The Audi A8 can be locked and unlocked via the central locking system. You can use any of the following:
Turn signals
The turn signals will flash twice when the Audi A8 is unlocked and once when the Audi A8 is locked. If the Audi A8 does not lock (in this case the turn signals will not flash):
- One of the doors, the boot lid or the bonnet is still open.
- The ignition is still switched on.
- The selector lever is not in position P.
Automatic locking function (Auto Lock)
The Auto Lock function locks the doors and the boot lid when the Audi A8 exceeds a speed of about 15 km/h.
The Audi A8 is unlocked again immediately when the unlock button in the central locking switch is pressed or one of the inside door handles is pulled. The Auto Lock function can be switched on and off in the infotainment system Link.
In the event of an accident in which the airbags inflate, the doors will be automatically unlocked to facilitate access and assistance.
Selecting which doors are unlocked with the remote control
When you lock the Audi A8, the central locking system will lock the doors and the boot lid. When you unlock the Audi A8, the central locking system will unlock either the driver's door only, or all the locks on the Audi A8, depending on the setting you have selected on the infotainment system Link.
Safelock mechanism 1)
The message Be aware of door safelock. See owner's manual appears in the instrument cluster display as a reminder that the safelock mechanism is automatically activated when you lock the Audi A8 from the outside. The doors can then no longer be opened from the inside. This makes it more difficult to break into the Audi A8 WARNING!.
It is possible to deactivate the safelock mechanism manually any time you lock the Audi A8:
- Press the
button on the remote control key a second time within 2 seconds. Or: - Touch the sensor* on the door handle a second time within 2 seconds (applies to Audi A8s with convenience key). Or:
- Turn the emergency key in the door lock to the lock position a second time within 2 seconds. Remove the emergency key Link. Or:
- Before locking the Audi A8, press the
button for the interior monitor and tow-away protection* Link.
If you switch off the safelock mechanism, the interior monitor and tow-away protection* are automatically disabled.
Anti-theft alarm system
If the anti-theft alarm system senses interference with the Audi A8 it triggers an audible and visible alarm.
The anti-theft alarm system is automatically switched on when the Audi A8 is locked. It switches off automatically if you unlock the Audi A8 using the remote control.
If you unlock the Audi A8 by inserting the emergency key in the driver's door, you should switch on the ignition or press the 
button on the remote control key within 15 seconds to prevent the alarm from being triggered. On some export versions, the alarm is triggered immediately when you open a door.
button on the remote control key within 15 seconds to prevent the alarm from being triggered. On some export versions, the alarm is triggered immediately when you open a door.To deactivate the alarm, press the button on the remote control key or switch on the ignition. The alarm also stops automatically after a certain period.
button on the remote control key or switch on the ignition. The alarm also stops automatically after a certain period.Switch off the interior monitor and tow-away protection if you wish to prevent the alarm from being triggered accidentally Link.
Accidental lock-out
The central locking system prevents you from being locked out of the Audi A8 in the following situations:
- When locking the Audi A8 via the central locking switch, the remote control key or the locking sensor, the Audi A8 will not be locked if the driver's door is open Link.
- The boot lid will be released again automatically if the convenience key* that was last in use is left inside the boot when the boot lid is closed Link. The hazard warning lights will flash four times.
To prevent yourself from being locked out, do not lock the Audi A8 with the remote control key/convenience key* until all of the doors and the boot lid are closed.
Power-close function on doors*
The Audi A8 doors are equipped with a power-close function. When closing one of the doors, just push the door gently so that it falls into the latch. The door will now close automatically WARNING!.
- Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the car if it is locked from the outside and the safelock mechanism* is activated: the doors and windows cannot then be opened from the inside. Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially putting lives at risk.
-
Applies to Audi A8s with power-close function* on the doors:
- When closing, make sure that nothing obstructs the doors - risk of injury!
- You can stop the closing function at any time by pulling on the outer or inner door handle.
Note
- Never leave any valuable items in the Audi A8 unattended. Even a locked Audi A8 is not a safe.
- If the LED on the driver's window sill lights up for about 30 seconds when the Audi A8 is locked, the central locking system or anti-theft alarm is not working properly. You should have the malfunction repaired by a qualified workshop.
- The interior monitor of the anti-theft alarm system will only function as intended if the windows and the sun roof* are closed.
1) This function is not available on all export versions/equipment versions.