2021 AUDI Q8 warning light

4M8012721BF
Checking and Filling


authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
— Limit your exposure to exhaust and chemi-
cals to as short a time as possible.

ZA WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning:
— Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of Cali-
fornia to cause cancer and birth defects and
reproductive harm. In addition, certain flu-
ids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
— Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harms.

Wash hands after handling.


Opening and closing the hood

The hood is released from inside the vehicle.



RAZ-0016|

® Note
When filling fluids, be sure not to add any flu-
ids to the wrong reservoirs. Otherwise severe
malfunctions and engine damage will occur.
@ For the sake of the environment
You should regularly check the ground under
your vehicle in order to detect leaks quickly. If
there are visible spots from oil or other fluids,
bring your vehicle to an authorized Audi deal-
er or authorized Audi Service Facility to be
checked.

2) The &> symbol is not available in all countries.
Fig. 158 Unlocked hood: lever
Make sure the wiper arms are not raised up from
the windshield. Otherwise the paint could be
damaged.
Opening the hood
> With the door open, pull the lever 2 below
the instrument panel in the direction of the ar-
row > fig. 157.
>» Raise the hood slightly > page 242.
> Press the lever > fig. 158 in the direction of the
arrow. This releases the hooks.
> Open the hood.
Closing the hood
> Push the hood down until you override the
force of the strut.
> Let the hood fall lightly into the latch. Do not
press it in. > /\.
Messages
B Warning! Hood is not locked. Stop vehicle
and check the lock
243

Checking and Filling

Because correctly disposing of engine oil is diffi-
cult and special tools and technical knowledge
are needed for an oil change, Audi recommends
having your engine oil changed by an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
If you change the engine oil yourself, please note
the following important information:

ZA\ WARNING
If you change the engine oil on the vehicle
yourself, the following precautions must be
followed:
— Wear protective eyewear.
— Due to the risk of scalding, allow the engine
to cool down sufficiently.
— Maintain enough distance when you are re-
moving the oil drain plug. While doing this,
keep your forearm parallel to the ground to
reduce the risk of hot oil dripping down your
arm.
— Drain the oil into a container designed for
this purpose that is large enough to hold the
full amount of oil in your engine.
— Engine oil is poisonous. Always store out of
reach of children.
— Prolonged contact of used engine oil with
the skin may cause skin damage. Always
wash oil off immediately with soap and wa-
ter to protect your skin.

©) Note
Do not mix any additives with the engine oil.
Additives may cause engine damage that is
not covered by your New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
@ For the sake of the environment
— Before changing the engine oil, make sure
you can dispose of the used engine oil cor-
rectly.
— Engine oil must always be disposed of cor-
rectly. Do not dump it in the yard, in the for-
est,
or in open water, river channels, or sew-
ers.
— Have your used engine oil recycled by bring-
ing it to a used oil collection site or contact
a gas station.
248
Cooling system
The engine cooling system is filled with a mixture
of purified water and coolant additive at the fac-
tory. This coolant must not be not changed.
The coolant level is monitored using the g indi-
cator light. However, occasionally checking the
coolant level is recommended.
Messages
g Turn off engine and check coolant level. See
owner's manual
The coolant level is too low.
Stop driving and switch the engine off. Check the
coolant level > page 249.
— If the coolant level is too low, add coolant
=> page 249. Only continue driving once the in-
dicator light turns off.
/E| Coolant temperature: too high. Please let
engine run while vehicle is stationary
Let the engine run at idle for a few minutes to
cool off, until the indicator light turns off.
— If the indicator light does not turn off, do not
continue driving the vehicle. See an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility
for assistance.
|_| Coolant system: malfunction! Please turn
off engine
Do not continue driving, shut the engine off, and
switch the ignition off.
— See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility for assistance.
Coolant additive
The coolant additive is made of anti-freezing and
corrosion protection agents. Only add the follow-
ing coolant additives mixed with distilled water.

Coolant additive Specification

Gl12evo TL774L

The amount of coolant additive that needs to be
mixed with water depends on the climate where >

4M8012721BF
Checking and Filling


accident. Do not continue driving. See an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for assistance.
— If the brake fluid is old, bubbles may form in
the brake system during heavy braking. This
could impair braking performance and driv-
ing safety, which increases the risk of an ac-
cident.
— The brake fluid in your vehicle must meet
the standard VW 501 14 and is available at
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility. If this brake fluid is not
available, another high-grade brake fluid of
equivalent quality may be used, and it must
meet
the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Stand-
ard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4, Class 6.


Switch off all electrical equipment that is not
needed. If necessary, some equipment will be
switched off automatically. Vehicle functions or
driving stability may be limited. Drive to an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility immediately.
= Electrical system: low battery charge. Bat-
tery
will be charged while driving
The starting ability may be impaired.
If this message turns off after a little while, the
vehicle battery has charged enough while driving.
If this message does not turn off, drive immedi-
ately to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility.

@) Note
— If the brake fluid level is above the MAX
marking, brake fluid may leak out over the
edge of the reservoir and result in damage
to the vehicle.
— Do not allow any brake fluid to come into
contact with the vehicle paint, because it
will corrode the paint.
Electrical system
If the = f B or = indicator light turns on,
there is a malfunction in the power supply, the
battery, or the vehicle electrical system.
= f B Electrical system: malfunction! Safely
stop vehicle
Do not continue driving and switch the ignition
off > A\. See an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility for assistance.
= Electrical system: malfunction! Restart not
possible. Please contact Service
If you switch the ignition off, you will not be able
to restart the vehicle. Vehicle functions or driving
stability may be limited. Drive to an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility im-
mediately.
= Electrical system: malfunction! Please con-
tact Service
Z\ WARNING
When there is an electrical system malfunc-
tion, vehicle functions may not work and driv-
ing stability may be limited, which increases
the risk of an accident. Do not continue driv-
ing and switch the ignition off. See an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility for assistance.


Battery
lala Meme cd)
Because of the complex power supply, all work on
batteries such as disconnecting, replacing, etc.,
should only be performed by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility > A\.
Multiple batteries with different technologies
may be installed in your vehicle:
— Vehicle battery (for example, for starting the
engine, basic power supply) > page 252, 12
Volt vehicle battery or > page 253, Other bat-
tery types
— Auxiliary battery (for example, for recuperation
or optional equipment) > page 253, Other bat-
tery types
Not running the vehicle for long periods of
time
The battery will gradually drain if the vehicle
does not run for long periods of time. To ensure
251
>

Checking and Filling

that the vehicle can still be started, the electrical
equipment will be limited or switched off. Some
convenience functions, such as interior lighting
or power seat adjustment, may not be available
under certain circumstances. The convenience
functions will be available again when you start
the engine.
Even when electrical equipment is switched off,
the equipment can still drain the battery if the
vehicle is not driven for Long periods of time.
Deep draining results in a chemical reaction that
destroys the inside of the battery. The battery
must be charged every month to prevent this
=> page 253. Contact an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility for more infor-
mation.
Winter operation
Cold weather places an especially high load on
the 12 Volt vehicle battery. Have the battery
checked by an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility before cold weather be-
gins.
so that it will not be destroyed by “freezing”
=> page 253, Charging the 12 Volt vehicle
battery.
— There are electrical components under the
cargo floor behind a trim panel that warm
up during operation. To reduce the risk of
the components overheating, do not store
objects such as blankets under the cargo
floor. If the components overheat, they will
switch off temporarily. This will be indicated
by a message that will be displayed in the
instrument cluster until the temperature re-
turns to normal.
12 Volt vehicle battery
Explanation of warnings:
Always wear eye protection.

forbidden.

ZX WARNING
— All work on the battery or electrical system
in your vehicle can result in injuries, chemi-
cal burns, accidents, or burns. Because of
this, all work must be performed only by an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
— Never connect a charging cable or jump
start cable directly to the 12 Volt vehicle
battery. Only use the connections in the en-
gine compartment > page 253.

Z\ WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning:
— Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harms.
Wash hands after handling.

@) Note
— If the vehicle will be parked for long periods
of time, protect the battery against the cold
252
A highly explosive mixture of gases can
form when charging batteries.

Always keep children away from battery
acid and the battery.
Battery acid is highly corrosive. Always
wear protective gloves and eye protection.
® Fire, sparks, open flame, and smoking are

@/ | Always follow the instructions in the oper-
(Q | ating manual.

@) For the sake of the environment

% Lead-acid batteries must be disposed of
using methods that will not harm the environ-
ment. Do not dispose of them in household
trash. They contain harmful substances, such
as sulfuric acid and lead, and also recyclable
raw materials. Contact an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for
more information.

Wheels

Wheels Wheels
and Tires
General information
> Check your tires regularly for
damage, such as punctures,
cuts, cracks, and bulges. Remove
foreign objects from the tire
tread.
>If driving over curbs or similar
obstacles, drive slowly and ap-
proach the curb at an angle.
> Have faulty tires or rims re-
placed immediately.
>Protect your tires from oil,
grease, and fuel.
>Mark tires before removing
them so that the same running
direction can be maintained if
they are reinstalled.
>Lay tires flat when storing and
store them ina cool, dry location
with as little exposure to light as
possible.

J WARNING
—Never drive faster than the
maximum permitted speed for
your tires. This could cause the
tires to heat up too much. This
increases the risk of an acci-
dent because it can cause the
tire to burst.

256


—Always adapt your driving to
the road and traffic condi-
tions. Drive carefully and re-
duce your speed on icy or slip-
pery roads. Even winter tires
can lose traction on black ice.

() Note
—Please note that summer and
winter tires are designed for
the conditions that are typical
in those seasons. Audi recom-
mends winter tires during the
winter months. Low tempera-
tures significantly decrease
the elasticity of summer tires,
which affects traction and
braking ability. If summer
tires are used in very cold tem-
peratures, cracks can form on
the tread bars, resulting in
permanent tire damage that
can cause loud driving noise
and unbalanced tires.
—Burnished, polished or
chromed rims must not be
used in winter driving condi-
tions. The surface of the rims
does not have sufficient corro-
sion protection for this and
could be permanently dam-
aged by road salt or similar
substances.

Wheels


ZA\ WARNING
Wheel bolts that are tightened or repaired in-
correctly can become loose and result in loss
of vehicle control, which increases the risk of
an accident. For the correct tightening specifi-
cation, see > page 291, Finishing.
— Always keep the wheel bolts and the threads
in the wheel hub clean and free of grease.
— Only use wheel bolts that fit the rim.
— Always have damaged rims repaired by an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility. Never repair or disassemble
rims yourself, because this increases the risk
of an accident.
Loose wheel warning
Applies to: vehicles with loose wheel warning

Within the limits of the system, the loose wheel
warning in the instrument cluster warns you if
one or more wheels are loose.
Using the ABS sensors, the loose wheel warning
system compares the vibration characteristics of
the individual tires. If one or more wheels are
loose, it will be indicated in the instrument clus-
ter display with the & indicator light and a mes-
sage. If only one wheel is affected, the location
of that wheel will be indicated.
Messages
fi Wheel bolts loose. Please safely stop the ve-
hicle and check all wheel bolts!
Loose wheel warning for at least one wheel > A\.
Check the wheel bolts on all wheels with the
wheel wrench (vehicle tool kit). Have the tighten-
ing specification checked as soon as possible with
a torque wrench. Drive carefully until then. For
the correct tightening specification, see
=> page 291, Finishing.
fl Wheel assessment active. Please continue
driving carefully
After this message appears and you have checked
the wheel bolts, the assessment phase begins
when the vehicle is in motion. This may take sev-
eral minutes.
272
fi Loose wheel warning: malfunction! See
owner's manual
There is a system malfunction. Drive immediately
to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility to have the malfunction repaired.

Z\ WARNING
Wheel bolts that are tightened incorrectly can
become loose and result in loss of vehicle con-
trol, which increases the risk of an accident.
— If a message appears, reduce your speed im-
mediately and avoid any hard steering or
braking maneuvers. Stop as soon as possible
and check the wheel bolts.
— Check your wheels for damage. Have the
damaged wheels checked and/or replaced
immediately by an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility.
— Under certain conditions (such as a sporty
driving style, winter conditions, or unpaved
roads), the message may be delayed.
— The driver is responsible for ensuring that
the wheels are attached correctly.
(i) Tips
— The loose wheel warning system can also
stop working when there is an ESC malfunc-
tion.

— Using snow chains may result in a system
malfunction.
Winter tires significantly improve the vehicle's
handling when driving in winter conditions. Be-
cause of their construction (width, compound,
tread pattern), summer tires provide less traction
on ice and snow.
> Use winter tires on all four wheels.
> Only use winter tires that are approved for your
vehicle.
> Please note that the maximum permitted
speed may be lower with winter tires > A\ in
General information on page 256. An author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility can inform you about the maximum per-
mitted speed for your tires.

Wheels

minute and then stays on, there is system mal-
function. Try to store the correct tire pressures
= page 276. Insome cases, you must drive for
several minutes after storing the pressures until
the indicator light turns off. If the indicator light
does turn off or turns on again after a short peri-
od of time, drive to an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility immediately to
have the malfunction corrected.

ZA\ WARNING
— If the tire pressure indicator appears in the
display, reduce your speed immediately and
avoid any hard steering or braking maneu-
vers. Stop as soon as possible and check the
tires and their pressure.
— The driver is responsible for maintaining the
correct tire pressure. You must check the
tire pressure regularly.
— Under certain conditions (such as a sporty
driving style, winter conditions, or unpaved
roads), the tire pressure monitoring system
indicator may be delayed.

(i) Tips
— The tire pressure monitoring system can al-
so stop working when there is an ESC mal-
function.
— Using snow chains may result in a system
malfunction.
— The tire pressure monitoring system in your
Audi was calibrated with “Audi Original
Tires” > page 263. Audi recommends using
these tires.
Storing tire pressures
Applies to: vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitoring System in-
dicator
If the tire pressure changes or a tire is replaced,
it must be confirmed in the MMI.
> Before storing the tire pressures, make sure the
tire pressures in all four tires meet the speci-
fied values and are adapted to the load
=> page 266.
> Switch the ignition on.
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Tire pressure
276
monitoring > Store tire pressure > Yes, store
now.
@) Tips
Do not store the tire pressures if snow chains
are installed.
Tire pressure monitoring
system
(1) General notes
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and inflat-
ed to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure la-
bel, you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a Low tire pressure tell-
tale when one or more of your tires is significant-
ly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving ona signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle's handling and stop-
ping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's re-
sponsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pres-
sure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the sys-
tem is not operating properly. The TPMS mal-
function indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approxi-
mately one minute and then remain continuously >

Wheels

The specified tire pressure is the last tire pressure
that was stored > page 278.
Note that the tire pressure also depends on the
temperature of the tire. The tire pressure increas-
es as the engine becomes warmer while driving.

Z\ WARNING
Read and follow the important information
and notes > page 277.
@) Tips
The tire pressure or temperature is not dis-
played while the vehicle is stationary and in
adaptation mode. Dashes --.-- are shown in
place of the pressure and temperature.
OB iw sete ot
Applies to: vehicles with tire pressure monitoring system

If the @ indicator light turns on, the tire pres-
sure is too low compared to the specified pres-
sure. Check and store the tire pressure(s) the
next time it is possible > page 278.
® Flat tire! Safely stop vehicle. Please check all
tires and store pressures in MMI
If the indicator light turns on and the message
appears, the tire pressure has reached a critical
level compared to the specified pressure. Avoid
unnecessary steering and braking maneuvers.
Adapt your driving style to the situation. Stop as
soon as possible and check the tire(s). If it is pos-
sible to continue driving, see an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility immedi-
ately and have your tire(s) repaired or replaced.

Z\ WARNING
Read and follow the important information
and notes > page 277.

278
Storing new tire pressures
Applies to: vehicles with tire pressure monitoring system
The tire pressure specifications must be stored
correctly for the tire pressure monitoring system
to function reliably.
It is always necessary to store the tire pressures
when the tire pressures are modified, for exam-
ple due to a change in load or when new sensors
are installed.
> Before storing the tire pressures, make sure the
tire pressures of all four tires meet the speci-
fied values and are adapted to the load
=> page 266, fig. 168. Only correct and store
the pressure in tires whose temperature is ap-
proximately the same as the ambient tempera-
ture. If the temperature of the tire is higher
than the ambient air temperature, the tire
pressure must be increased approximately
3 PSI (0,2 bar) above the value on the sticker.
> Switch the ignition on.
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Tire pressure
monitoring > Store tire pressure > Yes, store
now.
> If the changed tire pressures are not displayed
on the MMI, drive the vehicle for approximately
10 minutes so that the sensor signal from the
wheels is received again.
During this adaptation phase, --.-- is displayed
for the pressure and temperature and the tire
pressure monitoring system is only partially
available. It only provides a warning if one or
more tire pressures is below the minimum per-
mitted specified pressure.
@ Tire pressure: wheel change detected. Please
check all tires and store pressures in MMI
If the indicator light turns on and the message
appears, the system has detected that the loca-
tion of the sensors has changed due to a wheel
replacement, or new sensors have been installed.
Store the new tire pressures.

ZA WARNING
Read and follow the important information
and notes > page 277.