2015 AUDI Q5 trailer

Parkin g sys tem
Rearview camera cover age area
The MM I disp lay shows the area cove red by the
rearview camera
c::> fig . 143 (D. Objects that are
not in the area covered @are not shown on the
MMI disp lay.
We recommend that yo u practice par king with
the rearview camera in a traffic-free location o r
parking lot to become familiar with the system,
the orientation lines, and their f unction . When
doing this, there should be good light and weath­
er cond itions.
I n the MMI disp lay, objects or vehicles appear
closer o r further away if:
- yo u are driving in reverse gear from a level su r­
face onto an incl ine, or a downward slope,
- you are driving in reverse gear toward protrud­
ing obje cts,
- the ve hicl e i s ca rrying too much load in the
rear.
The accuracy of the or ientat ion lines and blue
surfac es dimin ishes if:
- the rearv iew camera does not provide a reliab le
image, for examp le, in poor visibility cond itions
or if the lens is d irty,
- the image on the screen is not visible due to
su n g la re and reflect ion .
Caring for the rearview camera lens
The rearview camera is located above the rear li ­
cense plate bracket. For the parking system to
operate, the lens
c::> fig. 144 must be kept clean:
- Dampen the lens with a house ho ld alcoho l-
based glass cleaner, and then wipe the lens
clean with a dry cloth
c::> Q) .
-Remove snow with a hand brush and ice pref­
erably with a de- ic ing spray
c::> Q).
A WARNING
-The parking system ca nnot rep lace the driv­
er's attenti on . T he d rive r alone is responsi­
ble fo r parki ng a nd s imilar dr iv ing ma neu ­
vers.
- Senso rs have b lind spots in which objects
cannot be detected . Pay special atte ntion to
130
sma ll children and an imals beca use the sen­
sors cannot always detect them.
- Always keep your eyes on the vehicle 's s ur­
round ings, using the rearview mirror as
wel l.
- Do not allow yourself to be distracted from
traffic by the rearview camera pict ures.
- If the position and t he installation angle of
the camera has changed, for e xamp le, after
a rear end collision, do not continue to use
the system for safety reaso ns. Have it
checked by a qualified dealersh ip.
(D Note
- Low obstacles a lready s ignaled by a warn ing
can disappear from the system's detection
range as they are approached and w ill n ot
cont in ue to be signaled. Objects such as
bar rier cha ins, trailer draw ba rs, thi n pa int­
ed vert ica l poles or fences may not be de­
t e cted by the system, posi ng ris k of dam­
a ge.
- N ever use wa rm o r hot wate r to remove
s now or ice from the rea rv iew came ra lens ·
t h is could cause the lens to crac k!
- Whe n cleani ng the len s, neve r use produ cts
th at ar e abra s ive.

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Switching on and off
Applies to vehicles: with Audi parking system p lus w ith rear­
view came ra
The reorview camera switches on automatically
together with the acoustic and visual park assist
when you put the vehicle in reverse.
Fig. 145 Center console: Parking system switch
Fig. 1 46 MMI display: visual dista nce display
Switching on
.. Switch the MMI on and select reverse gea r.
.. To use the front parking system, press the
switch
P' "A in the center console c::> fig . 145. A
sho rt confirmat ion tone sou nds a nd the indica­
tor light in the switc h lights up.
Switching betwe en th e re arview camera and
v is ual display
.. Press the Gr aphic control button c::> page 132,
fig. 147
® to see the visual d isplay .
.. Press the
Rear view cont ro l button to see the
rearview camera image
c::> fig . 146 .
Switching off
.. Drive faster than 6 mph ( 10 km/h), or
.. press the sw itch P
11JA or
.. swi tch off the ignit ion.
Par king system
Segm ents in th e vi sual display
T he red segmen ts in front of and behind the vehi­
cle
c::> fig. 146 help you to determine the distance
between you and an obstacle. As your vehicle
comes closer to the obstacle, the segments move
closer to the vehicle. The collision area has been
reached when the next to last segment is dis­
played. Do not continue dr iv ing farther ¢.&.
in
General Information on page 130!
A WARNING
--The MM I display cannot show, or cannot ad-
equate ly show, certa in objects (such as
smal l posts or grating), reces ses in the
ground a nd protr uding p arts on ano ther car.
- Only use t he rearview came ra to ass ist you if
it shows a good, clear picture. For examp le,
the image may be affected by the su n shin ­
ing into the lens, dirt on the lens or if there
is a defect.
- Use the rearv iew camera only with the rear
lid completely closed. Make sure any objects
you may have mounted on the rear lid do
not block the rearview camera.
(D Tips
-The sensors m ust be kept clean and free o f
snow and ice for t he park assist to operate.
- The visua l display is shown in the ill ustra­
tion of the rearview camera. This disp lay
shows whe re the sensors have detected an
obstacle.
- Yo u can change the volume and pitch of the
signa ls as well as the display ¢
page 134.
-Please fo llow the instruc tions for tow ing a
trailer ¢
page 134.
-What appears in the disp lay is time -delayed .
131

Parkin g system
mirror or a corner of yo ur vehicle does not col­
lide with any obstacles. This can damage to
your vehicle.
(D Tips
The left or right orientation lines and sur faces
wi ll be displayed, depending on the turn sig­
nal being used .
Adjusting the display
and warning tones
A pp lies to veh icles: w ith Audi park ing system p lus w ith rear­
view ca mera
The display and warning tones can be adjusted in
the MMI.
~ Select: I CARI function button > Pa rking system .
Or
~ Select: ICARI funct ion button > Car s ystem s*
control button> Driver ass ist > Par king aid .
D is pl ay
- Off -when the parking system is switched on,
only audib le signals are given .
-On -when the parking system is switched on,
either the visual disp lay or the picture from the
rearview camera is disp layed.
Warning tones
- Front volum e -
front sensor volume
- Front frequency -front sensor frequency
-Rea r volume -rear sensor volume
-Rear fre quenc y -rear sensor frequency
- In -ca r entertainment fader /M usic volume
w hile pa rking -
when the parking system is
switched on, the volume of the active audio
source is lowered.
The newly adjusted value is briefly heard from
the signal generator.
(D Tips
- The warning tones can also be adjusted d i­
rectly by the visual display or the picture
from the rearview camera. Simply press the
S ett ing s control button.
- Changed settings are activated when park­
i ng system is switched on again .
134
-The settings are automatica lly stored and
assigned to the remote contro l key .
Trailer hitch
App lies to vehicles : wi th Audi parking sys te m plus wi th rea r­
v iew camera a nd t railer hitch
For vehicles with a factory installed trailer hitch,
o r a trai ler h itch installed accord ing to factory
spec ifications, the parking sys tem rear sensors
do not come on whenever you shift into reverse
gear or when you press the
P" 1A switch. Remem­
ber, there is no warning for distances to the rear.
The front sensors remain activated . The visua l
display switches to the trailer towing mode. The
picture from the rearv iew camera w ill not show
the or ientat ion lines nor the blue surfaces.
If you insta ll a hitch yourse lf, this function may
not work.
Error messages
App lies to vehicles: wi th Audi parking sys te m plus with rea r·
v iew camera
There is an error in the system if the LED on the
PwA switch is b linking and you hear a continuous
a larm for a few seconds after switching on the
parking system or when the parking system is al­
ready act ivated. Have your authori zed Audi dealer
correct the error.
(D Tips
If the error is not corrected before you switch
off the ignition, when you switch on the park­ i ng system again, the LED in the
Pw.o. sw itch
will blink.

Trailer mode
Trailer mode
Driving with a trailer
General information
Your Audi was designed primarily for passenger
transportation.
If you plan to tow a trai ler, please remember that
the additional load will affect durability, econo­ my and performance.
Trailer towing not on ly places more stress on the
vehicle, it also calls for more concentration from the driver .
F or this reason, always follow the operating and
driving instructions provided and use common
sense.
Technical requirements
Tr aile r h itch
Use a weight-carrying hitch conforming to the
gross trailer weight. The hitch must be suitable
for your vehicle and trailer and must be mounted
securely on the veh icle's chassis at a technically
sound
location . Use only a trai ler hitch w ith a re­
movable bal l mount . Always check with the tra il­
er h itch man ufacturer to make sure that you are
using the co rrect hitch.
D o not u se a bump er hit ch.
The hitch must be installed in such a way that it
does not interfere with the impact -absorbing
bumper system. No mod ificat ions should be
made to the vehicle exhaust and brake systems .
From time to time, check that all hitch mounting
bolts remain securely fastened .
When you are not towing a trailer, remove the
trailer h itch ball mount. This prevents the hitch
from causing damage should your vehicle be struck from behind ¢ .&, .
Trailer bra kes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
check to be sure that it conforms to all regula­
tions.
204
The trailer hydraulic brake system must not be di­
rect ly connected to the vehicle's hydraulic brake
system ¢.&, .
Safet y ch ain s
Always use safety chains betwee n your veh icle
and the trai ler .
Tr aile r lights
Trailer lights must meet all regulations. Be sure
to check w ith your author ized Audi dealer for cor­
rect w iring, sw itches, and relays .
Mirro rs
If you are unable to see the traffic behind you us­
ing the regular outside mirrors, then you
must in­
stall extended mirrors .
It is important that you
always have clear vision to the rear.
&, WARNING
-If a trailer has electrical brakes p lease note
that these brakes are not activated by the
factory -fitted contro l unit -risk of accident!
- After removing the t railer hitch, do not store
it in your vehicle . In case of sudden braking,
the hitch could fly forward and injure you or
your passengers.
- Never install a "weight distributing" or "load equalizing" trailer hitch on your vehi­
cle. The vehicle was not designed for these
kinds of tra iler hitches. The hitch attach­
ment can fail, causing the tra iler to tear
loose from the veh icle.
- The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your ve­
hicle, found on the safety compliance label
on the driver's side B-p illar, must never be
exceeded under any circumstances . Exceed­
ing the Gross Vehicle We ight Rating of your
veh icle is likely to damage your vehicle, and
such damage will not be covered by your Limited New Vehicle Warranty. Exceeding
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating will also
change the performance and handling char­
acteristics of your vehicle, wh ich could cause
a crash resulting in serious injury or death .

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Operating instructions
6"
~
a
2
. 1/2"
'
-{ I} 1-1/2"
-
Fig. 189 Pe rmi tted ba ll pos it ion of the trailer hitc h
Trailer towing weights
With a factory-installed or an aftermarket trailer
hitch, the maximum permissible trailer weight is
4,400 lbs (2,000 kg) . T he maximum permissible
unbraked trailer weight is 1,650 lbs (750 kg) .
These specifications apply when dr iv ing on roads
having an inclin e of less than 12%.
Permissible tongue load
For best vehicle handling under these changed
conditions, adjust the traile r load so that the
tongue load is at the maximum allowable or
slightly lower. You can get an approximat ion of
the tongue load w ith a bathroom scale or you can
measure the load at a trucking company or
weighing station.
With a
factory-installed or an aftermarket trailer
hitch, the maximum permissible load on the ball
hitch may not exceed 440 lbs (200 kg). It is rec­
ommended to use the maximum permissible
l oad.
Trailer load distribution
Be sure the load in the tra iler is held securely in
place to prevent it from shifting forward, back­
ward or sideways .
Never allow a passenger to ride in a trailer c::> .&.
in Driving instructions on page 206.
Ball mount
The trailer hitch may only be used with suitable
ball mount and ball
c::> fig. 189 . Installation of
the hitch ball must be carr ied out in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions .
Trailer mode
Engine cooling system
Towing a trailer makes the engine work harder . It
is important that the cooling system's perform ­
ance is up to the additional load . Make s ure that
the cooling system has enough fluid .
Tire pressure
When towing a trailer, inflate the tires of your ve­
hicle to the cold tire pressure listed under "Full
load" on the tire pressure label. The tire pressure
label is located on the driver's side B·pillar. In·
flate trailer tires to trailer and tire manufactur­
ers' specifications.
Lights
T he headlight settings sho uld be checked with
the trai ler attached before driving off. Check to
make sure both vehicle and trailer lights are
working properly.
Safety chains
Be sure trailer safety chains are properly connect­
ed from the trailer to the hitch on the vehicle.
Leave enough slack in the chains to permit turn­
ing corners. When you install safety chains, make
sure they w ill not drag on the road when you are
driving.
The chains should cross under the trailer tongue
to prevent it from dropping in case of separation
from the hitch.
Driving instructions
Driving with o trailer always requires extra core
and consideration .
To obtain the best possible handling of vehicle
and trailer, please note the fo llowing :
.. Do not tow a loaded trailer when your car itse lf
is not loaded.
.. Be especially careful when passing other
vehicles .
.. Observe speed lim its .
.. Do not drive at the maximum permissible
speed.
.. Always apply brakes early .
.. Mon itor the temperature gauge .
205

Trailer mode
Weight distribution
Towing a loaded trai ler with an empty car res ults
in a high ly unstable distribution of weight. If this
cannot be avoided , drive at very low speeds only
to avoid the risk of losing steering contro l.
A "balanced" rig is easier to operate and control.
This means that the tow vehicle should be loaded
to the extent possible and permissible, while
keeping the trailer as light as possible under the
circumstances. Whenever possible, transfer
some cargo to the luggage compartment of the
tow vehicle while observing tongue load require­
ments and vehicle loading considerations .
Speed
The higher the speed, the more difficult it be­
comes for the driver to control the rig . Do not
drive at the maximum permiss ible speed. Reduce
your speed even more if load, weathe r or wind
conditions are unfavorable - particularly when
going downhill.
Reduce vehicle speed
immediately if the trailer
shows the s lightest sign of swaying .
Do not try
to stop the swaying by accelerating.
Observe speed limits. In some areas, speeds for
veh icles towing trailers are lower than for regular
ve hicles .
A lways app ly brakes ear ly. When driving down­
hill, shift into a lower gear to use the engine
brak ing effect to slow the vehicle. Use of the
brakes alone can cause them to overheat and fa il.
Coolant temperature
The coolant temperature gauge c::> page 10 must
be observed carefully.
If the need le moves close
to the upper end of the scale, reduce speed im­
mediately and/or turn off the a ir condit ioner.
If the coo lant temperature warning light in the
instr ument cluster starts flashing •• pu ll off
the road, stop and let the engine
idle for about
two minutes to prevent heat build-up.
A WARNING
Anyone not properly restrained in a moving
vehicle is at a much greater r isk in an acc i-
206
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dent. Never let anyone ride in your car who is
not properly wearing the restraints provided
by Audi.
Trailer mode notes
Important to know
Your vehicle handles differently when towing a
trai ler because of the additiona l weight and dif­
ferent we ight distribution . Safety, performance
and economy will greatly depend on how careful ­
l y you load your trailer and operate your rig.
Before you actua lly tow your trai ler, practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area away
from traffic . Keep practicing until you have be ­
come comp lete ly familiar with the way your vehi­
cle-trailer comb inat ion behaves and responds.
Backing up is difficult and requires practice. Back­
ing up with a trai ler generally requires steering
action opposite to that when backing up your ve­
hicle without a tra iler.
Maintain a greater distance between your vehicle
and the one in front of you. Yo u will need more
room to stop. To compensate for the trailer, you
will need a larger than normal turn ing radius.
When passing, remember that you cannot accel­
erate as fast as you norma lly wou ld because of
the added load. Make sure you have enough room
to pass. After passing, allow plenty of room for
your tra iler before changing lanes again.
Avoid jerky starts , sharp t urns or rapid lane
changes.
@ Tips
- Do not tow a trailer during the break-in peri­
od of your vehicle.
- If you tow a trailer, your Audi may requi re
more frequent maintenance due to the ex­
tra load
c::> page 281.

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Parking on a slope
Do not pork on a slope with a trailer. If it cannot
be avoided, do so only ofter doing the following:
When parking:
.. Apply the foot brake .
.. Have someone place chocks under both the ve­
hicle and the trailer wheels .
.. With chocks in p lace, slowly re lease the brakes
unt il the w heel chocks absorb the load .
.. Turn the wheels towa rds the curb .
.. Apply the pa rking bra ke .
.. Move the selec tor lever to P .
When restarting after parking:
.. Apply the foot brake .
.. Start the eng ine .
.. Move the se lecto r lever to 0/5 .
.,. Re lease the par king b rake a nd slow ly pull ou t
and away from the whee l cho cks .
.. Stop and have someone re trieve the w heel
chocks .
(D Tips
If you move the selector lever of the a utomat­
ic transmission to P before applying the par k­
ing brake and before blocking the wheels, you
may have to use more force later to move the
lever out of the P position .
Trailer mode
207

Wheels
passengers that the vehicle is in­
tended to carry ("seating capaci­
ty") with an assumed weight of 150 lbs. (68 kg) for each passen­
ger at a designated seating posi­
tion and the total weight of any
luggage in the vehicle. If you tow
a trailer, the weight of the trailer
hitch and the tongue weight of
the loaded trailer must be includ­
ed as part of the vehicle load.
The
Gross Axle Weight Rating
("GAWR") is the maximum load
that can be applied at each of the
vehicle's two axles.
The fact that there is an upper limit to your vehicle's Gross Vehi­
cle Weight Rating means that the
total weight of whatever is being
carried in the vehicle (including
the weight of a trailer hitch and
the tongue weight of the loaded
trailer) is limited. The more pas­
sengers in the vehicle or passen­
gers who are heavier than the
standard weights assumed mean
that less weight can be carried as
luggage.
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
are listed on the safety compli­
ance sticker label located on the
248
driver's side B-pillar ~ page 245,
fig. 206.
~ WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause
loss of vehicle control, a crash
or other accident, serious per­
sonal injury, and even death.
-Carrying more weight than your vehicle was designed to carry will prevent the vehicle
from handling properly and in­
crease the risk of the loss of
vehicle control.
-The brakes on a vehicle that
has been overloaded may not
be able to stop the vehicle
within a safe distance.
-Tires on a vehicle that has
been overloaded can fail sud­
denly, including a blowout and
sudden deflation, causing loss
of control and a crash.
-A lways make sure that the to­
tal load being transported -
including the weight of a trail­
er hitch and the tongue
weight of a loaded trailer -
does not make the vehicle
heavier than the vehicle's
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.