2008 AUDI S4 towing

Towing a trailer237
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Also check the shaft section of the ball joint and its asso-
ciated mechanical parts to make sure they are clean and
undamaged.Continued ⇒page 237, “Fitting the ball joint (step 2)”.
WARNING
It is important to keep the mounti ng fixture clean. Otherwise the
ball joint may fail to engage securely (accident risk).Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracketFitting the ball joint (step 2)The spring mechanism inside the ball joint must
be in the "ready" position.
– Check that the red marking ⇒fig. 238 on the knob is
inside the green zone on the ball joint.
– Check that the locking ball is inside the hole in the shaft section of the ball joint.
– Check that the knob protrudes visibly from the ball joint, so that there is a clear gap between the knob and the
ball joint.
The ball joint can only be installed if the internal spring mechanism
is in the ready position.
Continued ⇒page 237, “Fitting the ball joint (step 3)”.Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracketFitting the ball joint (step 3)Setting the spring mechanism to the "ready"
position (if required)
– Insert the key ⇒fig. 239 for locking the ball joint into
the lock on the knob and turn it clockwise.
Fig. 238 Removable
towing bracket: Ball
joint
A2A1A3
Fig. 239 Removable
towing bracket:
Setting the spring
mechanism to the
"ready" positionFig. 240 Removable
towing bracket:
Inserting the ball joint
A4
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Towing a trailer
238
– Pull out the knob in direction , hold and turn in direc-tion until the locking ball engages ⇒.
Inserting the ball joint
– With the spring mechanism in the “ready” position, insert the ball joint into the mounting fixture and push it
upwards ⇒page 237, fig. 240 in the direction indicated
(arrow) ⇒. The spring mechanism should then
engage automatically wi th an audible click.
– Lock the ball joint by turn ing the key anti-clockwise.
– Take out the key and press the cover cap provided onto the lock.Continued ⇒page 238, “Fitting the ball joint (step 4)”.
WARNING
•
If it is not possible to set th e spring mechanism to the "ready"
position as described abov e, do not use the ball joint. Please take
your vehicle to a qualified workshop.
•
To avoid injury, keep your hand s away from the knob and the
cover piece when inserting the ball joint into the mounting fixture.Note
Make sure that the knob can turn freely when the ball joint is
inserted.
Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracketFitting the ball joint (step 4)Safety check
– Check that the green marking ⇒fig. 241 on the knob
is inside the green zone on the ball joint.
– Check that the knob is directly against the ball joint, so that there is no gap between the knob and the ball
joint.
– Check that the ball joint is locked and the key is removed (so that the knob cannot be pulled out).
Aa
Ab
A5
Fig. 241 Removable
towing bracket: Safety
checkFig. 242 Area below
rear bumper: Electrical
socket for trailer
A6
A7
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Towing a trailer239
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Check that the ball joint fits tightly in the mounting
fixture (try moving it about to check).
Electrical socket for trailer
– The cable of the towing bracket can be connected to the socket ⇒page 238, fig. 242.If the safety check is not satisfactory, the ball joint must be fitted
again properly.
WARNING
To avoid accidents, the ball joint must meet all the safety require-
ments listed in the safety check. The towing bracket must not be
used if any one of these requirements is not met. If this is the case,
you should contact a qualified workshop.Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracketRemoving the ball joint
– Take off the cover cap and insert the key ⇒fig. 243 in
the lock on the knob.
– Unlock the ball joint by turning the key clockwise.
– Take hold of the ball joint and pull out the knob in direc- tion .
– Keep hold of the knob and turn it as far as it will go in direction .
– Release the knob. The spring mechanism will remain in the "ready" position ⇒.
– Pull the ball joint down out of the mounting fixture.
– Then swivel the socket up ⇒fig. 244 as far as it will go .
The mounting fixture will be closed automatically.
– Put away the ball joint attachment under the floor panel in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Make sure that the socket unit has closed off the mounting fixture
of the towing bracket properly. Other wise the ball joint may fail to
engage securely if dirt accumu lates in the mounting fixture.
Fig. 243 Removable
towing bracket:
Removing the ball joint
Fig. 244 Area below
rear bumper: Folding
up the socketA8
Aa
Ab
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Towing a trailer
240Applies to vehicles: with towing bracketTowing bracket (retrofitting)
If required, the vehicle can be retrofitted with a towing
bracket.If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the car is purchased, this must
be done according to the instructions of the towing bracket manu-
facturer.
The securing points, which are marked by an in the illustrations
⇒ fig. 245 and ⇒ fig. 246, are located under the vehicle.
Audi dealers are familiar with th e method of installation and any
modifications which may be required for the cooling system.
WARNING
•
If a towing bracket is retrofitted, the installation should be
carried out by a qualified workshop.
•
If the towing bracket is incorrectly fitted, this could cause a
safety risk.
•
For your own safety, please ob serve the instructions provided
by the manufacturer of the towing bracket.Caution
If the connector socket is not fi tted correctly, this could cause
damage to the vehicle's electrical system.
Fig. 245 Positions of
securing points (side
view)Fig. 246 Positions of
securing points (from
above)AA
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Towing a trailer241
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
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Self-help
284If you need the tools, the Tyre Mobili ty System or the jack*, you will
have to open the floor panel and take out the spare wheel*
⇒ page 284 .
The tool kit includes:•
A hook for removing hub caps
•
Pin for mounting a wheel
•
Screwdriver with reversible blade
•
Tool for changing bulbs
•
Interchangeable socket (Torx socket for changing bulbs)
•
Crank handle for jack
•
Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts*
•
Jack*
•
Box spanner for wheel bolts
•
Towline anchorage
Some of the parts listed are only fitted on certain models or are
optional extras.
Before stowing the jack* again, wind down the arm of the jack as far
as it will go.
WARNING
•
Do not use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle to
tighten the wheel bolts. It is not po ssible to tighten the bolts with
the required torque – risk of accident.
•
The jack supplied by the factor y is only designed for changing
wheels on this model. On no account attempt to use it for lifting
heavier vehicles or other loads – risk of injury.
•
Never start the engine when the vehicle is on the jack - risk of
accident.
•
If work has to be done under the ve h i cl e , e n su re t h a t i t is sa fe l y
supported on stands designed for th e purpose, otherwise there is
a risk of injury.
Applies to vehicles: with compact temporary spare wheelCompact temporary spare wheel*The spare wheel is carried in the wheel well under the
floor panel in the luggage compartment. It is only
intended for temporary use over short distances.Taking out the spare wheel
– Lift the floor panel by the plastic handle ⇒fig. 268.
– Hook the handle onto the luggage compartment weath- erstrip.
– Turn the centre plastic knob ⇒ fig. 268 anti-clockwise.
– Take out the spare wheel.
– Unhook the floor panel before closing the boot lid.
Securing the defective wheel in the spare wheel
well
– Place the wheel in the spare wheel well and secure it with the plastic knob.
– Unhook the floor panel before closing the boot lid.
Fig. 268 Spare wheel
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Self-help
288•
Seek professional assistance if th e repair of a tyre puncture is
not possible with the sealing compound.
•
If tyre pressure is less than 1.3 bar after driving about 10
minutes, the tyre is too badly damaged. Do not drive on. You
should obtain professional assistance.Caution
Take special care if you have to repair a tyre on a gradient.
Note
•
Do not use the compressor for longer than 6 minutes at a time,
as it could overheat. When the compressor has cooled down, you
can use it again.
•
If tyre sealant should leak out, leave it to dry and then pull it off
like foil.
•
After carrying out a tyre repair remember to buy a new tyre
sealant can at a qualified workshop. This will ensure that the Tyre
Mobility System is operative again.
•
Please observe the relevant regulations.
Changing a wheelPreparations
Some preparations are necessary before changing a
wheel.– If you have a flat tyre, stop the car well away from moving traffic. Choose a location that is as level as possible.– All passengers should
leave the car. They should wait in
a safe place (for instance behind the roadside crash
barrier).
– Apply the parking brake to stop the vehicle moving acci-
dentally.
–Engage first gear (manual gearbox) or move selector
lever to position P (automatic gearbox).
– When towing a trailer: unhitch the trailer from your vehicle.
– Take the tools ⇒ page 283 and the spare wheel*
⇒ page 284 out of the luggage compartment.
WARNING
If you have a puncture in moving traffic, switch on the hazard
warning lights and place the warning triangle in a visible location.
This is for your own safety and also warns other road users.
Caution
If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel oppo-
site the wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object
under it to prevent the vehicle from rolling away.
Note
Please observe the relevant regulations.How to change a wheel
Change the wheel as described below.–Pull off the hub cap . Also refer to ⇒page 289, “Hub
caps”.
WARNING (continued)
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Self-help295
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
terminal must not touch metal parts of the vehicle: this can cause
short circuiting.
•
Do not bend over the batteries – risk of acid burns.
•
The screw plugs on the battery ce
lls must be screwed in firmly.
•
Keep sparks, flame and lighted cigarettes away from batteries:
the gases given off can cause an explosion.
•
If jump-starting another vehicle, position the jump leads in
such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compart ment of the other vehicle.Caution
Please note that the above method of connecting the leads is meant
for jump-starting your vehicle. If jump-starting another vehicle, you
should not connect the negative lead (–) to the negative terminal of
the discharged battery, but directly to the engine block or a solid
metal part bolted to the engine bl ock. If the battery of the other
vehicle does not have a gas vent, there is a risk that a mixture of
oxygen and hydrogen gas can accumulate and cause an
explosion.Tow-starting and towing awayGeneral notes
Points to observe when tow-starting or towing awayIf you use a towrope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– The towrope must be taut before driving off. – Engage the clutch very gently when starting to move; on
vehicles with automatic gearbox press the accelerator
slowly.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– The ignition should be switched on so that the turn signals, horn, windscreen wipers and washers can be
used. Please ensure that the steering wheel is unlocked
when you switch on the ignition, and that it moves freely.
–Put gear lever in neutral (manual gearbox) or move
selector lever to position N (automatic gearbox).
– The brake servo and power steering only work when the engine is running. Considerably more effort is required
on the brake pedal and steering wheel when the engine
is switched off.
– Ensure that the towrope remains taut at all times when towing.
Towrope or towbar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a tow bar. You should only
use a tow rope if you do not have a towbar.
A towrope should be slightly elasti c to reduce the loading on both
vehicles. It is advisable to use a towrope made of synthetic fibre or
similar material.
Attach the tow-rope or tow-bar only to the towing anchorages
intended for this purpose ⇒page 296 or ⇒page 297 .
Driving technique
Towing requires some experience – especially when using a
tow rope . Both drivers should be familiar with the technique required
for towing. Inexperienced drivers sh ould not attempt to tow-start or
tow away another vehicle.
WARNING (continued)
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