2021 AUDI A7 Owner´s Manual

4K8012721BF
Trailer towing

Trailer towing
Driving with a trailer
eT e e eeu)
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
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 > @®.
CG) 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
Your vehicle can only be operated with class 1 or
class 2 trailers.
Load distribution
Poor cargo load and distribution can negatively
impact vehicle handling. Load the trailer based
on the following criteria as much as possible:
— Store objects in the vehicle luggage compart-
ment, if possible. The vehicle should always
carry the heaviest possible load and the trailer
should have the lightest possible load.
— Distribute the load in the trailer so that the
heavy objects are as close to the axle as possi-
ble.
— Secure objects so that they do not slide.
— Utilize the maximum permitted tongue weight
if possible.
Tires
Set the tire pressure on your vehicle for a “full
load”; see the tire pressure sticker > page 284. If
necessary, also adjust the tire pressure on the
trailer according to the manufacturer's specifica-
tions.
The trailer and the vehicle should be equipped
with winter tires when driving in winter tempera-
tures.
Outside mirrors
If you cannot see the traffic behind the trailer
with the standard exterior mirrors, then you
must attach additional exterior mirrors. Adjust
them so you have a sufficient visibility behind
you.
Exterior lighting
Follow the legal regulations for lighting on your
trailer that are applicable in the country where
135
>

Trailer towing

you are operating the vehicle. Contact an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facili-
ty for more information.
Before you start driving, check all lighting equip-
ment on the trailer while it is hitched to the vehi-
cle.
The headlight range control automatically ad-
justs the light range of the headlights.
Safety chains
Make sure the safety chains are correctly applied
when pulling a trailer. The chains should hang
enough so that the trailer can drive around
curves. However, they must not touch the
ground.
Air suspension
Applies to: vehicles with air suspension
The Audi drive select* Comfort mode > page 111
must be selected before you adjust the tongue
weight on the trailer and hitch the trailer >@,
=> page 112.
Likewise, the vehicle cannot be raised manually
using the Raise function > page 112.
The air suspension trailer mode must be switched
on.
Applies to MMI: select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Air suspension:
trailer.
Switch trailer mode off again when you are no
longer towing a trailer.
When using rear carrier systems that are mount-
ed directly on the trailer hitch ball head, you can
also switch trailer mode off manually.
If you must drive on roads that are in poor condi-
tion, you can raise the vehicle again after hitching
the trailer or after adjusting the tongue weight
=> page 112.
Vehicle levels below the values set in the Com-
fort level will no longer be available, even if you
are lowering the vehicle manually.
136

ZA WARNING
Applies to: vehicles with air suspension
— Never turn off trailer mode while driving
when a trailer is hitched, because then the
restrictions for controlling the vehicle level
will be turned off.
— Driving with a trailer on unpaved roads when
the vehicle is raised may change the vehicle
handling. Adapt your speed.
— Note that the vehicle will lower automatical-
ly at certain speeds if you have lifted the ve-
hicle manually.
C) Note
— Applies to: vehicles with air suspension: Se-
lect the Audi drive select* Comfort mode.
Otherwise, the tongue load specified for
your vehicle will no longer be applicable.
— Attachments retrofitted on the vehicle may
cause damage, especially on the trailer
hitch ball head. In cases of damage, have
the function checked by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
@) Tips
— Block the wheels with chocks when parking
on inclines if the trailer is loaded.
— Audi recommends having the vehicle in-
spected between the inspection intervals if
you tow a trailer frequently.
— Avoid driving with a trailer during the vehi-
cle break-in period.
Pie Rie Relig
Driving with a trailer requires extra caution.

Speed
Adhere to the legal speed limits. Follow the legal
regulations that are applicable in the country
where you are operating the vehicle.
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.

4K8012721BF
Trailer towing

Hill
When you start driving uphill or downhill, trailers
may tilt or sway sooner than when driving ona
level surface. If small swaying movements have
already occurred, you can stabilize the trailer by
firmly braking immediately. Never attempt to
“straighten out” the trailer by accelerating.
Conventional drive system: Downshift before
driving on hills to utilize the engine braking ef-
fect SA.
Plug-in hybrid drive system: Reduce the speed
and use the recuperation braking effect
=> page 101 to relieve the brakes > 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 14. Shift to a higher gear in a timely man-
ner.

Z\ WARNING
Constant braking causes the brakes to over-
heat and can substantially reduce braking per-
formance, increase braking distance, or cause
complete failure of the brake system.

137

Assist systems

Assist systems
General information
SP ae eel idol ay

ZA WARNING
— As the driver, you are always completely re-
sponsible for all driving tasks. The assist
systems cannot replace the driver's atten-
tion. Give your full attention to driving the
vehicle, and be ready to intervene in the
traffic situation at all times.
— Activate the assist systems only if the sur-
rounding conditions permit it. Always adapt
your driving style to the current visual,
weather, road, and traffic conditions.
— Loose objects can be thrown around the ve-
hicle interior during sudden driving or brak-
ing maneuvers, which increases the risk of
an accident. Store objects securely while
driving.
— For the assist systems to be able to react
correctly, the function of the sensors and
cameras must not be restricted. Note the in-
formation on sensors and cameras
=> page 139.

@ Tips
— Pay attention to applicable local regulations
relating to driving tasks, leaving space for
emergency vehicles, vehicle distance, speed,
parking location, wheel placement, etc. The
driver is always responsible for following
the laws that are applicable in the location
where the vehicle is being operated.
— You can cancel a steering or braking inter-
vention by the system, by braking or accel-
erating noticeably, steering, or deactivating
the respective assist system.
— Always check the assist systems settings be-
fore driving. The settings could have been
changed, for example by other drivers or by
using another user.
138
System limitations
ZA\ WARNING
—The use of an assist system cannot over-
come the natural laws of physics. A collision
cannot be prevented in certain circumstan-
ces.
— Warnings, messages, or indicator lights may
not be displayed or initiated on time or cor-
rectly, for example, if vehicles are approach-
ing very fast.
— Corrective interventions by the assist sys-
tems, such as steering or braking interven-
tions, may not be sufficient or they may not
occur. Always be ready to intervene.
G) Tips
— Due to the system limitations when detect-
ing the surrounding area, the systems may
warn or intervene unexpectedly or too late
in certain situations. The assist systems may
also interpret a driving maneuver incorrectly
and then warn the driver unexpectedly.
— The systems may not function as expected
in unusual driving situations, such as driving
offroad, on unpaved roads, on loose ground,
on inclines, or on grooves in the road.



— The systems may not function correctly in
unclear traffic situations, such as turning
lanes, exit ramps, construction zones, rises
or dips that obstruct visibility, intersections,
toll stations, or city traffic.
— The detection of the surrounding area can
be limited, for example by vehicles driving
ahead or by rain, snow, heavy spray, or light
shining into the camera.
— The steering wheel touch recognition may
be limited when you wear gloves. Steering
intervention requests from the steering as-
sist systems may occur more frequently.
— If accessories have been mounted on the
steering wheel, the steering assist systems
may
be limited. The frequency of steering
intervention requests from the steering as-
sist systems may vary as well.

4K8012721BF

Assist systems

Surrounding area
detection

Sensor and camera coverage areas

RAZ-0610)




B8V-0687


Fig. 92 Rearview camera coverage area
The assist systems analyze the data from various
sensors and cameras installed in the vehicle. Do
not use any assist systems if there is damage to
the vehicle in an area where sensors and cameras
are located or on the vehicle underbody, or if the
vehicle was involved in a collision. The functional-
ity of the sensors and cameras could be impaired,
or they could malfunction. Have an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility
check their function.
Radar sensors
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the area
surrounding the entire vehicle may be detected
> fig. 91.
The wheel sensors on the rear corners of the vehi-
cle are positioned so that the adjacent lanes to
the left and right are detected on roads with a
normal lane width.
Ultrasonic sensors
Depending on vehicle equipment, various areas
may be displayed in the MMI using the ultrasonic
sensors > fig. 91.
The range of the displays depends on the location
of the ultrasonic sensors:
@ Approximately 4 feet (1.20 m)
@® Approximately 3 feet (0.90 m)
@® Approximately 5.2 feet (1.60 m)
© Approximately 3 feet (0.90 m)
© Approximately 3 feet (0.90 m)
The side area © is detected and evaluated when
passing. There may have been changes to the sur-
rounding area after switching the ignition off and
on again, after opening the doors, or if the vehi-
cle is left stationary for a period of time. In this
case, the area will appear black until the area has
been detected and evaluated.
Cameras
Use the camera image on the display to assist you
only if it shows a good, clear picture. Keep in
mind that the image in the display is enlarged
and distorted. Under certain circumstances, ob-
jects may appear different and unclear on the dis-
play.
The rearview camera can only detect the area
marked in red > fig. 92. Only this area is dis-
played on the upper display > A\.

ZA WARNING
Sensors and cameras have spots in which the
surrounding area cannot be detected. Objects,
animals, and people may only be detected
with limitations may not be detected at all.
Always monitor the traffic and the vehicle's >


139

Assist systems


surroundings directly and do not become dis-
tracted.

C) Note
— Obstacles may disappear from the measure-
ment range when approaching them, even if
they were already detected.
—Insome situations, the ability of the sen-
sors and cameras to detect and display cer-
tain objects may be limited.
— Objects located above the coverage area,
such as bumpers on parked cars, garage
doors that are partially open, or objects
that are hanging
— Low obstacles
— Narrow objects, such as barrier chains, fo-
liage, poles, or fences
— Projecting objects, such as trailer draw
bars
— Objects with certain surfaces and struc-
tures,
such as fabric
@) Tips
— The sensors and cameras and the areas
around them must not be obstructed be-
cause this can impair the function of the
systems that depend on them. Make sure
that the sensors and cameras are free of
snow, ice, and other deposits. Do not use
any accessories, stickers, or other objects
that extend into the range of the sensors
and cameras.
— On vehicles that have factory-installed li-
cense plate brackets on the front of the ve-
hicle, the brackets may only be replaced
with ones that are the same size and made
of the same material. Do not install any li-
cense plate brackets on the front of vehicles
that do not have factory-installed brackets.
Otherwise, the function of the system could
be impaired.
— The function of the sensors and cameras
may be limited when light and visibility con-
ditions are poor, for example when driving
into a tunnel, when there is glare, or when
there are reflective objects.
140
— External ultrasonic sensors, such as those in
other vehicles, can interfere with the sen-
sors.
— The coverage areas of the sensors > fig. 91
and cameras > fig. 92 are diagrams and do
not represent a true-to-scale image of the
sensor ranges.
— The system complies with United States FCC
regulations and ISED regulations
=> page 329.
Locations of the sensors and cameras






Fig. 94 Rear area: sensors and cameras
Front area
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the follow-
ing sensors and cameras may be installed:
— Laser scanner in the front of the radiator grille
SA
— Camera behind the windshield
— Peripheral cameras on the exterior mirrors
— Front peripheral camera in the radiator grille
— Night vision camera in the radiator grille
— Front and side ultrasonic sensors
— Radar sensors at the front corners of the vehi-
cle
— Radar sensor in the front in the radiator grille >

4K8012721BF
Assist systems

Rear area
Depending on the vehicle equipment, the follow-
ing sensors and cameras may be installed:
— Rearview camera in the luggage compartment
lid
— Radar sensors at the rear corners of the vehicle
— Rear and side ultrasonic sensors
Switching the systems
on and off


ZA\ WARNING
Applies to: vehicles with laser scanner
— The surface of the laser scanner can become
hot during operation, which increases the
risk of burns.
— The laser scanner contains a class 1 laser in
accordance with IEC 60825-1:2014. When
used according to regulations, the laser is
not dangerous. Opening the laser module
and removing covers is not permitted. Doing
so could cause permanent injuries to the
eyes.
— Any repair work on the laser module must
be performed by an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility; other-
wise the vehicle's operating license may be
voided. Incorrect repairs may cause limited
functionality and eye damage.




@) Tips
Applies to: vehicles with laser scanner
— The possible emissions are below the
threshold for class 1 lasers.
— Complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and
1040.11 except for deviations pursuant to
Laser Notice No. 50, dated June 24, 2007.
@ Tips
— The locations of the sensors may differ
slightly depending on vehicle equipment.
— Some sensors are installed under vehicle
components and cannot be seen from the
outside.
— The system complies with United States FCC
regulations and ISED regulations
=> page 329.

Fig. 95 Center console: driver assistance systems button
Description
You can switch some assist systems on and off in
the MMI. Depending on the equipment, it may be
in the standard display or the profile selection.
> Press the © button @, or
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Driver assistance.
Standard display
Applies to: vehicles with standard display
> To switch a system on or off, press CD for the
desired system.
> To show the brief description of a system, press
© for the desired system.
Profile selection
Applies to: vehicles with profile selection
> To select a profile, press the profile name on
the upper display or press the & button (@ re-
peatedly until the profile is active.
> To list systems included in a profile, select E]
on the upper display.
> To show the brief description of a system, se-
lect @ for the desired system.
> To switch individual systems on and off in the
Individual profile, select ¥ and CD for the de-
sired systems.
The following profiles can be selected:
— Maximum - All available systems are switched
on in this profile.
— Individual - You can switch the systems on and
off individually in this profile.
141

Assist systems

— Basic or All off - Only the basic systems are
switched on in this profile. If no basic system is
available, the profile is named All off.

Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 138.

142