check engine light AUDI S8 2011 Owner's Manual

232 Checking and filling
Brake fluid
Checking brake fluid level
The brake fluid level can be checked with a
quick glance .
Fig. 181 Engine compartme nt: markings on the brake
flu id reservoir
Before you check anything in the engine com­
partment,
always read and heed all WARN­
INGS ¢ .&._ in Working in the engine compart­
ment on page 222.
.. Read the brake fluid level from the brake
fluid reservoir ¢
fig. 181. The brake fluid
level must be between the "MIN" and
" MAX " markings .
The location of the brake fluid reservoir can be
seen in the engine compartment illustration
c:::,page224 .
The fluid level may drop slightly after some
time due to the automatic adjustment of the
brake pads . T hi s is not cause for alarm.
If the brake fluid level falls
considerably be­
low the "MIN" mark, the brake warning/indi­
cator light. (U.S. models)/ . (Canadian
models) will come on ¢
page 14. Do not con­
tinue to operate the vehicle . The complete
brake system should be thoroughly checked
by an authorized Audi dealer or other quali­
fied facility and the cause corrected.
If the
brake fluid level is too low, the brake warning/
indicator light will illuminate. Contact an au­
thorized Audi dealer
immediately .
Changing brake fluid
Have the brake fluid changed by an experi­
enced technician .
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air. If
t he water content in the brake fluid is too
high, corrosion in the brake system may result
after a period of time . The boiling point of the
brake fluid will also decrease considerably and
decrease braking performance.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be changed
every two years . Always use new brake fluid
which conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle
Standard "FMVSS 116 DOT 4".
The brake fluid reservoir can be difficult to reach, therefore, we recommend that you
have the brake fluid changed by your author­
ized
Audi dealer. Your dealer has the correct
tools, the right brake fluid and the know-how
to do this for you .
A WARNING
-Brake fluid is poisonous. It must be stor­
ed only in the closed original container
out of the reach of children!
- Brake failure can result from old or inap­
propriate brake fluid. Observe these pre­
cautions:
- Use only brake fluid that meets SAE
specification
J 1703 and conforms to
Federal Motor Vehicle Standard 116.
Always check with your authorized Audi
dealer to make sure you are using the
correct brake fluid. The correct type of brake fluid is also indicated on the
brake fluid reservoir.
- The brake fluid must be new. Heavy use
of the brakes can cause a vapor lock if
the brake fluid is left in the system too
long . This can seriously affect the effi­
ciency of the brakes as well as your
safety. This could result in an accident.
(D Note
Brake fluid will damage the paint of your
vehicle.

234 Check ing and filling
Th e following WARNINGS are very
impo rtant when w ork ing on the b att ery :
Alwa ys hee d the fo llo w ing WARNING SYM ­
BOLS and safety precaution s when working
o n the battery .
®
@
®
Always w ear eye prot ection.
Batter y acid cont ain s sulfu ric acid.
Alwa ys wear glo ves and e ye p rote c­
tion.
No
• sparks
-flames
- smoking.
When a batt ery is charged, it produ ­
ces hydrog en ga s whi ch i s e xplo sive
a nd could cau se p ers on al injury .
Always keep the battery well out of reach of children .
.8, WARNING
Whenever working on the battery or on
the electrical system, there is the r is k of
inju ry, acc ident and even fire. Read and
heed the following WARNINGS:
- Always wea r eye protection. Do not let
battery acid or any lead particles get on
yo ur skin or clothing. Shield your eyes.
Explosive gases can cause blindness or
other injury .
- Battery acid contains sulfuric acid. Sulfu­
ric acid can cause blindness and severe
burns.
- Always wear gloves and eye p rotection .
Do not tilt the battery because ac id
could lea k out of the vent ilation open ­
ings.
- I f you get battery acid in your eyes or
on your sk in , immediately rinse with
cold water for severa l m inutes and get
medical attention.
- If you should ingest any battery acid ,
seek medical attention immediately .
- Do not expose the battery to an open
flame, electric sparks or an open light .
- Do not smoke. -
Do not interchange the positive and neg­
ative cables.
- When working on the battery, be s ure
not to short-circu it the terminals with
too ls or other metal objects. This would
cause the battery to heat up very quickly,
which could lead to damage or explosion and pe rsonal injury.
- When a battery is charged, it produces
hydrogen gas which is explosive and
could cause personal in jury.
-Always keep the battery well out of the reach of children .
- Before work is done on the electrical sys­
tem, disconnect the negat ive ground ca­
b le .
- Before performing any work on the e lec ­
tr ical system, switch off the engine and
ignit ion as well as any electrical equip­
ment. The negative cable on the battery
m ust be disconnected.
If yo u are just go­
ing to replace a light bulb, then it is
enough to switch off the lights .
- Before disconnec ting the bat tery, switch
off the anti -theft alarm system! Other ­
wise you wi ll set off the alarm.
- When disconnecting the battery, f irst
disconnect the negative cab le and then
the positive cab le .
- Before reconnecting the batte ry, ma ke
sure all e lectr ica l consumers are sw itch­
ed off . Reconnect the positive cable first
and then the negative cable . Never inter­
change the cables - this could start a fire!
- Never charge a frozen or a thawed-out
battery . It could exp lode! If a battery has
frozen, then it must be replaced. A dis­
charged batte ry can freeze over at 32 °F
(0 °() .
-Make sure the vent hose is always attach­
ed to the opening on the s ide of the bat­
tery .
- Never use batteries which are damaged.
There is the danger of an explosion! Al­ ways rep lace a damaged battery .

236 Checking and filling
-Never charge a frozen battery. It may ex­
plode because of gas trapped in the ice.
Allow a frozen battery to thaw out first.
- Do not reuse batteries which were fro­
zen. The battery housing may have cracked and weakened when the battery
froze .
- Charge the battery in a well ventilated
area . Keep away from open f lame or elec­
trical spark . Do not smoke. Hydrogen gas
generated by the battery is exp losive.
- To reduce the danger of explosion, never
connect or disconnect charger cables
wh ile the charger is operating.
- Fast charg ing a battery is dangerous and
should only be attempted by a compe­
tent technician with the proper equip­
ment.
- Battery acid that may spill during charg­
ing should be washed
off with a solution
of warm water and bakin g soda to neu­
tralize the acid.
Never use a fast charger as a booster to
start the engine. This will se riously dam­
age sensitive electronic components, such
as control units, relays, radio, etc., as we ll
as the battery charger .
Battery replacement
The new battery must have the same specifi­
cations and dimensions as the original equip­
ment battery.
I ntell igent energy management in your vehi­
cle is respo nsible for distributing the electr i­
cal energy throughout your vehicle
c::> page 195. The intelligent energy manage­
ment system wi ll keep the engine battery
charged better than vehicles without this sys­
tem. To make sure the additional electrical en­
ergy is available once again after you have
changed the battery, we recommend that you install batte ries of the same type and man u­
facture only (the same as those installed at
the time your vehicle was delivered). Specifi- cations are listed on the
battery housing. Your
authorized dealer must code the battery in
the energy management system to enab le you
to use the energy management functions cor­
rectly after replacing the battery.
T he new battery must have the same capacity,
voltage (12 volts), amperage, construction and plug sealing .
When installing the battery, make sure the ig ­
nition and all electrical consumers are switch­
ed off.
(D Note
Make sure the ventilation hose on the side
of the battery is connected, otherwise
fumes or battery acid can leak out .
@ For the sake of the environment
Because of the prob lem of proper disposal
of a battery, we recommend your author­
i zed Audi dealer change the battery for
you. Batteries contain sulfuric acid and
lead and must always be disposed of prop­
erly in compliance with a ll environmental
regulations. Disposing of veh icle batter ies
improperly is very dangerous to the envi­
ronment .
Windshield/headlight
washer container
Fig. 183 En g in e compa rtm ent: w indshi eld washe r flu ­
i d reservo ir
T he washer fluid conta iner is marked w ith the
symbol~ on its cap .
.,. Before you check anything in the engine
compartment,
always read and heed all

288 Index
Average consumption ........ ... .... .. 24
Average speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Avoid damaging the vehicle .. .. .. .. .. . 198
B
Battery 233
Charging ................... ..... . 235
Important warnings ...... .. .. .. .. . 233
Location . ................. .. .... . 233
low . .. .... .......... ...... ... .. . 195
Replacing the battery ...... ..... .. . 236
State of charge ............... .. ... 195
W inter operation ....... .. .. .. .. .. . 233
Working on the battery .... .. .. .... . 233
Before driving .. ... .... .... .. .. .. .. . 127
Blended gasoline .................. . 218
Blower (automatic climate control) . . . . . . 76
Body cavity sealing ......... .. .. .... . 211
Booster seats
Brake fluid 177
Changing the brake fluid ....... .. .. . 232
Check ing the brake fluid level . .. .. .. . 232
What is the cor rect brake flu id level? . . 232
What should I do if the brake fluid warn-
ing light comes on?
........ .... ... . 232
Brake system Anti-lock braking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Brake assist system ....... .. .. .... . 190
Brake booster ............ .. .. .. .. . 193
Brake fluid ............... ... .... . 232
Brake fluid specifications for refill and re-
placement ............... ... .... . 232
Brake light defective ...... .. .. .. .. .. 21
Brake pads ... ........... .. .. .... . 197
Electromechanical park ing brake .. .. . . 81
Fluid reservoir ............... .. ... 232
H ow does moisture or road salt affect the
brakes? .. ............... .. .. .... . 192
Warn ing/ indicator lights ... .. .. .... . . 14
Worn brake pads symbol ... .. .. .. .. . . 19
braking guard Messages
Sett ings
. .. ... .......... .. .. .. .. ..
86
93
93
Break-in period . ........... .. .. .... . 197
Brake pads . ... ....... ... .. .. .. .. . 197
Tires 197
Bulbs ..... .. ................ ..... . 272
C
California Proposition 65 Warning ... .. 223
Battery specific . ................. . 235
Capacities .. .. .. .. .... ...... ... .. . .
Engine oil ... .. . .. ............ .. . .
Car care .... .... .................. . 282
224
206
Exterior ....... .. .......... ...... . 206
Interior ..... .. .. ....... ...... .. .. 212
Car carrier Transporting your vehicle ....... .. .. 277
Catalytic converter .............. ... . 198
Center armrest Cockpit ....... .. ..... ........... .. 57
Rear . .. .. .. .. .. ............. .. .. . 63
Central locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Emergency locking ............. .... . 35
Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Changing a wheel .. ................ . 262
Changing engine oil ............. .... 228
Chassis (undercoat ing) ........... .. . .
Check ing
Engine coolant level ...... ...... .. . -
Tire pressure . .. .. ............. .. . .
Child restraints Danger of using child restraints in the
front seat ..... .. .......... ...... .
Where can I get additional information
about child restraints and their use? ..
Child restraint system anchors .... .. . .
Child safety ... .. .. ................ .
Convertible locking retractor ........ .
Guidance fixtures for lower anchorages
I mportant safety instructions for using
child safety seats .............. ... .
Important things to know when driving
with children . ... ....... .... --. - . - 212
229
244
14
7
187
181
169
178
183
172
169
Tether anchors . .. .......... ...... . 185
Tether straps .. .. ... .. ..... ... .. .. 185
Child safety lock Rear doors (mechanical) ........ .... . 38
Rear doors (power) ...... ...... .. . - - 38
Child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 4
Booster seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Convertible child seats ......... .... 175
Convertible locking retractor ..... .... 178

290 Index .:..:..:..::....::.....:..._ ___________________________ _
Doors
M echanical child safety lock .. .... .. .. 38
Power child safety lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Driver information system
CD/radio display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Door/r ear lid warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Efficiency program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Exterior temperature display ... .. .. .. 23
On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Driver seating position ............... 128
drive select .................... ... . 106
adaptive air suspension/sport ........ 106
Adaptive dampers ........ .. .. .... . 106
Cornering light ......... .. .. .. .. .. . 106
Dynamic steering ......... .... .... . 106
Safety belt tensioner ....... .... ... . 106
Sport differential .......... ... .... . 106
Driv ing safely .............. ... .. .. . 127
Driving through water ............... 199
Driving tim e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Duplicate key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Dynamic steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 106
E
Easy entry feature ............ .. .... .. 78
Efficiency program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Fu el economy messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Other equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Elect rical accessoires (sockets) . . . . . . . . . 63
Electrical accessories (sockets) . . . . . . . . . 69
Electromechanical parking brake
Emergency braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Operation ......................... 81
Parking .... ................ ..... .. 82
Releasing and closing ........... ... . 81
Starting assist ............ ... .... .. 82
Starting from rest ........ .. .. .... .. 82
Starting off with a trailer ..... .. .. .. . . 82
Warning/indicator lights ..... .. .... .. 15
Electronic differential lock (EDL) ... ... . 190
Warning/indicator lights ......... .. .. 19
E lectronic immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 30
Electronic power co ntrol (EPC)
warning/indicator light ..... .... ..... 20
Electronic speed limiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Electronic
stabilization program (ESP) . . 190
Warning/indicator lights ............. 18
Emergency actuation
Doors .. .. .. .. .. ............. .. .. . 3S
Parking lock ... .. ............. .... 116
Pow er sunroof ... .................. 41
R ea r lid ... .... .. ............. ..... 37
Emerg ency braking . ... .......... .. .. . 83
Emergency flasher .............. .. .. . 44
Warning/indicator lights ........ .. .. . 22
Emergency operation Panoramic sunroof ................ .. 42
Sun shade (roof) . ............... .. . 42
Emerg ency starting ... .......... .. .. 273
Emergency towing .................. 275
Emergency warning triangle ......... . 259
Energy management . ........... .. .. 195
Engine Compartment .. .. ... .......... .. .. 224
Coolant ......... .. .............. . 229
Data 282
starting ........................... 79
Start ing with jumper cables ......... 273
Stopping .. .. .. .. .. ........... .... . 80
E ngine compartment ............... . 224
Closing the hood ... ..... ........ .. 223
Opening the hood .......... ...... . 222
Safety instructions ............... .. 222
Working in the eng ine compartment .. 222
Engine coolant .. ................... 229
Adding coolant ... .. ..... ........ .. 230
Checking the engine coo lant level ..... 229
Expansion tank ................ .... 229
Malfunction symbol ............ .... . lS
Radiator fan ..... ................ . 231
Temp erature gauge ................ . 10
Engine oil ..... ... .. .............. . 224
Adding ... .. .. .. .. ........... .... 227
Additives .. .. .. .. ............. .. .. 227
Changing ..... .. ................. 228
Checking the engine oil leve l ......... 227
Indications and conditions requiring ex-
tra checking ..... ............. .... 227
Indicator light ... ... .......... .. .. . 17
Oil consumpt ion .. ............. .... 226
Oil grades ..... .................. . 224
Oil level symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Pressure malfunction ................ 16
Recomm end ed oil check int ervals .. .. . 227
Senso r defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Spe cificat ion and visco sity .. .. .. .. .. . 224
En gin e speed limitat ion ..... .. .. .. .. .. 20
Eng ine start system (indicator lights) .... 17
Entry assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Environm ent
Break-in period ......... .. .... .. .. . 197
Cata lytic converter .......... .. .... . 198
Disposing of your vehicle battery .... . 236
Driving at high speeds ........... .. . 200
Driving to minimize pollution and noise 199
Fuel ... .. .. .. .. ........... .. .. .. . 220
Fuel economy ............ .... .. .. . 199
Leaks under your veh icle ...... .. .... 222
Lettin g the vehicle stand and warm up. 200
Proper disposal of drained brake fluid . 232
Proper disposal of drained engine cool-
ant ... .. .. .... ............. .. .. . 230
Proper disposal of drained engine
oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227, 228
Recycling used engine oil ... .. .. .. .. . 227
Unleaded fuel ............ .... .. ... 218
What should I do with an old battery? . 236
ESP (Electronic stabilization program)
Warning/indicator lights ... .. .. .. .. .. 18
Event Data Recorder (EDR) ...... .. .... 190
Exhaust tail pip es .......... .... .. .. . 212
Expa nsion tank ............ .. .. .. .. . 229
Exterior lighting .............. ... ... . 43
Exterior mirrors
Ad justing .. .. ........... .. .. .. .... 51
Dimming . .. ............. .... .. .... 51
H eating .. .. ............. .... .. .... 51
Exterior temperature display ... .. .. .. .. 23
F
Fast ening
Booster seats .. .......... .. .. .. .. . 17 7
Convertible child safety seats ..... .. . 175
Infant seats . ............ .. .. .. ... 174
Floor mats . .. ............. .... .. .. . 133
Foot pedals .. .... ......... .... .. .. . 132
Index 291
For the sake of the environment
Gasoline fumes and the environment .. 220
Reducing engine noise by early upshift-
ing ......... .. .. .................. 10
Refueling ... .. .. .... ............. 220
Saving fuel by early upsh ifting ...... .. 10
Four zone automatic climate control .. ... 75
Front airbags Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
How they work ... .. . .......... .... 1S4
Frontal coll is ion s and the laws of physics 138
Front passenger seat adjustment . . . . . . . 60
Front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S4
Adjus ting ... .. .. .. .. ........... .. 129
Child restraints in the front seat ...... 147
Fuel Additives ........ .. ............... 218
Blended gasoline .................. 218
Current consumpti on ........... .. .. . 24
Economy messages (efficiency program) 25
Fuel filler flap emergency release ... .. 221
Fuel filler neck ...... .... ...... .. .. 219
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Gasoline .. .. .. .. .. .. ........... .. 218
Gasoline addit ives ................. 219
Low fuel level symbol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Octane rating .. .. .. . .. .. ...... .. .. 218
Recommendation ................. . 218
Refuelling ... .. .. .... ............. 220
Reserve ..... .. .. ................. . 11
Ta nk capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 282
Fuses Ass ignment ...... ............... . 268
Replacing ... .. .. ... ............ .. 268
G
Garage door opener (Homelink ®) .. ... . 124
Garment hooks .. .. ................. . 71
Gas discharge lamps .... ............. 272
Gauges Engine coolant temperature . . . . . . . . . . 10
Fuel gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Tachom eter ... .. ................. . 11
T rip odometer . .. .... ........... .. . 26
General illustration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Generator (warning/indicator lights) ... . 16
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