2021 AUDI A8 windshield wipers

Table of contents

About this Owner's Manual......
SUMIMAry: < = exe : eens: Seen cs sens
QutckeaeCe ssh: «i esis se ois a eaves @
Cockpit. ...... 0... eee eee eee eee
Indicator lights overview...........4..
Display and operation...........
Instrument cluster...............
Instrument cluster overview...........
Operating. ecccuse w+ were oo wens oo ayes 9 ¥
Adjusting the display.................
Coolant temperature display...........
Tachometer’ series i ewe so snes ¥ & ome
Power meter...............0 00000005
QUOOMEtEr as + 2 ame < gas = papas s ¥ HERS &
Outside temperature display...........
Engine oil temperature indicator.......
Boost indicator’: 2 2c« «= sesa ¢ x sews «x 2x8
Vehicle functions « seis ss emis ee mes ee
Touch displays....................
General touch display operation........
Multi Media Interface................
Rear Seat Remote...............2...
Screens (NPCs « s wees s eae se wee as ee
Head-up display..................
Descriptionis: ss gem = x eames ¢ eee ge eee
Voice recognition system........
General information.................
DeSeriptionis = ssssas « « wens s + eres « + aes
External voice operation..............
Global functions.................
Additional function buttons...........
Starting and driving.............
Personalization..................
Luggage compartment lid.............
Child safety lock.............0...000.
POWEr WIKdOWS 6: «oxen se aes ye eee
NOD
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12 12 12
13
13
14 14
15
15
15
15
16
16
18 18
20
26
29
33 33
34 34
34
35
3F 37 38 38 38
Al 41 45
48
51
52
Panoramic glass roof................. 53
Valet parking............... 0c eee eee 55
Garage door opener.........60..e sees 55
Lights and Vision................. 58
Exterior lighting « sce ss ees se eea se ees 58
Interior lighting wiv «= ssw 2 6 ese = 3 ese 62
ViSION. 0. ee eee eee 64
Windshield wipers............-..00-- 66
Digitalcomipass’s ss gos « s wasn x & were 8 3 68
Sitting correctly and safely...... 70
Correct passenger seating position...... 70
FROMUSOAES!, «areas ao axoniva 5 & aumeane wa savers 70
Rear seats... 2... eee 74
SECeriig WHEEL su: s x wou 4 x naaee ee ee 77
Head restraintsisn: «+ cscs vo asceine vo wen ws 78
Safety belts........ 0.0... cee eee eee 80
Memory function..............-.000+ 83
Aitbag System sms: «+ suscens oe sowie «5 voeusic 84
Child safety seats................000- 88
Storage and convenience........ 94
POWEPrSOUICES wece ae ete ee ore ne 94
Cup holders..............00--0 eee ee 95
Storage and compartments............ 95
Luggage compartment............... 97
Roof rack... eee eee 99
WWarmitanGicolediics «6 scien «6 eve 6 6 on 100
Climate control system............... 100
Steering
wheel heating.............-. 104
Auxiliary climate control.............- 104
Fluids in the A/C system.............. 105
BXRIMIIG)). 5 sccces 6 ase wo moms 3 o OOM 8 Ho 107
Starting the vehicle.................. 107
When driving.......-..e0ceeeee sees 108
Drive SYStC Mises oo scene +o em oo omen oo 114
Start/Stop system............00 0 eee 117
Brakes... 2.0.0... eee eee ee eee eee 119
Electromechanical parking brake....... 121
Special driving situations.............. 122
Driving dynamic.................. 124
Audi driverselectis « was «+ cine 2 6 navies a 0 124
Suspension..............0 0.02.0 000. 125
StCGKitig + scm ss caus a e seen se Sees 4 eee 127

4N0012721BF

Quick access

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
=> page 130
Steering
=>page 127
Steering lock
=>page 127
All wheel drive
=>page 129
Suspension control
=>page 126
Air suspension
=> page 126
Engine speed limitation
>page 14
Tank system
=> page 270
Tank system/high-voltage system
=> page 270
Electrical system
> page 284
Engine oil level (MIN)
> page 278
Engine oil level (MAX)
=> page 278
Engine oil sensor
> page 278
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
=> page 274,
Engine warm-up request
> page 278
Washer fluid level
=> page 287
Windshield wipers
=> page 68
High-voltage battery range
=> page 137
Parking systems
=> page 190
Park assist plus
=> page 202
Maneuver assist
=> page 208

Tire pressure
=> page 307
Tire pressure
=> page 307
Loose wheel warning
=> page 304
Bulb failure indicator
=> page 62
Adaptive light
=> page 62
Light/rain sensor
=> page 62, > page 68
Door lock
=> page 43
Battery in vehicle key
=> page 47
Night vision assist
=> page 161
Intersection assist
=> page 185
Side assist
=> page 183;
Exit warning
=> page 184
Rear cross-traffic assist
=>page 195
Adaptive cruise assist
=>page 175
Steering intervention request
=>page 170, > page 177
Lane departure warning
=> page 178
Distance warning
=>page 175
Audi pre sense
=> page 182
Emergency assist
=> page 186
Emergency call function
=> page 228

Lights and Vision

Windshield wipers
Switching the windshield wipers on


RAZ-0149.



Fig. 51 Lever: windshield wipers.
> Move the windshield wiper lever SY to the cor-
responding position:
@ Windshield wipers off
@ Rain sensor/intermittent mode. The wind-
shield wipers switch on once the vehicle speed
exceeds approximately 2 mph (4 km/h) and it is
raining. The higher the sensitivity of the rain sen-
sor that is set (switch © to the right), the earlier
the
windshield wipers react to moisture on the
windshield. You can deactivate the rain sensor
mode, which switches the interval mode on. In
intermittent mode, you can adjust the interval
time using the switch ©.
» Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Light & Visibility > Rain sensor.
@ Slow wiping
@ Fast wiping
@ Single wipe. If you hold the lever in this posi-
tion longer, the wipers switch from slow wiping
to fast wiping.
© Clean the windshield @. The number of wipes
and afterwipes depends on how long the lever is
held in position ©).
The wipers wipe one time after several seconds of
driving to remove water droplets. You can switch
this function off by moving the lever to position
© within ten seconds of the afterwipe. The after-
wipe function is reactivated the next time you
switch the ignition on.
66
If you hold the lever in position ©) for longer
than half a second, the edge wiping feature will
be activated. This moves the windshield wipers
closer to the edge of the windshield and per-
forms an afterwipe to clean the residue that re-
sults from the wiping process from the edge of
the windshield. The function is available when
driving at speeds up to 75 mph (120 km/h).
The headlight washer system* operates only
when the low beam headlights are on. If you
move the lever to position 6), the headlights and
the night vision assist camera”* are cleaned at in-
tervals.

Z\ WARNING
— The rain sensor is only intended to assist the
driver. The driver may still be responsible for
manually switching the wipers on based on
visibility
conditions.
— The windshield must not be treated with
water-repelling windshield coating agents.
Under unfavorable conditions, such as wet-
ness, darkness, and when the sun is low,
these coatings can cause increased glare,
which increases the risk of an accident. They
can also cause wiper blade chatter.
— Properly functioning windshield wiper
blades are required for a clear view and safe
driving > page 67, Cleaning/changing wip-
er blades.

@) Note
— If there is frost, make sure the windshield
wiper blades are not frozen to the wind-
shield. Switching on the windshield wipers
when the blades are frozen to the wind-
shield can damage the wiper blades.
— Prior to using a car wash, the windshield
wiper system must be switched off (lever in
position @). This prevents the wipers from
switching on unintentionally and causing
damage to the windshield wiper system.
@) Tips
— The windshield wipers switch off when the
ignition is switched off. You can activate the
windshield wipers after the ignition is

4N0012721BF
Lights and Vision

switched on again by moving the windshield
wiper lever to any position. The single wipe
function (lever in position @) also functions
when the ignition is switched off.
— Worn or dirty windshield wiper blades result
in streaking. This can affect the rain sensor
function. Check your windshield wiper
blades regularly.
— The washer fluid nozzles for the windshield
washer system are heated when the ignition
is on if the outside temperature is low.
— When stopping temporarily, such as at a
traffic light, the speed of the windshield
wipers automatically reduces by one level.
[eG ce a es ce wiper blades

B8V-0696]
Ae


Fig. 52 Windshield wipers: changing the wiper blades
Wiper blade replacement position
> Switch off the ignition and hold the windshield
wiper lever in position @) > page 66, fig. 51 un-
til the windshield wiper moves into the wiper
blade replacement position.
> To bring the windshield wipers into the normal
position, switch the ignition on and hold the
windshield wiper lever in position @) until the
windshield wipers go back to the original posi-
tion, or drive faster than 8 mph (12 km/h).
You can also turn the wiper blade replacement
position on or off in the MMI:
> Switch the windshield wipers off (position @
=> page 66, fig. 51).
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Wiper change po-
sition.
Cleaning the wiper blades
Requirement: the windshield wipers must be in
the wiper blade replacement position.
> Fold the windshield wiper arm away from the
windshield.
> For information on cleaning, see > table on
page 311.
Replacing the wiper blades
Requirement: the windshield wipers must be in
the wiper blade replacement position.
> Fold the windshield wiper arm away from the
windshield.
> Press the locking knob @) on the wiper blade.
Hold the wiper blade firmly.
» Remove the wiper blade from the windshield
wiper arm mount (2).
> Insert the new wiper blade into the mount on
the wiper arm until it clicks into place.
> Place the wiper arm back on the windshield.
> Exit the wiper blade replacement position.

ZA WARNING
— For safety reasons, the windshield wiper
blades should be replaced once or twice
each year.
— Dirty windshield wiper blades can impair vi-
sion, which increases the risk of an accident.


@) Note
— The windshield wipers must only be lifted
up when in the wiper blade replacement po-
sition.
Otherwise, you risk damaging the
paint on the hood or the windshield wiper
motor.
— You should not move your vehicle or press
the windshield wiper lever when the wiper
arms are folded up from the windshield. The
windshield wipers would move back into
their original position and could damage the
hood and windshield.
67
>

Lights and Vision

G) Tips
— You can also use the wiper blade replace-
ment position for other reasons, for exam-
ple if you want to protect the windshield
from icing by using a cover.
— You cannot activate the wiper blade replace-
ment position when the hood is open.
If the & indicator light turns on, then there is a
windshield wiper malfunction. The message that
is also displayed indicates the cause and possible
solutions. If one of the messages does not turn
off, drive immediately to an authorized Audi deal-
er or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the
malfunction repaired.
gS Automatic wipers: malfunction! See owner's
manual
The light/rain sensor is malfunctioning. You can
still control all functions that are not controlled
by the rain sensor using the windshield wiper lev-
er. Drive immediately to an authorized Audi deal-
er or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the
malfunction repaired.
Digital compass
Switching the compass on and off
Applies to: vehicles with digital compass

BFV-0288


Fig. 53 Rearview mirror: digital compass is switched on
68
> To turn the compass on or off, press the button
@ until the compass display in the mirror turns
on or off.
The digital compass only works when the ignition
is turned on. The directions are indicated with ab-
breviations: N (north), NE (northeast), E (east),
SE (southeast), S (south), SW (southwest), W
(west), NW (northwest).
G) Tips
To prevent inaccurate compass readings, do
not bring any remote controls, electrical devi-
ces or metallic objects near the mirror.

4N0012721BF
Driving

This message appears when specific conditions
are not met during a Stop phase. The Start/Stop
system will not be able to restart the engine. The
engine must be started with the
START ENGINE STOP] button.


Vehicle starting system: malfunction! Please
contact Service
There is a malfunction in the Start/Stop system.
Drive the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Service Facility as soon as possible to
have the malfunction corrected.
Brakes
General information
You can apply the vehicle's brakes using the brake
pedal.
Operating noise
Noises may occur when braking depending on the
speed, braking force, and outside conditions such
as temperature and humidity.
Braking effect
The response time from the brakes depends on
the weather and environmental conditions. To
ensure the optimal braking effect, the brake sys-
tem is cleaned at regular intervals. This is done
by applying the brake pads to the brake rotors for
a short period of time when driving at high
speeds when the windshield wipers are switched
on.
If the brake system becomes damp, for example
after driving in heavy rain, the braking effect may
be delayed. Other factors that could temporarily
increase the response time of the brakes include:
— Wet conditions
— Low temperatures, ice, and snow
— Roads covered in salt
— Dirty brake pads
Corrosion
Corrosion may form on the brake rotors if there is
no heavy braking, if the vehicle is not driven for
long periods of time, or if the vehicle is not driv-
en
frequently or for long distances. In this case,
braking heavily several times while driving at
high speeds can clean the brake rotors > A\.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive: Se-
lect the “N” gear so that recuperation is not used
for braking.
Brake pads
New brake pads do not achieve their full braking
effect during the first 250 miles (400 km). They
must be “broken in” first. However, you can com-
pensate for the slightly reduced braking force by
pressing firmly on the brake pedal. Avoid heavy
braking during the break-in period.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive: Be-
cause recuperation is also used for braking, the
break-in period for new brake pads is 500 miles
(800 km).
Brake pad wear depends largely on the way the
vehicle is driven and on operating conditions.
Brake pad wear increases when driving frequently
in the city or short distances or when using a very
sporty driving style.
Ceramic brakes
Applies to: vehicles with ceramic brakes
Ceramic brakes provide excellent deceleration
rates.
The break-in period for new ceramic brakes may
be significantly longer than for standard brake
rotors. Due to the properties of the material,
they may cause noises at lower speeds. Ceramic
brakes also absorb more moisture in wet condi-
tions. Therefore, there will temporarily be less
braking force than when the brakes are dry. You
can compensate for this by pressing the brake
pedal harder.
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 >
119

4N0012721BF
Checking and Filling

> Push the release button again and remove the
cap completely.
> Add coolant mixed in the correct ratio
=> page 281 up to the MAX marking.
> Make sure that the fluid level remains stable.
Add more coolant if necessary.
> Turn the cap to the right to tighten it until you
feel resistance a second time.
Coolant loss usually indicates that there is a leak.
Immediately drive your vehicle to an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility
and have the cooling system inspected. If the
cooling system is not leaking, coolant loss can re-
sult from the coolant boiling due overheating
and then being forced out of the cooling system.

der any circumstances > page 277, fig. 181.
If the coolant expansion tank for the high-
voltage system is not sealed, please contact
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility.
— When adding coolant, it may leak into the
inside of high-voltage components and
cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of

fire.


ZA WARNING
— The engine compartment in any vehicle is a
potentially dangerous area. Stop the engine,
switch the ignition off, and allow the engine
to cool before working in the engine com-
partment. Always follow the information
found in > page 274, General information.
— Never open the hood if you can see or hear
steam or coolant escaping from the engine
compartment. This increases the risk of
burns. The cooling system is under pressure.
When you no longer see or hear steam or
coolant escaping, you may open the engine
compartment with caution.
— When working in the engine compartment,
remember that the radiator fan can switch
on even if the ignition is switched off, which
increases the risk of injury.
— Coolant additive and coolant can be danger-
ous to your health. For this reason, store the
coolant in the original container and away
from children. There is a risk of poisoning.
CG) Note
Do not continue driving if the coolant expan-
sion tank is empty. Do not add any coolant,
because air could enter the cooling system
and damage the engine. See an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility
for assistance.
Brake fluid

BFV-0229|




ZA WARNING
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
The coolant expansion tank for the high-volt-
age system may only be opened or filled by an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
— The coolant expansion tank cap is equipped
with a seal that must never be removed un-


Fig. 184 Engine compartment: cap on brake fluid reservoir
Observe the safety precautions > page 274, Gen-
eral information.
Checking the brake fluid level
> Slide the cover that is located below the wind-
shield wipers on the driver's side toward the
windshield and remove the cover.
> Read the brake fluid level on the brake fluid res-
ervoir > page 277, fig. 181. The brake fluid lev-
el must be between the MIN and MAX markings
oA.
The brake fluid level is monitored automatically.
Messages
EG 7 @ Brakes: stop vehicle and check brake
fluid level
283
>

Care and cleaning

Care and cleaning
General information
Regular, proper care helps to maintain your vehi-
cle's value. It can also be a requirement when
submitting warranty claims for corrosion damage
and paint defects on the body.
The required cleaning and care products can be
obtained from an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Service Facility. Read and follow the in-
structions for use on the packaging.

ZA\ WARNING
— Using cleaning and care products incorrectly
can be dangerous to your health.
— Always store cleaning and care products out
of reach of children to reduce the risk of poi-

soning.

@ For the sake of the environment
— Purchase environmentally-friendly cleaning
products if possible.
— Do not dispose of cleaning and care prod-
ucts with household trash.
Car washes
The longer that deposits such as insects, bird
droppings, tree sap or road salt remain on the ve-
hicle, the more the surface can be damaged. High
temperatures such as those caused by sunlight
increase the damaging effect.
Before washing, rinse off heavy deposits with
plenty of water.
Stubborn deposits such as bird droppings or tree
sap are best removed with plenty of water anda
microfiber cloth.
Also, wash the underside of your vehicle once
road salt stops being used for the season.
Pressure washers
When washing your vehicle with a pressure wash-
er, always follow the operating instructions pro-
vided with the pressure washer. This is especially
important in regard to the pressure and spraying
distance. Do not aim the spray directly at the
310
seals on the side windows, doors, hood, luggage
compartment lid, or sunroof*, or at tires, rubber
hoses, insulating material, sensors*, camera
lenses*, or the laser scanner*. Keep a distance of
at least 16 inches (40 cm).
Plug-in hybrid drive: Do not direct the stream of
water towards the wall mount clip*.
Do not remove snow and ice with a pressure
washer.
Never use cone nozzles or high pressure nozzles.
The water temperature must not be above 140 °F
(60 °C).
Automatic car wash
Spray off the vehicle before washing.
Make sure that the windows and roof* are closed
and the windshield wipers are off. Make sure that
the vehicle is still able to roll during the washing
process in the car wash. Follow instructions from
the car wash operator, especially if there are ac-
cessories attached to your vehicle.
If possible, use car washes that do not have
brushes.
Washing by hand
Clean the vehicle starting from the top and work-
ing downward using a soft sponge or cleaning
brush. Use solvent-free cleaning products.
Washing vehicles with matte finish paint by
hand
To reduce the risk of damaging the paint when
washing, first remove dust and large particles
from your vehicle. Insects, grease spots, and fin-
gerprints are best removed with a special cleaner
for matte finish paint.
Apply the product using a microfiber cloth. To re-
duce the risk of damaging the paint surface, do
not use too much pressure.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water. Then
clean using a neutral shampoo and a soft micro-
fiber cloth.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly again and let it air
dry. Remove any water residue using a chamois. >