reduce any voltage peaks that
may occur when disconnecting the jump start
cables. The headlights must be switched off.
> With the engines running, remove the cables in
reverse order of the way they were installed.
> Close the cover.

ZX WARNING
— Do not touch the non-insulated parts of the
terminal clamps. The cable must also not
come into contact with vehicle components
that conduct electricity when it is connected
to the positive vehicle battery terminal. This
can cause a short circuit.

278

—The locking bolts on the battery cells must
be tightened securely.
— Keep ignition sources (open flames, burning
cigarettes, etc.) away from the vehicle bat-
teries to reduce the risk of an explosion.
— If you jump start another vehicle, route the
jump start cable so that it does not become
caught in moving components in the other
vehicle's engine compartment.
@) Note
Please note that the connecting process previ-
ously described for the jump start cables is in-
tended for when your vehicle is being jump
started. If you are jump starting another vehi-
cle, connect the negative cable (-) to a large
metal component that is bolted securely to
the engine block, or to the engine block itself.
If the vehicle battery in the vehicle being
jump started is not vented to the outside,
there is a risk of explosion due to hydrogen
gas.
G) Tips
Make sure that the connected jump start ca-
bles have sufficient contact with metal.

Towing
General information
You should only perform the steps that follow if
you have the necessary tools and technical ex-
pertise.
Towing requires a certain amount of practice. Au-
di recommends contacting a towing company to
have the vehicle transported.
You should only have your vehicle towed by an-
other vehicle when disabled in exceptional cir-
cumstances. Inexperienced drivers should not
tow.
Notes on towing
When the engine is stopped, the transmission
will not be sufficiently lubricated if traveling at
high speeds and long distances:

4S1012721BA
Emergency assistance

— The maximum permitted towing speed is 30
mph (50 km/h).
— The maximum permitted towing distance is 30
miles (50 km).
Additional information on towing with a tow
truck
The vehicle must not be towed with the front axle
or rear axle raised. Do not wrap any chains or ca-
bles around the brake lines.
Tow bar and towing cable
The vehicle can be towed with a tow bar or tow-
ing cable. Both drivers should be familiar with
the special considerations when towing, especial-
ly when using a towing cable.
Always make sure the traction force does not ex-
ceed the permitted level and there are no shock
loading conditions. There is always the risk of the
coupling becoming overloaded when driving off-
road.
For the most safety and security, drive with a tow
bar. You should use a towing cable only if a tow
bar is not available. Use a towing cable made of
synthetic elastic cable similar elastic material.

ZA WARNING
— Towing highly increases the risk of an acci-
dent, for example from colliding with the
towing vehicle.
— To reduce the risk of an accident, do not al-
low anyone to remain inside the vehicle
when it is being transported by a tow truck
or a special transporter.
@) Note
— If normal towing is not possible, for exam-
ple if the transmission is faulty or if the
towing distance is greater than 30 miles
(50 km), then transport the vehicle on a
special carrier.
— If the vehicle is towed by a tow truck at the
axle that is not permitted, this can cause se-
vere damage to the transmission.


D_ Requirement: the vehicle battery must have a sufficient
charge level.
— The vehicle must not be tow started for
technical reasons.
G) Tips
— If the power supply is interrupted, the se-
lector lever will not move out of the "P" po-
sition. The parking lock must be released
using the emergency release before towing
the vehicle > page 73.
— Follow the local legal regulations for tow-
ing.
Read and follow the important information under
=> page 278.
Preparations
> Only secure the towing cable or tow bar at the
designated towing loop > page 280.
> Make sure the towing cable is not twisted. Oth-
erwise it could disconnect from the towing loop
while towing.
> Switch the emergency flashers on in both vehi-
cles > page 44. However, do not do this if it
prohibited by law.
Towing vehicle (front)
> Only start to drive when the towing cable is
taut.
> Be especially careful when accelerating.
> Avoid sudden braking or driving maneuvers.
Vehicle being towed (rear)
> Make sure the ignition is switched on so that
the steering wheel is not locked and so that you
can use the turn signals, the horn, and the
windshield wipers if needed > A\.
> The brake booster only works when the engine
is running. Power steering only works when the
ignition is switched on and the vehicle is roll-
ing )). If the brake booster and power steering
are not functioning, you must press the brake
pedal much harder and use more force to steer.
> Release the parking brake > page 65.
279
>

Emergency assistance

> Select the "N" selector lever position.
> Make sure the towing cable is always taut.

Z\ WARNING
Never tow a vehicle using a tow bar or towing
cable if the vehicle does not have electrical
power.

Front towing loop


Fig. 208 Front bumper: installing the towing loop
The threaded opening for the towing loop is lo-
cated on the right side of the front bumper.
> Remove the towing loop from the vehicle tool
kit > page 271.
> Press the cap inward with brief, strong pressure
=> fig. 208. The cap will loosen from the bump-
er.
> Tighten the towing loop in the threaded open-
ing until it stops and then tighten it with a
wheel wrench.
> After using, place the towing loop back in the
vehicle tool kit.

ZX. WARNING
If the towing loop is not tightened until it
stops when installing, the threads may be
pulled out when towing the vehicle and result
in an accident.


280