AUDI S8 2009 Owner's Manual

warning/indicator light should go out to show that the system is
fully functional again. For more information about the ESP~
page 270. •
Airbag system ~
This warning/indicator light monitors the airbag and the
tensioner systems.
The ffi warning light illuminates for a few seconds each time you
switch on the ignition.
If the ~ warning light does not go out, or if it i lluminates whi le you
are driving, or if it starts to blink, then there is a malfunction some ­
where in the system. If the light does not illuminate when you
switch on the ignition, this also means there is a malfunction.
& WARNING
If you have a malfunction in the airbag system, contact your autho­
rized Audi dealer immediately. Otherwise the airbag or the belt
tensioner may not work properly in an accident. •
Applies t o vehicles: with lane ass ist
Lane assist (system is ready) /:
The indicator light shows that the system is ready to use . A warning
alerts the driver when the vehicle drives over detected lane
boundary lines.
More information about lane assist~
page 153. •
Controls and equip ­
ment
Instruments and warning /indi cator lights
Applies to vehic les: with lane ass ist
Lane assist (system is not ready) •,
The indicator light shows that the system is turned on but unable to
send a warning .
More information about lane assist ~
page 153. •
Turn signals ¢ ¢
The indicator light blinks when you use either turn signal.
Whenever you use the left ¢i or the right Q turn signal, the indicator
light blinks . When you use the emergency flashers, both indicator
lights f lash.
If one of the turn signal light bulbs burn out, the turn signal will
blink twice as fast as normal. •
High beam ~D
Th e ~D warning/indicator light illuminates when the high beams are
on or when you use the headlight flasher. For more information
about using the high beams, see~
page 73. •
Fog lights }D
Th e indicator light io illuminates when the fog lights are turned
on. •
Rear fog lights ") .
The indicator light illuminates when the rear fog light s are turned
on .•
I • •

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Ap plies to vehi cles : wi th n re pressu re monitor in g system
Significant loss of air pressure l
The warning/indicator light appears in the event of a
significant loss of air pressure.
The 'warning/ indicator light illum inates when you switch on the
ign ition and must go out after the engine has started .
If the
I symbo l appears, pressure is too low in at least one tire.
For more information
~ page 43. •
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) ....;
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU is part of the On-Board Diag ­
nostic (OBD II) system. The symbol lights up when the ignition is
turned on and will turn off after the engine has started and has sett led at a constant id le speed. This indicates that the MIL is
work ing proper ly .
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 305.
For more information ~ page 27. •
Safety belts 4i-
This warning/indicator light reminds you to put on your
safety belt.
The 4,_ warning/indicator light illuminates when the ignition is
switched on to remind the driver and any front passenger to put on
the safety belt. Additionally, an acoustic warning (gong) will also
sound. For more
Information~
page 211, "Safety belt warning light t". •
Adaptive Air Suspension
The warning/indicator light illuminates, when the jacking mode
has been activated ~ page 191. This warning/indicator light has the
following functions:
• It illuminates for a few seconds after the ignition is turned on as
function check and then goes out .
• If the warning/indicator light illuminates steadily, there is a
system fault in the Adaptive Air Suspension . A system fault can
r esult in lim ited ride comfort and
low ground clearance . The fault
should be corrected as soon as possib le by an authorized Audi
dea ler .
• If the warning/indicator light flashes, you should not drive the
vehic le . The flashing warning/indicator light points to an extreme
High level. A very pronounced lifting of the vehicle (extreme High
level) can resu lt, for examp le, when a heavy load is removed from
the vehic le . As soon as the level has returned to normal, the
warning/indicator light stops flashing , and you can drive away .
• If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the~
warning/indicator light, you should not drive off immediately in
order to prevent damage to the underbody . The two warning/indi­
cator lights flashing together points to an extreme Low level. A very
pronounced lowering of the vehicle (extreme Low level) can result,
for example , from a heavy load. As soon as the level has returned to
normal, the warning/indicator lights stop flashing, and you can
drive away .
0 Note
If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the~
warning/indicator light, you should not drive the vehicle because
l ow -lying vehicle parts can bottom out as you drive over uneven
ground and be damaged as a result.•

Adaptive Air Suspension c.:::>
The c.:, symbol illuminates for a few seconds after you have
switched on the ignition to indicate
r e du ced ground cle aranc e when
the dynamic mode is activated and when the ignition is switched on
with a vehicle which was parked in dynamic mode=>
page 189,
"Chassis Controls" . On vehicles which are equipped with the s por t
s u sp en sio n
Adaptive Air Suspension -Sport*, the check light does
not come on in this instance since ground clearance is general ly
reduced.
This warning/indicator light has the following functions: • It illuminates for a few seconds after the ignition is turned on as
function check and then goes out.
• If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the
~
warning/indicator light, you should not drive the vehicle immedi­
ate ly in order to prevent damage to the underbody. The two
warning/indicator lights flashing together points to an extreme Low level. A very
pronounced lowering of the vehicle (extreme Low level)
can result, for example, from a heavy load. As soon as the level has
returned to normal, the warning/ind icator lights stop flashing , and
you can drive away .
0 Note
If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the .•.
warning/indicator light, you should not drive the vehicle because low -lying vehicle parts can bottom out as you drive over uneven
ground and be damaged as a result. •
Cruise control
CRUISE (USA models) /c,f' (Canada models)
The warning/indicator light illuminates when the cruise control is
activated. •
Controls and equip ­
ment
In st rum ent s a nd w arnin g/indi cato r ligh ts
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
... (USA models) /
~ (Canada models)
This warning/indicator light monit ors the ABS and the
electronic differential lock (EDL).
The warning/indicator light wi ll come on for a few seconds when the
ignition is switched on. The light will go out after an automatic
check sequence is comp leted .
There is a malf un cti on in the AB S when :
• The warning/indicator light does not i lluminate when you switch
on the ignition .
• The warn ing/indicator light does not go out after a few seconds.
• The warning/indicator light illuminates while driving.
The ESP indicator light also i lluminates if there is a ma lfunction in
the ABS. The message
E S P / A BS fau lt ! Se e ow ner's manu al also
appears in the inst rument cluster display and a warning tone
sounds.
The br ake system will still re spond even withou t the assis tan ce o f
t he ABS system. See y our autho rize d Audi dealer a s soon as
pos sibl e t o r estor e full br aking perfo rm an ce.
For more information
regarding the ABS=>
page 274 .
The ABS warning lig ht and th e br ak e w ar ning lig ht come on
t og eth er. The AB S will no t work an d you w ill notic e a ch ange in
b ra king re sp ons e an d p erf or mance .
Mal fun ction in the brak e syst em
If the brake warning light=> page 22and the ABS warning illuminate
together there may be a malfunct ion in the ABS, and there may also
be a malfunction in the brake system itself=>&.
In the event of a
malfun ctio n in th e br ak e s yste m the warning/indi ­
cator light
BRAKE (USA mode ls)/ ((i)) (Canada models) in the instrument
c luster flashes. By pressing the
I CHECK] button, you can bring up a
driver message which explains the ma lfunc tion in more detail.
Please note =>
page 30. _,.
I • •

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Malfun cti on in the ele ctronic differ ential lo ck (EDL )
The
ED L works t oget her with the ABS. T he ABS warning light w ill
come on if there is a ma lfunction in the
ED L system=> page 271 . See
your au thorized A ud i dea ler as soon a s possible.
& WARNING
• If the ,..,1 (USA models )/;:_,,. (Canada models) warning light
does not go out , or if it comes on while driving , the ABS system is
not working properly. The vehicle can then be stopped only with
the standard b rake s (w ithout ABS ). You will not have the p rotec ­
tion ABS provides . Contact your Audi de aler a s soon as po ssible .
• USA model s: If the BRAKE warning l ight , the < warning light and
the warning light come on together , the rear wheels could
lock up first under hard braking . Rear wheel lock -up can cause lo ss
of vehicle control and an accident . Have your vehicle repaired
immediately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified work ­
shop . Drive slowly and avoid sudden , hard brake applications .
• Canada models : If the brake warning light (CD), the ., warning
light and the ABS warning light come on together , the rear
wheels could lock up fir st under hard br aking. Rear wheel lock -up
c an cause loss of vehicle control and an accident . Have your
vehicle repaired immediately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop . Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard br ake
appli cation s.•
Electromechanical parking brake
~[ (USA models)
/(®) (Canada models)
T he warnin g/in dic ator l igh t m on it ors the electromech an­
i c a l p arking brake.
With the parking brake applied and the ignition turned on, the
war ning/ ind icator lig ht illu min a te s. After the ig nition has been
turned off, the warning/indicator light continues to i llum inate for
abo ut 3 0 seconds. If the parking bra ke is applied with the ignition turned off,
the warning/indicator light i lluminates for about 30
s e co nd s.
Th e warning/ind icator light wi ll go out when the parking brake is
r eleased .
I f the warn ing/indica tor l ight flas hes con tinuously
after applying the
par king brake, bra king force is not sufficient to prevent the vehicle
from rol ling uni nten tional ly . T h is can h appen if the brak es bec ome
too hot . Please note the fol lowing :
• I f the slope of the g round is too steep to pa rk the ve hicle, the
addi tiona l dr ive message a ppears
Caution: Vehicle parked too
steep.
• I n the event of a parking brake malfunction , the yel low symbol
appea rs in the instrument c luster display and the driver mes sage
Parking brake malfunction ! is d isplayed . Have the mal fu nct io n
r epaired as soon as poss ib le by a qualified Audi deale rship .•
Brake system BRAKE (USA models) / ((J)) (Canada
models)
The warning/indicator light fl ash es if bra ke fluid level is
low, if there is an A BS sys tem mal function or a parking
brake malfun ctio n.
T he li ght illu minates w hen t he ignitio n is tur ned on. It goes out afte r
the engine has been started . T his indicates that the brake warning
li ght is fu nctioni ng prope rly.
If the brake warning light does not light up when the engine is
cranking , there may be a malfunction in the electrical system. In this
case , contact your Audi dealer.
If the brake system warning/indicator light flashes, there is a brake
syste m malfunct ion . By press ing the
!CHECK ] button, you can bring
up a driver message which exp lains the ma lfunction in more detail
=>
p age 30. ~

If the ABS, ESP and brake force distribution fail, the ABS indicator
l ig ht (USA models)/ ~ (Canada models) and the ESP ind ica tor
light
~ come on along with the brake system ma lfunction light
BRAKE (USA mode ls)/ (@ (Canada models). The message Brake fault !
Drive carefully to nearest workshop appears in the instrument
cluster disp lay and three consecutive wa rning tones so und =>& .
(USA models) : If th e warning light
BRAKE and t he wa rn ing lig ht ......
illuminate together, immediately contact your authorized Audi
dea ler o r qua lified works hop to have a ll brake pads inspec ted
=> page
34.
When the lig ht co mes on , an audible wa rning signal is also given.
& WARNING
• USA models: If the BRAKE warning light , the ~ warning light and
the , warning light come on together , the rear wheels could
lock up first under hard braking . Rear wheel lock-up can cause loss
of vehicle control and an accident . Have your vehicle repaired
immediately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified work­
shop. Drive slowly and avoid sudden , hard brake application s.
• Canada models:
If the brake warning light CCD>, the ., warning
light and the ABS warning light come on together , the rear
wheels could lock up fir st under hard braking . Rear wheel lock-up
can cau se loss of vehicle control and an accident. Have your
vehicle repaired immediately by your authorized Audi dealer or a
qualified workshop. Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard brake
appli cations.
• If the brake warning /indicator light does not go out after a few
seconds and the parking brake released , or lights up while you are
driving , the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir i s too low. If you
believe that it is safe to do so , proceed immediately at low speed
to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or qualified repair facility and have the brake system inspected .
• Always keep in mind that after several brake applications, you
will need greater pressure on the brake pedal to stop your vehi cle.
Do not rely on strained brakes to respond with maximum stopping
Controls and equip ­
ment
Instruments and warning /indi cator lights
& W ARNING (continued )
power in critical situations . You must allow for in creased brak ing
distances. The extra di stance used up by fading brakes could lead
to an accident . •
I • •

Driver informati on displ ay
Driver information display
Introduction
General notes
The driver information display inside the instrument
cluster provides you, the driver, with much useful infor­
mation.
Fig . 8 Inst rum ent
c lu ster : cente r dis pl ay
Information from the Driver Information System is shown in the
display in the cen ter of the instrument clust er.
When you turn on the ignition and while you are driving, some func ­
tions and vehicle components are scanned for their operating status. Malfunctions or required service procedures are signalled
audibly and shown by red and yellow ligh ted symbols and
reminders to the driver in the display.
The driver is also shown information about radio and CD operation and directions fo r the navigation system . You can find additional
information on these subjects in the MMI manual.
The Driver Information System provides the fol lowing functions : Sound system display
~ page25
Outside air temperature ~ page25
Digital speedometer ~ page25
Door open indicator ~ page26
Defective light bulb ~ page26
Service interval display ~ page27
Au
to Check syst em ~ page28
Driver information ~ page29
Speed limiter ~ page28
Trip computer ~ page38
Tire pressure monito ring* ~ page 41
Selector lever pos ition ~ page 167
[ i ] Tips
In the event of a malfunction either a red or yellow icon appears in
the display. Red symbols indicat e
Danger ~ page 30. Yellow
symbols ind icate a
Warning ~ page 34. •

Sound system display
Fig. 9 Displ ay: s ound
system
T he name of the radio stat ion you are tuned to or its frequenc y and
r ece ption range are s how n in the upper area o f the di sp la y.
W hen the CD i s in us e, th e title of the tr ack being played is s how n.
T he nu mber of the CD (CD 1 to CD6) currently being played is also
sho wn. •
Outside temperature display
Fig . 1 O Display:
out side temperature
At t empe ratu re s belo w 41 °F ( +5 °Cl a s nowfl ake s ymb ol a ppea rs
ahead of the temperatu re display . It is intended to remind the driver
t o pay sp ecial a tten tio n to
ice on the road.
Con tro ls and eq uip­
ment
Driver information display
I f th e ve hic le is stationary, or if you a re driving at a v ery low spe ed,
t he te mper atu re sho wn in the d isplay mig ht be sli ght ly hig her th an
th e actua l outside t em perature . T h is is caused by the heat be ing
r ad ia ted fr om the e ngi ne.
If you h ave se lecte d the °C (deg rees Celsiu s) u nit for t em pera ture in
the MM I, the outs ide tem perature display also appears automati ­
cally in °C.
& 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 covered
and slippery even at an outside temperature above 41 °F (+5 °C) .
• Always remember, even if the "snowflake " symbol (ice
warning) does not appear in the display , black ice could be on the
road .
• Always reduce your speed and drive with special care in cold
weather conditions when the chance of encountering icy road
surfaces increases .•
Digital speedometer
Vehicle care I I
Fig . 1 1 Display: Digital
speedometer
irechnical data

Driver information display
The current speed appears on the display. The speed is displayed in
1 mph (US model) or 1 km/h (Canadian model) increments.
You can switch the display from miles to kilometers and vice versa
via the MMI. •
Open door or trunk lid warning
The pictogram alerts you when doors or the rear lid have
been left open.
Fig. 12 Dis play: open
door or rear lid
warning
With the ignition switched on, the open door or rear lid warning illu ­
minates when at least
one door or the hood or the trunk lid is not
closed. The symbol also shows you
which door(s) or lid is not
closed.
In the illustration=:> fig. 12 it is the driver's door, the left rear door
and the rear lid. As soon as al l the doors, the hood, the rear lid and
the fuel filler cap are properly closed, the door and rear lid warning
turns off and the Driver Information System functions selected are
displayed again .•
Defective light bulb warning
The defective light bulb warning tells you when a vehicle
light bulb has become defective.
Fig. 13 Display: defec­
t ive l ight bulb warning
The defective light bulb warning monitors the function of the light
bulbs. If a defective light bulb is detected, or if a light bulb has
burned out, a yellow symbol appears as wel l as a pictogram in which
th e defective light bulb is shown =:> fig. 13 In the case of certain bulb
failures (e.g. failure of the rear fog lamp), an additiona l symbol is
displayed to the left or right of the pictogram of the vehicle.
Defective brake light
(USA models) / (Canada models)
If the symbol illuminates, a brake light has failed. The burned out
light is shown in the pictogram.
Defective bulb
If this symbol illuminates, a turn signal (front or rear), a headlight,
the backup light, a fog light or a rear fog light has failed. The burned
out light is shown in the pictogram .
& WARNING
• Light bulbs are pressurized and could explode while they are
being changed causing serious personal injury. .,_

& WARNING !continued)
• Work with due care when handling the high-voltage section of
gas discharge (xenon) lights. Failure to do so could result in death
or serious injury.
[ i J Tips
Have the bulb replaced or the connection repaired by your autho ­
rized Audi Service department. •
Service interval display
The service interval display reminds you when your next
service is due.
Fig. 14 Display:
Service interval display
The date for service is calculated automatically. Based on the
average distance driven in previous months, a monthly driv ing
distance is calculated . As soon as the distance remaining to the next
service drops below the distance driven monthly, the service
reminder is initiated. The maximum period from one service to the
next is one year.
Service reminder
30 days b efore the next service is due, a service reminder appears
in the display when you turn on the ignition => fig. 14.
Contro ls and eq uip­
ment
Driver information display
After about 5 seconds the display switches back to normal. The
distance and time remaining are updated each time the ignition is
turned on until the date due for service is reached .
Service
When the due date for service is reached, the message Service due
! appears in the display immediately after you turn on the ignition.
Additionally, a warning tone sounds . After about 5 seconds the
display switches back to normal.
0 Note
If you disconnect the battery terminals, no calculations can be
made for the service interval display during this time and no service
reminder will appear . Remember that observing the proper service
intervals is vitally important to extending the life of your vehicle,
particularly the engine, and maintaining its value . Even if the
mileage driven is low, the maximum period of one year from one
service to the next must not be exceeded. •
On-Board Diagnostic system (OBD)
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Mill in the instrument cluster
=>
page 16, fig. 7 is part of the On -Board Diagnostic (OBD II) system.
The warning/indicator light illuminates when the ignition is switched on and goes out after the engine starts and the idle has
stabilized. This indicates that the MIL is working properly.
If the light does not go out after the engine is started, or illuminates
while you are driving, a malfunction may exist in the engine system. If the light starts flashing , the catalytic converter could be damaged .
Continue driving
with reduced power (avoiding sustained high
speeds and/or rapid accelerations) and have the condition
corrected. Contact your author ized Audi dealer .
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

Driver information display
If the light illuminates, the electronic speed limiter may also be
malfunctioning. For more information~
page 28, "Electronic speed
limiter".
An improperly closed fuel filler cap may also cause the MIL light to
illuminate
~ page 305. •
On-Board Diagnostics
Fig. 15 Location of
Data Link Connector
(DLCl
On-Board Diagnostics monitors the components of your emission
control system . Each monitored component in your engine system
has been assigned a code. In case of a malfunction, the component
will be identified and the fault stored as a code in the control
module memory.
The MIL light may also illuminate if there is a leak in the on-board
fuel vapor recovery system. If the light illuminates after a refuelling,
stop the vehicle and make sure the fuel filler cap is properly closed
~ page 305.
In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the stored data can only be
displayed using special diagnostic equipment (generic scan tool for
OBD).
In order to connect the special diagnostic equipment, push the plug
into the Data Link Connector (DLC). The DLC is located to the right of
the hood release
~ fig. 15. Your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified service station can inter­
pret the code and perform the necessary repair. •
Electronic speed limiter
Your vehicle may be factory equipped with tires that are rated for a
maximum speed of 130 mph (210 km/h). This is less than the
maximum speed of your vehicle. To reduce the risk of sudden tire
failure and loss of control if the vehicle is operated at excessive
speeds, your vehicle also has an electronic speed limiter. The elec ­
tronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from going faster than the
tire speed rating. For more information ~
page 338.
If the vehicle approaches the tire speed rating, the engine control
unit will turn off the fuel injectors. You will notice an immediate loss
of engine power and a drop in road speed.
If the engine control unit receives faulty vehicle road speed signals ,
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU will illuminate. If this
occurs , contact the nearest authorized Audi dealer for assistance.
& WARNING
Always observe the posted speed limits and adjust your speed to
suit prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions. Never drive
your vehicle faster than the maximum speed rating of the tires installed. •
Auto Check Control
Introduction
The Auto -Check control monitors the function of certain vehicle
features and components. It simply makes sure these features and
components are working properly . The Auto -Check control works as
long as the ignition is on, as well as whenever the vehicle is driven .....