instrument panel AUDI S8 2009 Owners Manual

Openin g a nd clo sin g
R etri eving th e cra nk for emerg ency closin g
-Use the ignition key or a screwdr iver to carefully pry the
cover off the left end of the instrument panel
=> page 360, fig. 293. The cra nk is stored next to the fuse
earner .
Closing the roof
- Push the crank G) => page 67, fig. 55 into the hex socket
0 until you can feel the crank engage . Start turning,
maintaining a steady pressure on the crank to keep it
f rom slipping off.
- After you have closed the sunroof, remove the crank and
replace the dome lig ht lens.
[ i ] Tip s
If you are unable to c lose the roof manually, contact the nearest
authorized Audi dea ler for assistance. •

Clear vision
Lights
Switching the headlights on and off ·'t!-·
In the "AUTO " position, a light sensor automatically
s w itches t he head- and tailligh ts on and off in response to
l ight con ditio ns.
Fig . 56 Instrument
p an el: light switch
Switching on automatic headlight control
- T urn th e lig ht switch to AUTO => fig. 56 .
Switching on the side marker lights
- T urn the light switch to ~oo~.
Switching on the headlights and high beam
- T urn th e li ght swit ch to fD.
- Pu sh the high beam leve r forw ard towa rds t he instru -
m ent panel
=> page 73 .
Switching off the lights
- T urn t he light switch to 0 .
Con tro ls and eq uip­
ment
Clear vision
The headlights only work when the ignition is switched on . While
starting the engine or when switching off the ignition, the head ­
lights will go off and only the side marker lights will be on.
After starting the engine, the xenon headlights are automa tically
adjus ted to the load and a ngle of the vehic le (for example, during
acceleration , braking) . This prevents oncoming traffic from exper i­
encing unnecessary headl ig ht g la re from your xenon head ligh ts .
If the system is not operating properly, a warning symbol in the
Auto -Check Contro l is displayed => page
36.
With the side marke r lights or head ligh ts switched on, the sym bol
next to the light switch illuminates
:oo:.
Daytime running lights
• USA models : The daytime running lights wi ll come on automati­
ca lly when the ig nition is turned on and the ligh t swi tch => fig. 56 is
in the
O position or the AUTO position (only in daylight conditions).
The
Daytime running lights func tio n can be tur ned on and off in the
MMI menu
E xterior lighting => page 70 => & .
• Canada models: The dayti me ru nn ing lights wi ll come on au to ­
matically when the ignition is turned on and the light switch
=> fig. 56 is i n the
O po sitio n or the AUTO po siti on (only in dayligh t
condi tions) => & .
Automatic headligh t control
In the switch posi tion AUTO the automatic headlight cont ro l is
t urned on . The low beams are turned on automa tica lly through a
light sensor as soon as ambient brightness (e .g . when driving into a
t unnel) fa lls below a value preset at the factory . When ambient
brightness increases again, the low beams are turned off again
aut omatically =>& .
I n the
AUTO posit io n the low beams are switched off automatically
when the ignition is turned off. If the high beams were switched on,
they w ill come o n again the ne xt time the a utomatic head ligh t
~
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

Clear vision
Make-up mirror
The vanity mirrors in the sun visors are equipped with lids. When the
lid is opened
G) , the mirror light in the rooflining turns on automat­
ically. It turns off when the lid is closed and the visor is folded up
again.
Two-part vanity mirror*
The vanity mirrors in the sun visors are in two parts ~ page 77,
fig. 70 . When the lid@ is slid open, a
normal magnifying mirror is
available and when the lid@ is slid open , a mirror with
high-power
magnification is available. In addition, when one of the lids is
opened, the mirror light in the rooflining turns on automatically . It
turns off when the lid is closed and the visor is folded up again. •
Applies to ve hicles : w ith sun s hade
Sun Shade
The rear window is equipped with a sun shade.
•
Fig. 71 Cockpit :
Switch for sun shade Fig. 72 Rear rooflining
Switch
for sun shade
The sunshade can be operated with the switch 1~ •-, 1 in the
driver's area and in the rear.
Instrument panel switch
Press the l:!!l switch to extend or retract the electric
sunshade for the rear window~ fig.
71.
Rear switch
Press the l.&I switch to extend or retract the electric
sunshade for the rear window~ fig. 72 .
After the sun shade for the rear window has reached either of its end
positions, it turns off automatically.
Briefly press the switch a second time to reverse the movement of
the sun shade before it reaches its end position. If the ignition is
turned off while the shade is still moving, the shade will continue
until it reaches the end position before turning off.
[ i] Tips
• If the sun shade is operated repeatedly within a short time, the
built-in overload protection circuit may be tripped. If this occurs,
you will have to wait briefly before you can operate the shade again.
• Because of the decrease in the flexibility of the shade material at
temperatures below freezing, the electrical circuit which operates .,_

Seats and storage
Seats and storage
General recommendations
Why is your seat adjustment so important?
The safety belts and the airbag system can only provide
maximum protection if the front seats are correctly
adjusted.
There are various ways of adjusting the front seats to provide safe
and comfortable support for the driver and the front passenger.
Adjust your seat properly so that :
• you can easily and quickly reach all the switches and controls in
the instrument panel
• your body is properly supported thus reducing physical stress
and fatigue
• the safety belts and airbag system can offer maximum protec ­
tion =>
page 220.
In the following sections , you will see exactly how you can best
adjust your seats.
There are special regulations and instructions for installing a child seat on the front passenger's seat. Always follow the information
regarding child safety provided in=>
page 245, "Child Safety".
L1}. WARNING
Incorrect seating position of the driver and all other passengers
can result in serious personal injury.
• Always keep your feet on the floor when the vehicle is in motion
- never put your feet on top of the instrument panel, out of the
window or on top of the seat cushion. This applies especially to
the passengers. If your seating position is incorrect, you increase
the risk of injury in the case of sudden braking or an accident. If
& WARNING (continued)
the airbag inflates and the seating position is incorrect, this could
result in personal injury or even death.
• It is important for both the driver and front passenger to keep
a distance of at least 10 inches (25 cm) between themselves and
the steering wheel and/or instrument panel. If you're sitting any closer than this, the airbag system cannot protect you properly. In
addition, the front seats and head restraints must be adjusted to
your body height so that they can give you maximum protection.
• Always try to keep as much distance as possible between your­
self and the steering wheel or instrument panel.
• Do not adjust the driver's or front passenger's seat while the
vehicle is moving. Your seat may move unexpectedly, causing
sudden loss of vehicle control and personal injury.
If you adjust
your seat while the vehicle is moving, you are out of position. •
Driver's seat
The correct seat position is important for safe and relaxed
driving.
We recommend that you adjust the driver's seat in the
following manner:
- Adjust the seat in fore and aft direction so that you can
easily push the pedals to the floor while keeping your
knees slightly bent=>
& in "Why is your seat adjustment
so important?".
Adjust the seatback so that when you sit with your back
against the seatback, you can still grasp the top of the
steering wheel. _..

- Position the head restraint according to the occupant's height=>
page 91. For maximum protection, the top of
the head restraint should be at least at eye level, prefer­
ably higher and ideally level with the top of the head
=>
page 205, fig. 220.
& WARNING
Never place any objects in the driver's footwell. An object could
get into the pedal area and interfere with pedal function. In case
of sudden braking or an accident, you would not be able to brake
or accelerate. •
Front passenger's seat
Always move the front passenger seat into the rearmost
position.
To avoid contact with the airbag while it is deploying, do not
sit any closer to the instrument panel than necessary and
always wear the three-point safety belt provided adjusted
correctly. We recommend that you adjust the passenger's
seat in the following manner:
- Move the front passenger seat into the rearmost position
of the fore and aft adjustment range=>
& in "Why is
your seat adjustment so important?" on
page 86.
-Bring the backrest up to an (almost) upright position. Do
not ride with the seat reclined.
- The ideal position for the head restraint is with the upper
edge of the restraint level with the top of your head
=>
page 91. You should not lower the top of the restraint
below the level of your eyes.
Con tro ls and eq uip­
ment
Seats and storage
- Place your feet on the floor in front of the passenger's
seat. •
Power seat
Controls
The operating logic for the switches corresponds to the
construction and function of the seat.
Fig . 81 Power seat:
Controls for seat
adjustment
The switches to adjust the seats correspond to the layout, the
design and the function of the seat. The seats are adjusted by
moving the switches following this logic.
© Upper thigh support=> page 88
@ Seat adjustment=> page 88
© Massage function* => page 89
@ Seatback angle=> page 89 and head restraint=> page 91 adjust -
ment
© Separate adjustment of upper seatback section ::;, page 89
© Adjusting the lumbar support ::;, page 90
@ Safety belt height adjustment=> page 218
Vehicle care
I I irechnical data

________________________________________________ S_ e_ a _ t_ s _a_ n_d _ s_t _o _ r_ a...: g==-- e __ llffllJI
0 Note
To avoid damaging the socket, only use plugs that fit properly.
[ i] Tips
When the engine is off and accessories are still plugged in and are
on, the vehicle battery can still be drained. •
Storage
General overview
There are numerous places to store items in your vehicle.
Glove compartment
Storage compartment
Pockets in the front seats*
Compartments in the door trim panels
Compartments in the rear doors* :::::,
page 109
=:> page 11 O
=:> page 110
=:> page 111
Left side storage compartment in the :::::, page 112
trunk
- -Right side storage compartment in the :::::, page 113
trunk
Emergency warning triangle
Umbrella holder
& WARNING
=:> page 350
• Always remove objects from the instrument panel. Any items
not stored could slide around inside the vehicle while driving or
Controls and equip ­
ment
& WARNING (continued)
when accelerating or when applying the brakes or when driving
around a corner.
• When you are driving make sure that anything you may have
placed in the center console or other storage locations cannot fall
out into the footwells. In case of sudden braking you would not be
able to brake or accelerate.
• Any articles of clothing that you have hung up must not inter­
fere with the driver's view. The coat hooks are designed only for lightweight clothing . Never hang any clothing with hard, pointed
or heavy objects in the pockets on the coat hooks. During sudden
braking or in an accident -especially if the airbag is deployed -
these objects could injure any passengers inside the vehicle. •
Glove compartment
Your Owner's Literature and the media player are stored
in the lockable glove compartment.
t--------------. l
i
I • •
Fig. 117 Glove
compartment

________________________________________________ D_r_iv _ i _n_ g~ S_ a_ fe_ ly __ l!III
& WARNING (continued)
• Always adjust the driver's seat and the steering wheel so that
there are at least 4 inches (10 cm) between the knees and the
lower part of the instrument panel.
• Always hold the steering wheel on the outside of the steering
wheel rim with your hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions
to help reduce the risk of personal injury if the driver's airbag inflates .
• Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position or with
your hands at other positions inside the steering wheel rim or on
the steering wheel hub. Holding the steering wheel the wrong way
can cause serious injuries to the hands, arms and head if the
driver's airbag inflates
• Pointing the steering wheel toward your face decreases the
ability of the supplemental driver's airbag to protect you in a colli­
sion .
• Always sit in an upright position and never lean against or
place any part of your body too close to the area where the airbags
are located.
• Before driving, always adjust the front seats and head
restraints properly and make sure that all passengers are properly
restrained .
• Never adjust the seats while the vehicle is moving. Your seat
may move unexpectedly and you could lose control of the vehicle.
• Never drive with the backrest reclined or tilted far back! The
farther the backrests are tilted back, the greater the risk of injury due to incorrect positioning of the safety belt and improper
seating position.
• Children must always ride in child seats
=> page 245. Special
precautions apply when installing a child seat on the front
passenger seat
=> page 220. •
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first
Vehicle operation
Proper seating position for the front
passenger
The proper front passenger seating position is important
for safe, relaxed driving.
For your own safety and to reduce the ris k of injury in the
event of an accident, we recommend that you adjust the
seat for the front passenger to the following pos ition:
- Move the front passenger seat back as far as possible.
There must be a minimum of 10 inches (25 cm) between
the breastbone and the instrument panel =>
&.
- Adjust the angle of the seatback so that it is in an upright
position and your back comes in full contact with it
whenever the vehicle is moving.
- Adjust the head restraint so that the upper edge is as
even with the top of your head as possible but not lower
than eye level and so that it is as close to the back of your
head as possible =>
page 205.
-Keep both feet flat on the floor in front of the front
passenger seat.
- Fasten and wear safety belts correctly=:>
page 215.
For detailed information on how to adjust the front passenger's
seat, see => page 86.
& WARNING
Front seat passengers who are unbelted, out of position or too
close to the airbag can be seriously injured or killed by the airbag
as it unfolds. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury : .,
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

lffll..,___D_ r_iv _i_ n""' g::;._ S_ a_f _e _ly =---------------------------------------------------
& WARNING (continued)
• Passengers must always sit in an upright position and never
lean against or place any part of their body too close to the area
where the airbags are located.
• Passengers who are unbelted, out of position or too close to the
airbag can be seriously injured by an airbag as it unfolds with
great force in the blink of an eye .
• Always make sure that there are at least 10 inches (25 cm)
between the front passenger's breastbone and the instrument
panel.
• Always make sure that there are at least 4 inches (10 cm)
between the front passenger's knees and the lower part of the
instrument panel .
• Each passenger must always sit on a seat of their own and
properly fasten and wear the safety belt belonging to that seat .
• Before driving, always adjust the front passenger seat and
head restraint properly.
• Always keep your feet on the floor in front of the seat. Never
rest them on the seat, instrument panel, out of the window, etc .
The airbag system and safety belt will not be able to protect you properly and can even increase the risk of injury in a crash .
• Never drive with the backrest reclined or tilted far back! The
farther the backrests are tilted back, the greater the risk of injury
due to incorrect positioning of the safety belt and improper
seating position.
• Children must always ride in child seats :::::,
page 245. Special
precautions apply when installing a child seat on the front
passenger seat
=:> page 220. •
Proper seating positions for passengers in
rear seats
Rear seat passengers must sit upright with both feet on
the floor consistent with their physical size and be prop­
erly restrained whenever the vehicle is in use.
To reduce the risk of injury caused by an incorrect seating
position in the event of a sudden braking maneuver or an
accident, your passengers on the rear bench seat must
always observe the following:
- Adjust the head restraint so that the upper edge is as
even with the top of your head as possible but no lower
than eye level
=> page 205.
- Keep both feet flat in the footwell in front of the rear seat.
Fasten and wear safety belts properly =>
page 215.
Make sure that children are always properly restrained in
a child restraint that is appropriate for their size and age
=>
page 245.
& WARNING
Passengers who are improperly seated on the rear seat can be
seriously injured in a crash.
• Each passenger must always sit on a seat of their own and
properly fasten and wear the safety belt belonging to that seat.
• Safety belts only offer maximum protection when the safety
belts are properly positioned on the body and securely latched. By
not sitting upright , a rear seat passenger increases the risk of
personal injury from improperly positioned safety belts!
• Always adjust the head restraint properly so that it can give
maximum protection. •

111 ....... _o_ r_iv _i_ n""' g::;._ S_ a_f _e _ly =---------------------------------------------------
& WARNING
Improperly stored luggage or other items can fly through the
vehicle causing serious personal injury in the event of hard braking or an accident. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
• Always put objects, for example, luggage or other heavy items
in the luggage compartment.
• Always secure objects in the luggage compartment using the
tie-down hooks and suitable straps.
& WARNING
Heavy loads will influence the way your vehicle handles. To help
reduce the risk of a loss of control leading to serious personal
injury :
• Always keep in mind when transporting heavy objects, that a
change in the center of gravity can also cause changes in vehicle
handling:
-Always distribute the load as evenly as possible.
- Place heavy objects as far forward in the luggage compart-
ment as possible.
• Never exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating or the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating specified on the safety compliance sticker on the left door jamb. Exceeding permissible weight standards
can cause the vehicle to slide and handle differently.
• Please observe information on safe driving
~ page 200.
& WARNING
To help prevent poisonous exhaust gas from being drawn into the
vehicle, always keep the rear lid closed while driving.
• Never transport objects larger than those fitting completely
into the luggage area because the rear lid cannot be fully closed.
& WARNING (continued)
• If you absolutely must drive with the rear lid open, observe the
following notes to reduce the risk of poisoning :
- Close all windows,
- Close the power roof,
- Open all air outlets in the instrument panel,
- Switch off the air recirculation,
- Set the fresh air fan to the highest speed.
& WARNING
Always make sure that the doors, all windows , the power roof and
the rear lid are securely closed and locked to reduce the risk of
injury when the vehicle is not being used.
• After closing the rear lid, always make sure that it is properly
closed and locked .
• Never leave your vehicle unattended especially with the rear lid
left open. A child could crawl into the vehicle through the luggage
compartment and close the rear lid becoming trapped and unable
to get out . Being trapped in a vehicle can lead to serious personal
injury.
• Never let children play in or around the vehicle.
• Never let passengers ride in the luggage compartment. Vehicle
occupants must always be properly restrained in one of the
vehicle's seating positions.
[ i] Tips
Air circulation helps to reduce window fogging. Stale air escapes to
the outside through vents in the trim panel, on the left side of the
luggage compartment. Be sure to keep these slots free and open. •

Because the passengers of this vehicle are not using safety belts
=:>
page 212, fig. 222, they will keep moving at the same speed the
vehicle was moving just before the crash, until something stops
them -here, the wall =:>
page 272, fig. 223.
The same principles apply to people sitting in a vehicle that is involved in a frontal collision. Even at city speeds of 20 to 30 mph
(30 to 50 km/h), the forces acting on the body can reach one ton
(2,000 lbs, or 1,000 kg) or more. At greater speeds, these forces are
even higher.
People who do not use safety belts are also not attached to their
vehicle. In a frontal collision they will also keep moving forward at
the speed their vehicle was travelling just before the crash. Of course, the laws of physics don't just apply to frontal collisions, they
determine what happens in all kinds of accidents and collisions. •
What happens to occupants not wearing
safety belts?
In crashes unbelted occupants cannot stop themselves
from flying forward and being injured or killed. Always
wear your safety belts!
Safety first
Fig . 224 A driver not
wearing a safety belt is
violently thrown
forward
Safety belts
Fig . 225 A rear
passenger not wearing
a safety belt will fly
forward and strike the
driver
Unbelted occupants are not able to resist the tremendous forces of
impact by holding tight or bracing themselves. Without the benefit
of safety restraint systems, the unrestrained occupant will slam
violently into the steering wheel, instrument panel, windshield, or
whatever else is in the way=:> fig. 224. This impact with the vehicle
interior has all the energy they had just before the crash.
Never rely on airbags alone for protection. Even when they deploy,
airbags provide only additional protection. Airbags are not
supposed to deploy in all kinds of accidents. Although your Audi is
equipped with airbags, all vehicle occupants, including the driver,
must wear safety belts correctly in order to minimize the risk of
severe injury or death in a crash.
Remember too, that airbags will deploy only once and that your
safety belts are always there to offer protection in those accidents
in which airbags are not supposed to deploy or when they have
already deployed. Unbelted occupants can also be thrown out of the
vehicle where even more severe or fatal injuries can occur.
It is also important for the rear passengers to wear safety belts
correctly . Unbelted passengers in the rear seats endanger not only
themselves but also the driver and other passengers=:> fig. 225. In a
frontal collision they will be thrown forward violently, where they can hit and injure the driver and/or front seat passenger. •
Vehicle care I I Technical data