
83A012721BA
Trailer towing
Trailer towing
Driving with a trailer
General information
Your vehicle is primarily intended for transport-
ing people and luggage. However, if you drive
with a trailer, follow the technical requirements,
the operation and driving tips, and the legal reg-
ulations.
Driving with a trailer affects the vehicle's energy
usage, performance, and wear. It also requires
higher concentration from the driver.
Z\ WARNING
Do not transport any people in a trailer due to
the risk of fatal injury.
Technical requirements
Certain requirements must be met when towing
a trailer.
Trailer hitch
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.
Trailer brakes
If the trailer has its own brake system, then fol-
low the manufacturer specifications. However,
the brake system on the trailer must never be
connected to the vehicle brake system.
Engine cooling system
Driving with a trailer means a higher load on the
engine and the cooling system. The cooling sys-
tem must be designed for additional load and
contain enough coolant > @.
Z\ WARNING
— Never mount a "weight-distributing" or
"load-balancing" 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
break off from the vehicle.
— If the trailer is equipped with electronic
brakes, these brakes cannot be activated by
a factory-installed control system, which in-
creases the risk of an accident.
—To reduce the risk of injury, always remove
the ball hitch mount if no trailer is mount-
ed
® Note
Longer inclines cannot be driven without a
suitable cooling system, especially if the out-
side temperatures are high. otherwise, this
increases the risk of engine damage.
Operating instructions
Towing capacity
Never exceed the maximum permitted weights
=> page 264.
In some scenarios, the load in trailer mode can
be reduced due to the permitted towing weight.
You can drive up larger inclines if you are not us-
ing the maximum towing capacity.
The towing capacities given only apply to eleva-
tions up to 3,200 ft (1,000 m) above sea level. As
the elevation increases, the engine power de-
creases due to the decreasing air pressures. This
reduces the hill climbing ability and towing ca-
pacity. For every additional 3,200 ft (1,000 m),
the maximum permitted towing weight must be
reduced by approximately 10%. The permitted
towing weight is the combined weight of the
(loaded) vehicle and the (loaded) trailer.
101

83A012721BA
Trailer towing
As the speed increases, the driving stability of
the 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.
Hill
When transitioning to hills, trailers may tilt or
sway sooner than when driving on a level surface.
If small swaying movements have already occur-
red, you can stabilize the trailer by firmly braking
immediately. Never try to “straighten out” the
trailer by accelerating.
Downshift before driving on hills to utilize the en-
gine braking effect > A\.
Brakes
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.
Engine coolant temperature
Pay attention specifically to the coolant tempera-
ture display when there are high outside temper-
atures, and when driving on long inclines
=> page 13. Shift to a higher gear in a timely man-
ner.
ZA WARNING
Constant braking causes the brakes to over-
heat and substantially reduces braking per-
formance, increases braking distance or caus-
es complete failure of the brake system.
103

Driver assistance
Driver assistance
Cruise control system
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
The cruise control system assists the driver in
maintaining a constant speed above approxi-
mately 15 mph (20 km/h). The system maintains
the desired speed by braking and accelerating.
ZA WARNING
— Always pay attention to the traffic around
you when the cruise control system is in op-
eration. As the driver, you are always respon-
sible for controlling your vehicle speed and
the distance between your vehicle and other
vehicles.
— For safety reasons, cruise control should not
be used in the city, in stop-and-go traffic, on
winding roads and when road conditions are
poor (such as ice, fog, gravel, heavy rain and
hydroplaning), because this increases the
risk of an accident.
— Switch the cruise control off temporarily
when driving in turning lanes, highway exits
or in construction zones.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, you should
only resume the stored speed if it is suitable
for the current traffic conditions.
@) Note
Before driving downhill a long distance ona
steep hill, decrease your speed and select a
lower gear. This makes use of the engine brak-
ing effect and relieves the brakes.
@) Tips
The brake lights turn on when the brakes are
applied automatically.
110
Switching the system on
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
BFV-0220
Fig. 91 Operating lever: Switching on the cruise control
system
Requirement: The ignition must be switched on.
> To switch the system on, pull the lever toward
you to position @).
The CRUISE] or [J indicator light and the corre-
sponding message will appear in the instrument
cluster.
ZA WARNING
If the brakes are malfunctioning (for example,
overheating) while the cruise control system
is switched on, it may shut off automatically.
Preselecting or activating a cruise control
speed
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
When the vehicle is stationary, you can preselect
the cruise control speed or activate the speed
while driving.
Requirement: the system must be switched on.
> To preselect a cruise control speed when the ve-
hicle is stationary, tap the lever toward @)/G)
= page 110, fig. 91.
> To activate the cruise control speed, pull the
lever
toward position @ while driving, or
> To set the current driving speed as the cruise
control speed, press the button @) on the lever.
The active cruise control speed is indicated with
the Gs or indicator light in the instrument
cluster.

83A012721BA
Driver assistance
Changing the cruise control speed
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
> To increase or decrease the cruise control speed
in increments, tap the lever toward @)/G)
=> page 110, fig. 91.
> To increase or decrease the cruise control speed
continuously, press and hold the lever to-
ward @/().
Overriding or deactivating the cruise
control speed
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
You can override or deactivate the cruise control
system. When you deactivate the system, your
cruise control speed will be stored and you can
resume that speed.
Requirement: the system must be switched on
and activated.
Overriding
> To temporarily override the cruise control
speed, press the accelerator pedal.
> Once you release the accelerator pedal, the sys-
tem will adjust back to the stored cruise control
speed.
If you override the cruise control system for a
long period of time, the cruise control system
will be deactivated. The indicator light will be
displayed and the cruise control speed will be
saved.
Deactivating
> To deactivate the cruise control speed, press
the lever toward (2) (not locked into place)
=> page 110, fig. 91.
> Press the brake pedal.
ZA\ WARNING
Resting your foot on the accelerator pedal
could override the cruise control. This will pre-
vent braking interventions by the system.
Seem Leal
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
When you switch the system off completely, the
cruise control speed will be deleted.
Requirement: the system must be switched on.
> To switch the system off, press the lever toward
@ (locked into place) > page 110, fig. 91, or
> Switch the ignition off.
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
Gk / 3) Speed control system: currently un-
available. See owner's manual
If the indicator light turns on and this message
appears, the cruise control system has been deac-
tivated. There is a temporary malfunction, for ex-
ample the brakes are overheating. Switch the
cruise control system on again later.
Adaptive speed/cruise
assist
General information
Applies to: vehicles with adaptive cruise assist
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the adap-
tive cruise assist may consist of the following
functions:
The adaptive speed/cruise assist (called only
adaptive cruise assist in the vehicle display and in
the rest of the Owner's Manual) consists of a
speed and distance control system. It assists the
driver by both regulating the speed and main-
taining the set distance to the vehicle driving
ahead, within the limits of the system. If the sys-
tem detects a vehicle driving ahead, the adaptive
cruise assist can brake and accelerate your vehi-
cle within the limits of the system. On open roads
with no traffic, it functions like a cruise control
system. The stored speed is maintained. When
approaching a vehicle driving ahead, the adaptive
cruise assist automatically brakes to match that
vehicle's speed and then maintains the set dis-
tance as much as possible. As soon as the system
does not detect a vehicle driving ahead, adaptive
cruise assist accelerates up to the set speed.
111

Driver assistance
In stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle may brake to a
full stop and then may also start driving again
automatically under certain conditions.
Follow the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 104.
For an explanation on conformity with the
FCC regulations in the United States and the
Industry Canada regulations, see > page 261.
Applies to: vehicles with adaptive cruise assist
B8V-0630
Fig. 92 Example: vehicle changing lanes and stationary ve-
hicle
— When driving into a curve > fig. 93 and out of a
curve, the adaptive cruise assist may react to a
vehicle in the adjacent lane and apply the
brakes. You can override the system by pressing
the accelerator pedal briefly.
— The adaptive cruise assist works with radar. Ve-
hicles can only be detected once they are within
the area and range covered by the radar
=>page 105.
— When driving around tight curves, a vehicle
driving ahead that was previously detected may
no longer be detected, and the adaptive cruise
assist may accelerate unexpectedly.
— The adaptive cruise assist does not react toa
stationary vehicle in the same lane if the sys-
tem expects that you can easily drive around
the stationary vehicle by turning the steering
wheel.
— The adaptive cruise assist may not react to sta-
tionary obstacles, such as the end of a traffic
jam, especially at high speeds.
— The adaptive cruise assist has a limited ability
to detect vehicles that are a short distance
ahead, off to the side of your vehicle, or moving
into your lane.
— Objects that are difficult to detect, such as mo-
torcycles, vehicles with high ground clearance,
or vehicles with an overhanging load, may be
detected late or not detected at all.
— The adaptive cruise assist does not respond to
people, animals, or objects that are crossing or
approaching from the opposite direction.
Follow the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 104.
Fig. 93 Example: driving into a curve
In some situations, the adaptive cruise assist
function is limited and you must assume control
of the vehicle when necessary, for example by ap-
plying the brakes.
— If a vehicle that was already detected @ turns
or changes lanes, the adaptive cruise assist will
react to the vehicle ahead of it @.
112

83A012721BA
Driver assistance
Display overview
Applies to: vehicles with adaptive cruise assist
RAZ-0205)
5 3
he | S| foc
Fig. 95 Instrument cluster: Driver assistance display
Indicator lights and messages in the speedome-
ter @ -@) inform you about the driving situation
and the settings. In the Driver assistance display
@- ©, you can find more detailed information
about the system. The displays depend on the
country and equipment.
Display in the speedometer
@ Marking for the set speed
@ Current vehicle speed
@® Available speed range for adaptive cruise as-
sist (example)
Image in the Driver assistance display
The display only appears when the Driver assis-
tance display is open in the on-board computer
> page 14.
Messages and settings
Detected vehicle driving ahead
Set target distance
If you fall below the set distance, the dis-
tance bars turn red from the bottom upward.
Your vehicle
©®
CO®
Lane departure warning availability
=> page 119, Lane departure warning
Indicator lights
Ba - The speed/distance control is active. No ve-
hicles were detected ahead. The stored speed is
maintained.
Aa ~The speed/distance control is active. A vehi-
cle was detected ahead. The adaptive cruise as-
sist controls the speed and distance from the ve-
hicle driving ahead, and accelerates and brakes
automatically.
EA - The speed/distance control is active but the
vehicle is not ready to drive. A vehicle was de-
tected ahead. Your vehicle is stationary and will
not start driving automatically.
BS - The speed/distance control is active but the
vehicle is not ready to drive. No vehicles were de-
tected ahead. Your vehicle is stationary and will
not start driving automatically.
A - The automatic braking is not enough to
maintain a sufficient distance to a vehicle driving
ahead. You must intervene > page 117, Driver in-
tervention request.
Z\ WARNING
Follow the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 104.
113

83A012721BA
Driver assistance
responsible for controlling the vehicle. The
driver is especially responsible for braking,
starting to drive, controlling the speed, and
maintaining the distance to other vehicles.
— Turn on the adaptive cruise assist only if the
surrounding conditions permit it. Always
adapt your driving style to the current visu-
al, weather, road, and traffic conditions.
— Switch the adaptive cruise assist off tempo-
rarily when driving in turning lanes or high-
way exits. This prevents the vehicle from ac-
celerating to the stored speed when in these
situations.
ZA WARNING
If you press the SETI2) button when driving
at speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h), then 20
mph (30 km/h) will be set because that is the
minimum speed that can be set. If no vehicle
is detected ahead of you, the vehicle will ac-
celerate up to that speed.
@ Tips
— Always keep your hands on the steering
wheel. The driver is always responsible for
adhering to the regulations applicable in
the country where the vehicle is being oper-
ated.
— If you switch the ignition or the adaptive
cruise assist off, the stored speed is erased
for safety reasons.
— When the adaptive cruise assist is switched
on, the ESC and the ASR are switched on au-
tomatically.
— The system cannot be switched off if the
road exceeds the maximum possible grade
for safe operation.
— If you signal to pass and the adaptive cruise
assist suggests a passing maneuver, the
adaptive cruise assist will accelerate just be-
fore changing lanes to shorten the distance
to the vehicle driving ahead.
Setting the distance
Applies to: vehicles with adaptive cruise assist
B4M-0234
Fig. 98 Operating lever: Setting the distance
If you adjust the speed, you must also change the
time gap to the vehicle driving ahead. The higher
the speed, the greater the distance that is need-
ed.
> Tap the rocker switch to display the distance
that is currently set.
>» To increase or decrease the distance in incre-
ments, tap the switch again toward G) or C).
The newly set distance is shown briefly, for exam-
ple with the [eg indicator light. In the Driver as-
sistance display, a graphic display is shown in-
stead of the indicator lights > page 113, fig. 95.
The display matches the functions of the indica-
tor lights.
When approaching a vehicle driving ahead, the
adaptive cruise assist brakes to the set speed and
then maintains the set distance. If the vehicle
driving ahead accelerates, then the adaptive
cruise assist will also accelerate up to the speed
that you have set.
The following distances can be set:
115

Driver assistance
@ Tips
— Depending on the dangerous situation that
is detected and the selected Audi drive se-
lect* mode, all preemptive safety measures
may not be initiated under certain circum-
stances. Certain functions can be adjusted
or skipped if necessary.
— Audi pre sense may also be limited or un-
available under certain circumstances, for
example if:
— There are passengers with unfastened
safety belts
— It has only been several seconds since the
ignition was switched on The
light turns on)2),
— When driving in reverse
— The front passenger's airbag is switched
off
— There is an airbag control module mal-
function
— The ESC is limited, switched off, or mal-
functioning > page 99
Oe eee
Applies to: vehicles with Audi pre sense basic
Audi pre sense basic is automatically active at
speeds of approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) and
higher. Audi pre sense basic can trigger the Audi
pre sense preemptive safety measures during
emergency braking and dangerous braking ma-
neuvers as well as in unstable driving situations,
such as oversteering or understeering.
Z\ WARNING
Follow the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 104.
D System availability may be limited depending on the mar-
ket.
2) In preparation at the time of printing.
3) This is not available in some countries.
122
Audi pre sense front
Applies to: vehicles with Audi pre sense front
The Audi pre sense front system uses the data
from the radar sensors and calculates the proba-
bility of a rear-end collision. Within the limits of
the system, an impending collision with the front
of the vehicle can be detected in both urban and
rural speed ranges.
Audi pre sense front is active at speeds of approx-
imately 3 mph (5 km/h) and higher. The system
can respond to pedestrians crossing the street or
going in the same direction of travel 3) at speeds
up to 40 mph (65 km/h). It can also respond to
stationary vehicles at speeds up to 52 mph (85
km/h) as well as to vehicles driving ahead or
stopped vehicles at speeds up to 155 mph (250
km/h).
Early warning/acute warning
The system can recognize various dangerous sit-
uations. The early warning occurs if:
—Avehicle driving ahead brakes suddenly
— Your vehicle is traveling at speeds between ap-
proximately 20 to 50 mph (30 to 85 km/h) and
it approaches a stationary vehicle.
— Your vehicle is traveling at speeds between ap-
proximately 20 to 155 mph (30 to 250 km/h)
and it approaches a vehicle that is clearly trav-
eling more slowly or a vehicle in your direction
of travel that is stopped.
— Ifa crossing pedestrian?) moves into the lane
and you are driving at speeds between approxi-
mately 18 to 40 mph (30 to 65 km/h).
— If a pedestrian is moving in your direction of
travel and in your lane 2) and you are driving at
speeds between approximately 18 to 40 mph
(30 to 65 km/h).
The message Audi pre sense o and a warning
tone will warn you about the danger.
If there is an impending collision with vehicles,
there may also be an acute warning inthe form >