2021 AUDI Q7 trailer

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.

4M1012721BC
Assist systems

Assist systems
General information
Sra eel delay
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 124.



@ 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.
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.

@) 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.
—In trailer mode, some assist systems may be
limited, may not react as usual, or may be
unavailable. Please refer to the instructions
for towing a trailer located in > page 120.
— 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
123
>

4M1012721BC
Assist systems



with limitations may not be detected at all.
Always monitor the traffic and the vehicle's
surroundings directly and do not become dis-
tracted.

@) 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.
— External ultrasonic sensors, such as those in
other vehicles, can interfere with the sen-
sors.
—The coverage areas of the sensors > fig. 93
and cameras > fig. 94 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 311.
Locations of the sensors and cameras






Fig. 96 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
oA
— 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
125

4M1012721BC
Driver assistance

may only be able to avoid a collision by swerving
or braking strongly.
Automatic braking force increase
If there is an impending collision and you are not
applying the brakes enough, the braking force
may be increased, depending on the situation.
Automatic braking
If you do not react to the acute warning, the sys-
tem may apply the brakes with strong braking
force within the limits of the system in order to
reduce the speed of impact in the event of a colli-
sion.
If the brakes were applied until the vehicle stop-
ped, © Please take over! will appear in the in-
strument cluster and you must take over control
of the vehicle.

ZA WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 123.
— Audi pre sense front cannot overcome natu-
ral physical laws. It is a system designed to
assist and it cannot prevent a collision in ev-
ery circumstance. The driver must always in-
tervene. The driver is always responsible for
braking at the correct time. Do not let the
increased safety provided tempt you into
taking risks. This could increase your risk of
a collision.
— Audi pre sense front does not react to cer-
tain objects, such as animals, crossing or on-
coming vehicles, bars, railings, or railcars.
— Audi pre sense front may be limited or un-
available when driving in curves.
— 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.
— In trailer mode, the braking behavior of the
trailer can be different than usual during au-

tomatic braking.

@) Tips
Certain pre sense front functions are switched
off when the hill descent assist is actively con-
trolling the vehicle.
Audi pre sense rear
Applies to: vehicles with Audi pre sense rear
Within the limits of the system, Audi pre sense
rear uses data from radar sensors at the rear cor-
ners of the vehicle and calculates the probability
of a rear-end collision with the vehicle behind
you.
Audi pre sense preemptive safety measures can
be initiated if the risk of a collision with the vehi-
cle behind you is detected.

Z\ WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 123.
— Audi pre sense rear does not react to pedes-
trians, animals, crossing objects, and ob-
jects not detected as vehicles.
@) Tips
— Audi pre sense rear functions switch off
when trailer mode is detected. There is no
guarantee the functions will switch off
when using a retrofitted trailer hitch.
— Audi pre sense rear functions may also
switch off if there is a malfunction in the
side assist system.
Audi pre sense side
Applies to: vehicles with Audi pre sense side

Within the limits of the system, Audi pre sense
can warn about impending collisions with cross-
traffic and vehicles approaching from the side,
and trigger Audi pre sense preemptive safety
measures.
The system uses additional sensors in the front
and rear areas and is active at speeds up to ap-
proximately 35 mph (60 km/h).
153

Driver assistance


ZA\ WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 123.
— Audi pre sense side does not react to pedes-
trians, animals, and objects not detected as
vehicles.

@) Tips
— The Audi pre sense side functions are limit-
ed when trailer mode is detected.
— The Audi pre sense side functions may also
switch off if there is a malfunction in the in-
tersection assistant*.
Swerve assist
Applies to: vehicles with swerve assist
The swerve assist can help you to steer the vehi-
cle around an obstacle detected in a critical area.
If you avoid an obstacle after the acute warning,
then swerve assist assists you by specifically
braking individual wheels and applying slight
steering adjustment to correct the steering
wheel angle as long as you are actively steering.
The swerve assist is available at speeds between
approximately 30 mph and 90 mph (50 km/h -
150 km/h).

ZA\ WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 123.
— Swerve assist does not react to pedestrians,
animals, crossing objects, and objects not
detected as vehicles.
@) Tips
— System functions may not be available if the
ESC is limited or switched off, or if there is a
malfunction.

— An indicator in the instrument cluster will
inform you when there is an intervention.

D_ In certain countries.
154
ag
Applies to: vehicles with turn assist
When turning left, turn assist can help to reduce
the risk of a collision with an oncoming vehicle by
using braking action to keep your vehicle in its
lane. The function is only available when the turn
signal is turned on and at speeds up to maximum
of 6 mph (10 km/h).

ZA WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 123.
— The turn assist does not react to pedes-
trians, animals, crossing objects, and ob-
jects not detected as vehicles.
G) Tips
— System functions may not be available if the
ESC is limited or switched off, or if there is a
malfunction.
—An indicator in the instrument cluster will
inform you when there is an intervention.
Adjusting Audi pre sense
Applies to: vehicles with Audi pre sense

The system can be switched on and off in the
MMI > page 126. You can adjust Audi pre sense
functions to your preferences. The adjustment
options depend on the vehicle equipment.
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Driver assistance > (3) > Audi pre
sense.
Setting the prewarning
You can adjust the warning time for the prewarn-
ing» individually (Early/Medium/Late) or switch
the prewarning off.
Set the warning time for the early warning to
Early at first. If you feel that the prewarnings ap-
pear too early, then set the warning time to Me-
dium. The Late warning time should only be set
in special circumstances. >

Driver assistance

approaches, the sooner the display will turn
on.
@ Vehicles traveling in the same direction: the
display will turn on if vehicles traveling in the
same direction as your vehicle are classified
as critical. The side assist warns you of all de-
tected vehicles when they are in the “blind
spot” or before they reach that point.
@ Vehicles you are passing: the display only
turns on if you slowly pass a detected vehicle
(difference in speed between the two vehicles
is less than 9 mph (15 km/h)). There is no
display if you pass a vehicle more quickly.
Information stage
At the information level, the side assist informs
you of detected objects that are classified as criti-
cal. This is even possible when your vehicle is sta-
tionary and the turn signal is turned on, so that
the system can also assist you when turning.
From speeds of approximately 6 mph (10 km/h)
and higher, the system will warn you of detected
objects that are classified as critical, even if the
turn signal is not turned on.
The display remains dim in the information stage
so that you are not distracted while looking for-
ward.
Warning stage
If you activate a turn signal and the display flash-
es, side assist is warning about objects that have
been classified as critical.
Depending on the vehicle equipment and other
driver assistance systems, the display may also
flash if you have not activated a turn signal. If
you are approaching a detected lane marker line
and it appears you will be leaving the lane, the
display will warn you about detected vehicles
that are classified as critical. You can also be
warned with corrective steering > page 149,
Lane departure warning.
Detection range
The radar sensors are designed to detect the left
and right adjacent lanes when the road lanes are
the normal width. In some situations, the display
may turn on even though there is no vehicle lo-
156
cated in the area that is critical for a lane change.
For example:
— If the lanes are narrow or if you are driving on
the edge of your lane. If this is the case, the
system may have detected a vehicle in another
lane that is not adjacent to your current lane.
—If you are driving through a curve. Side assist
may react to a vehicle that is in the same lane
or one lane over from the adjacent lane.
— If side assist reacts to other objects (such as
roadside structures like guard rails).

ZA WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 123.
— The display may not appear on time when
vehicles are approaching or being passed
very quickly.
G) Tips
— If the window glass in the driver's door or
front passenger's door has been tinted, the
display in the exterior mirror may be incor-
rect.

— These systems are not available in trailer
towing mode. There is no guarantee the sys-
tems will switch off when using a retrofitted
trailer hitch. Do not use these functions
when towing a trailer.
— The coverage areas of the sensors > fig. 117
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 311.
Peet
Applies to: vehicles with side assist
The system can be switched on and off in the
MMI & page 126. If the system is activated, the
displays will turn on briefly when the ignition is
switched on.

Driver assistance

Switching the exit warning on and off
— The system can be switched on and off in the
MMI & page 126.

ZA\ WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 123.
— Always pay attention to traffic and to the
area around your vehicle. The exit warning
system does not replace the attention of the
vehicle occupants. The vehicle occupants are
always responsible for opening the doors
and exiting the vehicle.
— The exit warning system does not respond
to people and cannot warn you about every
type of approaching objects, such as cyclists.
Always monitor the traffic as well as the ve-
hicle's surroundings with direct eye contact.
— The display may not appear in time when
vehicles are approaching very quickly.
— The exit warning system does not react to
stationary objects or pedestrians.
— The exit warning system will not provide
alerts if your vehicle is pulled too far into
the parking space so that it is hidden by ad-
jacent vehicles.

G) Tips
— The exit warning system can be available for
up to approximately three minutes after un-
locking the vehicle and opening the door as
well as after switching off the ignition. Then
the displays flash briefly and the system
switches off.
— The system is not available when towing a
trailer. There is no guarantee the system
will switch off when using a retrofitted trail-
er hitch. Do not use these functions when
towing a trailer.
— The coverage areas of the sensors > fig. 118
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 311.
158
Intersection assistant
Applies to: vehicles with intersection assistant
S S| 1? =| | a

Fig. 121 Instrument cluster: directional display from the
intersection assistant
General information
The intersection assistant can warn the driver of
approaching cross traffic in complex intersections
> fig. 120.
The system monitors intersections and exit
ramps using the sensors installed in the vehicle
that detect the front and side areas around the
vehicle. Moving objects that are approaching
from behind, such as cars, are detected within
the limits of the system > A\. The system can al-
so warn the driver of a potential collision with de-
tected approaching cross traffic in intersections
and exit ramps with poor visibility.
Requirements for using the intersection
assistant:
— The speed must not be higher than approxi-
mately 18 mph (30 km/h).
—The “D” gear is selected.