wiper blades AUDI R8 SPYDER 2012 Owners Manual

54 Clear vis ion
Moving w ip er blade s to th e service
po sit ion
.. Do not lift the wiper arms away from the
glass when they are in their parked position;
this would damage the paint on the front
lid .
.. When there is a risk of frost, make sure t hat
the wiper blades are not frozen to the wind­ shield .
.. Move wipe r blades to the service pos it ion
¢page 55.
The windshield wipers and washer on ly work
when the ignition is turned on.
To reduce the sensit iv ity of the sensor, move
switch @down . To increase the sens itiv ity,
move the switch up. The higher you adjust the
sens itivity, the faste r th e sensor will react
when i t senses moisture on the w indshield.
The pauses between w iper t urns depend not
only on the sensitivity setting, but on the ve ­
hicle speed as well.
Du ring a temporary stop, e.g . at a t raff ic sig­
na l, the set wipe r speed is automatically re­
duced by one stage.
When the igni tion is tu rned on, the washer
jets are heated.
_& WARNING
- Wipe r blades a re cruc ial for safe driving!
Only when they are in good condition are
they able to clear the windows properly
to provide uncompromising visibility.
Worn or damaged wiper blades are a safety hazard ¢
page 55, Replacing
front wiper blades!
- The light/ra in sensor is only des igned to
assist and support the dr iver .
It remains
entirely the driver 's responsibility to
mon itor outs ide weather conditions and
to manually activate the w ipers as soon
as rain o r dri zz le red uces visibi lity
thro ugh the windshie ld.
- T he windshie ld must not be treated with
water-repe llent materials. They can in­
crease glare under poor visib ility condi­
tions such as wetness, darkness, or when the s
un is low on the horizon . In addi­
tion, they can cause the w indshield w ip­
ers to chatter .
(D Note
In freezing or near freezing conditions:
- Always check that the wiper blades are
not frozen to the g lass before you turn
the wipers on . Loosen a wiper blade
which is frozen in place before operating
the wipers to prevent damage to the
w iper blade or the wiper motor.
- Do not use the w ipers to clear a frosted
window. Us ing the wipers as a conven­
ient ice scraper will destroy the wiper
blades .
- Before you take your veh icle to an auto­
matic car wash, make sure you have the
w indshield w iper system switched off
(lever in position 0), otherwise the w ind­
shield w iper system could get damaged
in the car wash if it should suddenly
come on .
(D Tips
-The windshie ld w ipers are switched off
when the ignit ion is turned off. Act ivate
t he winds hield wipers after the ignition
is switched back on by moving the wind­
shield wiper lever to any position.
- Worn or dirty windshield wipe r blades
cause smearing, which can affect the op­
eration of the light/rain sensor . Check
the cond ition of your windsh ield wiper
blades regularly.
- When the wipers are switched on man­
ually and in ra in cond itions, the auto­
matic headlights turn on¢
page 49 or
off during the day when the wipers are
no longer operating . The automat ic
head lights fu nction is avai lab le in this
case on ly w hen the light switch is in the
"A UTO" posit ion¢
page 49, fig. 60.
- Make su re the washer fluid reservoir is
t opped off before goi ng on a long tr ip.
Look up ¢
page 182 for checking and
filling the washe r container .

-If you switch off the ignition w ith the
windshield wiper lever still in the inter­
val w ipe pos ition and then come back a
while later and drive off , the rain sensor
will reactivate itself after the vehicle
speed has exceeded 4 mph (6 km/h) .
Service position
It is only possible to change wiper blades if
you move the wiper arms to the service posi­
tion .
In order to use the windshield wipers, the
front lid must be comp letely closed.
Mo ving w ipe r blade s to the service
position
.. When there is a r isk of frost, make s ure that
the wiper blades are no t frozen to the wind­
shield .
.. Switch the ignition on .
.. Move the w iper leve r to position
0
c::> page 53, fig. 66 .
.. Press the I RESE T I button unt il the Display
type
menu appears in the Driver Informa­
tion System display.
.. Using the rocker switc h and the
!R ESE T I but­
ton, select the
Set > Wiper s > Front > Serv ­
i ce posit io n on
function . The windsh ield
wiper arms move to the service pos ition.
Moving w ipe r blade s to park po siti on
.. Make certain that the w ipe r arms are ly ing
against the w indshie ld .
.. Switch the ignition on and move the wiper
lever from position
O to 4 c::> page 53 ,
fig.
66. The wiper arms will move back to
t h e park pos ition .
(D Note
Never drive your vehicle when the wind­
shie ld w iper arms are in the service pos i­
tion and pulled away from the windshie ld.
When you dr ive faster than
4 mp h (6 km/
h), the w iper arms automat ica lly re turn to
t he par k position and could ca use pa int
damage to the front lid! Clear
vi
sion 55
@ Tips
- Yo u can also turn on t he service posit ion,
for example, if yo u want to protect the
w indshield from icing by using a cover.
- Th e service posit ion moves to
off a uto­
matically when you operate the wind­
shield wiper lever, or speed exceeds
4 mph (6 km/h).
Replacing front wiper blades
Wiper blades in good condition help keep the
windshield clear.
.-- --------..
Fig. 67 Unl atching w ipe r blade s
'
@
Fig. 6 8 Remov ing w iper b lades
Removing the wiper blade
.. Move the wipers to the service pos ition
c::> pageSS .
.. Fold the w indshie ld w iper arm away from
the glass .
0
i ,:. .., m
.. On the upper end of the wiper arm at the
corr uga tion, squeeze the p lastic ret ainer to­
gethe r on both s ides in the direction of the
arrow
c::> fig. 67.
.. Rotate the wiper b lade in the d irect ion of
the arrow @
c::> fig. 68 away from the wiper
arm .
.. Lift the wiper b lade off in the direction of
t he arrow @.

56 Clear vis ion
In stall ing t he wiper blade
.,. Place the rounded end of the wiper onto the
end of the w iper arm in the
op pos ite direc­
tion to the arrow @
c:::> fig. 68 .
.,. Squeeze the corrugation on the wiper until
you hear it click in the wiper arm .
.,. Fold the wiper arm back onto the wind­
shield .
.,. Switch the ignition on and move the wiper
lever down briefly
c:::> page 53, fig . 66 . The
wipe r will move back to the park position.
_& WARNING
- Clean yo ur wiper blades regularly w ith a
windshield washer solution to prevent
streaking. If the wiper blades are very
dirty, for examp le with insects, carefu lly
clean the w iper blades with a sponge or a
soft brush.
- For your safety, you should replace the
wiper blades once or twice a year. See
your authorized Aud i dealer for replace­
ment blades.
(D Note
- The w iper blades may only be changed
c:::> page 55 in the service position! Other­
wise, you r isk damaging the paint on the
front lid or the windsh ield wiper motor .
- To prevent damage to the wiper system:
-Always loosen blades which a re fro zen
to the windshield before operating
w ipers.
- Do not use gasoline, kerosene, paint
t hinner, or o ther solvents on or near
the wipe r blades .
- Do not attempt to move the wipers by
hand.
{D) Tips
The front wiper blades are different
lengths; the blade o n the dr ive r's side is
longer.
Mirrors
Dimming the mirrors
Fig . 69 Auto matic dimming rearview m irro r
.,. To dim the rearview mirror and both exteri­
or m irrors, press the@ button . The diode
@ turns on. The rearview and exterior mir­
rors dim automatically when light shines on
them, for example from headlights on ave­
h icle to the rear .
_& WARNING
-
Elec tro lyte fluid can lea k from automatic
dimming mirrors i f the glass is b roken.
Electro lyte fluid can irritate skin, eyes and
respiratory system.
- Repeated or prolonged exposure to e lec­
trolyte can cause i rr itation to the respira­
tory system , especially among people
with asthma or other respiratory condi­
tions. Get fresh air immediately by leav­
ing the vehicle or, if that is not possib le,
open w indows and doors all the way .
- If electrolyte gets into the eyes, flus h
them thoroughly with large amou nts
of
clean water for at least 15 minutes;
medical attention is recommended.
- If electrolyte contacts skin, fl ush affect­
ed area with clean wate r fo r at least 15
minutes and then wash affe cted area
wit h soap and wate r; medical attention
is recommended. Thoro ughly wash af­
fected clothing and shoes before reuse .
- If swallowed and person is consc ious,
rinse mouth with water for at least 15
minutes . Do not induce vomiting unless
instructed to do so by medical professio­ na l. Get medical attention immediately.

During warm weather dead insects tend to
collect on the front bumper and on the for­
ward area of the hood. They are much easier
to remove from paint that is waxed
often.
Poli shing
P olish your vehicle on ly if the pa int has lost its
shine and the gloss cannot be brought back
with wax.
If the polish used does not contain preserva ­
tive compounds, the paint must be waxed af­
terwa rds .
A WARNING
Always read and heed a ll WARNING and
other Information¢
page 153.
([) Note
Do not use car wax on
- ma tte or anod ized metal trim
-
- rubbe r or rubber-like tr im .
Trim strips
For e nvironmenta l reasons, Aud i fabricates
the br igh t tr im strips and t rim pieces from
pure chromium-free a luminum .
D irt and mar ks on the tr im str ips should be
removed with a
pH -balanc ed cl eaning agent
(do no t use a chrome cleaner). Paint po lishes
are a lso not suitable for the care o f decorative
parts and trim strips. A lkaline cleaners which
are often used before entering car washes can
cause dull or mi lky spots when they dry.
Author ized Audi dealers carry cleaning prod ­
ucts which have been tested for use on your
vehicle and are not harmful to the environ­
ment.
A WARNING
Always read and heed a ll WARNING and
other Informat ion
¢page 153.
Plastic and vinyl
-
Use a clean, damp cloth or sponge to remove
dust and light surface dirt. For other soil, use
Cleaning and protec tion 157
a lukewarm all-p urpose cleaning so lution o r a
mild saddle soap for vinyl trim. Paint care
products are not suitab le for plastic and viny l.
A WARNING
Always read and observe all WARNINGS
and other information
¢page 153.
Carbon-fiber parts
Applies to vehicles : with carbo n-fiber parts
The carbon-fiber parts of your vehicle have a
painted surface. They do not requ ire special
ca re and are cleaned like other painted parts
¢ page 153.
Touch-up paint -
You
r authorized Audi dea ler has to uch-up
paint fo r minor scratches and stone chips. Mi­
nor paint damages such as scratches or stone
c h ips should be touched up immed iate ly to
prevent corrosion.
T he number for the origi nal veh icle paint can
be fo und on the vehicle identification label
¢ page 215.
However, if cor rosion h as formed, you must
have th is thoro ughly removed by you a uthor­
ized Audi dea ler or other qualified workshop .
A WARNING
Always read and heed all WAR NINGS and
the information
c:> page 153.
Windows
Clear vision improves traffic safety.
In order to maintain the performan ce of the
winds hield wiper blades, neve r clean the win­
dow glass with insect remove r or wax .
Rubber, o il, g rease, or silicone residue can be
removed using a
glas s cl eaner o r a silic one re­
m over .
Wax residue, howeve r, can only be re ­
moved using a spec ial cleane r. You can obta in
more information from your authorized Audi
dealer.
ll-
•
•

232 Index
Warranty coverages ..... ... .. .. .... . 219
Washing .. .. ................ ... ... 153
F o ld in g top cleaning ...... .. .. .... . 156
M atte fin is h pa int ...... .. .. .. .. .. . 155
Wax ing . .. .. ... . ...... ... .. .. .. .. . 153
Wear ind icator .. .. ..... ... .. .. .... . 192
Weights ..... .. ........ ...... ... .. . 215
What happens if you wear yo ur safety belt
too loose? . .... ............. ...... . 105
Wha t happens to unbelted occupants? .. 104
What impairs driving safety? . . . . . . . . . . . 92
What should I do after chang ing a
wheel? .. .. .. ............. .. .. .. ... 189
Wheel bo lts
Torq ue ... .. .. . .. ..... ... .. .. .... . 199
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158, 183
Che ckin g tire pressu re ... ...... .. .. . 189
Cold t ire in fla tion pressu re . .. .. .. .. . 187
General notes ... ...... ... .. .. .... . 183
Glossary of tire and load ing termino lo -
gy . ... .... ... . ...... ... .. .. .... . 184
N ew tires and wheels ...... .. .. .... . 193
Tires and vehicle load lim its .. .. ..... 190
When mus t the airbag system be inspect -
ed? ... .. .... .. .. ...... ... .. .. .... . 120
When shou ld I ad just the tire p ressu res? 189
When sho uld I check the tire pressures? . 189
Where can I find the ti re pressu res for my
car? . .. ... ... .. .. ..... ... .. .. .... . 189
Why safety belts? .... ...... .. .. .. .. . 102
W ind deflector ............ .. .. .. .. .. 42
C leaning . .. .. . .......... .. .. .... . 156
W indows
C leaning ... ... .. ..... ... .. .. .... . 157
Defrost .... .. . .. ..... ... .. .. .... .. 68
De icing ...... ........... .... .... . 157
W indshield was her fl uid .... .. .. .. .. . . 18
W indshield w ipers .... ..... .. .. .. .. . 182
Install ing new w iper blades .. .. .. .... 55
Service pos it io n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
W inter operation
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178, 179
Coolant system . ...... ... .... .. .. . 175
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
H eated seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
W indows .. ... .......... .. .. .. .. . 157
W indshie ld w ipers ........ .... .... . 18 2 Winter tires
..... .. ... .. ..... .... . .. 197
All-wheel drive ... .. ... ..... ... .. .. 197
Wiper and washer system ........ .... . 53
Wiper b lades
refer to W indshield wipers ...... .. .. . 55