2016 AUDI S7 towing

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Trailer mode Driving with a trailer
General information
Your Audi was designed primarily for passenger
transportation .
If you plan to tow a trailer, p lease remember that
the additional load will affect durability, econo­
my and performance.
Trailer towing not only places more stress on the
vehicle, it also calls for more concentration from
the driver.
For this reason, always follow the operating and
driving instructions provided and use common
sense.
(D Note
If you are going to tow a trai ler, you must ac­
tivate the trailer operat ion mode
c::> page 201, Operating instructions.
Technical requirements
Trailer hitch
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 vehicle's chassis at a
technically
sound
location. Use only a trailer hitch with a re­
movable ball mount. Always check with the trail­
e r hitch manufacturer to make sure that you are
using the correct hitch.
Do not use a bumper hitch.
The hitch must be installed in such a way that it
does not interfere with the impact-absorbing
bumper system. No modifications 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 hitch ball mount. This prevents the hitch
from causing damage should your vehicle be
struck from behind
c::> &, .
Trailer mode
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a brak ing system,
check to be sure that it conforms to all regula­
tions.
T he trailer hydraulic brake system must not be di­
rect ly connected to the vehicle's hydraulic b rake
system.
Safety chains
Always use safety chains between your veh icle
and the tra iler.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights must meet all regulations. Be sure
to check with your Aud i dealer for correct wiring,
switches and relays.
Mirrors
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 .
A WARNING
--
After removing the trailer hitch, do not store
i t in your vehicle. In case of sudden braking,
the hitch could fly forward and injure you or
your passengers.
Operating instructions
Maximum trailer weight
A trailer for your vehicle is limited to a typical
class 1 or class 2 trailer.
Trailer load distribution
Be sure the load in the trailer is held securely in
place to prevent it from sh ifting forward, back­
ward or sideways.
Never allow a passenger to ride in a trailer c::> &.
in Driving instructions on page 203 .
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 sure that
the cooling system has enough fluid . .,..
201

Trailer mode
Tire pressure
When tow ing a trailer, inflate the tires of your ve­
hicle to the cold tire pressure listed under " Full
load" on the label located on the driver's side B ­
pillar (visible when the door is open). Inflate
trailer tires to trailer and tire manufacturers'
specifications.
Lights
Check to make sure both vehicle and trailer lights
are working properly .
Safety chains
Be sure trailer safety cha ins are p roperly connect­
ed from the trailer to the hitch on the vehicle.
L eave enough slack in the chains to permit turn ­
ing corners. When you install safety chains, make
sure they will not drag on the road when you are
driving.
The chains should cross under the trai ler tongue
to prevent it from dropping in case of separation
from the hitch.
Adjusting the Audi drive select
Make su re the vehicle is on a level su rface before
h itching up the trailer and before adjusting the
tongue weight . The vehicle must be in
auto or
comfort driving mode and not raised
r::!> page 101, r::!> 0.
Make sure that the vehicle is lowered. In Info­
tainment, select:
ICARI function button > Lower
control button.
If you must drive under poor road conditions, you
can raise the vehicle
after coupling the traile r or
after adjusting the tongue weight c::!> page 103 .
(D Note
-Changes in temperature or load can affect
the height of the vehicle.
- Always select
auto or comfort mode. Other­
wise, the tongue load specified for your ve­
hicle will no longer be applicable.
202
· Driving instructions
Driving with a trailer always requires extra care
and consideration .
To obtain the best possible handling of vehicle
and trailer, please note the follow ing:
.,. Do not tow a loaded trailer when your car itself
is not loaded .
.,. Be especially carefu l when passing other
vehicles.
.,. Observe speed lim its .
.,. Do not drive at the maximum permissib le
speed.
.,. Always app ly brakes early .
.,. Monitor the temperature gauge.
Weight distribution
Towing a loaded trailer with an empty car results
i n a h ighly unstab le distribution of weight. If th is
cannot be avoided, dr ive at very low speeds only
to avoid the risk of losing steer ing control.
A "balanced" rig is easier to operate and control.
This means that the tow vehicle shou ld be loaded
to the extent possible and permissib le, w hile
k eep ing the traile r as light as possible under the
circumstances. Whenever possible, transfer
some ca rgo 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 contro l the rig. Do not
drive at the maximum permissible speed. Reduce
your speed even more if load, weather or wind cond itions are unfavorab le -particular ly when
going downh ill.
Red uce vehicle speed
immediately if the trailer
shows the slightest sign of swaying .
Do not try
to stop the swaying by accelerating.
Observe speed limits . In some areas, speeds for
vehicles towing trai lers are lower than for regular
vehicles.
Always apply brakes early. When driving dow n­
hill, shift i nto a lower gear to use the engine

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braking effect to slow the vehicle. Use of the
brakes alone can cause them to overheat and fail.
Air suspension*
When driving with a trailer, activate the trailer
mode of the air suspension. Switch the air sus­
pension trailer mode on when you are towing a
trailer. This will limit the regulation by the air
suspension while driving. Select in the MMI:
ICARI function button > (Car)* systems control
button>
Vehicle settings> Air susp.: towing>
On.
Coolant temperature
The coolant temperature gauge c::> page 10 must
be observed carefully. The coolant temperature
can increase if you drive on long inclines in a low
gear at high engine speeds . Reduce your speed
immediately if the LEDs in the top part of the dis­
play turn on .
For more information about indicator lights, re­
fer to.
c::> page 15.
A WARNING
Anyone not properly restrained in a moving
vehicle is at a much greater risk in an acci­
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 trailer because of the additional weight and dif­
ferent weight distribution . Safety, performance
and economy will greatly depend on how careful­
ly you load your trailer and operate your rig.
Before you actually tow your trailer, practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area away
from traffic . Keep practicing until you have be­
come completely familiar with the way your vehi­
cle-trailer combination behaves and responds.
Backing up is difficult and requires practice. Back­
ing up with a trailer generally requires steering
Trailer mode
action opposite to that when backing up your ve­
hicle without a trailer.
Maintain a greater distance between your vehicle
and the one in front of you . You will need more
room to stop. To compensate for the trailer, you
will need a larger than normal turning radius.
When passing, remember that you cannot accel­
erate as fast as you normally would because of
the added load. Make sure you have enough room
to pass. After passing, allow plenty of room for
your trailer before changing lanes again.
Avoid jerky starts, sharp turns or rapid lane
changes.
(D Tips
- Do not tow a trailer during the break-in peri­
od of your vehicle.
- If you tow a trailer, your Audi may require
more frequent maintenance due to the ex­
tra load
c::> page 2 7 4.
Parking on a slope
Do not park on a slope with a trailer. If it cannot
be avoided, do so only after 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 place, slowly release the brakes
until the wheel chocks absorb the load.
"Turn the wheels towards the curb.
... Apply the parking brake.
"Select the P selector lever position.
When restarting after parking:
"Apply the foot brake.
"Start the engine.
"Select the D/S selector lever position.
"Release the parking brake and slowly pull out
and away from the wheel chocks.
"Stop and have someone retrieve the wheel
chocks .
203

-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.
-Always 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.
Determining correct load
limit
Use the example below to calcu­
late the total weight of the pas­
sengers and luggage or other
things that you plan to transport so that you can make sure that
your vehicle will not be overload­
ed.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement "THE
COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCU­
PANTS AND CARGO SHOULD
NEVER EXCEED XXX KG OR XXX
LBS"on your vehicle's placard
(tire inflation pressure label)
¢ page 243, fig. 19 7.
Wheels
2. Determine the combined
weight of the driver and pas­
sengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight
of the driver and passengers
from
"XXX" kilograms or "XXX"
pounds shown on the sticker
¢ page 243, fig . 197 .
4. The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For ex­
ample, if the
"XXX" amount
equals
1400 lbs. and there will
be five
150 lbs. passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs .
(1400-750 (5 X 150) = 650
lbs.)
5. Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely ex­ ceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculat ­
ed in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer
will be transferred to your vehi­
cle. Consult this manual to de­
termine how this reduces the ..,
247

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Replacing wheels
Before changing a wheel
Observe the following precautions for your own
and your passenger's safety when changing a
wheel .
.,. After you experience a tire failure, pull the car
well away from moving traffic and try to reach
level ground before you stop¢,& .
.. All passengers should
leave the car and move
to a safe location (for instance, beh ind the
guardrail) ¢ ,& .
.,. Engage the
parking brake to prevent your vehi­
cle from rolling unintentiona lly ¢,& .
.. Move
selector lever to position P ¢ ,& .
1> lfyou are towing a trai ler, unhitch the trailer
from your vehicle .
.,. Take the
jack and the spare tire out of the lug­
gage compartment
¢ page 253, ¢ page 254.
.,&. WARNING
You or your passengers could be injured while
changing a wheel if you do not follow these
safety precautions:
- If you have a flat tir e, move a safe distance
off the road. T urn off the engine, turn the
emergency flashers on and use other warn­
ing devices to alert other mo torists.
- Make sure that passengers wait in a safe
place away from the vehicle and well away
from the road and traffic.
- T o help prevent the vehicle from moving
sudden ly and possibly slipping off the jack,
always fully set the parking brake and block
the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel be­ ing changed. When one front wheel is lifted
off the ground, placing the Automatic Trans­
mission in P (Park) will
not prevent the vehi­
cle from moving.
- Before you change a wheel, be sure the
ground is level and firm . If necessary, use a
stu rdy board under the jack.
- Always store the vehicle tool kit, the jack
and the replaced tir e in the luggage com­
partment ¢
page 132.
Emergency assistance
{!) Tips
Before changing the whee l, you must activate
the jacking mode, so that the automat ic con­
trols for the Adapt ive Air Suspension* do not
make it more difficult to lift the vehicle with
the jack ¢
page 257 .
Changing a wheel
When you change a wheel , follow the sequence
described below step-by-s tep and in exactly tha t
order .
l. Activate the vehicle jack mode* ¢ page 2 5 7.
2. Remove the
decorative wheel cover*. For
more details see also¢
page 256, Decora ­
tive wheel covers
or¢ page 256, Wheels
with wheel bolt caps .
3. Loosen the wheel bolts ¢page 256.
4. Locate the pro per mounting point for the
jack and align the jack be low that point
¢page 257.
5. Raise the car with the jack¢ page 257 .
6. Remove the wheel with the flat tire and then
install
the spare ¢ page 259.
7. Tighten all wheel bolts ligh tly.
8.
Lower the vehicle with the jack .
9. Use the wheel bolt w rench and
firmly tighten
all wheel bolts¢
page 256 .
10. Replace the decorative wheel cover*.
11. Deactivate the vehicle jack mode* in the
MMI :
ICAR I funct ion button > (C ar)* systems
control button > Servicing & checks > Air
susp.: jack mode > Off .
The vehicle jack mode* switches off automatically
at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h) .
.,&. WARNING ~ -
Always read and follow all WARNINGS and in ­
formation ¢
.& in Raising the vehicle on
page 258
and ¢ page 260.
255

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Emergency situations
General
This chapter is intended for trained emergency
crews and working personnel who have the nec­
essary tools and equipment to perform the se
operations.
Starting by pushing or
towing
(D Note
Vehicles w ith an automatic transmission can­
not be started by push ing o r tow ing.
Starting with jumper
cables
If necessary, the engine can be started by con­
necting it to the battery of another vehicle .
If the engine should fail to start because o f a dis­
charged or weak battery, the battery can be con­
nected to the battery of
another vehicle, us ing a
pair of jumper cables to start the engine .
Jumper cables
Use only jumper cables of sufficiently large cros s
section
to carry the starter current safe ly. Refer
to the manufacturer's specifications.
Use only jumper cables with
insulated term inal
clamps which are distinctly marked:
plus(+) cable in most cases co lored red
minus (-) cable
in most cases colored black .
A WARNING
Batteries contain electricity, acid, and gas .
Any of these can cause very ser ious or fatal in­
jury . Fo llow the instructions be low for safe
handling of your vehicle's battery.
- Always shield your eyes and avoid leaning
over the battery whenever possible.
- A discharged battery can freeze at tempera­
tures just below 32 °F (0 °C) . Before con­
necting a jumper cable, you must thaw the
Emergency situations
frozen battery completely, otherwise it
could explode .
- Do not allow battery acid to contact eyes or
skin. Flush any contacted area with water immediately.
- Improper use of a booster battery to start a
veh icle may cause an explosion.
- Vehicle batteries generate explosive gases .
Keep sparks, flame and lighted cigarettes
away from batteries.
- Do not try to jump start any vehicle with a
low acid level in the battery.
- The voltage of the booster battery must al ­
so have a 12-volt rating. The capacity (Ah) of
the booster battery should not be lower
than that of the discharged battery. Use of batteries of different voltage or substantial­
ly different" Ah" rating may cause an explo­
sion and personal injury.
- Never charge a frozen battery . Gas trapped
in the ice may cause an explosion .
- Never charge or use a battery that has been
frozen . The battery case may have be weak­
ened ,
- Use of batter ies of different voltage or sub­
stantially different capacity (Ah) rating may
cause an exp losion and injury. Th e capacity
(Ah) of the booste r battery should not be
lower than that of the discharged battery.
- Before you check anything in the engine
compartment, always read and heed a ll
WARNINGS
q page 218 .
(D Note
-Applying a h igher voltage booster battery
w ill cause expensive damage to sensitive
electronic components, such as control
units, relays, radio, etc.
- Th ere must be no ele ct rical contact between
the vehicles as otherwise current could al­
ready start to flow as soon as the positive
(+) termina ls are connected.
(D Tips
The discharged battery must be properly con-
nected to the vehicle's e lectrical system. .,..
265

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(D Note
Improper hook-up of jumper cables can ruin
the generator.
- Always connect POSITIVE( +) to POSITIVE
( + ), and NEGATIVE( -) to NEGATIVE(-)
ground post of the battery manager control
unit.
- Check that all screw plugs on the battery
cells are screwed in firmly. If not, tighten
plugs prior to connecting clamp on negative
battery terminal.
- Please note that the procedure for connect­
ing a jumper cable as described
above ap­
plies specifically to the case of your vehicle
being jump started. When you are giving a
jump sta rt to another vehicle, do
not con­
nect the negative(-) cab le to the negative
( - ) terminal on the discharged battery @
r:::;, fig. 216. Instead, secure ly connect the
negative(-) cab le to either a solid metal
component that is firm ly bolted to the en­
gine block or to the engine block itself. If
the battery that is being charged does not
vent to the outs ide, escap ing battery gas
could ignite and explode!
Towing with a tow truck
General hints
Your Audi requires special handling for towing.
The follow ing information is to be used by com­
mercial tow truck operators who know how to op­
erate their eq uipment safe ly.
- Never t ow your Audi. To wing will cau se da m ­
age to the engine and tran smi ssion .
- Neve r wrap th e safety cha in s or win ch cab le s
around the brake line s.
- To pre vent unnecess ary dama ge, your A udi
mu st b e trans port ed w ith a fl at b ed t ru ck .
- To lo ad the vehicle on to th e flat bed, us e the
towing l oop found in th e vehicle tool s and at­
tach to th e fr ont or re a r anc hora ge
¢ page 267 and ¢page 268.
Emergen cy situati ons
A WARNING
-A veh icle being towed is not safe for passen-
gers. Neve r all ow anyone to ride in a vehicle
being towed, for any reason .
Front towing loop
Fig. 217 Fro nt bumper: cover
Fig . 2 18 Fro nt bumper : insta lling the tow ing loop
The threaded opening for the towing loop is lo­
cated behind a
cover on the right side of the front
bumper .
.,. Remove the towing loop from the vehicle tool
kit¢
page 253.
.,. Press the lower area of the cap inward with
quick, strong pressure
r::;, fig . 217 . The cap w ill
loosen from the bumper .
.,. Tighten the towing loop in the threaded open­
ing until it stops
¢ fig. 218 and then tighten it
w ith a wheel wrench .
.,. After using, p lace the towing loop back in the
vehicle tool k it.
A WARNING
--
If the towing loop is not tightened until it
stops when installing, the threads may be
267

Emergency situations
pulled out when towing the vehicle and that
could cause an accident.
Rear towing loop
Only install the rear towing loop when it is need­
ed.
0 0
Fig. 219 Rear bumper: c over
0 0
Fig. 220 Rear bump er: sc rew ing in towing loop
There are threads located behind the right side of
the rear bumper where a towing loop can be in­
stalled. The threads are located behind a cover.
" Remove the towing loop from the vehicle tool
kit .
.. Press inward strongly to the button side of the
cap to remove it from the bumper
r=;,fig. 219 .
"Screw the towing loop tightly in the threaded
hole as far as it will go and tighten it with the
wheel wrench
r=;, fig. 220.
Remove the towing loop when you are done using
it and place it back in the vehicle tool kit . Always
keep the towing loop in the vehicle.
&_ WARNING
If you do not screw the towing loop complete­
ly, it could come out of the threaded hole
while the vehicle is being towed causing dam·
268
age to the vehicle and possible serious per­
sonal injury .
Loading the vehicle onto a flat bed truck
Fig. 221 Vehicle on flat bed tru ck
Front hook up
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"Align the vehicle with the centerline of the car
carrier ramp .
.. Attach the w inch hook to the front towline eye
previously installed.
Rear hook up
"Align the vehicle with the centerline of the car
carrier ramp .
.. Attach the winch hook to the rear towline eye
previously installed.
@ Tips
Check carefully to make sure the hook-up is
secure before moving the car up the flatbed
truck ramp.
Vehicle transport
Whenever you hove your vehicle transported, be
sure to note the following:
(D Note
Mount the tie-down chains/cables over the
running surface (circumference) of the tires.
Never secure the vehicle by the axle, the sus­
pension struts or the front or rear towline
eye. For technical reasons, the pressure in the
suspension struts may change during the
transport and this will adversely affect vehicle handling.