2021 AUDI A8 towing

4N0012721BF
Table of contents

All wheel drive (quattro).............. 128
Electronic Stabilization Control......... 129
High-voltage system............. I31
Generalinformation................. 131
Charging the high-voltage battery...... 131
Charging equipment................. 138
Trailer towing.................055 147
Driving with atrailer................. 147
Assist systems................... 150
Assist systems............... eee 150
General information................. 150
Surrounding area detection............ 151
Switching the systems on and off....... 153
Driving information.............. E55
Speed warning system..............-. 155
Camera-based traffic sign recognition... 155
Traffic light information.............. 157
Laptimer................0..0.0000. 158
Night vision assist..............-.00. 159:
Integrated Toll Module............... 161
Driver assistance................. 163
Cruise control system..........0.0 eee 163
Efficiency assist..............2--004. 164
Adaptive cruise assist............00-. 166
Distance Warning « « wese« + 6 wou ss ese & « 175
Lane departure warning.............4. 176
Audi presense............-.22+-- 0s 178
Sidesassist wsscon x ssescs « 7 ermewn vv suaseme © 8 oe 182
Exit warning .................2.00005 184
Intersection assistant................ 185
Emergencyassists. «icin wasn 3 3 wore oo 186
Parking and maneuvering....... 188
IMEROGUCUION « » see x 2 savas a 2 eae 4 & wee 188
Parking aid plus..................04. 188
Rearview camera and peripheral cameras. 191
Rear cross-traffic assist... ............. 195
Assisted:parkinng « coins 6 asus ¢ 0 caus 6 5 ue 196
Park assist plus.................0.-. 198
Remote controlled parking............ 202
Maneuver.assistis « + cess » semen « wanes a 2 x 207
Infotainment system............ 209
Telephone............... cece eee 209
INthOAUCEION:: « « sews « ¢ news ¢ © mee a x eee 209
SOLU o cncses vo sess + 8 cosine 6 5 ameueus ¥ tuesenens 209
Using the Audi phone box............. 211
Using the Rear Seat Remote........... 214
Using the telephone..............006- 215
Settings............0 0.00.00. 2 eee 218
ME@SSEGES syems 5 2 wom ¢ 5 aan Ff perm FE 219
Troubleshooting sci: 2 aww o 2 wwe 2 2 wow 220
Audi connect..................... 222
Generalinformation................. 222
Audi connect Infotainment............ 222
Using a Wi-Fi hotspot................ 223
Audi connect Infotainment services..... 223
Audi connect vehicle control services.... 224
Settings............0..0 200-02 225
TrOUBlESHOOtING gas 2 s geay s 5 nome & a ae 226
Emergency call................... 227
OVERVIEW some: » = meus <2 came & eee bo ee 227
Emergency call «: issios ¢ sce w ¥ wane wo narem 227
Online roadside assistance............ 228
Navigation «.. < oics seis sc ewe ee os 230
Opening navigation.................. 230
myAudi navigation.................05 230
Entering adestination................ 231
Stopping route guidance.............. 234
Map... sce cece eee eee 234
Alternative routes.............2.-04. 236
Additional functions................. 236
Satellite map............... 0c eee 237
ElGGtriGHanGe veces ¢ ¢ cawy 9 = seme 7 2 ee & 238
Map:updates « ccc xs sco vo eens eo wees 238
Traffic incidents........ 0.00... eee eee 239
SGQtinGS seuss = » aus « Hewes Heme Fx ORE 240
Radio.......... 0... eee 242
Generalinformation................. 242
Radio functions sive. cies as wee 2s wee 243
Online radio... . eee ee eee eee 246
Options and settings................. 248
TroubleShOOting ewes vs woe as eas oe ees 249

Table of contents

Co | fan a 250
General information................. 250
DVD: drive « swe s 2 awe 2 ewes 2 ewe see 250
Bluetooth audio player............... 251
Amazon Alexa.... 2.0.0. cece eee eee 251
Multimedia connections.............. 252
Playing medias. « & ssc 2c ewae « owe oo ee 253
Options and settings................. 257
Supported media and file formats...... 258
Troubleshooting ewies 2 < sce se enw so xy 259
Audi smartphone interface...... 261
S@tUD « ses + y gam peas + yoms os Bene 261
Troubleshooting.............-..00005 262
Additional settings.............. 263
Systemisettingsc « + cssuene so mvswee a soseeue vs 263
Software update........... 0.0 e eee 264
Connected devices..............2---5 265
Legal.information ss « sess s+ ama sx ween « 266
Additional information.......... 268
Brands and licenses...............-4- 268
Maintenance and Care........... 269
Checking and Filling............. 269
Fuel... cee eee 269
Refueling ......... 0... ce eee ee eee eee 270
Emissions control system............. 273
Engine:compartmMentss. scsi so vec eo cee 274
Engineoil........ 00... eee eee eee 277
COOLINGSYSEEM « « sees & = nets 5 = eetew so ore 281
Brake:fluid «2 csoswe s 2 wscceve ov eevee oo erm 283
Electrical system. ...........002-0 00 284
Battery: » = sees = » mean 5 4 meee ye ee Gt BE 284
Windshield washer system...........- 287
Service interval display............... 287
WWATEBUSE. core 5 6 sae oo sms oo ee oo oe 289
Wheels and Tires...........--0000 00s 289
Tire pressure monitoring system....... 307
Care and cleaning................ 310
Generalinformation................. 310
Carwashes ; aves + + sews ss ews se eee ee 310
Cleaning and care information......... 311
Taking your vehicle out of service....... 316
DO.It YOUSUF ovis. io 6 sssicone 3 6 excess 8 4 sane 317
Emergency assistance........... Sly
Generalinformation................. 317
Equipment sncseas xo wexeas ae seems as arvuews ¥ 2 317,
Tire mobility kit.............0...000- 317
Replacing wheels................-00. 319
Space-saving spare tire............... 323
Jump starting....................00. 323
"TOWING © szerws = i sates & 2 a £ § See 5g ee 325
Fuses and bulbs.................. 328
Fuses... 0... eee eee eee 328
BULDS ccs = seme x eens ot ewe ve ee a Pe 332
Customer information........... 333
Data Privaes:s ss seus ss gown se wom ss 333
PRIVAGY, MOLICE «sues 2 w avin w semecwns w vues a 333
Image recording..............00-000- 333
DatainieMmories:: < + sen x = wees sp eee eas 333
Transmitted information.............. 335
Accessories and technical
OMAMGES. « & cicrees 5 2 sn. 6 a snore 0 soe wo 338
Warranty... . 0. ee eee cece 338
Audi Literature Shop..............--- 338
Driving in other countries............. 338
Maintenance, repairs, and technical
modifications. ........ 0... cee eee eee 338
Accessories and parts.............0-. 340
Reporting Safety Defects.............. 340
Declaration of compliance for
telecommunications equipment and
electronic systeMS........0 cece ee eeee 341
Teennical datas: ¢ «ox. is meen ss ees 343
Identification data................ 00% 343
Vehicle data... 2... . ee eee eee eee ee 343
TAA Sis scence: oo cesses 2 v wee © o omen © 2 ove 345

4N0012721BF
Opening and closing

Interior/towing protection monitor
The alarm will be triggered if there are move-
ments detected in the vehicle interior (for exam-
ple, by animals) or if there is a change in the vehi-
cle angle (for example, when the vehicle is being
towed).
You can prevent the alarm from being triggered
by deactivating the interior/towing protection
monitor.
Deactivating the interior/towing protection
monitor
There are the following options for deactivating
the interior/towing protection monitor:
> Press the @ button on the vehicle key a second
time within two seconds. Or
» Applies to: vehicles with convenience key:
Touch the sensor on the door handle a second
time within two seconds. Or
> Turn the mechanical key in the door lock to the
close position a second time within two sec-
onds.
> Applies to: vehicles with MMI: Select on the
home screen: VEHICLE > Settings & Service >
Interior monitoring.
If you lock the vehicle, then the interior/towing
protection monitor will stay off until the next
time the vehicle is unlocked.

ZA\ WARNING
No one, especially children, should stay in the
vehicle when it is locked from the outside, be-
cause the windows can no longer be opened
from the inside. Locked doors make it more
difficult for emergency workers to enter the

vehicle, which puts lives at risk.

@) Tips
The interior/towing protection monitor only
functions correctly when the windows and the
panorama glass roof* are closed.


RAZ-0621



Fig. 31 Your vehicle key set
@ Vehicle key
You can unlock and lock your vehicle with the ve-
hicle key.
@ Mechanical key and release button for
mechanical key
A mechanical key is integrated in the vehicle key.
To remove it, press the release button and re-
move the mechanical key.
Using the mechanical key, you can:
— Lock or unlock the glove compartment.
— Manually unlock and lock the doors > page 44.
— Unlock the luggage compartment lid using the
emergency release > page 51.
@ Key fob with vehicle code
Applies to: vehicles with Audi connect vehicle control
Open the key tag and scratch to reveal the vehicle
code. You can unlock the Audi connect vehicle
control services* for your vehicle with this vehicle
code. For additional information, see
= page 224. If a key fob is lost, contact an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility.
@ PANIC button
In an emergency, you can press the PANIC button
to trigger the alarm for the anti-theft alarm sys-
tem. The vehicle horn and emergency flashers
will turn on if you trigger the alarm.

—To trigger the alarm, press the [PANIC] but-
ton @ © fig. 31.

4s

Driving

Combustion engine startup
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
A haptic pressure point indicates when the com-
bustion engine will be started. The pressure point
is variable and depends on the high-voltage bat-
tery charge level.
@ Recuperation
@ Power by electric motor
@) Pressure point
@ Power by combustion engine
© Maximum acceleration
Maximum acceleration
If you press the accelerator pedal all the way
down, the motor’s full power will be used and
you will reach maximum acceleration, also called
“kick-down”.
Applies to: vehicles with boost function: The elec-
tric motor can switch on for a brief period if the
accelerator pedal is pressed all the way down in
the “D” and “S” driving program. The availability
of this function depends on the charge level of
the high-voltage battery and the temperature of
the drive system components, among other
things.

Z\ WARNING
The driving wheels could spin and the vehicle
could swerve on slick or slippery road surfaces
when using kick-down, which increases the
risk of an accident.

Parking lock emergency release

B4mM-0189




@

@

Fig. 96 Footwell: releasing the parking lock using the
emergency release
112
The emergency release is located under the floor
mat on the driver's side. Read and follow the im-
portant instructions about towing > page 325.
Releasing the parking lock using the
emergency release
> Secure the vehicle against rolling > page 108.
> Pry the cover off at one of the openings using
the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit
=> page 317.
> Insert the socket wrench from the vehicle tool
kit into the opening.
> Turn the socket wrench clockwise () until it
stops and press it downward @) until it locks in-
to place.
> Leave the socket wrench inserted.
Resetting the parking lock
> Grasp the socket wrench with both hands and
carefully pull it upward to remove.
> Install the cover.

Z\ WARNING
— The parking lock must be released using the
emergency release before towing the vehi-
cle.
— Only use the parking lock emergency release
if the vehicle is secured against rolling
= page 108. An unsecured vehicle may roll,
which increases the risk of an accident.
— Only activate the emergency release while
on a level surface or a slight slope.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, you must
not drive when the emergency release is ac-

tivated.
i Transmission: malfunction! Safely stop vehi-
cle

Do not continue driving. Stop the vehicle as soon
as possible in a safe location and secure it so it
does not roll > page 108. See an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for as-
sistance.
Bi Transmission: too hot. Please stop vehicle >

Driving

— 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

ZA WARNING
— Only apply the brakes for the purpose of
cleaning the brake system when road and
traffic conditions permit. You must not en-
danger other road users and increase the
risk of an accident.
— Due to the risk of injury, only have an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility work on the brake system.
Incorrect repairs could impair the function.
— Never let the vehicle roll while the engine is
stopped because this increases the risk of an
accident.
— During automatic braking maneuvers, the
brake pedal may move downward automati-
cally. To reduce the risk of injury, do not
place your foot under the brake pedal.
@) 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 122. This especially ap-
plies when towing a trailer.
G@) 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.
Messages
GG i @ Brakes: malfunction! Stop vehicle
safely
120
There is a malfunction in the brake system. If
[S/ Bana B also turn on, there is a malfunc-
tion in the ABS, ESC, and braking distribution. If
the brake booster is not working, you have to use
much more force when braking the vehicle.
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\.
fie 7 © 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.
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 against rolling > page 108.
Other indicator lights
When you switch the ignition on, the GG / @®
indicator light turns on briefly to check the func-
tion. If the indicator light does not turn on, there
is a system malfunction.
1f Ba / @ stays on, there is a malfunction in
the brake system.
@- A high load was placed on the brakes from
driving downhill for a long period of time. Follow
the instructions in the message to utilize the en-
gine braking effect and to relieve the brakes.

ZA WARNING
If a malfunction occurs in the ABS, ESC, and
braking distribution, interventions that >

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Driving dynamic

Suspension
Air suspension
Applies to: vehicles with air suspension
The air suspension is an electronically-controlled
suspension and leveling system. The firmness of
the suspension will adapt to the driving condi-
tions and the driving situation. The system balan-
ces out changes in load. The vehicle level will also
adapt gradually to the vehicle speed in order to
reduce the wind resistance at high speeds and in-
crease the ground clearance at low speeds. The
settings depend on the selected Audi drive se-
lect* mode.
Displaying the vehicle level
» Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Audi drive select.
The filled-in boxes represent the current vehicle
level. The more boxes that are filled in, the high-
er the ground clearance. The box that corre-
sponds with the current vehicle level will flash
while the vehicle is lifting or lowering. The target
level is highlighted in color.
Raising the vehicle
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Audi drive select.
> Press Raise to reach the highest vehicle level
and thus the maximum ground clearance.
>» Press Lower to lower the vehicle down again.
The vehicle will lower at speeds of approximately
22 mph (35 km/h) and below. This function may
only be used temporarily when increased ground
clearance is necessary. It is not intended for long
drives.
@) Note
— Also refer to the information about ground
clearance > page 126.
— When transporting the vehicle on a road
carrier, rail carrier, ship carrier, or other car-
rier, it may only be secured at the running
surfaces of the tires (circumference). Secur-
ing the vehicle at the axle components, sus-
pension struts, or towing eyes is not permit-
ted because the pressure in the air suspen-
sion struts can change during transport. The
vehicle might not be secured sufficiently if
this happens.
Active suspension
Applies to: vehicles with active suspension
The active suspension enhances the air suspen-
sion with an electromechanically-controlled sus-
pension system. It selectively influences rolling
movements when driving around curves and
pitching movements, for example when braking
and accelerating. It also reduces lifting move-
ments when driving over bumps. The settings de-
pend on the selected Audi drive select* mode.
The curve tilting function is also switched on in
the comfort+ Audi drive select* mode. This func-
tion reduces the force on the vehicle passengers
when driving around curves by tilting the vehicle
toward the inside of the curve.
Display
You can display the principal functions of the ac-
tive suspension.
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Vehicle data.
> You may need to scroll down to the Active sus-
pension display.
It will display how the vehicle body movements
are compensated at each wheel. The more the
cylinder is filled in, the more the system is inter-
vening. Please note that the display here is not to
scale.
Settings
> Open the active suspension display and select
@.
With Predictive scanning: unevenness detec-
tion, you can adjust how much the vehicle will
compensate for bumps in the road. For this pur-
pose, there is a camera behind the windshield
that detects the road conditions and activates
the active suspension when bumps are predicted.
A colored cone in the display indicates when this
function is activated. This function may only have
limited availability under certain conditions, for
example, when it is dark > page 151. >
125

4N0012721BF
Trailer towing

Trailer towing
Driving with a trailer
eT e e eeu)
Your vehicle is primarily intended for transport-
ing people and luggage. However, if you drive
with a trailer, follow the technical requirements,
the operation and driving tips, and the legal reg-
ulations.
Driving with a trailer affects the vehicle's energy
usage, performance, and wear. It also requires
higher concentration from the driver.

Z\ WARNING
Do not transport any people in a trailer due to
the risk of fatal injury.
Technical requirements
Trailer hitch

Only use a trailer hitch with a removable ball
hitch mount and ball hitch. The trailer hitch must
be permitted for the vehicle, the trailer and the
permitted total weight of the trailer being
pulled. Above all, it must be securely and safely
attached to the vehicle trailer.
Never mount a trailer hitch on the bumper. The
trailer hitch must be mounted in a way that does
not impair the function of the bumper. Do not
make any changes to the exhaust system and the
brake system.
Check regularly if the trailer hitch is securely
mounted. Always follow the instructions given by
the trailer hitch manufacturer.
Trailer brakes
If the trailer has its own brake system, then fol-
low the manufacturer specifications. However,
the brake system on the trailer must never be
connected to the vehicle brake system.
Engine cooling system
Driving with a trailer means a higher load on the
engine and the cooling system. The cooling sys-
tem must be designed for additional load and
contain enough coolant > @®.
CG) Note
Longer inclines cannot be driven without a
suitable cooling system, especially if the out-
side temperatures are high. Otherwise, this
increases the risk of engine damage.
Operating instructions
Towing capacity
Your vehicle can only be operated with class 1 or
class 2 trailers.
Load distribution
Poor cargo load and distribution can negatively
impact vehicle handling. Load the trailer based
on the following criteria as much as possible:
— Store objects in the vehicle luggage compart-
ment, if possible. The vehicle should always
carry the heaviest possible load and the trailer
should have the lightest possible load.
— Distribute the load in the trailer so that the
heavy objects are as close to the axle as possi-
ble.
— Secure objects so that they do not slide.
— Utilize the maximum permitted tongue weight
if possible.
Tires
Set the tire pressure on your vehicle for a “full
load”; see the tire pressure sticker > page 299. If
necessary, also adjust the tire pressure on the
trailer according to the manufacturer's specifica-
tions.
The trailer and the vehicle should be equipped
with winter tires when driving in winter tempera-
tures.
Outside mirrors
If you cannot see the traffic behind the trailer
with the standard exterior mirrors, then you
must attach additional exterior mirrors. Adjust
them so you have a sufficient visibility behind
you.
Exterior lighting
Follow the legal regulations for lighting on your
trailer that are applicable in the country where
147
>

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.