Get Self-help -> Tow-starting and towing away Guide for Audi A5 4 Door First Generation (2007-2013)

Self-help 267

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 away

General notes

Points to observe when tow-starting or towing away

If 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)

document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 267 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Self-help268

Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle and take care to avoid

jerking the towrope. When towing on a loose surface there is always

a risk of overloading and damaging the anchorage points.

Caution

If there is no oil in the gearbox or no lubricant in the automatic

transmission the car may only be towed with the driven wheels

lifted clear of the road, or transported on a special car transporter

or trailer.

Note

• Note the regulations concerning towing.

• The hazard warning lights of both vehicles must normally be

switched on. However, observe any regulations to the contrary.

• Make sure that the towrope is not twisted, as otherwise the front

towline anchorage on your vehicle could work itself loose.

Front towline anchorage

The front towline anchorage is only mounted if the vehicle

has to be towed.

The screw connection for the towline anchorage is located

behind a cover cap on the right side of the front bumper.

– Take the towline anchorage out of the vehicle's tool kit

⇒ page 255.

– To detach the cover cap from the bumper, firmly press

the lower part of the cap inwards to release it ⇒ fig. 250.

– Screw the towline anchorage firmly all the way into the

screw connection ⇒ fig. 251.

After use, unscrew the towline anchorage and put it back in the

toolbox. Replace the cap in the bumper. The towline anchorage

should always be kept in the vehicle.

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 (acci-

dent risk).

Fig. 250 Front

bumper: Cover cap

Fig. 251 Front

bumper: Fitting the

towing eye

document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 268 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Self-help 269

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).

Tow-star ting

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

document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 269 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Self-help270

WARNING

There is a high risk of accidents when tow-starting, as the towed

vehicle can easily be driven into the towing vehicle.

Caution

When tow-starting the vehicle, do not tow it further than 50 metres:

otherwise the catalytic converter could be damaged.

Towing a vehicle with manual gearbox and

front-wheel drive

Towing is relatively straightforward.

Please observe the notes ⇒ page 267.

The vehicle can be towed using a towbar or towrope in the normal

way, with all four wheels on the road; it can also be towed with

either the front or rear wheels lifted off the road. The vehicle must

not be towed faster than 50 km/h.

Towing a vehicle with automatic gearbox and

front-wheel drive

Certain restrictions must be observed when towing your

vehicle.

Please observe the notes ⇒ page 267.

The vehicle can be towed with a towbar or towrope in the normal

way, with all four wheels on the ground. When doing so, please note

the following points:

• Release the parking brake ⇒ page 121.

• Make sure the selector lever is in the N position.

• The vehicle must not be towed faster than 50 km/h.

• The vehicle must not be towed further than 50 km. The reason

for this is: when the engine is not running, the gearbox oil pump

does not work and the gearbox is not adequately lubricated for

higher speeds or longer distances.

If the vehicle has to be towed with a breakdown truck, it must only

be suspended at the front wheels. The reason for this is: the drive

shafts are located on the front wheels. If the car is towed with the

rear wheels lifted off the road (i.e. travelling backwards), the drive

shafts also turn backwards. The planetary gears in the automatic

gearbox then turn at such high speeds that the gearbox will be

severely damaged in a short time.

Note

If it is not possible to tow the vehicle as described above, or if it has

to be towed further than 50 km, it must be transported on a special

car transporter or trailer.

Towing a vehicle with manual gearbox and

four-wheel drive

Certain restrictions must be observed when towing your

vehicle.

Please observe the notes ⇒ page 267.

The vehicle can be towed with a towbar or towrope in the normal

way, with all four wheels on the ground. It can also be towed by a

breakdown truck, with the wheels lifted at either the front or rear.

When doing so, please note the following points:

• The vehicle must not be towed faster than 50 km/h.

• The vehicle must not be towed further than 50 km.

document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 270 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Self-help 271

Controls Safety Driving tips General maintenance Self-help Technical data

Note

If it is not possible to tow the vehicle as described above, or if it has

to be towed further than 50 km, it must be transported on a special

car transporter or trailer.

Towing a vehicle with automatic gearbox and

four-wheel drive

Certain restrictions must be observed when towing your

vehicle.

Please observe the notes ⇒ page 267.

The vehicle can be towed with a towbar or towrope in the normal

way, with all four wheels on the ground. When doing so, please note

the following points:

• Release the parking brake ⇒ page 121.

• Make sure the selector lever is in the N position.

• The vehicle must not be towed faster than 50 km/h.

• The vehicle must not be towed further than 50 km. The reason

for this is: when the engine is not running, the gearbox oil pump

does not work and the gearbox is not adequately lubricated for

higher speeds or longer distances.

The vehicle must not be towed with the wheels lifted at either the

front or rear.

Note

If it is not possible to tow the vehicle as described above, or if it has

to be towed further than 50 km, it must be transported on a special

car transporter or trailer.

document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 271 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Self-help -> Tow-starting and towing away for Your Audi A5 4 Door First Generation (2007-2013)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals