2021 AUDI A8 suspension

4N0012721BF
Driving dynamic

There is a heavy load on the vehicle electrical sys-
tem or the active suspension. Therefore, the ac-
tive suspension functions will be temporarily
switched off. Driving stability is reduced. Contin-
ue driving with caution.
EZ Active suspension: malfunction! Limited sta-
bility. You can continue driving with caution
There is a malfunction. Driving stability is re-
duced. See an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility for assistance.
B Air suspension: vehicle too low. Limited
ground clearance
The vehicle ground clearance is very low. Wait un-
til the air suspension system has restored normal
ground clearance. Have an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility repair the mal-
function immediately if the indicator light does
not turn off after a significant period of time.
Bair suspension: malfunction! Please contact
Service
There is a malfunction. The driving stability may
be limited and the ground clearance may be low.
See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for assistance.
Active suspension: currently limited. See
owner's manual
There is a heavy load on the vehicle electrical sys-
tem or the active suspension. Therefore, the ac-
tive suspension functions are temporarily limit-
ed.
Active suspension: predictive scanning un-
available. See owner's manual
There is a malfunction. The camera’s visual field
may be blocked. Clean the windshield. If the mal-
function continues, drive to an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility immedi-
ately.
Audi drive select: automatic suspension low-
ering. See owner's manual
The vehicle level is adjusted to the setting stored
for the active personal profile > page 38.
Audi drive select: automatic suspension lift.
See owner's manual
The vehicle level is adjusted to the setting stored
for the active personal profile > page 38.
Steering
Electromechanical steering supports the driver's
steering movements by electronically adapting
the power steering depending on the vehicle
speed. The settings depend on the selected Audi
drive select* mode.
Dynamic all-wheel steering
Applies to: vehicles with dynamic all-wheel steering
Active corrective steering at the front and rear
axles increases the driving dynamic and driving
stability. At low speeds, the rear wheels are
steered in the opposite direction from the front
wheels to reduce the steering effort needed by
the driver and to reduce the turning radius. Vehi-
cle handling improves. At high speeds, steering
the rear wheels in the same direction as the front
wheels improves the vehicle response and driving
stability. The vehicle reacts quickly and precisely
to the driver's steering movements.
Ba Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle
The power steering may have failed. Adapt your
driving style immediately to compensate for the
fact that it may be more difficult to turn the
steering wheel, and stop your vehicle in a safe lo-
cation as soon as possible. Do not continue driv-
ing. See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility for assistance.
a Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle.
Pay attention to distance at side
The rear axle steering may have failed. More
space on the road may be needed at the side of
the vehicle, and the turning radius may be much
larger. Slow down immediately, and stop your ve-
hicle as soon as possible in a safe location with
enough space at the sides of the vehicle. Do not
continue driving. See an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility for assistance.
& Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle >
127

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 124
must be selected before you adjust the tongue
weight on the trailer and hitch the trailer >@,
=> page 126.
Likewise, the vehicle cannot be raised manually
using the Raise function > page 126.
The air suspension trailer mode must be switched
on.
Applies to MMI: select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Air suspension:
trailer.
Switch trailer mode off again when you are no
longer towing a trailer.
When using rear carrier systems that are mount-
ed directly 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 126.
Vehicle levels below the values set in the comfort
level will no longer be available, even if you are
lowering the vehicle manually.
148

ZA WARNING
Applies to: vehicles with air suspension
— 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.
C) 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.
@) Tips
— Block the wheels with chocks when parking
on inclines if the trailer is loaded.
— Audi recommends having the vehicle in-
spected between the inspection intervals if
you tow a trailer frequently.
— Avoid driving with a trailer during the vehi-
cle break-in period.
Pie Rie Relig
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.

Driver assistance

may only be able to avoid a collision by swerving
or braking strongly.
Automatic braking force increase
If there is an impending collision and you are not
applying the brakes enough, the braking force
may be increased, depending on the situation.
Automatic braking
If you do not react to the acute warning, the sys-
tem may apply the brakes with strong braking
force within the limits of the system in order to
reduce the speed of impact in the event of a colli-
sion.
If the brakes were applied until the vehicle stop-
ped, © Please take over! will appear in the in-
strument cluster and you must take over control
of the vehicle.

ZA WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 150.
— Audi pre sense front cannot overcome natu-
ral physical laws. It is a system designed to
assist and it cannot prevent a collision in ev-
ery circumstance. The driver must always in-
tervene. The driver is always responsible for
braking at the correct time. Do not let the
increased safety provided tempt you into
taking risks. This could increase your risk of
a collision.
— Audi pre sense front does not react to cer-
tain objects, such as animals, crossing or on-
coming vehicles, bars, railings, or railcars.
— Audi pre sense front may be limited or un-
available when driving in curves.
— 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.
ners of the vehicle and calculates the probability
of a rear-end collision with the vehicle behind
you.
Audi pre sense preemptive safety measures can
be initiated if the risk of a collision with the vehi-
cle behind you is detected.

ZA\ WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 150.
— Audi pre sense rear does not react to pedes-
trians, animals, crossing objects, and ob-
jects not detected as vehicles.
G) Tips
Audi pre sense rear functions may also switch
off if there is a malfunction in the side assist
system.
Audi pre sense side
Applies to: vehicles with Audi pre sense side

Within the limits of the system, Audi pre sense
can warn about impending collisions with cross-
traffic and vehicles approaching from the side,
and trigger Audi pre sense preemptive safety
measures.
The system uses additional sensors in the front
and rear areas and is active at speeds up to ap-
proximately 35 mph (60 km/h).
Depending on the situation, the suspension may
be lifted* on the side facing the accident.

Z\, WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 150.
— Audi pre sense side does not react to pedes-
trians, animals, and objects not detected as

vehicles.

NU Cel eat
Applies to: vehicles with Audi pre sense rear
Within the limits of the system, Audi pre sense
rear uses data from radar sensors at the rear cor-
180
@) Tips
— The suspension lift* only occurs when the
ignition is switched on, the doors and lug-
gage compartment lid are closed, and if the

Parking and maneuvering


Applies to: vehicles with rearview camera/peripheral cameras

Fig. 141 Upper display: aiming at a parking space
When parking with the rearview camera or pe-
ripheral camera, the parking system plus audio
and visual warnings* will also assist you
=> page 189.
Visual orientation lines
@ The orange orientation lines show the vehi-
cle's direction of travel >@. Turn the steer-
ing wheel until the orange orientation lines
align with the parking space.
@) Use the blue markings to help you estimate
the distance to an obstacle. Each marking
represents approximately 3 feet (1 meter).
The blue area represents an extension of the
vehicle's outline by approximately 16 feet (5
meters) to the rear.
@® You can recognize the rear bumper in the
lower display.
@ You should stop driving in reverse when the
red orientation line touches the edge of an
object, at the latest.
Symbols
If 2/&9/< is displayed and the display area
represented by that symbol is not available, then
the camera on the that side is not available. The
power exterior mirrors may have been folded in
or a door or the luggage compartment lid may
have been opened.
If # is displayed, there is a system malfunction
and the display area represented by that symbol
is not available. The camera is not working in this
area.
192
If Avis displayed, the respective ultrasonic sensor
is icy or dirty. Clean the area in front of the sen-
sors > page 152.
If one of the symbols continues to be displayed,
drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility to have the mal-
function repaired.

ZA WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 150.
— Sensors and cameras have spots in which
the surrounding area cannot be detected.
Objects, animals, and people may only be
detected with limitations may not be detect-
ed at all. Always monitor the traffic and the
vehicle's surroundings directly and do not
become distracted.

() Note
— The orange orientation lines @ show the di-
rection the rear of the vehicle will be travel-
ing, based on the steering wheel angle. The
front of the vehicle swings out more than
the rear of the vehicle. Maintain plenty of
distance so that an exterior mirror or a cor-
ner of the vehicle does not collide with any
obstacles.
— Keep enough distance from the curb to
avoid damage to the rims.
— Only use the images provided by the camera
on the rear of the vehicle when the luggage
compartment lid is completely closed. Make
sure any objects you may have mounted on
the luggage compartment lid do not block
the rearview camera.
G) Tips
Applies to vehicles with air suspension: The
accuracy of the orientation lines and blue sur-
faces on the camera display decreases when
the vehicle is raised or lowered with the air
suspension.

Parking and maneuvering

process will be recalculated based on the vehi-
cle position.
LED in the button (4)
The LED informs about the availability of park as-
sist plus:
— Blinking white - park assist plus is ready to
control the parking process automatically or to
resume after an interruption.
— Green - park assist plus is active.
— Red - park assist plus was paused or stopped. A
message will appear in the instrument cluster
display > page 202.
Indicator in the upper display
The current driving maneuver and the status of
the park assist plus are shown in the upper dis-
play:
@ Path that the vehicle will travel during the
current parking maneuver
@® End point of the current parking maneuver/
direction change
®@ o Park assist plus active
©) Driving direction display
End of the parking process
The parking process will end automatically once
the vehicle has reached the end point in the park-
ing space. After park assist plus finishes parking
successfully, the parking lock will be engaged
and the parking brake will be set.
Pause park assist plus page 201.


— Park assist plus is an assist system. The driv-
er is still responsible for monitoring the ve-
hicle's surroundings and preventing colli-
sions when using the system.
— When using park assist plus to drive into or
out of a parking space, the steering wheel
turns quickly on its own. Reaching into the
steering wheel spokes while this is happen-
ing can result in injury.
— Sensors and cameras have spots in which
the surrounding area cannot be detected.
Objects, animals, and people may only be
detected with limitations may not be detect-
ed at all. Always monitor the traffic and the
vehicle's surroundings directly and do not
become distracted.


Z\ WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 150.

— Press and hold the [>>P] button only if you
are sure that there are no obstacles in the
vehicle's path or under the vehicle, and that
no obstacles will move into the vehicle's
path.


200
G) Tips
— You can reduce the speed specified by the
system at any time by pressing the brake
pedal.
— The system can incorrectly interpret parking
space barriers (such as parking curbs). Take
over the parking process = page 201 if the
vehicle is not completely inside the parking
space or if the vehicle tries to drive over the
parking space barrier.
— The image in the display is an enlarged and
distorted image. Under certain circumstan-
ces, objects may appear different and un-
clear on the display. This is especially true if
there are objects that do not touch the
ground, such as the bumper of a parked ve-
hicle or the rear of a truck. Drive with spe-
cial care and do not use the image if neces-
sary.
— Applies to vehicles with air suspension: The
accuracy of the orientation lines and green
surfaces in the display decreases when the
vehicle is raised or lowered with the air sus-
pension.

Wheels


ZA\ WARNING
Using incorrect snow chains or installing snow
chains incorrectly can result in loss of vehicle
control, which increases the risk of an acci-
dent.
@) Note
— Snow chains can damage the rims and
wheel covers* if the chains come into direct
contact with them. Remove the wheel cov-
ers* first. Use coated snow chains.

— Do not install and use snow chains if there is
a malfunction in the air suspension, because
the vehicle height will be very low. If you
drive with snow chains anyway, the wheel
housings and other vehicle components can
be severely damaged.
@ Tips
When using snow chains, it may be advisable
to limit the ESC > page 130.
Low-profile tires
Applies to: vehicles with low-profile tires
Compared to other tire/rim combinations, low-
profile tires offer a wider tread surface and a
larger rim diameter with shorter tire sidewalls.
This results in an agile driving style. However, it
may reduce the level of comfort and increase
road noise when driving on roads in poor condi-
tion.
Low-profile tires can become damaged more
quickly than standard tires when driving over
large bumps, potholes, manhole covers, and
curbs. Therefore, it is particularly important to
maintain the correct tire pressure > page 299.
To reduce the risk of damage to the tires and
rims, drive very carefully on poor roads.
Check your wheels regularly every 2,000 mi
(3,000 km) for damage. For example, check for
bulges/cracks on the tires or deformations/cracks
on the rims.
After a heavy impact or damage, have the tires
and rims inspected or replaced immediately by
306
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
Low-profile tires can wear out faster than stand-
ard tires.
Uniform tire quality grading
— Tread wear
— Traction AAABC
— Temperature ABC
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire side wall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width > page 290, fig. 187.
For example: Tread wear 200, Traction AA, Tem-
perature A.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon
the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA,
A, Band C. Those grades represent the tire's
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured un-
der controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance
SA.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate >

Emergency assistance

> Set the parking brake.
> Select the “P” position.
>» When towing a trailer: disconnect the trailer
from your vehicle.
> Lay out the vehicle tool kit > page 317 and the
spare tire > page 323.
» Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Air suspension:
wheel change.
> Switch the ignition off.

ZA\ WARNING
The vehicle must also be secured to prevent it
from rolling when using the vehicle jack”. Use
suitable objects to block the front and back of
the wheel that is diagonal from the wheel
with the flat tire.

Removing the caps


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Fig. 196 Wheel: wheel bolts with caps
> Slide the plastic clip from the vehicle tool kit
onto the cap until it engages > fig. 196.
> Remove the cap with the plastic clip.
320

Tada more) bed
Applies to: vehicles with anti-theft wheel bolts



B4H-0470

Fig. 197 Anti-theft wheel bolt with cap and adapter
You need a special adapter in the vehicle tool kit
to remove the anti-theft wheel bolts.
> Remove the cap @).
> Slide the adapter @) all the way onto the anti-
theft wheel bolt @.
> Slide the wheel wrench* from the vehicle tool
kit all the way onto the adapter @).
> Loosen the wheel bolt > page 320.
@ Tips
Note the code number for the wheel bolt
adapter and store it in a safe place separate
from the vehicle. If you need a replacement
adapter, contact an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility and give them
the code number.
Loosening the wheel bolts

B4S-0221

Fig. 198 Wheel: loosening the wheel bolts

Fuses and bulbs








Fuse assignment - left side of cockpit
RAZ-0202

Fig. 210 Left side of the cockpit: fuse panel with plastic
clip






Fig. 211 Left side of the luggage compartment: fuse panel
with plastic clip
2 | Engine components 10 | Volume control
3 | Engine components 11 | Light switch, switch panels
4 |Engine components 12 | Steering column electronics
5 | Brake light sensor 14 | MMI Infotainment system control module
6 | Engine components 15 |Steering column adjustment
7 |Engine components 16 | Steering wheel heating
8 | Engine components
9 | Engine components ae ft side of the luggage
10 | Oil pressure sensor, oil temperature sensor (eelar|PEINE Ee
11 | Engine components g
12 | Engine components
13 | Engine cooling
14 | Engine control module, fuel injectors
15 | Engine sensors
16 | Fuel pump









330
No. Equipment No. | Equipment
Climate control system, interior air sensor 1_| Thermal management
2 | Audi phone box 5 |Air suspension/suspension control
Climate control system, fragrance system, 6 |Automatic transmission control module
3 particulate matter sensor 7 |Right rear seat adjustment
4 |Head-up display 8 | Rear seat heating
S_ |Audi music interface, USB input 9 |
Left tail light
6 |Instrument panel 10 | Front belt tensioner on driver's side
7 | Steering column lock
8 |Upper/lower display
9 |Instrument cluster