2021 AUDI A8 engine

Instrument cluster

Reducing the display
Depending on the vehicle equipment, you can
hide the central area in the instrument cluster.
> Select on the instrument cluster: vehicle func-
tions tab > E] button > Reduced display.
Coolant temperature
display
Applies to: vehicles with a coolant temperature indicator
The coolant temperature display @ > page 12
only functions when the ignition is switched on.
To reduce the risk of engine damage, please ob-
serve the following notes about the temperature
ranges.
Cold range
If only the LEDs at the bottom of the gauge turn
on, the engine has not reached operating tem-
perature yet. Avoid high engine speeds, full accel-
eration, and heavy engine loads.
Normal range
The engine has reached its operating tempera-
ture once the LEDs up to the center of the gauge
turn on. If the | indicator light in the instru-
ment cluster display turns on, the coolant tem-
perature is too high > page 281.
@) Note
— Auxiliary headlights and other accessories in
front of the air intake impair the cooling ef-
fect of the coolant. This increases the risk of
the engine overheating during high outside
temperatures and heavy engine load.
— The front spoiler also helps to distribute
cooling air correctly while driving. If the
spoiler is damaged, the cooling effect will
be impaired and the risk of the engine over-
heating will increase. See an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility for assistance.
Tachometer
The tachometer (@) 9 page 12 displays the engine
speed in revolutions per minute (RPM). The be-
ginning of the red zone in the tachometer indi-
14
cates the maximum permissible engine speed for
all gears once the engine has been broken in. Be-
fore reaching the red zone, you should shift into
the next higher gear, select the "D" or "S" selec-
tor lever position, or remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal.
Displaying the tachometer
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
SETTINGS > Display & brightness > Audi virtu-
al cockpit > Left dial > Tachometer or Com-
bined.
Engine speed limitation
If the Bw indicator light turns on, the engine will
be automatically limited to the RPM displayed in
the instrument cluster. This will protect the en-
gine components, for example during a cold start
or from overheating.
The engine speed limitation is deactivated if you
release the accelerator pedal while the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
If the engine speed limitation was activated by
an engine control malfunction, the indicator
light also turns on. Make sure the engine speed
does not go above the speed displayed, for exam-
ple when downshifting. Drive to an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility im-
mediately to have the malfunction corrected.
C) Note
The needle in the tachometer may only be in
the red area of the gauge for a short period of
time before there is a risk of damaging the
engine. The location where the red zone be-
gins varies depending on the engine.

4N0012721BF
Instrument cluster

Power meter
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive


RAZ-0575,

8
©






Fig. 6 Instrument cluster: power meter
Displaying the power meter
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
SETTINGS > Display & brightness > Audi virtu-
al cockpit > Left dial > Power meter or Com-
bined.
The power meter @) > page 12 gives feedback
about the usage capacity of the drive system. The
power meter needle displays the current usage
capacity. A colored border indicates how much
the drive system can currently be utilized. The
colored borders may vary depending on the se-
lected driving program and the electric power
currently available.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the power
meter displays the following driving statuses:
@ Drive system switched off
@ Vehicle recovering electrical energy
@® Drive system switched on
@) Vehicle is driving with the electric
motor (green)
© Vehicle is driving with the electric
motor, the combustion engine can
switch on automatically (green
dash)
© Vehicle is driving with the combus-
tion engine (orange)
@ Vehicle is driving with maximum
power from the electric motor and
combustion engine for a brief peri-
od of time
Odometer
The trip odometer and odometer are displayed in
the status bar G) > page 12.
The trip odometer shows the distance driven
since it was last reset. It can be used to measure
short distances. The odometer shows the total
distance that the vehicle has been driven.
Resetting the trip odometer
> Select on the instrument cluster: vehicle func-
tions tab > I button > Reset mi.
@) Tips
Distances are displayed in mi (miles) or km
(kilometers).
Outside temperature
display
The outside temperature is displayed in the sta-
tus bar @) > page 12.
If your vehicle is stationary or if you are driving at
very low speeds, the temperature displayed in
the instrument cluster may be slightly higher
than the actual temperature outside due to heat
radiating from the engine.
At temperatures below 41 °F (+5 °C), a snowflake
symbol appears in front of the temperature dis-
play > A.

Z\ WARNING
Do not assume the roads are free of ice based
on the outside temperature display. Be aware
that there may be ice on roads even when the
outside temperature is around 41 °F (+5 °C)
and that ice can increase the risk of accidents.


Engine oil temperature
indicator
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the engine
oil temperature %7 may be indicated by a bar in
the instrument cluster.
> Open the vehicle functions tab and switch to
the enhanced view > page 13.
15

Instrument cluster

When engine oil temperatures are low, the dis-
play --- °F (--- °C) appears in the instrument clus-
ter. The engine has reached its operating temper-
ature when the engine oil temperature is be-
tween 176 °F (80 °C) and 248 °F (120 °C) under
normal driving conditions. The engine oil temper-
ature may be higher if there is heavy engine load
and high temperatures outside. This is not a
cause for concern as long as the B or 2 indica-
tor lights do not turn on.
Boost indicator
Applies to: vehicles with boost indicator
Depending on vehicle equipment, the current en-
gine load (meaning the current boost pressure)
may be indicated by a bar in the instrument clus-
ter.
> Open the vehicle functions tab and switch to
the enhanced view > page 13.
Vehicle functions
The trip computer is displayed in the first tab of
the driver information system. Additional vehicle
functions can be accessed depending on the vehi-
cle equipment.
> Press the [=] button on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel.
— Trip computer > page 16
— Reduced display > page 14
— Reset trip odometer > page 15
— Energy flow display > page 115
—Lap times > page 158
— Lap statistics > page 159
On-board computer
Resetting values to zero
Requirement: the Consumption, Short-term
memory, or Long-term memory display must be
selected.
> To reset the values in one of the memories to
zero, press and hold the left thumbwheel on
16
the multifunction steering wheel for one sec-
ond, or
> Select on the instrument cluster: vehicle func-
tions tab > EI button > Reset mi.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, you can call
up the following displays in the on-board com-
puter one at a time by turning the left thumb-
wheel on the multifunction steering wheel:
— Time and date > page 263
— Plug-in hybrid drive: range display
— Average consumption > page 16
— Short-term memory overview
— Long-term memory overview
— Energy consumers > page 16
— Driver assistance
— Traffic sign recognition and traffic light infor-
mation
Short-term memory and long-term memory
The short-term memory collects driving informa-
tion from the time the ignition is switched on un-
til it is switched off. If you continue driving within
two hours after switching the ignition off, the
new values will be included when calculating the
current trip information.
Unlike the short-term memory, the long-term
memory is not erased automatically. You can se-
lect the time period for evaluating trip informa-
tion yourself.
Average consumption
The current consumption can be shown using a
bar graph. The average consumption stored in
the short-term memory is also displayed. If the
bar is green, your vehicle is saving energy (for ex-
ample, using recuperation).
Energy consumers
The Energy consumers view lists other equip-
ment that is currently affecting fuel consump-
tion. The display shows up to three equipment
items. The equipment using the most power is
listed first. If more than three items using power
are switched on, the equipment that is currently
using the most power is displayed. A gauge also
shows the current total consumption of all other
equipment.

Warm and cold

button or deactivate all three arrows. With °,
the air will be directed toward the windshield.
Applies to: vehicles with 4-zone automatic cli-
mate control: You can press J in the rear control
panel multiple times to adjust the air distribution
based on the direction of the arrow.
® Defrosting
The windshield and side windows are defrosted
or cleared of condensation as quickly as possible.
Align the outer air vents with the side windows.
The maximum amount of air flows mainly from
the vents below the windshield. Recirculation
mode switches off. The temperature should be
set at 72 °F (+22 °C) or higher. Depending on the
outside temperature, the A/C cooling mode may
automatically switch on.
& Rear window defogger
The rear window defogger only operates when
the engine is running. It switches off automati-
cally after 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the
outside temperature.
To prevent the rear window defogger from
switching off automatically, press and hold the
{® button for more than three seconds. It will re-
main on until the ignition is switched off.
Auto
/& Recirculation mode
In recirculation mode, the air inside the vehicle is
circulated and filtered. This prevents the unfil-
tered air outside the vehicle from entering the
vehicle interior > A\.
Pressing <> switches recirculation mode on or
off manually.
AUTO
When switched on, automatic recirculation <3
controls the recirculation mode automatically.
You must press the & button if fog forms on the
windows.
«? Seat heating
Applies to: vehicles with heated seats
The seat heating temperature can be set at mul-
tiple levels. Press w) once to switch on the highest
level. Press 4? again to decrease the temperature
one level at a time. The seat heating is switched
off if the button is not illuminated.
102
You can adjust the seat temperature balance®* in
the seat settings.
Applies to: surface heating: You can set whether
surfaces are also heated when the seat heating is
switched on > page 103.
2) Seat ventilation
Applies to: vehicles with seat ventilation
The seat ventilation intensity can be set to multi-
ple levels. Press 2) once to switch on the highest
level. Press 2) again to decrease the heat level
one level at a time. The seat ventilation is switch-
ed off if the button is not illuminated.
fz Foot heating
Applies to: vehicles with a reclining seat system and foot
heating
Fold out the leg support and select the setting
for the reclining seat in the Rear Seat Remote*
= page 75. You can now switch the foot heating
on or off with .
The foot heating intensity can be set at multiple
levels. Press 2 once to switch on the highest lev-
el. Press again to decrease the heat level one
level at a time. The foot heating is switched off if
the button is not illuminated.
The foot heating switches off automatically when
the leg support is folded in.
& Child safety lock*
If 8 lights up in the Rear Seat Remote*, the pa-
rental control is active and operation is locked
=> page 51.
“3 Ionizer
Applies to: vehicles with ionizer
Hazardous particles and germs in the air may be
reduced through ionization. This helps to im-
prove the air quality for individuals in the passen-
ger compartment.
&* Fragrance
Applies to: vehicles with fragrance function
The fragrance function will dispense a scent in
the vehicle interior. It is dispensed through the
front outer vents. This will produce a pleasant
scent. The fragrance is time-delayed, especially >

4N0012721BF
Warm and cold

@) Tips
— Make sure the time and date match in the
system settings so that the timer can func-
tion correctly > page 263.
— 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 136. The climate control output de-
pends on the power supply capacity.
Additional settings
Applies to: vehicles with auxiliary climate control
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Air conditioning > F > <2.
Start A/C 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 climate control
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 climate control
You can set if the rear window and mirrors should
also be heated during auxiliary climate control.
Messages
Applies to: vehicles with 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.

Symbol | Meaning

Warning: the A/C system must only
be serviced by qualified technicians. A
Refrigerant type
wt
ot
Lubricant type

Refer to the service information
(only available for authorized Audi
dealers or authorized Audi Service
Facilities)
Y

The A/C system must only be serv-
iced by qualified technicians.

Flammable refrigerant
Se
Be

Make sure all components are dis-
posed of correctly and never install
components in the vehicle that have
been removed from old vehicles or
a


taken from recycling.

Lubricant in the A/C system
The sticker in the engine compartment provides
information about the type and amount of refrig-
erant oil used in the vehicle’s A/C system. For the
refrigerant oil quantity, refer to the Technical Da-
ta > page 344.

ZX WARNING
To ensure secure and safe operation, the A/C
system must only be serviced by qualified
technicians and certified technicians (SAE
standard J2845).


@) Tips
— Never repair the A/C system evaporator with
components from old vehicles or from recy-
cling.
105
>

4N0012721BF
Driving

Driving
Starting the vehicle
pyr Told T ola (ela)


= i
Fig. 91 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
vehicle 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 [>


107

Driving


usual may increase the risk of accidents and
serious injuries.
— Secure the vehicle against rolling before ex-
iting the vehicle > page 108.

@) 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.
@ 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.
Messages
Hj 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.
B Engine start system: malfunction! Please
contact Service
There is a malfunction in the engine start system.
Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the
malfunction repaired.
108
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 107, fig. 91.
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.
Securing the vehicle against rolling
Secure your vehicle to prevent it from rolling be-
fore exiting the vehicle.
> Set the parking brake.
> Select the “P” selector lever position.
> If parking on a steep road, turn the steering
wheel so that your vehicle will roll against the
curb in case it should start to move.
If one of these measures is not possible, for ex-
ample because there is no vehicle power, you
must secure your vehicle against rolling using ad-
ditional measures.
> Only park the vehicle on a level surface.
> Use suitable objects to block the front and rear
wheels.

4N0012721BF
Driving

Set the parking brake before selecting the “P” se-
lector lever position. This prevents too much
stress from being placed on the locking mecha-
nism when parking on a steep surface.

ZX WARNING
— Always set the parking brake when leaving
your vehicle, even if for a short period of
time. If the parking brake is not set, the ve-
hicle could roll away, increasing the risk of
an accident.
— Do not leave your vehicle unattended while
the engine is running, because this increases
the risk of an accident.
— If the parking brake is set, it can release au-
tomatically when the accelerator pedal is
pressed. To reduce the risk of an accident,
do not inadvertently press the accelerator
pedal and always shift into “P” when the ve-
hicle is stopped.
— If you leave the vehicle, switch the ignition
off and take the key with you. This is espe-
cially important when leaving persons or an-
imals in the vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle
could start unintentionally, the parking
brake could release, or electronic equipment
could activate, which increases the risk of an
accident.
— No persons or animals should be left in a
locked vehicle. Locked doors make it more
difficult for emergency workers to enter the
vehicle, which puts lives at risk.
— If you do not begin driving immediately af-
ter releasing the brake pedal, your vehicle
may begin to roll backward. Press the brake

pedal or set the parking brake immediately.

@) Note
If you have to stop on an incline, always press
the brake pedal to hold the vehicle in place to
reduce the risk of the vehicle rolling back-
ward. Do not try to hold the vehicle in place
by pressing and holding the accelerator pedal.
The transmission can overheat, which increas-
es the risk of damage.
Hill hold assist
If you take your foot off of the brake pedal when
driving on hills, the braking force will be held for
several seconds. At that time, you can start driv-
ing without the vehicle rolling backward.
Requirement: the driver's door must be closed,
the engine must be on, and the vehicle must be
traveling uphill.
> To activate hill hold assist, press and hold the
brake pedal for several seconds while the vehi-
cle is stationary.

Z\ WARNING
— If you do not begin driving immediately af-
ter releasing the brake pedal, your vehicle
may begin to roll backward. Press the brake
pedal
or set the parking brake immediately.
— The hill hold assist cannot hold the vehicle
on inclines in every scenario (for example,
on slippery or icy ground).
Gears and driving programs
(1)
(2S




[RAZ-0410



R
N
:
D/S
~— SI
Fig. 92 Center console: selector lever


The automatic transmission shifts automatically
depending on the selected gear and the current
driving style. When driving with a moderate driv-
ing style, upshifting early and downshifting late
will help to improve fuel economy. When driving
with a sporty driving style, the transmission per-
mits higher RPMs.
The gears are displayed next to the selector lever.
— P (Park)
— R (Reverse): driving in reverse
—N (Neutral): idle
109