AUDI R8 SPYDER 2015 Service Manual

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- Ma ke sure no one will be in jured by the con­
vertible top supports and other moving ob­
jects on the ve hicle when opening and clos­
ing the top.
(D Note
To prevent damage to the convertible top:
- do not store any objects in the convertible
top storage bay .
- make sure there is enough space above the
vehicle when openi ng or closing the conver­
tib le top.
(D Tips
- When the indica to r l amp f+j blinks, there is
a system ma lf u nction
¢page 15.
-The one-touch opening f unction is not avail­
able when the vehicle is traveling below
4 mph (6 km/ h) o r above 31 mph (SO km/
h). If this is the case, a warn ing tone will
sound and a message will appear in the in­
str ument cluster¢
page 39.
Error message in the instrument cluster
display
An error message appears if the convertible top
cannot open or close.
Severa l conditions must be met for the converti­
b le top to open or close automatically .
An error message in the inst rument cluste r dis­
p lay indicates i f one of the cond itions is not met
or there is a malfunction.
Soft top : Please clo se engine lid!
The engine compa rtment lid must be closed
when opening or clos ing the converti ble top . This
message appears in the instrument cluster dis­
p lay if the engine compartment lid is not closed.
Soft top : Cannot be used!
This e rror message appears if the convertib le top
cannot open or close because of safety reasons or
if there is a malfunction. The following causes a re
possible:
- The vehicle is traveling too fa st: Conver tible
top operation is deactivate d for safety reasons
Con vertible top
if the vehicle is traveling too fast . A message
w ill appea r. Reduce the vehicle speed and pull
or press the switc h aga in to open or close the
convert ible top.
- The battery voltage is too low: Th e convert ible
top cannot open o r close i f the battery vo ltage
is too low. T his ensures there w ill be enough
battery voltage left to sta rt the ve hicle. The
convert ible top can be operated again after the
eng ine is s tarted.
- Overload protection is active: Operating the
convert ible top continuously fo r a long period
of t im e places stress on the hydrau lic uni t.
Ove rload p rotection is activa ted to prevent
d am age to the system. This pro te ct ive f unct ion
p reven ts the convertib le top from opening o r
close for approximate ly 15 to 30 minutes.
It
w ill function again afte r that ¢& .
-Malfun ction: Failure of sys tem components is
one poss ible cause for malf unct ion . If this hap­
pens, yo u can also operate the conve rtible top
by hand
<=> page 41.
- The exterior temperature i s too low: Th e con­
vertible top will not open in temperatures be­
low (5 ° F) (-15 QC).
Soft top not secure
If the convertib le top is not completely open or
cl osed and the vehicle is traveling too fast, the
error message above appears and a wa rn ing tone
sounds. Reduce the veh icle speed and pull or
press the sw itch agai n to ope n or close the co n­
vertib le top.
A WARNING
--
N eve r drive when the c onver tible top is not
l ocked correctly . Th e wind from driving co uld
cause the conve rtible top to open . This can re­
sul t in injur ies and d amage to t he ve hicle .
39

Convertible top
Wind deflector
The wind deflector reduces turbulence in the pas­
senger compartment and makes driving more
comfortable.
F ig. 36 Install ing the wi nd de flector
Fig. 37 Luggage compartment: stori ng t he w ind deflector
The wind deflector is loca ted in the luggage com­
pa rtment . Insta lling it from the side of the vehi­
cle that is farthest from traffic is recommended
for safety reasons. Follow the insta llation in­
structions provided in the storage bag.
Install ing /re moving th e wind d efl ector
.. To install the wind deflec tor, slide the re taining
pin @into the mount@<=>
fig. 36 . The wind
deflector is secure when it clicks into place and
the red marks on both buttons are no longer
visible .
.. To
remove the wind deflector, press both but­
tons © and pull the deflector upward.
Stori ng the wind defl ect or
.. Slide the wind deflector into the storage bag
with the retaining pins facing downward .
.. Hang the storage bag on the retainers @in the
luggage compartment <=>
fig. 3 7.
40
A WARNING
- Do not use the w ind deflector to secure car­
go or other objects . Th is could resu lt in in­
jury .
- Be ca reful of traffic when install ing the wind
deflector.
(D Note
To prevent damage to the vehicle paint, do not lean on the vehicle when installing the
wind deflector. Objects such as belt buckles
could scratch the surface of the pa int .
@ Tips
-Keeping both side windows raised provides
the best w ind protection .
- To prevent mildew, do not store the wind deflector when it is damp.
Rear window
Fig . 38 Rea r w indow in w ind de flector pos ition
Fig . 39 Section of t he ce nter conso le : co nvert ibl e top
sw it c h
The rear window can be extended slightly when
the convertible top is open to reduce a ir
move­
ment inside the vehicle and increase comfort .

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This is called the wind deflector position
¢ fig . 38 .
The rear w indow can be extended comp lete ly for
cleaning. This is ca lled the cleaning posit io n.
Extend ing the rear window into the w ind
deflector position
~ Pull and hold the rear window switch ¢ fig. 39.
~ Re lease the switch once the rear window has
reached the wind deflector position.
Extending the rear window into the cleaning
posit ion
~ P ull and hold t he rear window switch ~ fig. 39.
~ Release the switch once the rear window has
reached the wind deflector position.
~ Pull and hold the rear window switch again .
~ Pull and hold the convertible top switch within
one second
¢page 38, fig. 35.
Retracting th e rear w indow
~ Press and ho ld the rear window switch until the
window has been retracted .
Retracting the rear w indow using the one­
touch fun ction
~ Press the rear window switch briefly . There is
no need to hold the switch.
The rear w indow can on ly be operated when the
ignition is switched on.
The rear w indow can also be extended or retract­
ed when the convertible top is closed .
A WARNING
-Do not use the rear window to secure cargo
or othe r ob jects. This co uld res ult in inj ury .
- Always pay attention and be ca reful when
extend ing o r ret racting the rea r window.
It
cou ld cause injury by pinching.
(D Tips
- Keepi ng a ll of the w indows raised provides
the best wi nd p rotection .
- The v ehicle must be stat ionary to bring the
r ear w indow into the cleaning position. The
rear w indow w ill retract on ce you beg in driv ­
i ng.
Con vertible top
Convertible top
emergency operation
General information
The convertible top can be closed by hand if
there is a malfunction.
First check if overload protection is active
~ page 39. I f this is the case, the conve rtible top
will operate again after a short delay. Otherwise
the following s teps mus t be comp leted befo re
closing the convertible top :
~ Activate the parking brake.
~ Open the side windows , if necessa ry.
~ Remove the key from the igni tion .
~ Pull or p ress the convertib le top switch
¢
page 38, fig . 35 for approximate ly 10 sec ­
onds.
Emergency locking is not intended for long -term
u se or long dr ives. The convertib le top wi ll not be
complete ly waterproof afte r using the emergency
l ocking procedure because the seals wi ll not be
seated correctly. Only close the convertible top
manua lly in an emergency . P lease see an autho r­
ized Audi R8 dealer to have the cause of the mal ­
funct ion corrected.
A WARNING
- The ignition must be sw itched off d uring the
entire clos ing pro cedure.
- When pos itioning the convertib le top, avoid
contact w ith the s upports o r other moving
pa rts. Otherwise you cou ld pinch your
hands .
- I f conve rtible top operation fails whe n
open ing or closing the top, do not hold o r
touch the supports or other moving pa rts
when releasing the pressure. The converti­
b le top will sink down and co uld p inch your
hands.
- Never d rive when the convert ible top is not
locked correctly. The wind from dr iving
could cause the convertible top to open.
This can result in injuries and damage to the
veh icle. .,,.
41

Convertible top
@ Tips
Have a second person assist when closing the
convert ible top . Opening the storage bay lid
and positioning the convertible top is easier
when a second perso n is assist ing.
Step 1: Retract the rear window
F ig . 40 Upper sto rage compar tmen t: re movin g the cover
Fig . 4 1 Upper sto rage compartment : using t he Alle n
wr ench as a cra nk to lowe r the rea r w indow
The rear w indow must be retracted in order to
close the convertible top .
If the rear window
sw itch is not func tioning
¢ page 40, the rear w in­
dow can be cranked.
" Open the upper storage compartment between
the seat back res ts ¢
page 60.
" Remove the cover using the screwdriver from
the vehicle too l kit ¢
fig. 40.
"Press the Allen wrench from the vehicle tool kit
firmly into the opening until it clicks into place
¢ fig . 41.
"Turn the bolt clockw ise until the rear window is
lowered.
42
Step 2: Open the convertible top storage
bay lid
F ig . 4 2 Eng ine compa rtm ent: in st. ail ing t he e merge ncy op ·
era tion bo lt s
F ig . 4 3 Rais in g t he sto rag e bay lid an d pulling it ba ck
The engin e compartment lid must be released
using the emergency p rocedu re in order to re­
lease the storage bay lid
¢page 155 .
Relea sing the convertibl e top storage bay lid
"T urn the emergency operation bolts on the left
and r ight sides of the engine compartment
¢ fig. 42 clockwise using the open end wrench
from the vehicle tool kit unti l the bolts are in­
stalled comp lete ly. The convertible top storage
bay lid will ra ise approximately 0 .4 in (1 cm)
from the vehicle when the bolts are installed
comp letely .
" Close the eng ine compartment lid ¢
page 156.
Opening the con vertible top storage b ay lid
" From the rear of the vehicle, reach into the cen­
ter ventilation slot in the storage bay lid with
both hands and raise the lid app roximately
12 in (30 cm) .
" Ho ld the storage bay lid in th is position and
pull it toward you unti l it stops
¢ fig. 43.

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_& WARNING
When working in the engine compartment:
- Turn the engine off .
- Activate the parking brake.
- In vehicles with a manual transmission,
move the shifter lever into idle. In vehicles
with the R tronic transmission, move these­
lector lever into the N position.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Let the engine cool down.
- Keep children away from the engine com-
partment .
0 Note
To prevent damage to the vehicle, only open
the convertible top storage bay lid when the
engine compartment lid is closed.
Step 3: Remove the covers
Fig. 44 Convertible top: covers marked
. '
®Ir
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Fig. 45 Convertible top sto rage bay l id : removing the cover
The following steps must be performed on both
sides of the vehicle.
.,. Remove the bolt in the cover on the bottom
side of the storage bay lid using the open end
wrench from the vehicle tool kit@ c::>
fig. 45 .
Convertible top
.,. Move the cover up and down carefully until it
can be pulled downward from the teeth @.
Step 4: Lift the convertible top out
Fig. 46 Convertible top s torage bay: lifting the conver tible
top out
Fig. 47 W inds hield fra me: pressing the co nve rtible top for­
ward
.,. Hold the convertible top at the @ point (arrow)
c::>
fig. 46 and raise it carefully c::> &, .
.,. Pull the convertible top all the way out in the
direction indicated @. Position the fins upward
at the same time .
.,. Press the convertible top as far forward toward
the windshield frame as possible c::>
fig. 47.
Have a second person assist when positioning the
convertible top. That person should stand on the
opposite side of the vehicle and perform the
same steps.
_& WARNING
-- When positioning the convertible top, avoid
contact with the supports or other moving
parts. Otherwise you could pinch your
hands.
- When pressing the convertible top down on­
to the windshield frame, make sure that you
do not pinch yourself or anyone else.
43

Convertible top
Step S: Secure the convertible top
Fig. 48 Convertible top storage bay : install ing the driver
Fig. 49 Securing the co nvertible top
The convertible top must be under tension to se­
cure it to the windshield frame. The wheel
wrench, driver and bolts from the vehicle tool kit
are required for this .
Have a second person assist with this step. That
person should stand on the opposite side of the
vehicle and perform the same steps.
• Position the driver @on the bolt @ in the front
section of the convertible top storage bay and
rotate clockwise to install in the threads
9fig. 48.
• Position the wheel wrench © with the long end
on the driver
(D .
• Press the convertible top as far forward as pos­
sible toward the windshield frame @with one
hand
9 fig . 49 . At the same time, pull the fins
upward @ for support with the other hand.
• Now, grasp the fins with the hand that you used
to move the convertible top forward and hold
the fins in this position. With the other hand,
turn the wheel wrench upward until it stops @.
44
@ Tips
-When pressing the convertible top forward,
make sure the locking pins are seated in the
latch on the windshield frame and not on
the frame itself.
- When pressing the convertible top forward, make sure the locking pins are seated exact­
ly in the latch on the windshield frame and
not on the frame itself . This is the only way
that the convertible top can be latched cor­
rectly.
Step 6 : Lock the convertible top
Fig. 50 Inner side of the convertible top: remov ing the cap
Fig. 51 Inner side of the convertible top: pos it ioning the
All en w rench
• Remove the cap in the center of the convertible
top using the screwdriver from the vehicle tool
kit
9 fig. 50. The emergency locking mecha­
nism is located behind it.
• Insert the Allen wrench
(D and turn the bolt to
the left @until it is tight and the convertible
top is locked securely
9 fig . 51.
• Remove the Allen wrench from the opening and
cover the opening with the cap.
• Remove the wheel wrench from the convertible
top storage bay.
• Close the convertible top storage bay lid. .,..

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,&_ WARNING
-
Make sure the convertible top is locked cor­
rectly. Otherwise the wind from driving could
cause the convertible top to open. This can re­
sult in injuries and damage to the vehicle.
Step 7: Secure the fins on the body
Fig. 52 Convertib le top: pressing the fi ns downward
Fig. 53 Interior: tightening the bolt
The following steps must be performed on both
sides of the vehicle.
"'Press the fin downward firmly
9 fig. 52.
"'Hold the fin in this position and tighten the
bolt above the seat belt -arrow-using the Allen
wrench from the vehicle tool kit at the same
time
¢fig. 53.
A second person should assist when securing the fins to the body. Tightening the bolts is much
easier if a second person presses the fins down.
A WARNING
Make sure the fins lie on the body. Otherwise
the convertible top will not lock securely and
it could open while driving. This can result in
injuries and damage to the vehicle .
Convertible top
Step 8: Extend the rear window
Fig. 54 Upper storage compartment between the seat
backrests: extending the rear window
"' Press the Allen wrench from the vehicle tool kit
firmly into the opening until it clicks into place
9fig. 54.
"'Turn the bolt counterclockwise until the rear
window is extended. Press the rear window
back lightly while doing this.
(D Note
To prevent damage to the vehicle, make sure
the rear window is in the guide in the conver­
tible top when extending the window and the
fins are secured on the body.
45

Clear vision
Clear vision Lights
Switching the headlights on/off
F ig. 55 Inst rument pane l: ligh t switch (automatic head ­
and taill ig ht control)
Switching on the side marker lights
"'T urn the light switch to :oo:.
Switching on the headlights and high beam
"'Turn the light switch to io.
"'Push the high beam lever forward towards the
instrument panel~
page 47.
Switching off the lights
"'Turn the light switch to 0.
Switching on automatic head- and taillight
control
"'Turn the light switch to AUTO ~ fig. 55.
The headlights and taillights will come on auto­
matica lly when the ignition is switched on and
the light switch is in the position AUTO (on ly in
nighttime conditions). When switching
off the ig­
nition, the headlights will go
off and only the
side marker lights will remain lit.
Daytime running lights
USA models: The daytime running lights will
come on automatica lly when the ign ition is
sw itched on and the light switch is in the position
AUTO (only in daylight conditions).
Canada models: The daytime running lights will
come on automatica lly when the ign ition is
sw itched on and the light switch is in the position
0, AUTO (only in daylight condit ions) or :oo;.
46
Automatic head- and taillight control
In the switch position AUTO the automatic head­
and taillight contro l is activated . Light sensors
are located in the ins ide mirror housing and con­
stantly check the light conditions surrounding
the vehicle. If ambient brightness falls below a
factory set value (e.g. when driving into a tun­
nel), the head- and taill ights including the li­
cense plate illumination are automatically turned
on . When ambient brightness increases again,
the externa l lights are turned
off again~,& . In
the switch position
AUTO , the low beams are
turned
off when the ignition is switched off. The
remaining lights are turned
off when the key is
taken o ut of the ignition lock .
With automatic head-and taillight control, the
high-beam function is also available, but with
one restriction: If you have not switched the high
beams back to low beams during automatic
headlight operation (for example, after driving
through a tunne l), only the low beams come on
the next time automatic headlights are switched
on . To use the high beams, you first have to pull
the h igh beam lever back and then push the lever
forward again.
The side marker lights and headlights can be
switched on manually by turn ing the light sw itch
to the des ired pos it ion .
Light sensor malfunction
If there is a light sensor ma lfunction, the symbol
El comes on in the display. For safety reasons,
the low beams are turned on permanently with
the sw itch in
AUTO. H owever, you can continue to
turn the lights on and
off using the light sw itch.
Have the light sensor checked as soon as possible
at an authorized Audi dealer .
Coming home/leaving home function
The function is sw itched on when the sw itch is in
the
AUTO pos ition and the function is shown as
active in the driver information system.
The
coming home function illuminates the area
around t he vehicle when the igni tion is switched
off and the driver's door is opened. The length of
time the lights rema in on can be set in the menu
display
( Lights > Exterior lights > coming home ). IJJ,,

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The leavin g home function i lluminates the area
around the vehicle when un locking it .
A WARNING
-Never use daytime running lights to see
where you are going. They are not bright enough and w ill not let you see far enough
ahead for safety, especially at dusk or when it is dark . Be aware of changes in outside
light cond itions when you are dr iv ing and re·
spond by switching on your low beams.
- Automatic head· and taillight control is only
intended to assist the d river. This feature
does not relieve the driver of his responsibi l­
ity to check t he headlights a nd to turn t hem
on manually according to the cur rent lig ht
and visibility conditions. For example, fog
and rain cannot be detected by the light
sensors. Consequent ly, always switch the
headlights on under these weather cond i·
tions and when dr iv ing in the da rk.
- Crashes can happen when yo u cannot see
the road ahead and when you cannot be
seen by other motorists.
- Always turn on the headlights so that you
can see ahead and so that others can see
your car from the back.
- Please observe lega l regulations when using
the light ing systems described .
@ Tips
-Always observe the specific local regulations
for your area when to use your lights.
- Turn on low beams as evening app roaches
or in conditions of poor visib ility.
- Do not attach stickers to the windshie ld in
front of the sensors as this can disab le the
automat ic head- and taill ight control and
the automatic glare-dimming of the rear·
v iew mirror(s) *.
- If you remove the ignit ion from the ign it ion
lock while the headlights are still on, a buz­
zer w ill sound as long as the dr iver's door is
open to remind you to t urn off the lights .
- In the AUTO mode, the low beams are
turned off when the ignition is t urned off.
The remaining lights ar e turned off when
t h e key is taken ou t of the ignition.
Cle ar vi sion
-In cool or damp weather conditions the
head lights may fog
over temporarily on the
inside .
- The c ritical factor is the temperature dif­
ference between the inter io r and the exte·
rior of the hea dlight lens .
- W ith the mai n beams switched on, the
lig ht-em itting area w ill be free of conden­
sation after a short time, however the
e d ges of the glass may still be fogged.
- This physical phenomeno n has no effect
on the life of your veh icle's lighti ng sys ­
tem .
Turn signals and high beam lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
is used to operate the turn signals and the high
beam as well as the headlight flasher.
t
t
Fig . 56 Turn signal and high bea m leve r
The turn signa l and high beam lever has the fo l­
lowing functions :
Turn signal s¢¢ ©@
.,. Push the lever up as far as it can go to t urn on
the right turn signa l or down to turn on the left
turn signal
q fig. 56.
.,. Move the lever br iefly u ntil you meet res istance
and re lease it to flash three times.
.,. Move the lever (up or down) until you meet re­
sistance and hold it there to determine the
flash ing time fo r the turn signa ls .
High beam ~D @
.,. Push the lever forward to sw itch on the h igh
beam.
.,. Pull the lever back towards yo u to switch off
the high beam.
47

Clear vision
Headlight flasher ~D ©
.. Pull the lever toward the stee ring wheel to use
the headlight flasher.
Notes on these features
- The turn signals only work with the ignit ion
switched on. The ind icator lights
M or Ip] in
the instr ument cluster
q page 11 also b lin k.
- After you have turned a corner, the tur n signal
switches off automat ica lly.
- The
high beam works only when the headlights
a re on. The ind icator light
II i n the instrument
cluster illuminates when the high beams are
o n.
- The
headlight flasher wo rks only as long as you
ho ld the lever - even if the re are no lights
turned on. The indicator light
II in the instru­
ment cluster illum inates when yo u use the
headlight flasher .
A WARNING
Do not use the high beam or headlight flasher
if you know that these could b lind oncom ing
traffic.
Emergency flasher
The emergency flasher makes other motorists
aware that you or your vehicle are in an emer­
gency situation.
SPORT •
Fig . 57 Cente r co nso le : em erge ncy flasher sw itc h
• Press the switch~ q fig. 5 7 to switch the
emergency flasher on or off.
When the emergency flasher is on, a ll four turn
sig nals blink at the same time. The tu rn s ignal in­
d icator lights
B II in the instrumen t cl uste r, as
well as t he lig ht in the emergency f lasher switch
48
~ b link likewise. The emergency flas hers also
work when the ignition is turned off .
The emergency flasher will automatically switch
on if you a re in an acciden t w here the a irbag has
deployed .
{I) Tips
You should sw itch on the emerge ncy flashe r
when:
- you a re the las t veh icle standing in a t raff ic
jam so th at any other vehicle s com ing can
see you, or when
- yo ur vehicle has b roken dow n or y ou are in
an eme rgency s itu ation, or whe n
- yo ur vehicle is be ing towed by a tow tru ck or
i f yo u a re towin g ano th er vehicle behind
yo u.
Interior Lights
Interior lights
The interior lights include the reading lights for
the driver and the front passenger .
Fig. 58 Sect ion from headliner: Interior lights
Activating door contact circuit
• Press the button @. The LED in the b utton illu­
m inates.
Deact ivating door cont act circuit
• Press th e button @. The LED in the button goes
out .
Front r eading light s «~
.. Press one of the switches® to turn the right or
left reading light on/off. ..,.