AUDI R8 SPYDER 2014 Owners Manual

transport fuel to use for your lawn mower,
snow blower, etc., be very careful and al­
ways observe local and state laws regard­
ing the use, transportation and storage of
such fuel containers. Make certain the con­
tainer meets industry standards (ANSI/
ASTM F8S2 -86) .
@ Note
Never drive your vehicle until the fuel tank
is completely dry. The irregular supply of
fue l can cause misfiring. Gasoline cou ld
enter into the exhaust system and damage
the catalytic converter .
Refueling
Fig. 130 Drive r's doo r: Unlock ing fuel filler flap
Fig. 131 Fu el cap hooked on the opened fuel filler flap
When adding fuel, the ignition and any cellu­
lar phones in the vehicle must be switched
off .
Tak ing the fuel cap off
.. To open the fuel filler flap, press the button
9 fig . 130.
.. Unscrew fuel filler cap counter-clockwise
and hang it on the fuel filler flap ¢
fig. 131.
Fuel supply and filling your fuel tank 169
Refueling procedure
.. Insert the fuel nozzle from the gasoline
pump into the fuel filler neck as far as it will
go.
.. Select a medium refueling rate so that the
nozzle switches off automatically when the
tank is full.
Putting the fuel cap back on
.. After filling your tank, twist the fuel filler
cap clockwise until you hear a definite click.
.. Close the fuel filler flap.
To avoid fuel spilling or evaporating from the
fuel tank always close fuel filler cap proper ly
and completely. An improperly closed fuel fill­
er cap may also cause the MIL lamp ¢
page 26
to come on.
A WARNING
Improper refueling or handling of fuel can
cause fire, explosion and severe burns.
- Fuel is highly flammable and can cause
severe burns and other injuries.
- Failure to shut the engine off while refu­
eling and/or to insert the pump nozzle
fully into the fuel filler neck could cause
fuel to spray out of filler neck or to over­
flow. Fuel spray and overflowing fuel can
cause a fire.
- Never use a cellular telephone while re­
fueling. The electromagnetic radiation
can cause sparks that can ignite fuel va­
pors and cause a fire.
- Never get back into your vehicle while re­
fueling.
If in exceptional circumstances
you must get back in your vehicle while
refueling, make certain that you close
the door and touch metal to discharge static electricity before touching the fill­
er nozzle again. Static electricity can
cause sparks that can ignite fuel vapors
released during refueling .
- Never smoke or have an open flame any­
where in or near your vehicle when refu-
eling or filling a portable fuel container. ..,.

1 70 Fuel supply and filling your fuel tank
-For your safety, we strongly recommend
that you do not travel with a portable
fuel container in your vehicle. The con­
tainer, full or empty may leak and could
cause a fire, especially in a crash.
- If, under exceptional circumstances, you
must transport a portable fuel container,
please observe the following:
- Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is anywhere in or on the vehicle (for example, in the luggage compart­
ment, or on the trunk). Static electrici­
ty can build up while filling and can ig­
nite fuel vapors causing a fire .
- Always place a portable fuel container
on the ground before filling.
-A lways keep the filler nozzle complete­
ly inside the portable container before
and during filling.
- If filling a portable container made of
metal, the filler nozzle must always be
in contact with the-container. This will
help prevent static electricity from dis­
charging and cause a fire .
- Never sp ill fuel inside the vehicle or
luggage compartment. Fuel vapors are
highly flammable.
- Always observe local and state/provin­
cial laws regarding the use, storage
and transportation of fuel containers.
- Make certain the fuel container meets
industry standards (ANSI/ ASTM
F852-86).
(D Note
If any fuel has spilled onto the car, it
should be removed immediately to prevent
damage to the paint .
@) For the sake of the environment
As soon as the correctly operated nozzle
switches off automatically for the first
time, the tank is full. Do not try to add
more fuel because fuel may spill out. In
addition, the expansion space in the fuel
tank will be filled -causing the fuel to overflow
when it becomes warm and pol­
lute the environment.
(D Tips
- Running your engine while refueling may
cause vapors to escape or even fuel to
spill out of the tank . This would then
shut off the fuel nozzle before the tank
is full.
- Do not refuel your vehicle with the ig n i­
tion switched on. The fuel gauge may
otherwise not indicate the correct fuel
level after refueling .
Unlocking the fuel filler flap
by hand
You can open the fuel filler flap by hand if the
power locking system should fail.
Fig. 132 Engine compart ment: loosening the fue l filler
fla p cable
Fig. 133 Engine compart ment : releas ing t he fuel fill er
flap using the emergency release
You can release the fuel filler flap using a red
emergency release loop. It is located in the
right side of the engine compartment.
.,. Open the engine compartment lid.
.,. Loosen the fuel filler flap cable from its
mount @ on the crossmember
Q fig. 132. ..,_

~ Pull the red loop in the direct io n of the ar ­
row unti l the fuel filler flap opens
¢ fig.
133 .
~ Once the fuel fi ller flap is open, secure the
cable on the crossmember again.
~ Close the engine compa rtment lid
¢ page
174 .
Fuel supply and filling your fuel tank 171
•
•

17 2 Che cking and filling
Checking and filling
Engine compartment
Lid
Releasing the engine compartment lid
The engine compartment lid is released from
in side the vehicle.
Fi g. 1 34 Drive r's s id e: re le asi ng th e eng ine co mpart­
ment lid
R equ irement : The ignition must be sw itched
on.
.,. Make sure the rear spoiler is retracted
<=> page 148 .
.,. Pull the button @. The e ngine compart­
ment lid opens slightly .
.,. Ope n the engi ne compa rtme nt lid
c:> .&, .
.&_ WARNING
Hot engine coo lant can burn you. To re­
duce the risk of bei ng bur ned,
neve r open
the engine compartment lid if yo u see or
hear steam or coolant escaping from the
eng ine compartment. Wa it until no steam
or coolant can be seen or heard before
carefu lly opening the engine compartment
lid .
CD Note
To prevent damage to the vehicle, only
ope n the engi ne compartment lid when
t he convertib le top storage bay lid is
closed .
(D Tips
An emergency re lease can be used i f th e
engine compartment lid cannot be re ­
l eased with the
button @r::::>page 172.
Engine compartment lid emergency
release
The emergency release loop is located under
the right trim panel near the front passenger
seat.
F ig . 1 35 Fro nt passenger footwe ll: em erge ncy release
l oop
.,. Make sure the rear spo iler is retracted
<=> page 148 .
.,. Pull the loop forwa rd to release the engine
compa rtme nt lid . The engine compar tment
lid o pens s lig htly .
.,. Open the eng ine comp artmen t lid
c:> .&, in
Releasing the engine compartment lid on
page 172 .
CD Note
To preven t dam age to the vehicle, only
open the en gine compartment lid when
the convert ible top stora ge bay lid is
closed.
Working in the engine compartment
Be especially careful whenever you work in
the engine compartment!
Whenever you mu st perform any work in the
engine compartment, for example checking and filling the different fluids, there is a risk
of injury, burn s and accidents. To prevent
personal injury always observe the following
Ill-

WARNINGS. The engine compartment of any
vehicle is a hazardous area!
c::> &.
A WARNING
To help avoid injury, before you check any­
thing under the engine compartment lid:
- Switch off the engine.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Apply the parking brake.
- Move selector lever of S tronic to "N"
(Neutral); put manual transmission in
Neutral.
- Always let the engine cool down. Hot
components will burn skin on contact.
- To reduce the risk of being burned, never
open the engine compartment lid if you
see or hear steam or coolant escaping
from the engine compartment. Wait un­
til no steam or coolant can be seen or heard before carefully opening the en­
gine compartment lid .
- Keep children away from the engine com­
partment .
-Never spill fluids on hot engine compo­
nents. They can cause a fire.
- Never open the coolant reservoir cap when the engine is still warm. The cool­ant system is pressurized and hot cool­
ant could spray out.
- Protect your face, hands and arm from
steam or hot engine coolant by placing a
thick rag over the cap when you open the
coolant reservoir .
- Do not remove the engine cover under
any circumstances. This increases the
risk of burns.
- If work on the fuel system or the electri­
cal system is necessary:
- Always disconnect the battery.
- Never smoke or work near heaters or
open flames. Fluids in the engine com­
partment could start a fire.
- Keep an approved fire extinguisher im­
mediately available.
- To avoid electrical shock and personal in­
jury while the engine is running or being
started, never touch:
Checking and filling 173
- Ignition cables
- Other components of the high voltage electronic ignition system.
- If you must perform a check or repair
with the engine running:
- First, fully apply the parking brake,
move selector lever of S tronic to "N"
(Neutral); put manual transmission in
Neutral.
- Always use extreme caution to prevent
clothing, jewelry, or long hair from get­
ting caught in the radiator fan, V-belts
or other moving parts, or from contact­ ing hot parts. Tie back hair before
starting, and wear no clothing that will hang or droop into the engine.
- Minimize exposure to emission and chemical hazards
c::> .&. .
A WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning:
- Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth de­
fects and reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear con­
tain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
- Battery posts, terminals and related ac­
cessories contain lead and lead com­
pounds, chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and reproduc­
tive harms. Wash hands after handling.
@ Note
When adding fluids, always make sure that
they are poured into the proper container
or filler opening, otherwise serious dam­
age to vehicle systems will occur.
@ For the sake of the environment
To detect leaks in time, inspect the vehicle
floor pan from underneath regularly. If
you see spots from oil or other vehicle
IJI>
•
•

17 4 Che cking and filling
fluids, have your vehicle inspected by an
authorized Audi dealer.
Closing the engine compartment lid
.. Make sure that the rear spo iler is retracted
¢ page 148.
.. Pull the engine compa rtment lid dow n until
the p ress ure from the struts is reduced .
.. Pr ess the eng ine compartment lid closed
¢ &_ .
Eng ine compartment
A WARNING
-- W hen you close the engine compartment
lid, chec k it to make su re the safety catch
has prope rly engaged . The engine com­
pa rtment lid s ho ul d be flush w ith the
sur ro un ding vehicle body parts .
- If you notice while driv ing t hat the en­
g in e compartmen t lid is not secu red
p roperly, sto p at once and cl ose it .
These ore the most important items that you con check .
Fig . 136 Ty pica l layout fo r co ntai ners , e ngin e o il dipst ick and engin e o il fille r cap (man ual t ra n sm iss io n)
F ig . 1 37 Typ ica l layout fo r co ntain ers, e ngin e o il d ipstic k and e ng in e o il fill er cap (S t ro nic )
W ith manual transmission: @ Engine oil f iller cap(~) ,
(D Power steering f luid rese rvoir
@ E ngine o il d ipst ick ...... .... .
(@) ... .... .... ....... .. .. . 14 9
180
178 ....

With S tronic transmission:
(!) Powe r steeri ng fluid rese rvoir
(~ ) ... .. ................ . . 149
@ Engine oi l filler cap ("1::r.) with
engine oil dipstick, ........ .. 180, 179
A WARNING
Before you ch eck a nything in the engine
compartment, always read and heed all
WARNINGS
~ A in Working in the engine
compartment on page 173.
@ Tips
The coolant expansion tank is located un­
der the convert ible top storage bay lid
~page 183.
Engine oil
Engine oil specifications (8-cyl.-engine )
The engine in your Audi needs the right kind
of oil.
-
The engine in your Audi is a soph istica ted
powerp lant tha t was b uilt to exacting specifi­
cations . This engine needs the r ight kind of
engine oi l that meets specifications regarding
qua lity and viscosity so that it can run
smoothly and reliably. Choos ing the right oi l
and changing oil within the time and mileage intervals printed in your veh icle's Warranty
&
Ma intenance book let matters a lot more to­
day than it d id yea rs ago. A udi has developed
a special quality standa rd for engine oil that
will he lp assure tha t your veh icle's eng ine will
get the lubrica tion it needs for prope r opera­
tion.
M odern eng ine lub rication has taken a quan­
t um leap in the last few yea rs. Ma ny synthetic
oils availa ble today provide be tter eng ine lu­
b rica tion that can outlast traditional pe trole ­
um-based o ils, making them a smart choice
for use throughout the life of your A udi.
Whether yo u use syn thetic or petroleum­
based engine oil, the oil that yo u use must
conform to Audi's oil qua lity standard VW S02
00 to help keep your vehicle's engine running
Checkin g and fillin g 175
smooth ly and he lp prevent the format ion of
harmful deposits, sometimes ca lled "s ludge,"
that over time can lead to expensive repairs.
At the time of prin ting, engine oils ava ilab le in
t h e U.S . and Canada that meet the exacting
specifications of Audi oi l standard VW 502 00
are synt het ic eng ine oi ls . Th is does not mean,
however, that every synthetic engine oil will
meet Audi o il standard VW 502 00. So always
be sure that you use an approved oil.
To he lp prevent the formation of harmfu l de­
pos its use on ly oil with the following specifi­
cations pr inted on the o il conta iner:
Audi oil standard VW 502 00
Oil containe r labels m ay car ry the s peci fica­
t ion sing ly or in combina tion wi th othe r desig ­
na tions and oil quality s tanda rds .
Viscosity
Engine o ils are graded accord ing to thei r vis­
cosity. The p roper viscos ity grade oil fo r yo ur
engine depends o n climactic or seasona l con­
ditions where yo u drive. You must use oil w it h
a v isco sity g rade of SA E 5W-30 all temper a­
tu re ranges fo r norma l d riving condi tions.
Because eng ine o il that meets the Audi oil
sta ndard may not be availab le everyw here
whe n you need i t, we strong ly reco mmend
t h at you a lways carry wit h you an ex tra quart
( li ter) of oil that exp ress ly con forms to the
VW 502 00, in case you have to top
off the oil
whi le on the road.
Only if the level of the o il is at or be low the
minimum ma rk on the oi l dipstick -and no oil
that expressly conforms to Audi oi l VW 502
00 is ava ilab le -may you top
off with a h igh
quality eng ine o il, preferab ly synthetic-based,
that meets ACEA A3 or API SM specifications. However, duri ng the entire time between oi l
c h ange in tervals, neve r top
off w ith more tha n
a total of 1 qt/lite r engine oil that does not
confo rm to Aud i oil spec ifi cat ion VW 50 2 00.
For more information abo ut eng ine oi l that
has been approved for your veh icle, please
contact e ither you r autho rized Aud i dea le r o r ..,.
•
•

176 Check ing and filling
Audi Customer Relations at 1 (800) 822 -2834
or visit our web site at www .audiusa .com or
www.audicanada .ca. Here you will a lso find a
current lis t of oils (manufacturers, brand
names etc.) that conform to Audi o il standard
vw 502 00 .
Changing the engine oil
The engine oil and o il filter must be changed
according to the mi leage (ki lometers) and
time interva ls specified in your vehicle's War­
ranty
& Maintenance booklet . Do not exceed
these intervals -harmful depos its from old
engine o il can reduce engine performance and
can lead to expensive engine repairs .
C hanging the o il at the recommended inter­
va ls is so very important because the lubricat­
ing properties of oi l decrease gradually during
normal vehicle use. If you are not sure when
you have your o il changed, ask your author­
ized A udi Service Advisor .
Under some circumstances the engine o il
should even be changed more frequently .
C hange o il mo re often if you dr ive mostly
short d istances , operate the vehicle in dusty
a reas or mostly under s top-and -go traffic con­
d itions , or when yo u use your veh icle whe re
temperatures stay below free zing point fo r
l ong periods .
D etergent add it ives i n the o il w ill ma ke fresh
oil look dark after the eng ine has been run­
n ing fo r a shor t time . This is no rma l and is not
a reason to change the oi l more often than
recommended.
Damage or malfun ction s due t o lack of
maintenance
I t is essential that you change your oil at the
r ecommended in te rvals using only engine o il
th at compl ies wi th A udi oil st andard VW 502
00. Yo ur Limited New Veh icle War ran ty does
not cover damage or malfunctions due to fa il­
ure to follow recommended maintenance and
use requ irements as set forth in the A udi
Owner's Manual and Warranty
& Ma intenance
bookle t. Your authori zed Audi dealer will have
to deny warranty coverage un less you present to the dealer proof in the form of Service o
r
Repair Orde rs that all sched uled maintenance
was per formed in a time ly manner .
Engine oil specifications (10-cyl. ­
engine)
App lies to vehicles: wit h IO -cy linder -engine
The engine in your Audi needs the right kind
of oil.
The engine in your A udi is a sophisticated
powerplant that was built to exact ing spec ifi­
cations . T hi s eng ine needs the right k ind of
engi ne oil that meets specifications regarding
quality and v iscosity so that it can run
smoothly and reliably. Choosing the rig ht o il
and changing oil within the t ime and mileage
in tervals p rin ted in you r vehicle's Wa rra nty
&
Mainten ance booklet matte rs a lot more to ­
day than it did years ago . Aud i has deve loped
a specia l quality sta ndard for engine oi l th at
will help assure that your vehicle's engine wi ll
get the lubr ication it needs for proper opera­
t ion.
Modern engine lubrication has ta ken a quan­
tum leap in the last few years . Many synthetic
o ils available today provide better engine lu­
brication that can outlast tradit ional petrole­
um-based oils, making them a sma rt cho ice
for use throughout the life of your Audi .
Whether you use synthetic o r pet ro le um­
based engine oil, the oil that you use must
conform to Aud i's oil quality standards
VW 50 1 01 or VW SOS 00 and m ust have a
viscosity of SAE lOW-60 to help keep your ve­
hicle's engine running smoo thly a nd he lp p re­
ven t the forma tion of h armf ul deposits,
some times called "s ludge," tha t over t ime can
l ead to expensive repairs.
At the time of pr int ing, engi ne oils ava ilable in
t h e U.S. and Canada th at meet the exac ting
spec ifica tions of Audi oil s tanda rds
VW 50 1 01 or VW SOS 00 with the viscosity of
SAE lOW-60 are synthetic engine oils. This
does not mean, however, that every synthet ic
engine oil will meet Audi oil standards
1111>

VW 501 01 or VW SOS 00. So always be sure
that you use an approved oil.
To help preve nt the formation of harmful de­
posits use only oi l with the fo ll ow ing spec ifi­
cations printed on the oil containe r:
Audi oil standard s VW 501 01 or VW 505 00
and must have the v iscosity of SAE l0W-60 .
Oil conta iner labe ls may ca rry the specif ica­
tion s ingly or in comb inat ion with other des ig­
nations and oil qua lity standards .
Viscosity
Eng ine oi ls are graded according to the ir vis­
cosity. The prope r viscosi ty grade o il for your
engine depends on climactic or seasonal con ­
ditions where you drive. Yo u m ust use oil with
a viscos ity grade of SAE lOW-60 all tempera ­
ture ranges for norma l dr iv ing cond itions .
B ecause engine oil that meets the A udi oil
standard may not be available everywhere
when yo u need it, we strongly recommend
that you always carry with you an extra q uart
(liter) of o il that expressly conforms to the
VW 501 01 or VW SOS 00 specifications
which must have the viscosity of SAE lOW-60,
in case yo u have to top
off th e oil whi le on the
r oad.
Only if the level of the oi l is at o r below the
minimum mark on t he oil dipstic k -and no oil
that express ly co nforms to Aud i oil
VW 501 01 or VW SOS 00 spec ifications
whi ch mus t have the vis cosity o f SA E lOW-60
i s available -may you top
off w ith a hig h qua li­
ty engine oil, prefe rably sy nthetic -based, that
meets ACEA A3 or API SM specifications . How­
eve r, d uring the entire t ime between oil
change inte rva ls, never top
off with more than
a tota l of 1 qt/liter engine o il that does not
conform to Audi o il specifications VW 501 01
or VW SOS 00 w ith the viscosity of SAE
lOW-60 .
For more informat ion about engine oil that
has been approved for your vehicle, please
contact either your author ized Audi dealer or
Aud i Customer Relations at 1 (800) 822-2834
Checkin g and fillin g 177
or vis it o ur web site at www .audiusa .com or
www.au dicanada.ca . Here you wi ll also fi nd a
current list of oi ls (manufacturers, bran d
names etc.) that conform to Audi oil stand ­
ards VW 501 01 or VW 505 00 w ith the vis­
cosity of SA E lOW -60 .
Changing the engine oil
The eng ine o il and o il fi lter m ust be changed
according to t he mileage (ki lometers) and
time intervals specified i n your ve hicle's War ­
ranty
& Ma intenance booklet . Do not exceed
these interva ls - harmful deposits from old
engine oil can red uce engine performance and
can lead to expensive eng ine repairs.
Changi ng the oil at the recommended inter­
vals is so very important because the l ubricat­
i ng proper ties of oil decrease gradually d uring
no rma l veh icle use . If you a re not s ure when
you have your o il cha nged, ask your author­
ized Audi Serv ice Adv isor.
Under some circumstances the engine oil
sho uld eve n be changed more frequent ly .
Change oil mo re often if you dr ive most ly
sho rt distances, operate the ve hicle in dusty
areas o r most ly under stop-and -go traff ic con­
di tions, o r when you use your veh icle where
temperatures s tay be low freezing point for
l ong pe riods .
Dete rgen t additive s in the oil will make fres h
o il look d ark after the engine has been ru n­
ning for a sho rt time. This is no rmal and is not
a reaso n to change the oil more often t han
recommended.
Damage or malfunctions due to la ck of
maintenance
It is essential that you chang e you r o il at the
r ecommended in tervals usi ng on ly engi ne oil
that complies with Audi o il stand ards
VW 50 1 01 or VW SOS 00 an d must have the
viscosity of SAE lOW -60. Yo ur Limited New
Vehicle Warranty does not cover damage or
malfunctions due to failure to follow recom­
mended maintenance and use requ irements
as se t forth in the Audi Owner's Manual and
Warranty
& Ma intenance booklet . You r I),
•
•

1 78 Che cking and filling
authorized Audi dealer will have to deny war ­
ranty cov erage un less you present to the dea l­
er proof in the form of Serv ice o r Repair Or­
ders tha t all sched uled maintena nce was per­
f ormed in a t imely manner .
Engine oil consumption
T he engine in your vehicle depends on an ade­
quate amoun t of oil to lubricate and cool all
of its moving par ts.
In order to provide effective l ubrication and
cooling of internal engine components, a ll in­
ternal comb ustion eng ines consume a certa in
amount of o il. O il consumption var ies from
engine to eng ine and may c hange significa ntly
over the life of the eng ine . T ypically, eng ines
with a specifie d break-in per iod (see
c::> p oge 153) consume more oil during the
b reak-in per io d t han they co nsume after oil
consumption has sta bilized.
Unde r no rma l conditions, the rate of oil con­
sum ption depends on the qu ality and vi scosity
of the oi l, the R PM ( revo lutions per m inute) at
which t he engine is ope rated, the ambient
temperature and road cond itio ns. Furthe r fac­
tors are the amount of o il d ilution from water
condensation or fuel residue and the ox ida­
ti on level of the oi l. As any engine is subject to
wear as mileage bu ilds up , the oil consump ­
tion may increase over t ime until replacement
of worn componen ts may become necessary.
W ith all these variables com ing into play, no
standa rd rate of o il consumption can be es ­
tablished or specif ied . T he re is no alternative
to regular and frequent checking of the oil lev­
e l, see
Note .
If the ye llow eng ine o il level warning symbol
i n t he inst rument cluster
1\1 lights up, you
should check the o il l evel as soon as possibl e
c::> page 178. Top off the oil at you r earliest
conven ie nc e
c::>page 180.
_& WARNING
Before yo u check any thin g in t he engine
compartment , always read and hee d all
-
WAR NIN GS c::> & in Working in the engine
compartment on page 173.
(D Note
D riving wit h an insufficient o il level is like ­
l y to cause severe dama ge to the e ngine.
(D Tips
- The oil pressure warning display. is
not an indicator of the oil level. Do not
rely on it. Instead, check the oil level in
your engine at regular intervals , pref­
erably each time you refuel, and always
before going on a long trip .
- If
you have t he impression yo ur engine
cons umes excessive amounts of o il, we
recommend that you consu lt your Aud i
deale r to have the cause of your concer n
prope rly diagnosed . K eep in m ind that
th e accu rat e meas urement of o il con­
s u m ptio n re quires grea t care and may
t a ke some time. Y our Audi de aler h as i n­
st ru ctio ns abou t how to measure oil con­
sumption acc urately .
Checking the engine oil level
Applies to vehicles: with manual transmiss ion
Fig . 1 38 In st ru men t cl uste r: E ng in e oi l te m pe ratu re
d isp lay
Fig. 139 M arkers on o il dip stick