towing AUDI S6 2009 User Guide

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Trailer towing
Driving with a trailer
General information
Your Audi was designed primarily for passenger transpor­
tation.
If you plan to tow a trailer, please remember that the additional load
wi ll affect durability, economy and performance.
Trai ler towing not on ly p laces more stress on the vehicle, it a lso ca lls
for more concentration from the driver.
For this reason, always fol low the operating and driving instructions
provided and use common sense.
0 Note
If you are going to tow a trai ler, you must activate the trailer opera­
tion mode =>
page 186, "Towing a trailer".
Technical requirements
Tra iler hitch
Use a weight-carrying hitch conforming to the gross trailer weight .
The hitch must be suitable for your vehicle and trailer and must be
mounted secure ly on the ve hicle's chass is at a
technically sound
location. Use only a trailer hitch with a removable ball mount.
Always check with the trai ler hitch manufacturer to make sure that
you are using the correct hitch .
Do not use a bumper hit ch.
The hitch must be installed in such a way tha t it does not interfere
with the impact-absorbing bumper system. No modifications should be made to the vehic le exhaust and brake systems. From time to time, check that all hitch mounting bolts remain securely
fastened.
When you are no
t towing a trailer, remove the traile r hitch ball
mount. This prevents the hitch from causing damage shou ld your
vehic le be struck from behind=>& .
Traile r br akes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system, check to be sure
that it conforms to al l regu lations .
The trai ler hydraulic brake system must no t be direct ly connected to
the vehicle's hydraulic brake system.
Safet y chains
Always use safety chains between your vehicle and the trailer.
Trailer light s
Trailer lights must meet a ll regulations. Be sure to check with your
Audi dealer for correc t wiring, sw itches and relays .
Mirrors
If you are unable to see the traf fic behind you using the regu lar
outside mirrors, then you
must install extended mirrors. It is impor­
tant that you
always have c lear vision to the rear.
& WARNING
After rem oving the tr aile r hitch , do not store it in your vehi cle. In
ca se of sudde n braking , the hit ch co uld fl y for ward and injure you
or your p asseng ers. a

Operating instructions
Max im um tra iler weight
A trailer for your vehicle is limited to a typical class 1 or class 2
trailer.
T ra ile r l oa d di stributio n
Be sure the load in the trailer is he ld securely in place to prevent it
from shifting forward, backward or sideways .
Never allo w a passe nger to r ide in a tr aile r~ & in "Driving instruc­
tions" .
Engin e c oolin g sys te m
Towing a trailer makes the eng ine work harder. It is important that
the cooling system's performance is up to the additiona l load. Make
sure that the coo ling system has enough fluid .
Tire pr ess ure
When towing a trailer, inflate the tires of your vehicle to the co ld tire
pressure listed under "Full load" on the labe l located on the driver's
side B -pillar {visible when the door is open). Inflate trailer tires to
trailer and tire manufacturers' specifications .
Light s
The head light settings should be checked with the trailer attached
before driving off . Check to make sure both vehicle and trai ler lights
are working properly.
Safe ty chains
Be sure trailer safety chains are properly connected from the trailer
to the hitch on the vehicle. Leave e nough slack in the chains to
permit turning corners. When you insta ll safety chains, make sure
they will not drag on the r oad when you a re driving .
The chains should cross under the tra iler tongue to prevent it from
dropping in case of separation from the hitch.
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Tr
aile r t owing
0 Note
If you are going to tow a trai ler, you must activate the trailer opera­
tion mode ~
page 186, "Towing a trailer". •
Driving instructions
Driving with a trailer always requires extra care and
consideration.
To obtain the best possible handling of veh icle and trailer,
please note t he following :
- Do not tow a loaded trailer when your car itself is not
loaded.
Be espec ia lly careful whe n passing other vehicles.
- Observe s peed l imits .
Do not drive at the maximum permiss ible speed .
Always apply brakes ear ly.
Moni tor t he temperature ga uge.
Weight distr ibution
Towing a loaded trailer with an empty car results in a highly
unstable distr ibution of weight. If this cannot be avoided, drive at
very low speeds only to avoid the risk of losing steering control.
A "balanced" rig is easier to operate and control. This means that
the tow vehicle should be loaded to the extent possible and perm is ­
s ib le, while keeping the trailer as light as possib le under the circum ­
stances . Whenever possible, transfe r some cargo to t he luggage
compartment of the tow vehicle whi le observing tongue load
requirements and vehicle loading considera tions . .,
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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Speed
The higher the speed, the more difficult it becomes for the driver to
control the rig. Do not drive at the maximum permissible speed. Reduce your speed even more if load, weather or wind conditions
are unfavorable -particularly when going downhi ll.
Reduce vehicle speed
im med ia tel y if the trailer shows the slightest
sign of swaying.
Do not try to s top the swayi ng by accelerating.
Observe speed limits. In some areas, speeds for vehicles towing
trai lers are lower than for regular vehicles .
Always apply brakes ear ly. When driving downhill, shift into a lower
gear to use the engine braking effect to slow the vehicle. Use of the
brakes a lone can cause them to overheat and fail.
C ool ant t emp era tur e
The coolant temperature gauge=> page 12 must be observed care­
fully. If the needle moves close to the upper end of the scale, reduce
speed immed iately and/or turn off the air conditioner.
If the coolant temperature warning light in the instrument cluster
starts flashing
- F- , pull off the road, stop and let the engine idle for
about two minutes to prevent heat build-up.
& WARNING
A nyo ne n ot properly re str aine d in a moving vehi cle i s at a mu ch
g re ater ri sk in an accident . Never let any on e r ide in y our car who
is n ot pr operl y wea ring th e re stra ints pr ovided b y Audi . •
Trailer towing tips
Important to know
Your vehicle handles differently when towing a trailer because of
the additional weight and different weight distribution. Safety, performance and economy will greatly depend on how carefully you
l
oad your trailer and operate your r ig.
Before you actually tow your trailer, practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area away from traffic . Keep practicing unti l you
have become comp letely familiar with the way your vehicle-trai ler
combination behaves and responds.
Back ing up is difficult and requires practice. Backing up with a
trailer generally requires steering action opposite to that when backing up your vehic le without a tra iler.
Ma intain a greater distance between your veh ic le and the one in
front of you . You will need more room to stop. To compensate for
the trai ler, you w ill need a larger than norma l turning radius.
When passing, remember that you cannot accelerate as fast as you nor mally wou ld because of the added load . Make su re you have
enough room to pass. After passing, allow plenty of room for your
trai ler befo re changing lanes again .
Avoid jerky starts, sharp turns or rapid lane changes.
[ i ] T ips
• Do not tow a trailer during the break -in period of your vehicle.
• I f you tow a trailer, your Audi may require more frequent main te­
nance due to the extra load=>
page 372. •
Parking on a slope
Do n ot park on a slope with a trailer. If it cann ot be
avoi ded, do so only after d oing the followi ng:
When p arking :
-Apply the foot brake.
- Have someone p lace chocks under both the vehicle and
the trailer wheels. ._

Tires and wheels -_______________ _____.
5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on th e
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determin e how this reduces the avail ­
able cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
- Check the tire sidew all (~
page 329,
fig . 251) to determine the designated
load rating for a specific tire . •
Tire service life
The ser vic e life of ti res depends on a lo t o f different things
inclu ding p roper i nstallation and bal ancing, correc t tire
pressu re a nd drivi ng style .
Tread Wear Ind icator (TWll
Fig . 249 Tire tread:
tre ad we ar indi cato rs
(TWll
Fig . 2 50 Rot ating tire s
for mo re even wear
The or iginal tires on your vehicle have 1 /16 inch ( 1.6 mm) high " wea r
indicators"=> fig. 249 running across the tread. Depending on the
make, the re wil l be six to eight of them even ly p la ced a rou nd the
t ire . Marks on the tire sidewa ll (for example "TWI" or other symbols)
indicate the positions of the tread wear indicators. Worn tire s must
be r eplaced. Di fferen t fi gures may apply in other countries ::::>,& . .,_
Vehic le care I I Technical data

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& WARNING !continued)
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is supported by
the jack.
• If you must work under the vehicle, always use safety stands
specifically designed for this purpose.
• Never use the hexagonal socket in the handle of the screw­
driver to loosen or tighten the wheel bolts.
• Always make sure the spare tire and even a flat tire are secured
in place and not loose, otherwise they could fly forward, causing
personal injury to passengers in the vehicle in an accident or
sudden maneuver. •
Tools
The vehicle tools are stored in the luggage compartment
behind the right-side trim panel.
-
-
The onboard tool kit includes:
• Hook for removing wheel covers *
• Wheel bolt wrench
• Alignment pin for changing wheels
• Screwdriver with reversible blade
Fig. 257 Luggage
compartment: vehicle
tool kit
• Towing eye
[ i] Tips
Some of the on board items listed above are provided on certain
models only or are optional extras.•
Spare wheel
The spare wheel is stored in the wheel well underneath
the floor panel in the luggage compartment.
Fig. 258 Luggage
compartment spare
wheel
Your vehicle is equipped with a regular spare wheel. It is
held in place by plastic retaining knurled screw.
Taking out the spare wheel
- Raise the floor panel at the plastic handle.
- Securely engage the handle in the luggage compartment
seal as illustrated to keep the floor panel up.
Unscrew the knurled retainer bolt in the wheel center
=> fig. 258. Turn it counter-clockwise.
- Take out the spare wheel.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service irechnical data

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- Disengage and lower the floor panel before you close the
luggage compartment lid again.
Storing the replaced wheel
- Place the replaced wheel inside the spare wheel well in
the luggage compartment .
Tighten the knurled retaining screw clockwise to secure the wheel in place.
- Disengage and lower the floor panel before you close the
luggage compartment lid again.
& WARNING
Loose items in the passenger compartment can cause serious
personal injury during hard braking or in an accident .
• Never store the spare wheel or jack and tools in the passenger
compartment.
• Always store all jacking equipment, tools, and the spare wheel
in the luggage compartment.
• Tighten the knurled retaining screw for the spare wheel
securely.
[ i] Tips
Check the inflation pressure of the spare tire periodically to keep the
tire ready for use. •
Changing a wheel
Before changing a wheel
Observe the following precautions for your own and your
passenger's safety when changing a wheel.
- After you experience a tire failure, pull the car well away
from moving traffic and try to reach level ground before
you stop :::;. & .
- All passengers should leave the car and move to a safe
location (for instance, behind the guardrail) :::;,& .
- Engage the parking brake to prevent your vehicle from
rol ling unintentionally :::;.& .
- Move selector lever to position P :::;. & .
-If you are towing a trailer: unhitch the trailer from your
vehicle.
- Take the jack and the spare tire out of the luggage
compartment:::;.
page 342.
& WARNING
You or your passengers could be injured while changing a wheel if
you do not follow these safety precautions:
• If you have a flat tire, move a safe distance off the road. Turn off
the engine, turn the emergency flashers on and use other warning
devices to alert other motorists.
• Make sure that passengers wait
in a safe place away from the
vehicle and well away from the road and traffic.
• To help prevent the vehicle from moving suddenly and possibly
slipping off the jack, always fully set the parking brake and block
the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being changed. When one ...

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•
Emergency situations
General
This chapter is intended for trained emergency crews and working
pe rsonnel who have the necessary tools and equ ipment to perform
these operations. •
Starting by pushing or towing
(D Note
You r ve hicle is eq uipped w ith an automatic trans missi on. C o nse ­
quent ly, the engine cannot be started by pushing or towing .•
Starting with jumper cables
If necess ary, the en gine can b e sta rted by conn ectin g it to
the battery of anothe r vehicle.
If th e engine should fail to start because of a discharged or weak
b at te ry, the batt ery ca n be co nnected t o the ba ttery of
another
vehicle, using a pair of jumper cables to start the engine .
Jumper cables
Use
only jumper cables of sufficiently large cross section to carry the
s tarte r curre nt safely. Refer t o the manu fac tu rer 's specif ica tions.
Use only ju mper cabl es with
insulated terminal clamps whic h are
distinct ly marked:
plus (+l cable in mo st cas es c olored red
minus
(- 1 cable in most cases colored black.
& WARNING
Batteries contain electricity, acid , and gas. Any of the se can cause
very ser ious or fatal injury . Follow the instructions below for safe
handling of your vehicle 's battery .
• Always shield your eyes and avoid leaning over the battery
whenever possible .
• A discharged battery can freeze at temperatures just below
32 °F (0 °C l. Before connecting a jumper cable , you must thaw the
frozen battery completely , otherwise it could explode .
• Do not allow battery acid to conta ct eyes or skin. Flush any
contacted area with water immediately.
• Improper use of a booster battery to start a vehicle may cause
an explosion.
• Vehicle batteries generate explosive gases . Keep sparks , flame
and lighted c igarettes away from batteries.
• Do not try to jump start any vehicle with a low acid level in the
battery.
• The voltage of the booster battery must also have a 12-Volt
rating. The capacity (Ah l of the booster battery should not be
lower than that of the discharged battery . Use of batteries of
different voltage or substantially different "Ah" rating may cause
an explosion and personal injury .
• Never charge a frozen battery. Gas trapped in the ice may cause
an explosion.
• Never charge or use a battery that has been frozen . The battery
c ase may have be weakened .
• Use of batter ies of different voltage or substantially different
c apacity (Ah l rating may cause an explosion and injury . The
capacity (Ahl of the booster batte ry should not be lower than that
of the discharged battery. _..
Do-it -yourself service

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Emergency towing with commercial
tow truck
General hints
Your Audi requires special handling for towing.
The following information is to be used by commercial tow truck
operators who know how to operate their equipment safely.
• Never tow your Audi, towing will cause damage to the engine
and transmission.
• Never wrap the safety chains or winch cables around the brake
lines.
• To prevent unnecessary damage, your Audi must be transported
with a flat bed truck.
• To load the vehicle on to the flat bed, use the towing loop found
in the vehicle tools and attach to the front or rear anchorage
~ page 360 and~ page 361.
& WARNING
A vehicle being towed is not safe for passengers. Never allow
anyone to ride in a vehicle being towed, for any reason. •
Front towing loop
Do not install the front towing loop until it is needed.
Fig. 272 Front
bumper: removing the
cover cap
Fig . 273 Front
bumper: screwing in
the towing loop
The towing loop fits into the threaded hole located on the
right side of the front bumper and covered by a small cover
when not in use.
- Remove the towing loop from the vehicle toolkit
=>
page 342.
- Press the cover in by applying short sharp pressure to the
bottom part to release it from the bumper => fig. 272.
- Screw the towing loop tightly into the threaded hole as
far as it will go=> fig. 273. ..,

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When it is no longer needed, unscrew the towing loop and put it
back into the vehicle toolkit. Be sure to have the towing loop stored
in the vehicle at all times.
& WARNING
If the towing loop is not screwed in as far as it will go, the thread
can pull out when the vehicle is towed -potential risk of an
accident. •
Rear towing loop
Do not install the rear towing loop until it is needed.
Fig. 274 Rear bumper:
screwing in the towing
loop
On the right side under the rear bumper there is a threaded
hole for the towing loop. The threaded hole is protected by
a cover.
- Remove the towing loop from the vehicle toolkit
=> page 342.
- Pull the protective cover out of the threaded hole
~ fig. 274 .
- Screw the towing loop tightly into the threaded hole as far as it will go .
When it is no longer needed, unscrew the towing loop and put it
back into the vehicle toolkit. Be sure to have the towing loop stored
in the vehicle at all times.
& WARNING
If the towing loop is not screwed in as far as it will go, the thread
can pull out when the vehicle is towed -potential risk of an
accident. •
Loading the vehicle onto a f lat bed truck
Front hook up
Fig . 275 Vehicle on flat
bed truck
- Align the vehicle with the centerline of the car carrier
ramp.
- Attach the winch hook to the front towline eye previously
installed .
Rear hook up
-Align the vehicle with the centerline of the car carrier
ramp.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service irechnical data

Consumer Information -
----------------
reliabi lity . For detailed vehicle maintenance consult your Warranty &
M ain tena nce booklet .
Under diff icult operating condition s, for example at extreme ly low
outside temperatures, in very dusty regions, when towing a trai ler
very frequently, e tc ., som e serv ice work shou ld be p erfo rm ed
between the intervals specifie d. T his applies particu lar ly to:
• oil ch ang es, a nd
• cleaning or replacing the air filter.
<£> For the sake of the environment
By regularl y maintaining your vehicle, you help make su re that emis ­
s io n sta n da rds are ma intained, thus minimi zing a dvers e effe cts on
the environment. •
Important considerations for you and your
vehicle
The inc reasing use of elect ronics, sophisticated fue l injection and
e mi ssio n con tro l sy stems, a nd the gene ra lly i ncreas ing tec hn ica l
complexity of today's automobiles, have steadily reduced the scope
o f mai nte na nce a nd repairs wh ic h can be carr ied ou t by veh ic le
owners.
Also, safety and environmental concerns p lace very strict
l im it s o n the nat ure o f rep ai rs a nd adju stmen ts to engine a nd tra ns­
m ission parts which an owner can perform.
M aintena nce, adj ust m ent s and repairs u sua lly require special t ool s,
t est ing dev ices and o ther equipment ava ilab le to sp ecia lly trained
workshop personne l in order to assure p rope r performance, reli ­
ab ilit y and sa fety o f the vehicle a nd its many sys tems.
I mproper maintenance, adjustments and repairs can impair the
ope ra ti on a nd reliabil ity o f your vehi cle a nd even vo id your ve hicle
warranty. Therefore, proof of servicing in accordance with the main ­
t e nance sch ed ule may be a con diti on for upholding a poss ibl e
warranty claim made within the warranty period.
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Above a
ll, operational safe ty can be adverse ly affected, creating
u nn ece ssary risks for you a nd your passenge rs .
I f in doubt about any servicing, have it done by your authorized Audi
dea ler or any other properly equipped and qualified workshop. We
str on gly ur ge you to g ive your au thorized Au di dea ler t he o pportu ­
nity to perform al l scheduled maintenance and necessary repairs.
Your dealer has t he facil ities, origina l pa rts and tra ined spec ialis ts
to keep your vehic le running proper ly.
Performing limited maintenance yourself
The fo llowing pages descr ibe a limited numbe r of procedu res wh ic h
ca n be perf ormed o n you r vehicle wi th ord ina ry tools, sho uld the
need arise and trained personne l be unavailab le. Befo re performing
any of t hese proc edures, a lways thor oug hly read all of the ap pli­
cable text and carefu lly fo llow the instruct ions given. Always rigor ­
ously observe the
WARNINGS provid ed .
Before you check anything in the engine compartment , al ways read
and heed all WARNINGS~
& and~ & in "Working in the engine
compa rtme nt" on
page 301.
& WARNING
• Serious personal injury may occur as a result of improperly
performed maintenance , adjustments or repairs .
• Always be extremely careful when working on the veh icle .
Always follow commonly accepted safety practices and general c ommon sense . Never risk personal injury .
• Do not attempt any of the maintenance, checks or repairs
descr ibed on the following pages if you are not fully fam iliar with
these or other procedures with respect to the vehicle , or are uncer ­
tain how to pro ceed .
• Do not do any work without the proper tools and equipment.
Have the necessary work done by your authorized Audi dealer or
another properly equipped and qualified workshop . _,.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Tec hn ica l da ta