2021 AUDI Q8 check engine

Table of contents

Supported media and file formats...... 228
Troubleshooting..............000eeee 229
Audi smartphone interface...... 231:
Setup... .. 0... eee eee eee 231
Troubleshooting «cx «sess se eee s 3 ves 232
Additional settings.............. 233
System settingS..............e ee eee 233
Software update: « ccs ss e054 een ee ve 234
Connected devices............00.0 00s 235
Legalinformation................... 236
Additional information.......... 237
Brands and licenses..........-...0-5- 237
Maintenance and Care........... 238
Checking and Filling............. 238
FilClae « ¢ agisu @ & maven 2 e SINS BE SePeE YE ee 238
RePUCLINGiecs + 2 mein oo een eae ¥ wer 239
Emissions control system............. 241
Engine compartment................. 242
EMGine Oils: seas 2 = wave = ¢ eoume 5 y couse 6 2g 245
Cooling systeM...........00 0-2 ee eee 248
Brake fllid. 0.2... eee eee eee ee 250
ElectricalsysteM esa. ecw + y pews se ee 251
Battenyis « o masse © o cxasane «a sincere « a averse © ere 2511,
Windshield washer system...........- 254
Service interval display............... 254
Wheels .......... 66. cece eee eee eee 256
Whieelsiaind Tires « caus « « cara sv eee eo 9 256
Tire pressure monitoring system....... 274
Tire pressure monitoring system....... 276
Care and cleaning................ 280
General information 0... ..c.6 eee 280
Car washes....................0000. 280
Cleaning and care information......... 281
Taking your vehicle out of service....... 285
DoOuUlt YOuUrSELT ios «pases s yas ss eRe 286
Emergency assistance........... 286
Generalinformation................. 286
EQUIPITIONE sce + & wswu + wowe xe eee a ee 286
Tire MObILity Kit esses se seceoe a x oneivens ea ares 286
Replacing wheels..............000005 288
Collapsible spare tire...............2. 292
JUIMIPFSTANEING 5 x exces 6 w erates @ a cawcens vw ae 293
TOWING... cece ete 295
Fuses and bulbs.................. 298
Fuses... 0... eee ee eee eee 298
BUILDS: sss s = wavs & & ees 5 2 ctetDs sb eG ee 302
Customer information........... 303
Data privacy................000 eee 303
Privacy NOLICE « naw, 2 w aay ¥ Kaew + Meee © 303
Timage reGOrding). « « canew + sect ws caver a os 303
Data memories............00.00e eee 303
Transmitted information.............. 305
Accessories and technical
CINERGSS:. « » sem: : x ews ce ee be ee ee 308
Warranty’ « = eon x 2 manors 6 o ois wv ee 6 308
Audi Literature Shop.............000- 308
Driving in other countries............. 308
Maintenance, repairs, and technical
modifications..................00008 308
Accessories and parts..............-. 310
Reporting Safety Defects.............. 310
Declaration of compliance for
telecommunications equipment and
electroniesystems's « «cows se mean 2 news 314,
Technical data.................... 373
Identification data................... 313
Vehicle datatics ss saves o srewa sv awe 0 ve 313
TAAGK es = see « = wee « = owe Be nee eg oe 315

4M8012721BF
Quick access

Cup holden asce es cscvene wv omens x v oe 82
ESOGKE « 2 santice wm aconens we < emommiee © osm 82
— Vehicle key holder
Depending on equipment:


— Audi music interface .......... 222
—Audi phone box ............... 183
@® Electromechanical parking brake
BUERON sese ¢ eevee ¢ x mew © 2 pee 4 106
@9 Automatic transmission selector
EVER” scowp: « 2 gave & o eee Go eee Ee 97
@) [START ENGINE STOP] button .... 95
@) Steering wheel adjustment ...... 66
@3) Lever for:
— Cruise control system ......... 134
— Adaptive cruise assist .......... 137
@4 Connection port for the On Board
Diagnostic System (OBD) ........ 303
@5) Buttons for:
LIQHts: as 5 2 sacs 5 2 eqws 3 o ees ss 51
—All-weather lights ............ 51
@8 Hood release ..............002. 243
@2 Button for:
— Luggage compartment lid ...... 42
Exterior mirror adjustment ...... 55
@9) Buttons for:
— Power windows ......... 00005 46
—Child safety lock .............. 45
G) Tips
Some the equipment listed here is only instal-
led in certain models or is available as an op-
tion.
Indicator lights overview
The indicator lights in the instrument cluster
blink or turn on. They indicate functions or mal-
functions. Some warning and indicator lights
turn on when you switch the ignition on and must
turn off when the drive system is switched on or
while driving.
With some indicator lights, messages may ap-
pear and warning signals may sound. The indica-
tor lights and messages may be covered by other
displays. To show them again, select the second
tab for messages with the multifunction steering
wheel > page 13.
Some indicator lights in the display can display in
several colors.
Peer ele tela his
If the A\| or AN] indicator light turns on, check
the message in the instrument cluster.
Coad)
The following indicator lights may be available,
depending on the vehicle equipment:

Red indicator lights




Central indicator light
=> page 7,
Instrument cluster
=>page 12
Safety belt
=> page 70







Engine start system
=> page 96




Transmission
=> page 101
Drive system
=> page 103,
Electrical system
=> page 251





Electromechanical parking brake
=> page 106

Electromechanical parking brake
=> page 107



Brake system
=> page 105, > page 107,
= page 250






Brake system
=> page 105, > page 107,
=> page 250


Steering
=>page 114
Steering lock
=>page 114

Driving

—To select the nearest gear, move the selector
lever forward or back until you feel the first
pressure point.
—To skip a gear (for example, move from “D” to
“R”), move the selector lever past the pressure
point in the desired direction.
— The label next to the selector lever for the se-
lected gear will light up.
“N” (Neutral) gear
In the “N” gear, power is not transmitted to the
driving wheels. Use the “N” gear in a car wash
(with conveyor belts), for example.
If you unintentionally select “N” while driving
(faster than 1 mph (2 km/h)), you can also shift
back to “D” without pressing the brake pedal.
For safety reasons, the vehicle cannot be locked
when the transmission is in the "N” gear.
“Pp” (Park) gear
Requirement: the ignition must be switched on.
The vehicle is secured from rolling away by the
parking lock when in the “P” gear.
— Bring the vehicle to a full stop and press the
brake pedal.
— Press the “P” button (2) on the selector lever.
— The “P” next to the selector lever will light up.
“P” engages automatically if you switch the en-
gine off while the “D” or “R” gear is selected. If
you switch the engine off in “N”, “P” will engage
automatically after approximately 30 minutes.
If you want to switch to another gear from “P”,
the engine must be running.
If you cannot shift out of “P”, for example be-
cause the vehicle has no power, you may need to
use the emergency release for the parking lock
=> page 100.
Selecting the driving program
Various driving programs can be selected when in
the “D” gear. The programs influence when the
transmission shifts and how the accelerator ped-
al responds.
The selected driving program is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
98
—D (Drive): normal driving mode
—S (Sport): sporty driving mode
If you select the dynamic mode in Audi drive se-
lect*, the “S” driving program will be activated.
When the ignition is switched off, the driving pro-
gram may be reset to “D”.
To switch between the current driving program
and “S”, push the selector lever toward the rear.

ZA\ WARNING
— Before you start driving, check if the label
for the desired selector lever position next
to the selector lever is lit up.
— Secure the vehicle against rolling before ex-
iting the vehicle > page 96.
— Power is still transmitted to the wheels
when the engine is running at idle. To pre-
vent the vehicle from “creeping”, you must
keep your foot on the brake in all selector
lever positions (except "P" and "N") when
the engine is running.
— To reduce the risk of an accident, do not
press the accelerator pedal when changing
gears if the vehicle is stationary and the en-
gine is running.
— Never select the “R" or "P” gears while driv-
ing. Doing so could cause an accident.
— The vehicle can roll even if the ignition is
switched off.

(i) Tips
If you shift between “D” and “R” within one
second, you do not need to press the brake
pedal. This makes it possible to “rock” if it is
stuck, for example.

Driving

@ Tips
— Press the brake pedal during a Stop phase
to keep the vehicle from rolling.
— The ignition will turn off if you press the
START ENGINE STOP} button during a Stop


phase.
— If you leave the vehicle briefly during a Stop
phase and then enter again, the driver's
door must be closed and the safety belt
must be fastened in order for the engine to
be able to restart.
— You can control if the engine will stop or not
by reducing or increasing the amount of
force you use to press the brake pedal. For
example, if you only lightly press on the
brake pedal in stop-and-go traffic or when
turning, the engine will not switch off when
the vehicle is stationary. If you press the
brake pedal harder, the engine will switch
off.
Starting and stopping the engine automat-
ically
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
The system checks if certain conditions are met
before and during the Stop phase, and deter-
mines if the engine stops and how long it re-
mains stopped. For example, if power usage is
high, the engine will not be stopped. Along with
other conditions, the following factors influence
the automatic engine start or stop:
— Environmental conditions (slopes, inclines, ele-
vation, temperature)
— Battery (charge status, temperature, power us-
age)
— Engine temperature
— Assist systems
— Driving behavior
Messages
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
Drive system: please start the vehicle manually
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
104
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\.

4M8012721BF
Driving


rolling before exiting the vehicle > page 96.
See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility for assistance.

G) Tips
— On steep inclines, especially when in trailer
mode, the vehicle may roll backwards unin-
tentionally when starting to drive. To reduce
the risk of this happening, pull and hold the
switch while pressing the accelerator
pedal. If enough drive power has built up at
the wheels and the vehicle does not roll
backwards, then release the switch to start
to drive.
— If you leave the vehicle when “D” or “R” are
engaged, the parking brake will be set auto-
matically.
— Noises when the parking brake is set and re-
leased are normal and are not a cause for
concern.
— The parking brake goes through a self-test
cycle at regular intervals when the vehicle is
stopped. Any noises associated with this are
normal.
Emergency braking function
Emergency braking should only be used in an
emergency, if the standard brake pedal is mal-
functioning or obstructed. When the emergency
braking function is activated, the braking effect is
similar to a heavy braking maneuver.
> Pull and hold the ©) switch while driving.
> An audio warning signal will sound and emer-
gency braking will begin.
> If you press the accelerator pedal, emergency
braking will be canceled.

ZA WARNING
Heavy braking while driving through curves or
in poor road or weather conditions can cause
the vehicle to slide or the rear of the vehicle to
swerve, which increases the risk of an acci-

dent.

Messages
ii) B) Parking brake: malfunction! Safely
stop vehicle. See owner's manual
GG / © Parking brake: malfunction! Please
release parking brake
If one of the two messages appears, there is a
malfunction in the parking brake. If the message
appears while stationary, check if the parking
brake is released and can be reset. If this is the
case,
switch the ignition off and back on.
If the message stays on, if the parking brake can-
not be released, or if the message appears while
driving, do not continue driving. Secure the vehi-
cle against rolling before exiting the vehicle
= page 96. See an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility for assistance.
ww Parking brake: malfunction! Please contact
Service
There is a malfunction in the parking brake. Drive
to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility immediately to have the malfunc-
tion corrected. Do not park the vehicle on inclines
and shift to “P”.
x | / Parking brake: warning! Vehicle parked
too steep
The braking force may not be enough to secure
the vehicle from rolling away. Park the vehicle in
a place with less of an incline.
& / {Q) Parking brake: applied
The parking brake is set. Press and hold the brake
pedal to release the parking brake.
Special driving situations
Sporty driving
Applies to: RS models
When driving in a sporty style, the wear on all ve-
hicle components is greatly increased, especially
on the engine, transmission, tires, brakes, and
suspension. This can result in increased wear. Al-
so note the following points:
107
>

Driving

— Make sure the vehicle is in good condition.
Make sure to check the brake pads, tire tread,
and tire pressure (when tires are warm).
— Beforehand, warm up the engine by driving no
higher than two-thirds of the maximum permit-
ted engine RPM. The engine oil must be
brought to a minimum temperature of 158 °F
(70°C).
— Before stopping the vehicle, allow the engine
and brakes to cool back down to a regular oper-
ating temperature by driving normally.
If necessary, use the following functions:
— dynamic Audi drive select mode* > page 111
— Limit ESC > page 116
@) Tips
Wear caused by load does not constitute a ve-
hicle fault as defined by the terms of the war-
ranty.
Driving uphill and downhill
When driving uphill, downhill, or at high alti-
tudes, note the following information:
— Drive slowly and carefully.
— Do not try to turn around if you cannot safely
drive on an incline or hill. Instead, drive in re-
verse.
— When driving down hills, you can activate the
hill descent control if you press the brake pedal
while driving in “D” gear. The automatic trans-
mission will select a gear suitable for driving
down the hill and will attempt to maintain the
speed at which the vehicle was traveling at the
time the brake pedal was pressed. Press the
brake pedal if necessary. The hill descent con-
trol will switch off once the hill levels out or
you press the accelerator pedal.
— Utilize the engine braking effect when driving
downhill by selecting the “S” driving program
=> page 98. This especially applies when towing
a trailer. This reduces the load on the brakes.
— Apply the brakes in intervals and do not press
the brake pedal continuously.
— Use the hill descent assist if necessary
=> page 109
108
Inclinometer
Applies to: vehicles with a tilt angle display
You can display the vehicle's sideways angle and
lengthwise angle in relation to the horizon.
— Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Vehicle data.
— You may need to scroll down to the Inclinome-
ter display.
The sideways angle of your vehicle should not ex-
ceed the yellow range in the gauge. If it reaches
the red range, there is a risk that the vehicle
might tip.
The steering wheel angle, the elevation, the com-
pass direction, and the geo-coordinates of the
current vehicle position are displayed in addition
to the current vehicle angle. You will also receive
information about the maximum sideways and
lengthwise angle that was reached in the current
driving cycle. These values are reset when the ig-
nition is switched off.
Note that the accuracy of the display depends on
the driving situation.

ZA\ WARNING
— Only drive on inclines that your vehicle is de-
signed to handle. Do not exceed the hill
climbing ability of your vehicle. Your vehicle
could tip or slide.
— Do not drive at an angle on steep inclines
and hills. If your vehicle is about to tip, you
must immediately start steering in the di-
rection of the downward slope to reduce the
risk of an accident.
— Always be ready to brake when using the hill
descent control function.
— Applies to: vehicles with an inclinometer: Do
not rely only on the inclinometer when as-
sessing the driving situation.
ier A dials)
Your vehicle is not an offroad vehicle. Note the
following points when driving offroad:

— Drive slowly and carefully.
—To reduce the risk of underbody damage, pay
attention to the vehicle's ground clearance and >

4M8012721BF
Driving

drive across raised areas of the ground with the
wheels on one side of the vehicle, instead of al-
lowing the center of the vehicle to pass over the
raised areas.
—To reduce the risk of becoming stuck, drive
through sandy or swampy areas at a steady
speed and without stopping, if possible.
If necessary, use the following functions:
— Audi drive select* Offroad mode > page 111
— Hill hold assist* > page 109
—Inclinometer* > page 108
— Raising the vehicle > page 112
— Limit ESC > page 116

ZA WARNING
Only drive in terrain that is suitable for the ve-
hicle and your driving ability.

@) For the sake of the environment
Avoid actions that are damaging to the envi-
ronment. Show respect for the natural envi-
ronment and remain on marked routes.
G) Tips
Clean your vehicle after driving offroad. Dirt
and stones falling off your vehicle can affect
other road users.
Driving through water
If you must drive through water, follow these in-
structions:
— Check the stability of the ground, the current,
and the water depth. If the ground is unstable,
there is a strong current, or there are waves,
the water must only reach up to the lower edge
of the body at the most.
— Deactivate the Start/Stop system.
— Drive carefully and no faster than at walking
speeds to prevent the front of the vehicle from
creating waves, because they could splash
above the lower edge of the body. Oncoming
vehicles could also create waves.
— Do not stop the vehicle while in the water.
— Drive in reverse.
— Do not turn the engine off.

ZA\ WARNING
After driving through water, press the brake
pedal carefully to dry the brakes so that the
full braking effect will be restored.

@) Note
Vehicle components such as the engine, drive
system, suspension, or electrical system can
be severely damaged by driving through wa-
ers
@ Tips
If possible, avoid driving through salt water
because it increases the risk of corrosion. Use
fresh water to clean any vehicle components
that come into contact with salt water.
Hill descent assist
Applies to: vehicles with hill hold assist
The “@ button is located in the function bar on
the lower display. It lights up when the system is
turned on.
Hill descent assist can assist you when driving
down hills by maintaining a constant vehicle
speed by automatically braking all four wheels.
You can adjust the speed using the accelerator
and brake pedals. The regulation depends on the
hill and the vehicle speed.
> Switching on: press “2.
> Switching off: press “Z again.
Active regulation
Regulation begins shortly after you start driving
and is possible at speeds up to approximately 19
mph (30 km/h) and on hills that have an approxi-
mately 6-60% grade. If these conditions are met,
regulation will be activated and the 2a indicator
light will turn on.
Ready mode
If one of the requirements for active regulation is
not met, the system will be in ready mode. The
44 indicator light will turn on. Once the require-
ments are met again, the system will be able to
provide active regulation again.

109
>

Driving dynamic

or authorized Audi Service Facility repair the mal-
function immediately if the indicator light does
not turn off after a significant period of time.
|<] Air 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.
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 32.
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 32.
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.
Progressive steering
Applies to: vehicles with progressive steering
The driving dynamic and driving stability are in-
creased by the steering ratio based on the steer-
ing wheel angle. The steering is very direct when
the steering wheel angle is sharp, and indirect
when the angle is low. This enables comfortable
maneuvering and a precise steering response at
higher driving speeds.
All-wheel steering
Applies to: vehicles with all-wheel steering
Additional steering ability at the rear axle im-
proves the driving dynamic and stability. At low
speeds, the rear wheels are steered in the oppo-
site direction from the front wheels to reduce the
turning radius. At high speeds, steering the rear
wheels in the same direction as the front wheels
114
improves the vehicle response and driving stabili-
ty.
a 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.
BS Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle
There is a malfunction in the electronic steering
lock. You cannot turn the ignition on. Secure the
vehicle against rolling before exiting the vehicle
= page 96. Do not tow your vehicle because it
cannot be steered. See an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility for assistance.
a Steering: malfunction! You can continue
driving
There is a malfunction in the steering system.
Steering may be more difficult or more sensitive.
Adapt your driving style. Have the steering sys-
tem checked immediately by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility. Please
note that the red indicator light may turn on af-
ter restarting the engine. Do not continue driving
if it does.
a Steering: malfunction! Adapt driving style.
Larger turning radius
The rear axle steering may have failed. The vehi-
cle will have a larger turning radius, and the sta-
bility when driving around curves will be