Trailer towing
Driving with a trailer
General information
Your vehicle is primarily intended for transporting people and luggage. However, if you drive with a trailer, follow the technical requirements, the operation and driving tips, and the legal regulations.
Driving with a trailer affects the vehicle's energy usage, performance, and wear. It also requires greater concentration from the driver.
Aretrofitted trailer hitch must be installed according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer page 124.
— Do not transport any people ina trailer due to the risk of fatal injury.
= Only use a ball hitch that is approved for your vehicle. Using a ball hitch that is not approved for your vehicle can lead to issues such as unstable driving behavior or uncoupling of the trailer and increase the risk of an accident. If you have questions, see an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
Operating instructions Towing capacity The permitted towing capacity must not be exceeded under any circumstances @ page 379. You can drive up larger inclines if you are not using the maximum towing capacity. The specified towing weights only apply at elevations up to 3,200 feet (1,000 m) above sea level. ‘As the elevation increases, the engine power decreases due to the decreasing air pressure. This reduces the hill climbing ability and towing capacity. For every additional 3,200 feet (1,000 m), the maximum gross combined weight rating must be reduced by approximately 10%. The actual combined weight is the combined weight of the (loaded) vehicle and the (loaded) trailer.
Tongue weight The maximum permitted tongue weight of the trailer drawbar on the trailer hitch ball head must not be exceeded. For driving safety, Audi recommends always using the maximum permitted tongue weight, but do not exceed this weight. Having the tongue weight too low affects the handling of the vehicle and trailer.
You can determine the tongue weight using a tongue weight scale, a bathroom scale, or a public weigh station, for example. Audi recommends. checking the tongue weight, especially when towing double axle trailers. If the tongue weight differs, it can be adjusted by distributing the load in the trailer correctly. If the tongue weight meets the specifications, then the load on the trailer should not be changed anymore. Load distribution
Poor cargo load and distribution can negatively impact vehicle handling. Load the vehicle and trailer based on the following criteria as much as possible: — Store objects in the vehicle luggage compartment, if possible. The vehicle should always carry the heaviest possible load and the trailer should have the lightest possible load.
— Distribute the load in the trailer so that the heavy objects are as close to the axle as possible.
~ Secure objects so that they do not slide. — Utilize the maximum permitted tongue weight
if possible. Speed
Adhere to the legal speed limits. Follow the legal regulations that are applicable in the country where you are operating the vehicle. As the speed increases, the driving stability of the vehicle and trailer decreases. Therefore you should not exceed the maximum legal speed limit when there are unfavorable road, weather, and/or wind conditions. This especially applies when driving downhill.
Trailer towing
Hill
When you start driving uphill or downhill, the vehicle and trailer may tilt or sway sooner than when driving on a level surface. If small swaying movements have already occurred, you can stabilize the trailer by firmly braking immediately. Never attempt to “straighten out” the vehicle and trailer by accelerating. Downshift before driving on hills to utilize the engine braking effect > A\. Exterior lighting Follow the legal regulations for lighting on your trailer that are applicable in the country where you are operating the vehicle. If necessary, contact an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for more information. Before you start driving, check all lighting equipment on the trailer while it is hitched to the vehicle. The headlight range control automatically adjusts the light range of the headlights. The turn signals are activated in trailer mode if, the [J indicator light blinks. If a turn signal on the trailer or on the vehicle fails while in trailer mode, the indicator light will not blink twice as fast to indicate this.
Outside mirrors
Make sure that you can also observe the traffic area behind the vehicle using the exterior mirrors, and use additional exterior mirrors if necessary. Adjust the additional exterior mirrors so that you have a sufficient visibility behind the vehicle. Follow the local legal regulations for installing additional exterior mirrors. Engine cooling system Driving with a trailer means a higher load on the engine and the cooling system. Make sure the cooling system contains enough coolant.
Engine coolant temperature Pay attention specifically to the coolant temperature display when there are high outside temperatures, and when driving on long inclines
page 14. Shift to a higher gear in a timely manner. Tires
Set the tire pressure on your vehicle for a “full load”; see the tire pressure sticker page 271. If necessary, also adjust the tire pressure on the trailer according to the manufacturer's specifications.
The tire pressure must be increased an additional 3 PSI (0.2 bar) for towing loads over 6,600 lbs (3,000 kg). The trailer and the vehicle should be equipped with winter tires when driving in winter temperatures.
Driver assistance systems Connecting or disconnecting a trailer/rear carrier system can change the alignment of he sensors/ cameras. To ensure the driver assistance systems can function correctly, switch the ignition off and then back on again each time an object is connected to the trailer hitch or disconnected from it.
Overrun brakes
If your trailer is equipped with an overrun brake, it must be correctly adjusted and function correctly. When using a trailer with overrun brakes, first brake gently then quickly. This reduces the risk of jerking while braking if the trailer wheels lock up.
Constant braking causes the brakes to overheat and can substantially reduce braking performance, increase braking distance, or cause complete failure of the brake system.
Attachments retrofitted on the vehicle may cause damage, especially on the trailer hitch ball head. In cases of damage, have the function checked by an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
Trailer towing
— Block the wheels with chocks when parking on inclines if the trailer is loaded.
— Audi recommends having the vehicle inspected between the inspection intervals if you tow a trailer frequently.
— Avoid driving with a trailer during the vehicle break-in period.
Air suspension Applies to: vehicles with air suspension
Requirement: all vehicle doors must be closed. The Audi drive select comfort mode page 114 is selected before you connect the trailer >@).
Setting trailer mode > Applies to MMI: select on the home screen: VEHICLE > Settings & Service > Air suspensio: trailer.
> Switch trailer mode off again when you are no longer towing a trailer.
For vehicles with a factory-installed trailer hitch, the air suspension trailer mode will automatically switch on if you connect the trailer connector to the socket. When using rear carrier systems that are mounted directly on the trailer hitch ball head, you can also switch trailer mode off manually. If you have to drive through difficult road conditions, you can raise the vehicle again after hitching the trailer or after ensuring the tongue weight is correct. To do this, select the Audi drive select offroad or allroad mode page 714, or select Raise to create the maximum ground clearance page 175.
— Never turn off trailer mode while driving when a trailer is hitched, because then the restrictions for controlling the vehicle level will be turned off.
= Driving with a trailer on unpaved roads when the vehicle is raised may change the vehicle handling. Adapt your speed.
= Note that the vehicle will lower automatically at certain speeds if you have lifted the vehicle manually.
—Be sure to adhere to the applicable tongue weight for your vehicle <> page 127. Select the Audi drive select comfort mode before connecting the trailer. The tongue weight and vehicle height must be coordinated with one another.
Even when lowering manually, the vehicle level will not lower more than the amount specified in the Audi drive select comfort mode.
Trailer hitch Introduction
Only use a trailer hitch with a removable ball hitch mount and ball hitch. The trailer hitch must be permitted for the vehicle, the trailer and the permitted total weight of the trailer being pulled. Above all, it must be securely and safely attached to the vehicle trailer.
Never mount a trailer hitch on the bumper. The trailer hitch must be mounted in a way that does not impair the function of the bumper. Do not make any changes to the exhaust system and the brake system. Check regularly if the trailer hitch is securely mounted. Always follow the instructions given by the trailer hitch manufacturer.
Never mount a "weight-distributing” or "loadbalancing" trailer coupler as the trailer hitch. The vehicle was not designed for these types of trailer hitches. The trailer hitch can malfunction and the trailer can separate from the vehicle, which increases the risk of an accident.
Trailer towing
Using the trailer hitch Applies to: vehicles with trailer hitch
Fig. 94 Rear bumper: trailer hitch
The trailer hitch of your vehicle consists of the receiver @, the connector!) @ or connector retainer, two eyelets @) for the safety chains, and the receiver cover @). The receiver @)is suitable for securing a removable ball hitch mount with a ball head, for example when towing a trailer > /\. > In order to use the trailer hitch, pull the cover @ out of the receiver @ in direction of the arrow.
» Check the receiver (3) for dirt and clean it if necessary.
> When towing a trailer, use the trailer connector! @ and secure the safety chains using the eyelets @).
> To prevent dirt from entering the receiver @), close it with the cover @ after using it.
— For your own safety, read the installation instructions provided by the ball hitch mount manufacturer.
~ There is a risk of an accident if the balll hitch mounts installed incorrectly. The ball hitch mount must be secured in the receiver @) correctly. The same applies to accessories that are secured in the receiver.
~ Only use a ball hitch mount with ball head suitable for your vehicle and your trailer.
1 Incertain countries.
~To reduce the risk of injury, always remove the ball hitch mount if no trailer is mounted.
~To reduce the risk of an accident, contaminants on the trailer hitch must be removed because otherwise the ball hitch mount might not be secured correctly in the receiver.
—No ball hitch mount or ball head is provided with the trailer hitch. You can purchase these at specialty stores.
~The eyelets on the trailer hitch are only intended for securing the trailer safety chains.
Driving with a trailer Trailer brakes
If the trailer has its own brake system, then follow the manufacturer specifications. However, the brake system on the trailer must never be connected to the vehicle brake system. Safety chains Make sure the safety chains are correctly applied when pulling a trailer. The chains should hang enough so that the trailer can drive around curves. However, they must not touch the ground.
If the trailer is equipped with electronic brakes, these brakes cannot be activated by a factory-installed control system, which increases the risk of an accident.
Retrofit installation
You can find out if your vehicle is equipped with a retrofitted trailer hitch at an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
Trailer towing
An authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility knows the specifications for retrofitting a trailer hitch and any necessary technical requirements.
— Only have the additional trailer hitch installed by an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
= There is a risk of an accident if the trailer his installed incorrectly.
— For your own safety, read the assembly instructions provided by the trailer hitch manufacturer.
— Connecting the socket incorrectly could cause damage to the vehicle electrical system.
— Longer inclines cannot be driven without a suitable cooling system, especially if the outside temperatures are high. Otherwise, this increases the risk of engine damage.
Download Manual