2021 AUDI Q7 suspension

4M1012721BC
Trailer towing

in the trailer correctly will help to achieve this
weight. Having the tongue weight too low affects
the vehicle's handling.
You can determine the tongue weight using a
tongue weight scale, a bathroom scale, or a pub-
lic weigh station, for example.
The permitted tongue weight of your vehicle can
be found in the vehicle documentation or in
=> page 314.
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 269. If
necessary, also adjust the tire pressure on the
trailer according to the manufacturer's specifica-
tions.
The tire pressure must be increased an additional
3 PSI (0.2 bar) for towing loads over 6,600 lbs
(3,000 kg).
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
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.
The turn signals are activated in trailer mode if
the B indicator light blinks. If a turn signal on
the trailer or on the vehicle fails while in trailer
mode, the indicator light will not blink twice as
fast to indicate this.
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 113
must be selected before you adjust the tongue
weight on the trailer and hitch the trailer >,
=> page 114.
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.
For vehicles with a factory-installed trailer hitch,
the air suspension trailer mode will automatically
switch on if you connect the trailer connector to
the socket.
When using rear carrier systems that are mount-
ed directly on the trailer hitch ball head, you can
also switch trailer mode off manually.
121

Trailer towing

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 114.
You can also increase ground clearance by select-
ing the Audi drive select* offroad or allroad
modes > page 113.
Vehicle levels below the values set in the comfort
level will no longer be available, even if you are
lowering the vehicle manually.

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.

@) 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.
Driving with a trailer
Driving with a trailer requires extra caution.
122
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.
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.
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 14. Shift to a higher gear in a timely man-
ner.

ZA\ 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.

Parking and maneuvering


Objects, animals, and people may only be
detected with limitations may not be detect-
ed at all. Always monitor the traffic and the
vehicle's surroundings directly and do not
become distracted.

@) Note
— The orange orientation lines @) show the di-
rection the rear of the vehicle will be travel-
ing, based on the steering wheel angle. The
front of the vehicle swings out more than
the rear of the vehicle. Maintain plenty of
distance so that an exterior mirror or a cor-
ner of the vehicle does not collide with any
obstacles.
— Keep enough distance from the curb to
avoid damage to the rims.
— Only use the images provided by the camera
on the rear of the vehicle when the luggage
compartment lid is completely closed. Make
sure any objects you may have mounted on
the luggage compartment lid do not block
the rearview camera.
G) Tips
— Applies to vehicles with air suspension: The
accuracy of the orientation lines and blue
surfaces on the camera display decreases
when the vehicle is raised or lowered with
the air suspension.
— There is no distance warning for the rear
and the sides* when trailer towing mode is
detected. The front sensors remain activat-
ed. The visual display switches to trailer
mode. There is no guarantee the functions
will be deactivated when using a retrofitted
trailer hitch.
Operating the peripheral cameras
Applies to: vehicles with peripheral cameras




E
3
Fig. 128 Upper display: left side: surrounding area. Right side: 3D surroundings.
On vehicles with peripheral cameras, you can se- Selecting the views
lect among different views. > To display the entire selection bar, tap the cur-
The camera views can be controlled with the rent view (2) or swipe at the edge of the selec-
touch display. In certain views, you can zoom in tion bar from left to right.
or out on the displayed area, and move, tilt, or > To select a view, press (2)- @) or tap in an area
rotate the 3D surroundings. to show the vehicle in the side view )). >

2 Requirement: The vehicle surroundings (Camera) must be
selected in the View in the side area.
166

Parking and maneuvering


— Park assist plus is an assist system. The driv-
er is still responsible for monitoring the ve-
hicle's surroundings and preventing colli-
sions when using the system.
— When using park assist plus to drive into or
out of a parking space, the steering wheel
turns quickly on its own. Reaching into the
steering wheel spokes while this is happen-
ing can result in injury.
— 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 detect-
ed at all. Always monitor the traffic and the
vehicle's surroundings directly and do not
become distracted.

@) Tips
— You can reduce the speed specified by the
system at any time by pressing the brake
pedal.
— The system can incorrectly interpret parking
space barriers (such as parking curbs). Take
over the parking process = page 175 if the
vehicle is not completely inside the parking
space or if the vehicle tries to drive over the
parking space barrier.
— The image in the display is an enlarged and
distorted image. Under certain circumstan-
ces, objects may appear different and un-
clear on the display. This is especially true if
there are objects that do not touch the
ground, such as the bumper of a parked ve-
hicle or the rear of a truck. Drive with spe-
cial care and do not use the image if neces-
sary.
— Applies to vehicles with air suspension: The
accuracy of the orientation lines and green
surfaces in the display decreases when the
vehicle is raised or lowered with the air sus-
pension.

)_ system availability may be limited depending on the mar-
ket.
2) In preparation at the time of printing.
174
Exiting a parking space with park assist
Pye oa)
Applies to: vehicles with park assist plus
If you parked the vehicle in a parallel parking
space, park assist plus can help you drive out of
it.
> Start the engine.
> Press P@ in the lower display.
> Wait until a message appears on the upper dis-
play that requests you to select the direction to
travel in when exiting the parking space.
> Activate the turn signal on the desired side or
press that side next to the vehicle in the upper
display.
> Remove your hands from the steering wheel.
> Pay attention to the path of the vehicle. If the
traffic situation permits it, press and hold the
>>P] button @ > page 173, fig. 135 and re-
lease the brakes > A\.
> Pay attention to the path of the vehicle. If an
obstacle appears, interrupt the parking process
by releasing the [>>P] button. The vehicle re-
mains stopped.
> To resume the parking process, press and hold
the [>>P| button again.
> The process of exiting the parking space has
ended if additional corrective movements are
no longer necessary and the specified steering
wheel angle is sufficient to drive out of the
parking space. Resume control of the steering
wheel >@).






Pause park assist plus > page 175.

Z\ WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 123.
— Press and hold the [>>P] button only if you
are sure that there are no obstacles in the
vehicle's path or under the vehicle, and that
no obstacles will move into the vehicle's
path. >

4M1012721BC
Wheels


immediately by an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility.
— Under certain conditions (such as a sporty
driving style, winter conditions, or unpaved
roads), the message may be delayed.
— The driver is responsible for ensuring that

the wheels are attached correctly.

@) Tips
— The loose wheel warning system can also
stop working when there is an ESC malfunc-
tion.
— Using snow chains may result in a system
malfunction.
Winter tires significantly improve the vehicle's
handling when driving in winter conditions. Be-
cause of their construction (width, compound,
tread pattern), summer tires provide less traction
on ice and snow.
>» Use winter tires on all four wheels.
> Only use winter tires that are approved for your
vehicle.
> Please note that the maximum permitted
speed may be lower with winter tires > A\ in
General information on page 259. An author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility can inform you about the maximum per-
mitted speed for your tires.
> Check the tire pressure after installing wheels
=> page 269.
The effectiveness of winter tires is reduced great-
ly when the tread is worn down to a depth of
0.16 in (4 mm). The characteristics of winter tires
also decrease greatly as the tire ages, regardless
of the remaining tread.
(4) For the sake of the environment
Reinstall summer tires at the appropriate
time, because they provide better handling
when roads are free of snow and ice. Summer
tires cause less road noise, tire wear, and fuel
consumption.
@) Tips
You can also use all season tires instead of
winter tires. Please note that in some coun-
tries where winter tires are required, only win-
ter tires with the 4 symbol may be permit-
ted.
Snow chains improve both driving and braking in
winter road conditions.
> Only install snow chains on the front wheels.
> Check and correct the seating of the snow
chains after driving a few feet, if necessary. Fol-
low the instructions from the manufacturer.
> Note the maximum speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h). Observe the local regulations.
Use of snow chains is only permitted with certain
rim/tire combinations due to technical reasons.
Check with an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility to see if you may use
snow chains.
Use fine-mesh snow chains. They must not add
more than 0.53 in (13.5 mm) in height, including
the chain lock.
You must remove the snow chains on roads with-
out snow. Otherwise, you could impair driving
ability and damage the tires.

ZX WARNING
Using incorrect snow chains or installing snow
chains incorrectly can result in loss of vehicle
control, which increases the risk of an acci-
dent.

C@) Note
— Snow chains can damage the rims and
wheel covers* if the chains come into direct
contact with them. Remove the wheel cov-
ers* first. Use coated snow chains.
— Do not install and use snow chains if there is
a malfunction in the air suspension*, be-
cause the vehicle height will be very low. If
you drive with snow chains anyway, the
275

4M1012721BC
Wheels

Continuing to drive on run-flat tires is no
longer possible if:
— There is visible damage to the tires, such as
cracks in the sidewalls
— Strong vibrations are felt while driving, or the
tire begins to smoke due to a strong build-up of
heat
— The tire has been heavily damaged, for example
in an accident. There is a risk that parts of the
tire tread will detach and damage important
vehicle components.
—The Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) is not
working or is continuously running
— The tire pressure monitoring system is not
working
If it is no longer possible to continue driving de-
spite having run-flat tires, see an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for as-
sistance.


— See an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility for assistance if
the tire is too heavily damaged.
— Have the faulty tires replaced and the rims
checked for damage by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
— The driver is responsible for the vehicle, for
correcting the tire pressure, and for replac-
ing faulty parts. Therefore, always adjust
your driving to the current situation.


ZA WARNING
Run-flat tires may only be used on vehicles
that were equipped with them at the factory.
— The vehicle must have suspension designed
for run-flat tires and a factory-installed tire
pressure monitoring system.
— Incorrect use of run-flat tires can lead to ve-
hicle damage or accidents. Contact an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility to learn if run-flat tires may
be used on your vehicle and if so, which
ones.
—If run-flat tires are used, they must be in-
stalled on all four wheels. Mixing tire types
is not permitted.
— If you have to drive when the tire pressure is
too low or there is no tire pressure, note the
following:
— Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h)
because this increases the risk of an acci-
dent. Observe any laws specific to the
country where you are driving.
— Avoid full-throttle acceleration, heavy
braking, and fast cornering, because this
increases the risk of an accident.
—The vehicle may become more difficult to
control.

@) Tips
— Audi Original run-flat tires can be identified
by the “AOE” labeling on the tire sidewall.
— You can use the tire mobility kit* on run-flat
tires > page 286.
279

Emergency assistance


ZA\ WARNING
— Read and follow the manufacturer's safety
precautions on the compressor and in the in-
structions on the bottle of sealant.
— Ifa tire pressure of 29 psi (200 kPA) cannot
reached after inflating for 6 minutes, then
the tire is too severely damaged. Do not con-
tinue driving.
— If the tire cannot be repaired with the tire
sealant, see an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility for assistance.
@ Tips
Do not operate the compressor for more than
six minutes continuously, or it can overheat.
Once the compressor has cooled, you can con-
tinue to use it.
(eeyn aye) (-ialare)
Applies to: vehicles with tire mobility kit


> Affix the sticker that says "max. 50 mph (max.
80 km/h)" that is provided with the tire mobili-
ty kit within the driver's field of vision.
> Stop the vehicle after driving for about 10 mi-
nutes and check the tire pressure.
> If the tire pressure is lower than 19 psi (130
kPA), then the tire is too severely damaged. Do
not continue driving.

ZA WARNING
Pay attention to the following after repairing
the tire:
— Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).
— Avoid hard acceleration or braking and driv-
ing fast around curves.
— The vehicle may become more difficult to
control.
— If the tire is too severely damaged, see an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi


Service Facility for assistance.

@ For the sake of the environment
You can give the used tire sealant bottle to an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for disposal.
288
G) Tips
Remember to obtain a new bottle of sealant
from an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility after repairing a tire.
Replacing wheels
You must complete the preparation before
changing a tire.
> Read and follow the important safety precau-
tions > page 286.
> Set the parking brake.
> Select the “P” position.
» When towing a trailer: disconnect the trailer
from your vehicle.
> Lay out the vehicle tool kit > page 286 and the
spare tire.
> Applies to: vehicles with air suspension: Select
on the home screen: VEHICLE > Settings &
Service > Air suspension: wheel change.
> Switch the ignition off.

ZA WARNING
— The vehicle must also be secured to prevent
it from rolling when using the vehicle jack*.
Use suitable objects to block the front and
back of the wheel that is diagonal from the
wheel with the flat tire.
— Applies to: vehicles with active roll stabiliza-
tion: Switch the ignition off because the sus-
pension regulation could change the vehicle
height,
which increases the risk of an acci-
dent.

Emergency assistance

Raising the vehicle
Applies to: vehicles with vehicle jack


B4M-0178
Fig. 185 Sill panels: markings


ft. +.
ig
B
a ES


Fig. 186 Sill: positioning the vehicle jack
> Place the vehicle jack from the vehicle tool kit
ona firm surface. Use a flat, stable support if
necessary. On a slippery surface such as tile,
you should use a non-slip pad such as a rubber
mat > /\.
> Find the marking on the sill that is closest to
the tire that will be changed > fig. 185. Behind
the marking, there is a lifting point on the side
sill for the vehicle jack.
> Using the hex socket wrench (3) from the vehi-
cle tool kit, turn the vehicle jack under the lift-
ing point on the side sill until it is high enough
that the arm @ 9 fig. 186 is under the desig-
nated plastic mount.
> Align the vehicle jack so the arm @ engages in
the designated Lifting point in the door sill and
the base (2) lies flat on the ground. The base 2)
must be directly under the mounting point (@).
> To lift the vehicle, position the ratchet @) from
the vehicle tool kit with the correct side on the
hex socket wrench @).
> Move the ratchet (@) clockwise back and forth
until the wheel lifts up slightly from the
ground.
290

AN WARNING
—To reduce the risk of injury, make sure no
one is in the vehicle before raising it.
— Make sure the vehicle jack is stable. The risk
of injury is increased when the ground is
slippery or soft, because the vehicle jack
could slide or sink.
— Only raise your vehicle with the vehicle jack
provided by the factory. If you use a vehicle
jack designed for another vehicle, your vehi-
cle could slip and cause injury.
— Position the vehicle jack only at the desig-
nated mounting points on the side sill and
align the jack. Otherwise, the vehicle jack
could slip and cause an injury if it does not
have sufficient hold on the vehicle.
—To reduce the risk of injury, do not raise any
other vehicles or other loads using the vehi-
cle jack provided by the factory.
— Applies to: vehicles with air suspension:
Changes in temperature or load can affect
the height of the stopped vehicle.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, never start
the engine when the vehicle is raised.
—To reduce the risk of injury, no work should
be performed under the vehicle while it is
raised.

@) Note
Do not lift the vehicle by the sill. Position the
vehicle jack only at the designated mounting
points on the side sill. Otherwise, your vehicle
could be damaged.