lights AUDI A8 2011 User Guide

18 Instruments and warning/indicator lights
There is a malfunction that can result in re­
stricted driving stability.
Carefully drive at a maximum speed of 35
mph
(60 km/h) to your authorized Audi dealer
or qualified workshop to have the malfunction
corrected.
• Air suspension: service mode. Vehicle
can only be moved with restrictions
Carefully drive to your authorized Audi dealer
or qualified workshop immediately to have
the service mode deactivated.
II Air suspension fault
There is a system malfunction that can result
in restricted driving stability or reduced
ground clearance.
Drive to your authorized Audi dealer immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
II Air suspension: vehicle too low. Ground
clearance reduced
The ground clearance is very low due to a sys­
tem malfunction. Wait until the air suspen ­
sion system has restored normal ground clear­
ance. Otherwise, conditions such as an uneven
road surface can lead to vehicle damage.
~/ !f Safety systems
The fl (USA models)!EJ (Canada models) in­
dicator light monitors the safety systems e.g.
airbags, pretensioners and illuminates for a
few seconds each time you switch the ignition
on.
If the
I (USA models);EI (Canada models)
indicator light does not go out, or if it illumi­
nates while you are driving, or if it starts to
blink, then there is a malfunction somewhere
in the system . If the light does not illuminate
when you switch the ignition on, this also
means there is a malfunction.
A WARNING
If you have a malfunction in the safety sys­
tems, contact your authorized Audi dealer
immediately. Otherwise the saftey sys- terns may not work
properly in an acci­
dent.
f;.J [J. Electronic stabilization program
(ESP)
This warning/indicator light monitors the
electronic stabilization program.
When you switch the ignition on, the indicator light
G] turns on briefly to check the function.
If the
BJ indicator lamp blinks while driving,
the ESP or ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) is active­
ly regulating.
If the BJ indicator lamp illuminates, the sys­
tem has switched the ESP off.
If the indicator light
I turns on, the ESP was
switched to ESP sport mode with the button
[!] c::> page 190. If this is case , you can reacti­
vate the ESP by switching the ignition off and
then on again. The warning/indicator light
should go out to show that the system is fully
functional again.
ESP/ABS: fault! See owner's manual
If the indicator light DJ and the ABS indicator
light
m (USA models) ;ii] (Canada models)
turn on and the message appears, there is a
malfunction in the ABS system or electronic
differential lock. This also interrupts the ESP.
The brakes still function with their normal
power, but ABS is not active.
Drive to your authorized Audi dealer immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
If the battery terminals were disconnected
and re-connected, the vehicle was jump start­
ed or the battery is very weak, the ESP sensor
system goes through a learning process for
the first few yards. The warning/indicator
light illuminates. The warning/indicator light
goes out as soon as the learning process is
complete.
For more information about the ESP
c::> page 190.

20 Instruments and warning/indicator lights
&_ WARNING
Driving with bad brakes can cause a colli­
sion and serious personal injury.
- If the warning light
II and the warning
light
- ll with the message Brake
pads!
comes on in the instrument cluster
display, immediately contact your au­
thorized Audi dealer or qualified work­
shop to have all brake pads checked or
replaced if necessary.
EPC Electronic power control
This warning/indicator light monitors the
electronic power control .
The~ warning/indicator light (Electronic
Power Control) illuminates when you switch
the ignition on as a function check.
(D Tips
-
If this warning/indicator light illuminates
while you are driving, then there is a mal­
function in the engine electronics. Have
the malfunction corrected as soon as pos­
sible by your authorized Audi dealer or
qualified repair facility.
O Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is part
of the On-Board Diagnostic (080 II) system.
The symbol
f-@j lights up when the ignition is
switched on and will turn off after the engine has started and has settled at a constant idle
speed . This indicates that the MIL is working
properly.
The warning light illuminates when there is a
malfunction in the engine electronic system.
Contact your authorized Audi dealer and have
the malfunction corrected.
An improperly closed fuel filler cap may also
cause the MIL light to illuminate
<::> page 220 .
For more information
c::> page 27.
1) - : USA mod els only
!7} Engine speed limitation
Applies to vehicles: with engine speed limitation
lfl Engine speed maximum XXXX RPM
The engine speed is automatically limited to
the speed displayed in the driver information
system. This protects the engine from over­
heating.
The engine speed limitation deactivates once
the engine is no longer in the critical tempera­
ture range and you have released the accelera­
tor pedal once.
If the engine speed limitation was activated
by an engine control malfunction, the indica­
tor light~ also turns on. Make sure that the
speed does not go above the speed displayed.
Drive to your authorized Audi dealer immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
~"' Engine oil level
II Add oil, max. x qt (l). You may continue
driving
When the symbol II and driver message ap­
pear, add the amount of oil appearing in the
display at the next opportunity
c::> page 22 7.
'"' Engine oil sensor
II Oil level! Sensor defective
If the symbol illuminates, contact your au­
thorized Audi dealer and have the oil sensor inspected. Until you have this done , check the
oil level each time you refuel just to be on the
safe side
c::> page 22 7.
Bu Fuel level indicator
Ii Please refuel
If the indicator light turns on for the first
time and the message appears, there are about 4 gallons (15 liters) of fuel left in the
tank. Time to refuel
<::> page 219.
Ii Tank system malfunction! Contact dealer llll>

Instruments and warning/indicator lights 21
If the indicator light turns on and th is mes ­
sage appears, there is a ma lfunction in the
tank system.
Drive to your authorized Aud i dea ler immedi­
ately to have the mal function cor rected .
Ci:> Windshield washer flu id level
fl! Please refill washer fluid
If the symbol illuminates, add windshield
washer fluid to the washer system/headlight
washer system* ~
page 236.
~ Windshield wipers
!I Windshield wiper defective
There is a malfunct ion with the windshield
wipers.
D rive to you r autho rized Aud i deale r immedi­
ately to have the mal function cor rected.
~/}D /0$ Defective light bulb warning
I-If the indicator light turns on, a bulb has
failed. The message indicates the location of
the bulb .
ffil-if a fog lamp* has failed, the indicator
light turns on to indicate the location on the
vehicle .
rm-if a rea r fog lamp has failed, the indicator
light turns on to indicate the location on the
vehicle.
Vehicle lights: malfunction
If the message appears, there is a malfunc­
tion in the headlights or light switch .
Drive to your authorized Audi dea ler immedi­
ately to have the malfunction corrected.
A WARNING
- light bulbs are pressurized and could ex­
plode while they are being changed caus­
ing serious personal injury.
- Work with due care when handling the
high-voltage section of gas discharge (xenon)
lights. Failure to do so cou ld re­
sult in death or serious injury .
(D Tips
Have the b ulb replaced or the connection
repaired by your authorized Audi Service
department.
~(D Headlight range control
II Headlight range control: defective!
If the symbol illuminates, the head light range
control is no longer working properly. Have
the system checked and repaired at your Audi
dealer.
§0 Adaptive Light
App lies to vehicles: wit h Adaptive Lig ht
rJI Audi adaptive light: system fault
If the indicator light turns on and this mes­
sage appears, there is a malfunct ion in the
adaptive light system. The headlights still
funct ion.
Go to an authorized dealership to have the
headlights or the control unit for the Adaptive
light repaired.
@> Light/rain sensor
fl Automatic headlights/automatic wipers:
system fault
If the indicator light turns on and this mes­
sage appears, the light/rain sensor is not
funct io ni ng correctly .
For safety reasons the low beams are turned
on permanently with the switch in
AUTO.
However, you can continue to turn the lights
o n and off using the light switch . You can st ill
control all functions that are independent of
the rain sensor through the w indshield wiper
l ever.
Contact your authorized Audi dealer as soon
as possible to have the problem corrected .

22 Instruments and warning/indicator lights
~ Dynamic steering
t1r- J Steering: system fault. you can continue
driving
If the indicator light turns on and the mes­
sage appears, the steer ing may be more diffi­
cult to move or mo re sensitive than usual. The
steer ing wheel may also be at an angle when
driving straight.
Drive slow ly to your author ized Audi dealer or
qual ified workshop to have the malfunction
corrected.
t 1r J Dynamic steering: initialising
If this driver message appears and the ind ica­
tor light is flashing on the instrument panel,
dynamic steering is being reinitialized . Once
you start the engine after this is finished, the steering wheel w ill be easy to move . Re-in iti­
a lization m ight be necessary if the steering
wheel was moved hard to the left and r ight
while the vehicle was not moving. The display
goes out as soon as initialization is complete.
A WARNING
Have the dynamic steering system mal­
function repaired as soon as possible by an authorized Audi dealer or any qualified
workshop - risk of accident!
@ Tips
- The dynamic steering stability systems
are not available in the event of a system
malfunction.
- For additional information on dynamic
steering, refer to
c> page 106.
I- I Sport differential
l'I Sport differential: system fault
There is a malfunction with the sport differen ­
tial.
Drive to you r authorized Aud i dea ler immedi­
ate ly to have the malfunction corrected .
Ill Sport differential: overheating T
he transmission temperature has increased
significantly due to the sporty driving manner .
Drive in a less sporty manner until the tem­
perature returns to the normal range and the
indicator light switches of.
A WARNING Co....- -
Contact your authorized Audi dealer or a
qualified workshop if the sport differential
i s faulty or malfunct ioning. The repair
must be performed by trained personnel
using the correct oil in order to ensure
safety .
¢¢ Turn signal s
The indicator light blinks when you use either
turn signal.
Whenever you use the left ll or the right rl
turn s ignal, the indicato r light blinks . When
you use the emergency f lashers, both indica­
tor lights flash .
If one of the turn signal light bulbs burn out,
the turn signal will blink twice as fast as nor­
mal. Carefully drive to your authorized Aud i
dealer immed iate ly to have the malfunction
corrected. The indicator light does not indi­
cate a ma lfunction if a turn signal on the trai l­
er or on the vehicle fails in trai ler towing
mode.
(D Tips
For more information on the turn signals,
refer to
c> page 45.
CRUISE /C'J' Cruise control
The warning/indicator light
f;;(l)~i~ (USA mod­
els)/ . (Canada models) illuminates when
the cruise control is act ivated
c> page 84 .

Instrument s and warning /indicator lights 23
Driver information
display
Overview
Fig. 4 Driver information system in the in strum ent
cluster
Fig . 5 Display: example of the informat ion line
The driver information system contains infor­
mation
@ that is displayed on tabs@
¢ fig. 4 . The following content is possible de­
pending on vehicle equipment:
@
Tab
1
®
Content
Vehicle functions :
On-board computer <=;>page 24
Digital speedometer
Efficiency program *
r::!;> page 25
Cruise control* ¢ page 84
Adaptive cruise control and Audi
braking guard*¢
page 86
Audi lane assist* <=> page 95
Display darkened
--~~-
@ ®
Tab Content
2 Indicator lights and messages
Warning when a door, the hood or
the rear lid is not closed
¢page27
3
4
5
6
Service interval display¢ page 26
Speed warning system <=;>page 84
Night vision ass istant* ¢ page 109
Audio/video
Telephone*
Navigation *
Th e second and third tabs are only visible if at
least one indicator light or message is shown
or if that system is sw itched on.
The status line © is located in the bottom
part of the disp lay
¢ fig. 4. It displays the ex­
terior temperature, time, selector lever posi­
tion, trip odometer and odometer.
For some vehicle functions, you can access the
trip information from the temporary memory
r::!;> page 24 in the line (D ¢ fig . 5 .
&_ WARNING
--
- Never rely exclusively on the outside
temperature display to determine if a
road surface is icy or not. Keep in mind
that road surfaces, especially bridges
and overpasses, could be ice cove red and
slippery even at an outside temperatu re
above 41 °F
(+5 °().
-Always remember, even if the "snow­
f la ke" symbo l (ice warning) does not ap­
pear in the disp lay, black ice could be on
the road.
-Always reduce your speed and d rive with
special care in cold weather cond itions
when the chance of encountering icy road surfaces increases.
(j) Tips
- At temperatures below 14 °F (+ 5 °C) a
snowflake symbol appears ahead of the
temperature display.
It is intended to re-
mind the driver to pay special attention
~

24 Instruments and warning /indicator lights
to ice on the ro ad ¢ & . If the vehicle is
stationary, o r if you are dr iving at a very
l ow speed, the tempe rat ure shown in the
display might be slightly higher t han the
actua l outside temperature. This is
ca used by the heat being rad iated from
t h e eng ine.
- You can se lect the un its used for temper ­
atu re, speed and other measurements in
the MMI.
- Fo r information on the audio/video and
nav iga tion* functions, refer to the sepa­
r ate MMI owner's manual.
Operation
The driver information system is operated us­
ing the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel.
ffi
------,±.
~
Fig. 6 Multifunct ion steer ing wheel: ope rat ing the driv­
e r info rmation system
Fi g. 7 Driver infor mat ion syste m: opening t he veh icle
functio ns me nu
Operating concept
.. Swi tch the ign itio n on.
.. To switch between the tabs, press the ro cker
swi tch @ to the left o r right¢
fig. 6.
.. To access additional in format io n be low or
above, rotate the thumbw heel @ dow n or
up. ..
To confirm a selec tion, press the thumb ­
wheel @.
Accessing Vehicle functions
.. Sele ct the first tab with the ro cke r swit ch
@.
.. Press the button 1::::L Th e Vehicle function s
menu appears¢ fig . 7.
.. To select a menu item, turn and press t he
thumbwhee l@ .
Resetting values to zero
.. Sele ct the on-board computer / Efficiency
program
menu item in the Vehicle func­
tions
men u.
.. You can now select between the long-term
memory and short-term memory.
.. To reset the values in a memory, press and
hold the thumbw heel @ for one second.
The last function selected d isp lays when you
switch the ignition on .
On-board computer
You can ca ll up the followi ng i nformation in
the on -board computer:
- Date
- Dr iv ing t ime (h) from the short-term memo-
ry
- Average consumption in MPG ( l/100 km)
from the short-te rm memory
- Average speed i n mph (km/h) from the
short-te rm memory
- Distance driven in miles (km) from the
short-term memory
- Current fuel consumption in MPG ( l/100
km)
- Short-term memory overview
- Long-te rm memory ove rview
T he short-te rm memory collects dr iv ing in for­
mation from the time the ignition is switched
on unti l it is switched off. If you continue driv­
ing within two ho urs after switch ing the ign i­
tion off, the new values are incl uded when cal­
cu lating the cu rrent trip information .
Unli ke the short-term memory, the long-term
memo ry is not erased automatically. Yo u can .,..

Instruments and warning/indicator lights 25
select the time period for evaluating trip in­
formation yourself.
For some vehicle functions, you can access the
trip information from the temporary memory
in the line(D¢page23,
fig. 5.
Efficiency program*
The efficiency program can help you to use
less fuel.
It evaluates driving information in
reference to fuel consumption and shows oth­
er equipment influencing consumption as well
as sh ift recommendat ions. ¢
page 25. Fuel
economy messages ¢
page 25 provide tips
for efficient driving . The efficiency program
uses distance and consumption data from trip
computer 1 .
To display the efficiency program, call up
Ve­
hicle functions and select the menu option
Efficiency program. If the data are deleted in
the efficiency program , those values are also
reset in trip computer .
@ Tips
-All stored values will be lost if the vehi­
cle battery is disconnected.
- Fuel consumptions (average and cur­ rent), range and speed are displayed in
metric units on Canadian models.
Other equipment
Applies to vehicles: with efficiency program
Fig. 8 Tri p comp uter: other equ ipment
Requirement : The efficiency program must be
displayed
¢ page 25 .
.,. Turn the thumbwheel until the other equip­
ment appears in the display. Other equipment that is currently affecting
fuel consumption is listed in the efficiency program. The display shows up to three other
items of equipment @. The equipment using
the most fuel is listed first . If more than three
items using fuel are switched on, the equip ­
ment that is currently using the most fuel is
displayed .
A scale @also shows the current total con­
sumption of all other equipment.
Fuel economy messages
App lies to vehicles: with efficiency program
Fig. 9 Display : example o f a fu el econo my m essa ge
Fuel economy messages are displayed when
fuel consumption is increased by certain con­
ditions. If you follow these fuel economy mes­
sages, you can reduce your vehicle's consump­
tion of fuel. The messages appear automati ­
cally and are only displayed in the efficiency
program. The fuel economy messages turn off
automatically after a certain period of time .
.,. To turn an economy message off immediate ­
ly after it appears, press any button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
@ Tips
- Once you have turned a fuel economy
message off, it will only appear again af­
ter you turn the ignition on again.
- The fuel economy messages are not dis­
played in every instance, but rather in in­
tervals
over a period of time.

26 Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Odometer
Fig . 10 In str ument cl uster Odo mete r an d reset b utto n
The odometer shows yo u how many mi les
(kilometers) you have driven . Y o u can sw itch
the display from mi les to kilometers and vice
ve rsa v ia the M MI.
Upper odometer
The trip odometer shows the distance driven
since it was last reset. It can be used to meas­
ure short distances. The last d igit ind icates
1/10 ofa m ile (100 mete rs) .
You can reset the trip odometer to zero by press ing the Reset button ~-
Lower odometer
The lower odometer shows the total n umber
of mi les (k ilometers) d rive n.
Malfunction message
If th ere is a ma lfunction in the instrume nt
clu ster,
DEF will appear in the t rip o dome te r
di sp lay are a. Con ta ct yo ur au tho riz e d Audi
dealer to have the prob lem correc ted.
Time and date display
F ig . 11 Cente r console: analog clock
T he date and time are shown in the inst ru­
ment cluster display ~
page 23, fig . 4 . The re
is a lso an analog cloc k in t he center console
¢ fig . 11.
W hen yo u open the driver's door, the da te and
time appear in the instrument cluster disp lay
f or 30 seconds . When t he ignition is sw itched
on, the t ime is a lways d isp layed i n the status
line © regardless of the current display .
You can set the time o n both clocks and the
date d isplay in the MMI. Refer to the MMI
owner 's manua l for i nstructions.
Service interval display
The service interval display reminds you when
your next service is due.
Fi g. 12 Instrument cl uste r: Se rvice inte rva l d is pl ay
The schedule for the next o il change or inspec­
t io n is ca lculat ed au toma tica lly an d disp layed
a cc ord ingly. The d isp lay wor ks in two stages:
Service reminder
30 days before the next serv ice is due, a serv­
ice reminde r appea rs in the display whe n you
switch the ig nition on
¢ fig . 12.
After about 5 seconds the display switches
back to normal. The distance and time re­
main ing a re updated each t ime the ignit ion is
swi tched on u ntil the date due for service is
r e ach ed.
Service due
When the due date for service is reached, t he
message
Service due! appears in the instru­
ment cluster immed iate ly afte r yo u sw itch the
ignition on . Add it io na lly, a warning to ne .,.

Instrument s and warning /indicator lights 2 7
sounds. After about S seconds the display
switches back to normal.
Calling up th e service schedules
If or when an oil change or inspe ct io n is due,
can be shown in the MM I disp lay by select ing
the servi ce inte rva l disp lay in the car menu .
Select the
I CA R I function button > Car s ys­
tems
contro l button > Servicing & chec ks >
Service interval d isplays.
Resetting the service interval display
Your au thori zed A udi dealer w ill reset the cor­
responding service sched ule after per forming
the approp riate service on yo ur vehicle. You
also have the possib ility to reset the o il
change sched ule after having performed an
oil change accord ing to Audi specifications.
Select the
I CAR I function button > Car sys­
tems
control bu tton > Servicing & checks >
Service interval display s > Reset oil change
interval.
CJ) Note
If you disconnect the battery termina ls , no
calc ulations can be made for the service
interval display d uring this tim e and no
service remi nder w ill appea r. Remembe r
t h at observ ing the prope r serv ice intervals
is v ita lly impo rtant to ex tend ing the life o f
your veh icle , particu larly the engine, a nd
maintaining its va lue . Even if t he mileage
driven is low, the maximum period of one
year from one service to the next must not
be exceeded.
{!) Tips
- Do not reset the display between o il
changes, otherw ise the display will be i n­
cor rect.
- The information in the Service Reminder
r ema ins stored even when the vehicle
battery is discon nected .
Open door /hood /rear lid warning
Fi g. 13 Display : doo rs a nd re ar lid open
With the ign ition switched on, the warn ing il­
luminates when at least
one door or the hood
or the rear lid is not closed . The symbo l also
shows you
which door(s) or lid is not closed .
In the illustrati on
i:> fig . 13 it is the driver's
door and the left rear door.
On-Board Diagnostic
system (OBD)
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL )
The Ma lfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) fllllij in
the instrument cluster is part of t he On-Board
Diagnost ic (OBD II) system.
The warning/indicator light ill uminates when
the ignitio n is switched on and goes out after
the engine starts and the id le has stabilized.
This indicates that the MIL is working proper­
ly .
If the light does not go out after the engine
is started, or illuminates while you are driv­
i ng, a malfunction may exis t in the engi ne sys­
tem . If the light illumi nates, the catalyt ic con­
verter could be damaged .
Contin ue d riving
with reduced power (avoid­
i ng s ustai ned h igh speeds and/or rapid accel ­
erations) and have the cond ition co rrected .
Contact your aut horized Aud i dea le r.
If the light illum inates, the electronic speed
li miter may also be malfunct io ni ng . For more
i nformation
~ pag e 28, Electronic speed
limiter. ...,

Power windows
Controls
The driver can control all power windows.
Fig. 30 Section of the driver's door: Controls
All power window switches are provided with
a two-pos ition function:
Opening the windows
"' Press the switch to the first stop and hold it
until the window reaches the desired posi­
tion.
"' Press the switch briefly to the
second stop
to automatically open the window .
Closing the windows
"' Pull the switch to the first stop and hold it
until the window reaches the desired posi­
t ion.
"' Pull the switch briefly to the
second stop to
automatical ly close the window.
Power window switches
@ Driver's door
@ Passenger's door
© Left rear door
@ Right rear door
® Safety button (or two safety buttons in ve­
hicles with power child safety locks
<=>page38)
Child safety lock
When the safety button® c:> fig. 30 is press­
ed, the LED in the button lights up. The fol­
l owing features are switched off:
- The power windows in the rear doors,
Opening and closing 39
- The buttons for the power sun shades* in
the side windows,
- The buttons for the power sun shade* in the
rear window,
- Front passenger power seat adjustment*
button.
&_ WARNING ~
- When you leave your vehicle -even if on-
ly briefly - always take the ignit ion key
with you. This applies particularly when
children remain in the vehicle. Otherwise
the children could start the engine or op­
erate electrical equipment (e.g. power
windows). The power windows are func­
tional until the driver's door or passeng­
er 's door has been opened.
- Be careful when closing the windows.
Check to see that no one is in the way, or
serious injury could result!
- When locking the vehicle from outside,
the vehicle must be unoccupied since the
windows can no longer be opened in an
emergency .
(j) Tips
- The driver can lower or ra ise the power
sun shades* in the sid e windows by using
switches © and @.
- After the ignition has been switched off,
the windows can st ill be opened or
closed for about 10 minutes. The power
windows are not switched off until the
driver's door or passenger's door has
been opened.
What to do after a malfunction
The one-touch open and close function must
be reactivated if the battery has been discon­
nected.
"' Pull and ho ld the power window switch until
the window is fully closed.
"' Release the switch and then pull it again for
at leas t one second.