2012 AUDI Q7 towing

Front towing loop
Do not install the front towing loop until it is
needed.
Fig. 262 Right front bumper: Removing the cover
Fig. 263 Righ t fron t bumper w ith out cover: Screwing
i n towing loop
The towing loop fits into the threaded hole lo­
cated on the right side of the front bumper
and covered by a cover when not in use.
.. Remove the towing loop from the vehicle
tool kit
c:> page 295.
.. Carefully remove the cover c:> fig. 262.
.. Screw the towing loop tightly into the
threaded hole as far as it will go
c:> fig . 263 .
When it is no longer needed, unscrew the
towing loop and put it back into the vehicle
toolkit . Be sure to have the towing loop stored
in the vehicle at all times .
_&, WARNING
If the towing loop is not screwed in as far
as it w ill go, the th read can pull out when
t he vehicle is towed -potential risk of an
accident.
Emergenc y situ ation s 311
Rear towing loop
Do not install the rear towing loop until it is
needed .
Fig . 264 Rea r bumper: Cover
Fig. 265 Rea r bumper: Screw ing in tow ing loop
On the right s ide of the rear bumper there is a
th readed hole for the towing loop. The
threaded hole is protected by a cover.
.,. Remove the tow ing loop from the vehicle
too l kit
c:> page 295 .
.. To release the cover from the bumper, press
it in by applying sho rt, sharp pressure to the
outer part
c:> fig . 264.
.. Screw the tow ing loop t ightly i nto the
threaded ho le as far as it wi ll go
c:> fig. 265.
Unscrew the towing loop again afte r use and
install the cover in the bumper. Return the
towing loop to the toolkit . Be sure to have the
towing loop stored in the vehicle at all times.
_&, WARNING
If the tow ing loop is not screwed in as far
as it will go, the thread can pull out when
the vehicle is towed -potent ia l risk of an
accide nt.

designated seating position) and luggage
weight~&. .
Gros s Axle W eight Rating
The G ross Axle Weight Rating is the maximum
l oad that can be applied at each axle of the
vehicle
q .&. .
Vehicle capacit y weight
The vehicle capac ity we ight (max. load) is list­
ed on the driver 's side B-p illar.
Roof weight
The maximum permissible roof weight is 220
lb (100 kg ).
The roof weight is made up of
the we ight of the roof rack system and the
weight of the object be ing transported
q page 84, Loading the roof rack.
..&, WARNING
- The Gross Vehicle Weight Rat ing for yo ur
Audi Q7 vehicle, found on the safety compliance label on the driver's side B ­
pillar, must never be exceeded under any
circumstances. Exceed ing the Gross Vehi­
cle Weight Rating of your vehicle is like ly
to damage your vehicle, and such dam­
age will not be covered by your Limited
New Vehicle Warranty . Exceeding the
Gross Vehicle We ight Rating will also
change the performance and handling
characteristics of your vehicle, which
cou ld cause a crash result ing in serious
injury o r death.
- The Gross Vehicle Weight Rat ing for your
Audi Q7 wo uld be exceeded if your vehi­
cle is s imultaneously equ ipped with Pan­
oramic sliding sunroof; third-row seat­
ing; trailer towing equipment (factory or
dealer-installed), and running boards
(dealer-installed). UNDER NO CIRCUM­
STANCES MAY ALL SUCH ITEMS BE IN­
STALLED ON T HE SAME VEHICLE .
- The actual Gross Axle Weight Rat ing at
the front and rear axles should not ex­
ceed the perm iss ible weights, and their
c ombination must not exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rat ing.
G ene ral in formation 315
-Exceeding perm iss ible weight ratings can
result in veh icle damage, acc idents and
personal injury.
([) Note
-The ve hicle capacity weight figures apply
when the load is d istr ibuted evenly in the
vehicle (passengers and luggage). When
transport ing a heavy load in the luggage
compartment, carry the load as near to
the rear axle as poss ible so that the vehi­
cle's handling is not impaired.
- Do not exceed the maximum permissible
axle loads or the maximum gross veh icle
we ight. Always remember that the vehi­
cle's handling w ill be affected by the ex­
tra load. Therefore, ad just yo ur speed ac­
co rding ly.
- Always observe local regulat ions .
Dimensions
T he specifications refer to the basic model.
D ifferences may occur depending on the mod­
el type and op tions ordered, fo r example, tire
sizes .
Q) Note
When dr iv ing up steep ramps, on rough
r oads, over c urbs, etc. it is important to re ­
member that some parts of your vehicle,
such as spoi lers or exhaust system compo­
nents, may be close to the ground. Be
careful not to damage them.
•
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I

Consumer Information
Warranty coverages
Your Audi is covered by the following war­
ranties:
- New Vehicle Limited Warranty
- Limited Warranty Against Corrosion Perfo-
ration
- Emissions Control System Warranty
- Emissions Performance Warranty
- California Emissions Con trol Warranty (USA
vehicles only)
- California Emissions Performance Warranty
(USA vehicles only)
Detailed information regarding your warran ­
ties can be found in your
Warranty & Mainte­
nance booklet .
Operating your vehicle
outside the U.S.A. or
Canada
Government regulations in the United States
and Canada require that automobiles meet
specific emission regulations and safety
standards. Therefore, veh icles built for the
U.S.A. and Canada differ from vehicles sold in
other countries .
If you p lan to take your vehicle outside the
continental limits of the United States or Can­
ada, there is the possibility that
- unleaded fuels for vehicles with cata lytic
converter may not be available;
- fuel may have a considerably lower octane
rating . Improper fuel may cause engine
damage ;
- service may be inadequate due to lack of
proper service facilities, tools or testing
equipment ;
- replacement parts may not be readily availa­
ble.
- Navigation systems for vehicles built for the
U.S.A. and Canada will not necessari ly work
in Europe, and may not work in other coun­
tries outside North America .
Consumer Information 319
@ Note
Audi cannot be responsible for mechanical
damage that could result from inadequate
fuel, service or parts availability.
Audi Service Repair Manuals and Literature
Audi Offic ial Factory Service Manuals and Lit ­
erature are published as soon as possible after
model introduction. Service Manuals and liter­
atu re are availabl e to order from the Audi
T echnical Literature Ordering Center at:
www.audi.techliterature.com
Maintenance
' General
Your vehicle has been designed to help keep
maintenance requirements to a minimum.
However, a certain amount of regular mainte­
nance is still necessary to assure your vehicle's
safety, economy and reliability . For detailed
vehicle maintenance consult your Warranty
&
Maintenance booklet.
Under difficult operating conditions, for ex­
ample at extremely low outside temperatures ,
in very dusty regions, when towing a tra iler
very frequently, etc., some serv ice work
shou ld be performed between the intervals
specified. This applies particularly to:
- oil changes, and
- cleaning or replacing the air filter .
® For the sake of the environment
By regularly maintaining your vehicle, you
help make sure that emission standards
are maintained, thus min imizi ng adverse
effects on the environment .
Important considerations for you and
your vehicle
The increasing use of electronics , sophisticat­
ed fuel injection and emission control sys-
tems, and the generally increasing technica l ..,_
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324 Index
A
Accessories
Adaptive Air Suspension ....... .. .... .
Cargo mode in the MMI .... .. .. .. .. .
Controls .
..................... .. .
321
150
155
150
D .. escnpt1on ... ........... .. .. .... . 150
High level .................. ...... 150
Highway level ................ .... . 150
Instrument cluster display . . . . . . . . . . 153
Jacking mode when changing a flat tire 154
Low level ................ .... ..... 150
Normal level ............. .... .... . 150
Segment display ........... .. .. ... 152
Setting the driving modes .. .. .. .... . 152
Trailer towing mode ....... .... .... . 154
Using switch for cargo mode ...... ... 155
Warning/indicator lights ..... .. .... .. 17
Adaptive cruise control .......... .. .. . 113
Changing speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Driver information
Driver intervention prompt ..... .... .
Driving in traffic .......... .. .. .. .. .
Driving program .................. .
Error messages .................. .
Open road . ................. ..... .
Override
. .. ............. .. .. .. .. .
Request for driver to assume control . .
Save speed . ... ....... ... .... .. .. .
Setting distance . ............... .. .
Settings ... ... .... ...... .. .. .... .
Setting time interval ........ .. .. .. .
Special driving situations .. .... .... .
Status messages ......... .. .. .... .
Switching on and off ......... ..... .
System limits .................... .
120
124
114
124
122
114
114
114
116
118
124
118
125
122
116
125
Temporarily turning off . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
warning/indicator lights ..... .. .. .. . 121
Adaptive light ... .......... .. .. .. .. .. 59
defective ................... ..... .. 37
AdBlue .. .. .. ..... ........... ... .. . 255
Filling ... .. ............. ........ . 256
Messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play ... .. .. ............. .. .. .. .. .
255
Adding
Engine coolant .............. ... ...
267
Engine oil .. ... .. ..... ... .. .. .. .. . 264
Windshield washer fluid ... .. .. .... . 273
Additional accessories
Additives
Engine oil ....... ............. ... .
Adjusting 321
264
Instrument cluster illumination .. .. .. . 13
Steering column electrically ...... ... 103
Steering column manually .......... 103
Adjusting front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Airbag
Warning/indicator lights .............
16
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179, 196
Advanced Airbag System ........... . 183
Advanced Airbag System components . 186
Care ...... .... .. .. ........... .... 193
Children .. .. .... ................ . 201
Child restraints ... ............. .... 202
Components (front airbags) ......... 186
Danger of fitting a child safety seat on
the front passenger seat ........ ....
181
Disposal .. ...... ............. .... 193
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183, 184
How do the front airbags work? .. .. .. 188
How many airbags does my vehicle
have? ........ ...................
186
How the Advanced Airbag System com-
ponents work together .............
187
Important things to know ....... .. .. 179
Indicator light ... ................ . 190
Monitoring .... .. ............. .... 190
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light ... .... 190
Repairs ... .... .. ............. .... 193
Safety instructions ................. 192
Side airbags ... .. ....... ...... .. .. 194
Side curtain airbags ............ .. .. 197
Weight-sensing mat ............. .. 201
When must the system be inspected? . 190
Air conditioning
refer to Climate controls ..... ... .. .. . 91
Air distribution
Climate controls .. ... .......... .... .
94
Four-zone automatic comfort air condi-
tioning ....... .. .. ... ....... ... .. .
99
Air pollutants filter
Climate controls .. ............. .... .
91
All-wheel drive .. .. ............. .... 225
Winter tires
Alloy wheels 289
243

328 Index .:..:..:..::....::.....:..._ ___________________________ _
Declaration of compliance
Adaptive cruise control ............. 322
Audi side assist ................... 322
Cell phone package ....... .. .. .... . 322
Convenience key .......... .... .... . 322
Electronic immobilizer ......... .. ... 322
H omelink ® universal remote control .. 322
Remote control key ........... .. .. . 322
def What does this mean when it appears in
the trip odometer display? ..... .. .. .. 12
Defective light bulb warning . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Defrosting/defogging the windows . . . . . . 94
Defrosting/defogging windows ... .... .. 96
Determining correct load limit ... .. .. . 282
Diesel fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 1
Diesel particu late filter . . . . . . . . . . 37, 229
Digital clock . .. . ........ .. .. .. .. .. .. 11
Digital compass ........... .. .. .. .. .. 69
Digital speedometer ............ .... .. 22
Dimensions .. ................ ... ... 315
Dimming the rearview mirror .. .. ...... 69
Dipstick Reading the dipstick properly ..... .. . 263
Distance control system
refer to Adaptive cruise contro l .. .. .. . 113
Doors Power child safety lock .... .. .. .... .. 48
Driver information system ............. 21
Digital speedometer .............. . . 22
Driver information messages . . . . . . . . . 30
Open door or rear lid warning . . . . . . . . . 22
Outside temperature display .. .. .. .... 22
Sound system display ......... .. .. .. 21
Driver seat
refer to Seating position ... .. .. .... . 161
Driver's seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Driver 's seat memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Activating remote control key ... .. .... 74
Recalling a seat posit ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Storing a seat position ....... .. .... .. 73
Driving message s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Driving mode
refer to Adaptive Air Suspension . 150, 152 Driving
offroad
Driving through water ............ .. 233
Driving tips . ... .. ... .......... .. .. 232
Ru les of behavior . ............. .... 232
Sand and mud ... ............. .... 233
Snow -covered g round ............. . 233
Unpaved roads ... ... ... .... ..... .. 233
Driving safe ly ... .. ... .......... .. .. 160
Driving through water ........... .... 233
Driving time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Duplicate key ..... .. ........... .. .. . 38
Dust filter Climate controls ............... .. .. . 91
E
Easy entry feature .. ... ... .... ..... .. 104
Efficiency program .............. .. .. . 26
Fuel economy messages ........ .. .. . 27
Memory levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Other equ ipment . .......... ...... .. 27
E lectric seat adj ustment
refer to Power seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
El ectronic differential lock ( EDL )
How the system works .......... .... 221
Warning/indicator lights ........ .. .. . 18
Electronic immob ilizer ... ........... .. 40
E lectronic power contro l
(EPC) warning/indicator light . . . . . . . . . 15
Electronic speed limiter .......... .. .. . 28
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Hill descent control ............... . 219
How the system works .......... .. .. 219
Offroad mode .. .. ............. .. .. 219
Warning/indicator lights ........ .. .. . 16
Emergency flasher ........... ...... .. 60
Warning/indicator lights ........... .. 16
Emergency lock ing of doors ......... .. . 45
Emergency operation Rear lid ... .... .. .. ........... .. .. . 48
Emergency starting ..... .. ... ..... .. 308
Emergency towing .............. .... 310
En ergy management .............. .. 225
Battery power ... .. ........... .. .. 227
Driver notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 7

332 Index
Light Exterior lighting in the mirror housing ..
59
leaving home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
also refer to Ambience lighting . . . . . . . 62
Lighting
refer to Ambience lighting ........... 62
Lighting in the mirror housing . . . . . . . . . .
59
Lights .. ...... ................... .. 57
Coming home ............ .. .. .. .. .. 58
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Emergency flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
60
Exterior lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Front fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Headlights ............ .. .. .. .. .. ..
57
High beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57, 60
High beam warning/indicator light ... .. 18
Leaving home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Rear fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
59
Side marker lights ........ .... .... .. 57
Turn signals ............. .. .. .. .. .. 60
Xenon headlights ..... .... .. .. .. .. .. 57
Light sensor defective ......... ... .. ..
35
Loading the luggage compartment .. ... 166
Loading the roof rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Locking
Power locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44
Rear lid/trunk lid ............ ..... .. 45
Remote control key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Using the key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Lower universal anchorage bars (Canada) 212
Lower universal anchorages (Canada) 212
Luggage Stowing . ................... .... . 166
luggage compartment Tie-down rings ............ ... .... .. 80
Luggage compartment ....... ..... .. .. 79
Cargo net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Expanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Retractable cover ........... .. .. .. .. 81
Ski sack . ... ................ ..... .. 82
also refer to Loading the luggage com-
partment . ................. ..... . 166
M
Maintenance ................. ..... . 319
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) . . 17, 27 Master key .
..... .. ................ .. 38
Battery replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 39,
40
Check light . ... .. ................ .. 39
Mileage Average ... .... ................... . 24
Instantaneous ... ................ .. 24
Mirrors Activating the dig ital compass ..... .. .
69
Adjust ing the exterior mirrors .... .... . 68
dimming .. .. ................. .. .. .
69
Recalling position of outside mirrors . .. 73
Storing position of outside mirrors . ... . 73
Monitoring the Advanced Airbag System 190
N
Natural leather .. .. ... .. ..... ... .. .. 246
New tires and wheels
NHTSA 285
Contacting ...... ... .......... .... 167
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) catalytic converter
refer to Ad Blue ... ....... ...... .... 255
Number of seats .................... 170
0
Occupant seating positions ........... 161
Octane rating ... .. ... .. ..... ... .. .. 250
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Offroad mode . .. .. ... .......... .... 219
Oil
refer to Engine oil ....... ...... .... 260
On-Board Diagnostic System (OBD) Data Link Connector (DLC) ........... . 28
Electronic speed limiter ............. . 28
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) .. .. . 27
Open door or rear lid warning .......... 22
open sky system
refer to Panoramic sliding sunroof .... . 54
Operate your vehicle economically and
minimize pollution . ... ....... ... .. .. 230
Optional equipment Marked with an asterisk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Other equipment (efficiency program) .. . 27
Outlets .. .. .. .. .. ....... ...... .... . 87

Towing Front eyelet
311
Rear eye let ..... ........ ... .. .. .. . 3 11
Tow truck procedures ...... .. .. .. .. . 310
Tow ing a tra iler
Parking system . ... .... ... .. .. .. ... 149
TPMS Tire pressure monitor ing system .. .. . 293
Trailer towing ............. .... .. .. . 235
Operating instructions ..... .. .. .. .. . 236
Technical requirements .. ..... . 235,237
Tongue load ................ .... .. 236
T railer towing tips ........ .. .. .. .. . 23 7
Trailer turn signal assembly War ning/ indicator lights ... .. .. .. .. .. 16
Transm ission
. t . ® 137
tip ronic .. .... .. .... ... .. .. .. .. .
Transm ission ma lf u n ct ion (ind icator
l ight) . .. .. .. .... ........... .. .. ... 14 1
T ransport Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Tread Wear Indicator (TWI) . ... .. .. .. . 284
Trip computer Fue l consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
M ileage .. .. ............. .... .. .. .. 24
Sing le-tr ip memory .... ... .. .. .. .. .. 25
Total -trip memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Trip odometer ... .. ..... ... .. .. .. .. .. 12
What does it mean whe n dEF appears in
the trip odometer d isplay? . .. .. .. .. .. 12
T runk
refer to Rear lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45, 46
T urning rear air conditioning on/off
Four- zone automatic comfort a ir cond i-
tioning .... .. ........... .. .. .. .... 98
Turn signa ls .. .... .. .... ... .. .. .. .... 60
War ning/indicator lights ... .. .. .. .. .. 16
u
Unde rcoat ing .. .. .. .... ... .. .. .... . 244
Unfasten ing safety belts ......... .... 176
Unidirectiona l tires . ..... ... .. .. .. ... 274
Uniform t ire quali ty g rading . .. .. .. .. . 288
Unlock ing
Power locking sw itch ....... ... ... ... 44
Rear lid/t runk lid .......... ... ... ... 45
Inde x 337
Remote contro l key .. .. ..... ... .. .. . 43
Using the key .. .. .. . ... ...... ... .. . 43
V
Vale t key funct ion
Activating and deactivating ... ... .. .. . 41
Vanity mirro r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Vehicle-care products ............ .. .. 239
Vehicle Ident ificat io n Num ber (V IN) .. .. 314
Vehicle jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295, 300
Vehicle literature .. .. . ... ...... ... .. .. 5
Ventilation Cl imate controls .. .... ......... .. .. . 91
w
Warning/indicator lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Adaptive Air Suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Adaptive cruise contro l ......... .. .. 1 21
Airbag system ..... . .. .. ..... ... .. . 16
Anti -lock b rake system (ABS) . . . . . . . . . 18
B rake system ....... .. .. ..... ... .. . 19
Cruise contro l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
E lectronic power control ........ .. .. . 15
E lectronic Stability Control (ESC) ... .. . 16
G low p lug system .. ..... ........... 15
Hig h beam .. .. .. .. . .. .... .... .. .. . 18
Malfunction Ind icator Lamp (MIL) .. .. . 17
Pa rking bra ke .. .. .... ............. . 19
S afety be lt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
T ire pressure monitoring system . . . . . . 18
T rai ler turn s ignal assembly .. ... .. .. . 16
Turn signals ........ .. .. ..... ... .. . 16
Wa rning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Warranty coverages .. ............... 319
Washer reservoir ..... .. .. ..... ... .. 273
Wash ing ... .. .. .. .. . .. .... .... .... 239
Automat ic car wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
by hand ... .. .. .. .. . .............. 240
General informa tion ........... .. .. 239
with a power washer . .. ..... ... .. .. 241
Waxing . ... .. .. .. .. . .. .... .... .... 241
Wear indicator .. ...... ............. 284
We ights .. .. .. .. .. .. ............... 31 4
What happens if you wear your safety belt
too loose? ........ .. ............... 175
What happens to unbe lted occupants? . . 172
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