suspension AUDI S8 2009 User Guide

-L~A~d~a~ p~ t~iv~ e~A~ ir~ S~u~ s ~p~ e~n~ s~io~n ~-------------------------------------------
Adaptive Air Suspension
Adaptive Air Suspension and
Damping
Description
Adaptive Air Suspension and damping can be regulated and they adapt automatically t o a request from the driver
and the driving situation at the time.
Adaptive Air Suspension is an electronica lly controlled springing
and damping system. This chassis system makes it easier on the
driver by adapting to the particular situation through imperceptible
control processes.
The
Ad aptiv e Ai r Suspen sion component regulates ground clear ­
ance depending on vehic le speed, load condition and driver input.
Accelerating to a speed above a predetermined limit wil l make the
vehic le lower itself. On the other hand, driving more slowly results
in the vehicle raising aga in at specific speeds.
The
damping component provides individual control of the
damping forces . For example, with damping c haracteristics set to
provide greater comfort, damping is set somewhat harder for a brief period only as required, for example, when going around a curve or
over rough road surfaces as well as when braking.
Settings
Adaptive Air Suspension provides the driver w ith the opportunity to
set the chassis characteristics also to their individual preference .
With the driving modes
standard, automatic and dynamic the driver
has three chassis settings available, ranging from comfort to sporty.
In addition,
lift provides a fourth mode which can be selecting for
driving over poor stretches of road=>
page 189, "Chassis Controls".
The modes are set in MMI =>
page 191.
On vehicles equipped with the s port su spen sio n Adaptive Air
Suspension -Sport*, there is generally more emphasis on a sporty
chassis setting. Settings range from comfortable to firm
=>
page 190, "Sport Chassis Contro ls".
0 Note
• Whenever you park your vehicle, always make sure there is
adequate c learance
above and below the vehic le . The height of the
parked vehicle can change as the result of temperature fluctuations,
changes in load conditi on and changes in the driving m ode (gro und
clearance).
• Mount the tie -down chains/cables over the running surface
(circumference) of the tires . Never secure the vehicle by the axle, the
suspension stru ts or the front or rear towline eye. For technical
reasons, the pressure in the suspension struts may change during
the transport and this wi ll adversely affect vehicle handling.
• To prevent damage to the vehicle underbody, remember that
you r veh ic le is not an off -road vehicle, even in the lift mode. The
ground c learance is insufficient for this type of operation.
• If you are going to tow a trai ler, you must activa te the trai ler oper ­
ation mode=>
page 792.
[ i ] T ip s
Before you can raise your vehic le using the vehicle jack (for
example, when changing a flat tire) you must activate the jacking
mode=>
page 191 . •

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Chassis Controls
Four different driving modes can be set by the driver.
The automatic control processes are speed -and time -dependent.
For example, it is not possib le to raise the suspension to the lift
mode above certain speeds .
When a speed of about 75 mph ( 120 km/h) is exceeded for more than
30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered approximately 1
inch (25 mm) to a level suitable for highway speeds, except in the
standard mode . Road holding is optim ized as a result of the lower
center of gravity and fue l consumption is reduced as a result of
reduced wind resistance .
Level adjustment
lift
automatic
dynamic
a utomati c Ground
clear ance
about 5 .7 inches (145 mm)
a bout 4.7 inches ( 120 mm)
about 4 .7 inches (120 mm)
about 3 .9 inches (100 mm)
Select the automatic mode if you prefer a suspension setting
e m phasizing comfort. Damping characteristics emphasizing
comfort are selected in this mode.
• Lower ing : When a speed of about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded
for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered by about 1 inch (25 mm) .
• Rais ing : The vehicle is automatically raised again if the speed
falls be low about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period of 120 seconds. The
vehicle is raised immediately when speed falls below about 22 mph (35 km/h) .
dynami c
Select the sport mode if you prefer a sporty suspension setting. In
this mode, the vehic le is lowered whi le it is still stationary and
Controls and equip ­
ment
sporty damping characteristics are selected. The warning light ~
in the instrument cluster will come on for a few seconds just to
remind you of the reduced ground clearance .
I f you switch off the engine while the vehicle is in the dynamic mode
and then switch on the ignition once again, the~ warning light
wi ll also come on again for a few seconds.
• Lowering : When a speed of abou t 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded
for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered by an addi tional 0 .2 in (5 mml.
• Raising : The vehicle is automatically raised again if the speed
falls bel ow about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period o f 120 seconds . The
vehic le is raised immediately when speed falls below about 22 mph
(35 km/h).
s ta nd ard
Select the standard mode if you desire a suspension setting with a
special emphasis on comfort . In the standard mode there is
no
lowering o f the suspension. Even at high speeds, the veh icle stays
at the same level. Damping characteristics with a decided emphasis
on comfort are selected in this mode .
lift
Select the lift mode when you have to travel over poo r sections of
road (e .g . trai ls). In the lift mode, the vehic le is raised by 1 inch (25
mm) compared to norma l leve l while it is still stationary and
damping characteristics are adjusted to emphasize comfort.
The lift mode can be act ivated only at speeds be low 50 mph (80
km/h). When a speed of about 62 mph (100 km/h) is exceeded, the
system automatically leaves lift mode and the mode set previously
(standard, automa tic, dynamic) is activated again. •
I • •

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Applies to vehi cles : wi th Ad aptive Air Sus pension -Sport
Sport Chassis Controls
Four different driving modes can be set by the driver.
The automatic control processes are speed -and time -dependent .
For example, it is not possible to raise the suspension to the lift
mode above certain speeds.
When a speed of about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered approximately 0.2
inch (5 mm) to a level suitable for highway speeds, except in the
standard mode.
L e v el ad justm ent
lift
standard
automatic
aut om ati c Gr
ound clea ra nce
about 4 .9 inches (125 mm)
about 3 .9 inches (100 mm)
about 3.9 inches (100 mm)
about 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Select the automat ic mode if you prefer a sporty suspension
setting. Sporty damping characteristics are selected in this mode.
• Low erin g: When a speed of about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded
for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatically lowered by
about 0 .2 inch (5 mm) .
• Rais ing : The vehicle is automatically raised again if the speed
falls below about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period of 120 seconds. The
vehic le is raised immediate ly when speed fa lls below about 22 mph
(35 km/h).
dy nami c
Select the dynamic mode if you prefer a firm suspension setting and
damping characteristics.
• Lo we ring : When a speed of about 75 mph (120 km/h) is exceeded
for more than 30 seconds, the vehicle is automatica lly lowered by an
additiona l 0.2 in (5 mm) .
• Rais ing: The vehic le is au tomatically raised again if the speed
falls below about 44 mph (70 km/h) for a period of 120 seconds. The
vehic le is ra ised immediate ly when speed fa lls below about 22 mph
(35 km/h) .
stand ard
Select the standard mode if you want a comfortab le suspension
setting. In the standard mode there is
no lowering of the suspen ­
sion. Even at high speeds, the vehicle stays at the same level.
Comfor table but firm damping characteristics are selected in this
mode.
lift
Select the lift mode when you have to travel over poor sections of
road (e.g. trails). In the lif t mode, the vehic le is raised by 1 inch (25
mm) compared to normal level and the setting goes to sporty
damping characteristics .
The lift mode can be activated only at speeds below 50 mph (80
km/h). When a speed of about 62 mph (100 km/h) is exceeded, the
system automatical ly leaves lift mode and the mode set previously
(standard, automatic, dynamic) is activated again. •

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Setting the Driving Modes
The driving modes are set in MM/.
Fig . 212 MMI display:
Settings
The ignition must be switched on to set the driv ing modes.
- Pressthe(CAR]fu nction button. The main menu
Adaptive Air Suspension appears => fig. 212.
- Select the desired mode with the control knob.
Please note that not every driving mode can be selected in every
driving situation. For example, it is not possible to switch to lift
mode at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h). This mode is shown
greyed
out in the MMI display.
For additional information on the driving modes::;>
page 189,
"Chassis Controls" . •
Con tro ls and eq uip­
ment
Jacking Mode When Changing a Flat Tire
This mode must be activated before raising the vehicle
with a vehicle jack.
Fig. 213 MMI display:
Activate jacking mode
Switching jacking mode on and off
- Press the (CAR] function button. The main menu
Adaptive Air Suspension appears.
Press the (SETUP) function button. The main menu
Adaptive Air Suspension appears => fig. 213.
- Turn the control knob to
Vehicle jack mode and select on
or off as desired.
The vehicle jack mode must be activated before changing a wheel
so that the automatic control processes for the air suspension do
not make lifting with the vehicle jack more difficult .
In the vehicle jack mode the indicator light in the instrument cluster
illuminates.
& WARNING
The height of the parked vehicle can change due to temperature
fluctuations or changes in load. _,,
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

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[ i] Tips
The vehicle jack mode is switched off automatically at speeds above
9 mph (15 km/h). •
Towing a Trailer
Automatic lowering is not desirable when towing a trailer.
Fig. 214 MMI display :
Activate towing opera­
tion
If you are going to tow a trailer, you must activate the trailer
towing mode.
Switching the trailer towing mode on and off
manually
- Press the ICAR)function button. The main menu
Adaptive Air Suspension appears.
- Press the !SETUP] function button. The menu
Adaptive
Air Suspension
appears ~ fig. 214.
- Select
Trailer towing mode on or off as desired.
Level Adjustment when Towing a Trailer
The following applies to vehicles with Adaptive Air Suspension: • Before
hitching up the trailer
and before adjusting the tongue
weight at the trailer, the automatic or standard mode
must be
selected, so that the vehicle is at normal level=>
page 191, "Setting
the Driving Modes".
• If driving in dynamic mode is desired, this mode
must be
selected before hitching up the trailer and before adjusting the
tongue weight . However, note that your vehicle is lowered and
ground clearance is reduced.
• If you have to drive under difficult road conditions, you can
select lift mode after hitching up the trailer or after adjusting the
tongue weight .
The following applies to vehicles with
sport suspension Adaptive Air
Suspension -Sport*:
• Before hitching up the trailer
and before adjusting the tongue
weight at the trailer, the automatic, standard or dynamic mode
must
be selected, so that the vehicle is at normal level=> page 191,
"Setting the Driving Modes".
• If you have to drive under difficult road conditions , you can
select lift mode after hitching up the trailer or after adjusting the
tongue weight .
Restrictions when Operating with a Trailer
When operating with a trailer, the lift mode can only be selected up
to about 25 mph (40 km/h). The system automatically goes out of lift
mode when speed exceeds about 31 mph (50 km/hl.
If the vehicle is in automatic, standard or lift mode before the trailer
towing mode is activated, the dynamic mode cannot be activated -
except on vehicles with
sport suspension Adaptive Air Suspension -
Sport*.
If the vehicle is in dynamic mode before towing operation is acti­
vated, it can be driven in this mode. If the suspension is shifted from
this mode to automatic mode, dynamic mode cannot be re-selected.~

Airbag system -----------------=~-
& WARNING (continued )
-Never install seat covers or replacement upholstery over the
front seatbacks that ha ve not been specifically approved by
Audi .
- Never use additional seat cush ions that cover the areas
where the side airbags inflate.
- Damage to the or iginal seat covers or to the seam in the area
of the s ide airbag module must always be repaired immedi ­
ately by an authorized Audi dealer .
• The airbag system can be activated only once. After an airbag
has inflated , it must be replaced by an authorized Audi dealer or
qualified technician who has the technical information , training
and special equipment nece ssary .
• The airbag system can be deployed only once . After an airbag
has been deployed , it must be replaced with new replacement
parts designed and approved especially for your Audi model
version . Replacement of complete airbag systems or airbag
components must be performed by qualified workshops only .
Make sure that any airbag service action is entered in you r Audi
Warranty
& Maintenance booklet under AIRBAG REPLACEMENT
RECORD .
• For safety reasons in severe accidents , the alternator and
starter are separated from the vehicle battery with a pyrotechnic
c ircuit interrupter .
- Work on the pyrotechnic circuit interrupter must only be
performed by a qualified dealer -risk of an accident!
- If the vehi cle or the circuit interrupter is scrapped , all appli ­
cable safety precautions must be followed .
For the sake of the environment
Undepl oyed airbag m odu les a nd preten sioners m ig ht b e class if ied
as Perchlorate Material -specia l handling may apply, see
www .dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. When the vehicle or
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
parts of the restraint system inc
luding a irbag modules and safety
be lts with p re tensione rs are sc rapped, a ll a ppl icable laws an d regu ­
lations must be observed . Your authorized Audi dea ler is fami liar
wi th the se requi rements and we recomme nd that you have y our
dea ler perform this service for you. •
Other things that can affect Advanced Airbag
performance
Changing the veh ic le 's suspens ion s ystem can change th e way that
t he Adva nced Air bag Sys tem perfo rm s in a crash. F or e xam ple,
using tire -r im combinations not approv ed by Audi, lower ing the
ve hic le, c hangi ng th e st iffne ss of the su spen sion , inclu ding the
springs, suspension struts, shock absorbers e tc . can change the
forc es that are measu re d b y th e a irbag sens ors and sent to the elec ­
t ron ic control u nit. Some sus pensio n chan ges can , for examp le ,
inc rea se the f orce le v els mea sured by the senso rs and make the
a irb ag sys te m de plo y in cras hes in whi ch it wo uld not de p loy i f the
changes had not been made . Other kinds of changes may reduce
t he force le v e ls measured by t he se nso rs a nd preve nt t he a irba g
from deploying when it should .
T he se nsor s in th e safe ty bel t buckl e f or th e d river a nd front
passen ger seat te ll the e lectronic control module if the safety belt is
l a tc h e d or n ot. If t he safety belt i s being use d, th e fr ont ai rbag w ill
dep loy at a s lightly h ig her rate of v eh ic le dec elerat ion t han if the
safet y belt is not being used . Ther efore, in a partic ular collision, it is
poss ible that an airba g w ill not deplo y at a seati ng pos itio n wh ere
the safety be lt is be ing used but wi ll inflate at the position where the
sa fe ty be lt is no t being used . It i s im porta nt that n othi ng i nterfe re
with the safety belt b uckles so that the sensors can send the correct
i n fo rm ati on about sa fety belt use t o th e el ectronic con trol unit. _..
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data