tow bar AUDI A5 2008 8T / 1.G Owners Manual

Audi parking system 138When the vehicle is less than approx. 0.30 m away from the obstacle
the warning tone will sound continuously. From here at the latest,
the driver should then not reverse any further.
The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after
about 4 seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from
a detected obstacle (it will not be reduced if the obstacle is closer
than 0.30 m). The warnings will then return to the normal volume if
the vehicle approaches the detected obstacle again.
Warning beeps
The warning beeps are produced by sound boxes. The volume and
pitch of the beeps can be adjusted in the MMI ⇒page 148.
WARNING
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not regis-
tered. It is particularly important to ensure that there are no small
children or animals near the vehicle, as the sensors may not
always be able to detect them.
•
The parking aid cannot replace the full concentration of the
driver. The driver is always responsible for safety during parking
and other manoeuvres. Always keep a close watch on the area
around the vehicle.
•
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no
longer be registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the
system will not give any further warning. Certain kinds of obsta-
cles (such as wire fences, chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw
bars, etc.) may not always be detected by the system (accident
risk).Note
•
To ensure that the acoustic parking aid works properly, the
sensors must be kept clean and free of snow and ice. Please observe
the additional notes on ⇒page 152.
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 147.
parking system plusApplies to vehicles: with parking system plusParking aid (front and rear), with display
The parking aid gives an acoustic and a visual warning if
it detects any obstacles in front of or behind the vehicle.The parking aid switch

is located in the centre console or
next to the selector lever, depending on the equipment
fitted.
Fig. 152 Parking aid
switch in centre
consoleFig. 153 MMI display:
proximity graphic
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Audi parking system 140reached the danger (collision) zone. The driver should then not
move backwards/forwards any further ⇒.
The graphic display in the MMI screen ⇒page 149 can be switched
off. The acoustic proximity warning will, however, remain activated.
The graphic display will be deactivated as soon as you press a func-
tion selector button on the MMI control console. The graphic
display will appear again the next time you park the vehicle. The
graphic display in the MMI screen can also be switched on again
manually using the switch
 ⇒page 138, fig. 152. For more infor-
mation on the MMI control console please refer to the MMI Oper-
ating Manual.
WARNING
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not regis-
tered. It is particularly important to ensure that there are no small
children or animals near the vehicle, as the sensors may not
always be able to detect them.
•
The parking aid cannot replace the full concentration of the
driver. The driver is always responsible for safety during parking
and other manoeuvres. Always keep a close watch on the area
around the vehicle.
•
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no
longer be registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the
system will not give any further warning. Certain kinds of obsta-
cles (such as wire fences, chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw
bars, etc.) may not always be detected by the system (accident
risk).Note
•
There is a slight delay in the picture display.
•
You can change the settings for the graphic display in the MMI
⇒page 149.
•
To ensure that the acoustic parking aid works properly, the
sensors must be kept clean and free of snow and ice. Please observe
the additional notes on ⇒page 152.
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 147.
parking system advancedApplies to vehicles: with parking system advancedParking aid (front and rear), with display and reversing camera
The parking aid gives an acoustic and visual warning if it
detects any obstacles in front of or behind the vehicle. The
reversing camera provides further assistance when
parking.
Fig. 1 54 Bo o t lid : Lo c a-
tion of reversing
camera
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Audi parking system 142displayed on the MMI screen. The warnings will then return to the
normal volume if the vehicle approaches the detected obstacle
again.
Graphic display
The segments in the MMI display indicate the distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle. The number of segments shown depends
on the obstacle in front of or behind the vehicle. The closer the
vehicle gets to the obstacle the closer the segments move towards
the vehicle in the graphic ⇒page 141, fig. 155. At the latest when
the penultimate segment is highlighted the vehicle has reached the
danger (collision) zone. The driver should then not move back-
wards/forwards any further ⇒.
The graphic display in the MMI screen ⇒page 149 can be switched
off. The acoustic proximity warning will, however, remain activated.
The graphic display will be deactivated as soon as you press a func-
tion selector button on the MMI control console. The graphic
display in the MMI screen can also be switched on again manually
using the switch
. For more information on the MMI control
console please refer to the MMI Operating Manual.
Reversing camera (Rear View)
The mirrored image of the picture supplied by the reversing camera
⇒page 145, fig. 160 is shown in the MMI display. The picture
supplied by the reversing camera also includes orientation lines
and area markings which are projected onto the image to assist you
when parking ⇒page 143. The red line in the picture ⇒page 143,
fig. 156/⇒page 143, fig. 157 shows the collision zone. From here at
the latest, the driver should not reverse any further ⇒.
If your vehicle is near an obstacle, the proximity graphic will also
appear in the reversing camera image. This superimposed graphic
helps the driver to localise the critical area of the vehicle.
If the MMI screen is showing the graphic display you can switch to
the image of the reversing camera by pressing the control button
for the function Rear View ⇒page 141, fig. 155.If the MMI screen is showing the image of the reversing camera you
can switch to the graphic display by pressing the control button for
the function Graphic ⇒page 145, fig. 160.
The image of the reversing camera in the MMI screen ⇒page 149
can be switched off. The acoustic proximity warning will, however,
remain activated.
The image of the reversing camera will be deactivated as soon as
you press a function selector button on the MMI control console.
The image of the reversing camera will be shown again the next
time you park the vehicle. The image of the reversing camera can
also be switched on again manually using the switch
. For more
information on the MMI control console please refer to the MMI
Operating Manual.
WARNING
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not regis-
tered. It is particularly important to ensure that there are no small
children or animals near the vehicle, as the sensors may not
always be able to detect them.
•
The parking aid cannot replace the full concentration of the
driver. The driver is always responsible for safety during parking
and other manoeuvres. Always keep a close watch on the area
around the vehicle.
•
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no
longer be registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the
system will not give any further warning. Certain kinds of obsta-
cles (such as wire fences, chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw
bars, etc.) may not always be detected by the system (accident
risk).Note
•
There is a slight delay in the picture display.
•
You can change the settings for the graphic display and the
reversing camera in the MMI ⇒page 149.
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Audi parking system 144•
Off (no display).
The reversing camera can be switched on and off in the MMI
⇒page 149. The acoustic proximity warning will, however, remain
activated.
WARNING
•
The reversing camera has blind spots in which obstacles are
not registered. It is particularly important to ensure that there are
no small children or animals near the vehicle, as the reversing
camera may not always be able to detect them (accident risk).
•
The parking aid cannot replace the full concentration of the
driver. The driver is always responsible for safety during parking
and other manoeuvres. Always keep a close watch on the area
around the vehicle.
•
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no
longer be registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the
system will not give any further warning. Certain kinds of obsta-
cles (such as wire fences, chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw
bars, etc.) may not always be detected by the system (accident
risk).Note
•
There is a slight delay in the picture display.
•
To ensure that the reversing camera works properly, the lens of
the camera ⇒page 140, fig. 154 must be kept clean and free of
snow and ice. Please observe the additional notes on ⇒page 152.
•
If the boot lid is open the angle covered by the camera will
change. For this reason, the image of the reversing camera will then
be shown without orientation lines and blue area markings.
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 147.
Applies to vehicles: with parking system advancedDetection range of the reversing cameraThe section of the "Rear View" image shown in the MMI display is
roughly the same as the area covered by the camera as shown in
⇒fig. 158 or in ⇒fig. 159. Objects which are in area
⇒fig. 159 of the reversing camera or in close proximity to the
bumper cannot be identified.
Fig. 158 Viewed from
above: Area covered by
the reversing cameraFig. 159 Side view: :
Area covered by the
reversing camera; :
area NOT covered by
the reversing camera
A1A2
A1
A2
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Audi parking system151
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
•
The parking aid cannot replace the full concentration of the
driver. The driver is always responsible for safety during parking
and other manoeuvres. Always keep a close watch on the area
around the vehicle.
•
When parking or manoeuvring do not rely solely on the MMI
display. Some objects (e.g. narrow posts or bars) may - due to the
resolution of the display screen - not be displayed in a satisfactory
manner or may not be displayed at all.
Applies to vehicles: with parking system advancedNote on distances
The red line in the MMI display ⇒fig. 169 marks the distance which
you should keep to an obstacle when parking. If the obstacle is
located at road surface level you can approach the obstacle until the
red line (40 cm distance) makes contact with the obstacle. However,
if the obstacle is not at road surface level (e.g. the bumper of
another vehicle) you should not approach the obstacle allowing the
red line to make contact with the obstacle.
If you, for example, reverse towards a vehicle, the orientation lines
and area markings in the MMI display appear to be overlapping onto
the vehicle behind ⇒page 151, fig. 169. In the example shown in
the picture the red line in the MMI display is directly on the bumper
of the vehicle behind. In actual fact, however, the red line
⇒page 151, fig. 170 is not making contact with the bumper but has
already moved underneath the bumper. The actual distance to the
vehicle behind (broken line ) is already much less than 40 cm. You
must also include the bumper of your own vehicle in the calculation
of the distance ⇒.
WARNING
•
Please note that objects which are not touching the ground
may appear to be further away than they actually are (e.g. the
bumper of a parked vehicle, a towing bracket or the rear end of a
truck). In this case you should not use the orientation lines for
judging the distance (accident risk).
•
Please make sure you keep a sufficient distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles to make sure that the exterior mirror or
edge of the vehicle do not collide with the obstacle (accident risk).
•
The parking aid cannot replace the full concentration of the
driver. The driver is always responsible for safety during parking
and other manoeuvres. Always keep a close watch on the area
around the vehicle.
•
When parking or manoeuvring do not rely solely on the MMI
display. Some objects (e.g. narrow posts or bars) may - due to the
resolution of the display screen - not be displayed in a satisfactory
manner or may not be displayed at all.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 169 MMI display:
Red line makes contact
with bumperFig. 170 Actual
distance to bumper
A2
A1
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Towing a trailer 208Towing a trailerDriving the vehicle with a trailer or
caravanTechnical requirements
The towing bracket must comply with certain technical
requirements.Your car is intended mainly for transporting passengers and
luggage. However, if suitably equipped, it can also be used to tow a
trailer or caravan.
If the car is supplied with a factory-fitted towing bracket it will
already have the necessary technical modifications and meet the
statutory requirements.
A 13-pin socket is provided to make the electrical connection
between the car and the trailer. If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you can
use an adapter cable. This is available from Audi dealers.
WARNING
If a towing bracket is retrofitted, the installation should be carried
out by a qualified workshop.•
In particular in high outside temperatures it is not possible to
drive up long steep gradients without a suitable cooling system.
The engine would then overheat.
•
Incorrect installation can result in a safety risk.
Points to check before towingTrailer weights
Never exceed the maximum permitted trailer weights ⇒page 295.If you do not load the trailer up to the maximum permitted trailer
weight, you can then climb correspondingly steeper gradients.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes
up to 1000 m above sea level. With increasing altitude the engine
power and therefore the car's climbing ability are impaired because
of the reduced air density, so the maximum trailer weight has to be
reduced accordingly. The weight of the car and trailer must be
reduced by 10% for every further 1000 m (or part thereof). This
figure refers to the combined weight of the (loaded) vehicle and
(loaded) trailer.
The figures for the draw bar weight that appear on the identification
plate of the towing bracket are for certification purposes only. The
correct figures for your specific vehicle, which may be lower than
these figures for the towing bracket, are given in the registration
documents. Also refer to ⇒page 295.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near to the
axle as possible. Loads carried in the trailer must be secured to
prevent them slipping.
Where possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted
draw bar weight on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not
exceed the specified limit.
Tyre pressure
Check the tyre pressures on your car and adjust for “full load” condi-
tions (refer to the sticker listing the tyre pressures on the end face
of the driver's door). It may also be necessary to adjust the tyre pres-
sures on the trailer according to the recommendations of the trailer
manufacturer.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer
with the standard mirrors. If this is not the case you should have
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Towing a trailer209
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data additional mirrors fitted. Both exterior mirrors should be mounted
on hinged extension brackets. Adjust the mirrors to give sufficient
vision to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting a journey, check the headlight beam settings with
the trailer hitched up. If necessary, alter the height of the headlight
beams by means of the headlight range control ⇒page 56.
Power supply
When you remove the ignition key the power supply to the trailer is
interrupted.
Removable ball joint coupling
Vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket are equipped with a
removable ball joint coupling. It is carried under the floor panel on
the left-hand side of the luggage compartment.
Note
We recommend having the car serviced between the normal inspec-
tion intervals if it used frequently for towing a trailer.Applies to vehicles: with towing bracketTrailer stabilisation system
Trailer stabilisation helps to reduce the risk of the vehicle
skidding when towing a trailer.When is the trailer stabilisation system activated?
Trailer stabilisation is active when the following requirements are
met:•
The ESP must NOT be switched off ⇒page 196,
•
The trailer connector must be properly secured in the vehicle
socket.
•
Vehicle speed must be higher than approx. 60 km/h.How trailer stabilisation works:
In many cases, the driver can stabilise a swaying trailer by manually
braking the vehicle.
However, if the ESP detects that the trailer is swaying and this is
affecting the towing vehicle, it will automatically brake the vehicle
to stabilise the trailer by slowing it down. The warning lamp
 will
light up in the instrument cluster. If possible, do not turn the
steering wheel at this stage.
In order to warn traffic behind you, the brake lights will come on
during this automatic braking operation.
A trailer weighing less than 70% of the kerb weight of the towing
vehicle may sway quite considerably without the trailer stabilisation
system intervening. This can happen when the swaying movements
of the light-weight trailer are not or hardly passed on to the towing
vehicle and are therefore not detected by the ESP.
If the system for activating the trailer brake lights is defective, this
will be indicated in the instrument cluster display ⇒page 36, “Bulb
monitor ”.
Requirements for correct functioning of the trailer
stabilisation system
If these conditions are not met in full, the trailer stabilisation system
will only intervene to a limited extent or not at all ⇒.
•
The electrical connection between the towing vehicle and the
trailer must be functioning correctly, without any defects.
•
The load on the trailer must be properly secured.
•
The tyre pressures on both the vehicle and the trailer must be
adapted to the load that is being carried.
•
Where possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted
draw bar weight.
•
The trailer overrun brake must be set correctly. This is important
to ensure that the trailer can be braked correctly, to avoid the vehicle
and trailer “jack-knifing” and to prevent excess braking of the trailer.
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Self-help 260•
Seek professional assistance if the repair of a tyre puncture is
not possible with the sealing compound.
•
If tyre pressure is less than 1.3 bar after driving about 10
minutes, the tyre is too badly damaged. Do not drive on. You
should obtain professional assistance.Caution
Take special care if you have to repair a tyre on a gradient.
Note
•
Do not use the compressor for longer than 6 minutes at a time,
as it could overheat. When the compressor has cooled down, you
can use it again.
•
If tyre sealant should leak out, leave it to dry and then pull it off
like foil.
•
After carrying out a tyre repair remember to buy a new tyre
sealant can at a qualified workshop. This will ensure that the Tyre
Mobility System is operative again.
•
Please observe the relevant regulations.
Changing a wheelPreparations
Some preparations are necessary before changing a
wheel.– If you have a flat tyre, stop the car well away from moving
traffic. Choose a location that is as level as possible.– All passengers should leave the car. They should wait in
a safe place (for instance behind the roadside crash
barrier).
– Apply the parking brake to stop the vehicle moving acci-
dentally.
–Engage first gear (manual gearbox) or move selector
lever to position P (automatic gearbox).
– When towing a trailer: unhitch the trailer from your
vehicle.
– Take the tools ⇒page 255 and the spare wheel*
⇒page 256 out of the luggage compartment.
WARNING
If you have a puncture in moving traffic, switch on the hazard
warning lights and place the warning triangle in a visible location.
This is for your own safety and also warns other road users.
Caution
If you have to change the tyre on a gradient, block the wheel oppo-
site the wheel being changed by placing a stone or similar object
under it to prevent the vehicle from rolling away.
Note
Please observe the relevant regulations.How to change a wheel
Change the wheel as described below.–Pull off the hub cap. Also refer to ⇒page 261, “Hub
caps”.
WARNING (continued)
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Self-help267
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data terminal must not touch metal parts of the vehicle: this can cause
short circuiting.
•
Do not bend over the batteries – risk of acid burns.
•
The screw plugs on the battery cells must be screwed in firmly.
•
Keep sparks, flame and lighted cigarettes away from batteries:
the gases given off can cause an explosion.
•
If jump-starting another vehicle, position the jump leads in
such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment of the other vehicle.Caution
Please note that the above method of connecting the leads is meant
for jump-starting your vehicle. If jump-starting another vehicle, you
should not connect the negative lead (–) to the negative terminal of
the discharged battery, but directly to the engine block or a solid
metal part bolted to the engine block. If the battery of the other
vehicle does not have a gas vent, there is a risk that a mixture of
oxygen and hydrogen gas can accumulate and cause an
explosion.Tow-starting and towing awayGeneral notes
Points to observe when tow-starting or towing awayIf you use a towrope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– The towrope must be taut before driving off.– Engage the clutch very gently when starting to move; on
vehicles with automatic gearbox press the accelerator
slowly.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– The ignition should be switched on so that the turn
signals, horn, windscreen wipers and washers can be
used. Please ensure that the steering wheel is unlocked
when you switch on the ignition, and that it moves freely.
–Put gear lever in neutral (manual gearbox) or move
selector lever to position N (automatic gearbox).
– The brake servo and power steering only work when the
engine is running. Considerably more effort is required
on the brake pedal and steering wheel when the engine
is switched off.
– Ensure that the towrope remains taut at all times when
towing.
Towrope or towbar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a towbar. You should only
use a towrope if you do not have a towbar.
A towrope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both
vehicles. It is advisable to use a towrope made of synthetic fibre or
similar material.
Attach the tow-rope or tow-bar only to the towing anchorages
intended for this purpose ⇒page 268 or ⇒page 269.
Driving technique
Towing requires some experience – especially when using a
towrope. Both drivers should be familiar with the technique required
for towing. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or
tow away another vehicle.
WARNING (continued)
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Self-help269
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Rear towline anchorage
Vehicles which do not have a factory-fitted towing
bracket* have a towline anchorage on the right side of the
rear bumper.Vehicles with towline anchorage
– Take the towline anchorage out of the vehicle's tool kit.
– To detach the cover cap from the bumper, firmly press
the lower part of the cap inwards to release it ⇒fig. 252.
– Screw the towline anchorage firmly all the way into the
screw connection.
Vehicles with towing bracket*
– Fit the towing bracket if it is not already in place.
– Attach the towbar or the towrope to the towing bracket.After use, unscrew the towline anchorage and put it back in the
toolbox. Replace the cap in the screw connection. The towline
anchorage should always be kept in the vehicle.
Vehicles which have a factory-fitted towing bracket* do not have a
screw connection at the rear for the towline anchorage.
WARNING
•
If the towline anchorage is not screwed in as far as the stop,
there is a risk of the screw connection shearing off during towing
(accident risk).
•
If your car has a towing bracket*, please use only special tow
bars with suitable attachments (i.e. tow bars which are specially
designed for use with towing brackets) to avoid damage to the
coupling equipment.
•
If your car has a towing bracket*, please use only special
towing ropes (risk of accident).
To w - s t a r t i n g
As a general rule, tow-starting is not recommended.– Engage 2nd or 3rd gear before moving off.
– Press the clutch and hold the pedal down.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts: press the clutch and put the
gear lever in neutral.If the engine will not start, it is best to try starting it using the
battery of another vehicle ⇒page 265 before attempting to tow
start. You should only try to tow-start the engine if jump-starting is
not successful. Tow-starting is an attempt to start the engine via the
movement of the wheels.
When tow-starting a vehicle with a petrol engine, do not tow it more
than a short distance, otherwise unburnt fuel can enter the catalytic
converter and cause damage.
For technical reasons, it is not possible to tow-start a vehicle with
automatic gearbox.
Fig. 252 Rear bumper:
Fitting the towing eye
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