Get Trailer towing Guide for Audi A5 4 Door Third Generation (2025-2026)

Trailer towing

– Distribute the load in the trailer so that the

heavy objects are as close to the axle as possi-

ble.

Trailer towing

Driving with a trailer

General information

– Secure objects so that they do not slide.

– Utilize the maximum permitted tongue weight

if possible.

Your vehicle is primarily intended for transport-

ing people and luggage. However, if you drive

with a trailer, follow the technical requirements,

the operation and driving tips, and the legal reg-

ulations.

Speed

Adhere to the legal speed limits. Follow the legal

regulations that are applicable in the country

where you are operating the vehicle.

Driving with a trailer affects the vehicle's energy

usage, performance, and wear. It also requires

greater concentration.

As the speed increases, the driving stability of

the vehicle and trailer decreases. Therefore you

should not exceed the maximum legal speed lim-

it when there are unfavorable road, weather,

and/or wind conditions. This especially applies

when driving downhill.

A retrofitted trailer hitch must be installed ac-

cording to the instructions provided by the manu-

facturer ðpage 126.

WARNING

Hills

– To reduce the risk of death, do not transport

any people in a trailer.

When you start driving uphill or downhill, the ve-

hicle and trailer may tilt or sway sooner than

when driving on a level surface. Reduce the speed

even for only minor swaying movements. Never

attempt to “straighten out” the vehicle and trail-

er by accelerating.

– Only use a ball hitch that is approved for

your vehicle. Using a ball hitch that is not

approved for your vehicle can result in issues

such as unstable driving behavior or uncou-

pling of the trailer and increase the risk of

an accident. If you have questions, see an

authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility.

Downshift before driving on hills to utilize the

engine braking effect ð

Exterior lighting

Follow the legal regulations for lighting on your

trailer that are applicable in the country where

you are operating the vehicle. If necessary, con-

tact an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility for more information.

Operating instructions

Towing capacity

Your vehicle can only be operated with class 1 or

class 2 trailers.

Before you start driving, check all lighting equip-

ment on the trailer while it is hitched to the vehi-

cle.

Load distribution

Poor cargo load and distribution can negatively

impact vehicle handling. Load the vehicle and

trailer based on the following criteria as much as

possible:

The headlight range control automatically ad-

justs the light range of the headlights.

Exterior mirrors

– 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.

Make sure that you can also observe the traffic

area behind the vehicle using the exterior mir-

rors, and use additional exterior mirrors if neces-

sary. Adjust the additional exterior mirrors so



124

Trailer towing

that you have a sufficient visibility behind the ve-

hicle. Follow the local legal regulations for instal-

ling additional exterior mirrors.

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.

Engine cooling system

Driving with a trailer means a higher load on the

engine and the cooling system. Make sure the

cooling system contains enough coolant.

– Avoid driving with a trailer during the vehi-

cle break-in period.

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

ðpage 17. Shift to a higher gear in a timely man-

ner.

Trailer hitch

Introduction

Only use a trailer hitch with a removable ball

hitch mount and ball hitch. The trailer hitch must

be permitted for the vehicle, the trailer, and the

permitted total weight of the trailer being

pulled. Above all, it must be securely and safely

attached to the vehicle trailer.

Tires

Set the tire pressure on your vehicle for a “full

load”; see the tire pressure sticker ðpage 265. If

necessary, also adjust the tire pressure on the

trailer according to the manufacturer's specifica-

tions.

Never mount a trailer hitch on the bumper. The

trailer hitch must be mounted in a way that does

not impair the function of the bumper. Do not

make any changes to the exhaust system and the

brake system.

The trailer and the vehicle should be equipped

with winter tires when driving in winter tempera-

tures.

Check regularly if the trailer hitch is securely

mounted. Always follow the instructions given by

the trailer hitch manufacturer.

Overrun brake

If your trailer is equipped with an overrun brake,

it must be correctly adjusted and function cor-

rectly. When using a trailer with an overrun

brake, first brake gently then quickly. This re-

duces the risk of jerking while braking if the trail-

er wheels lock up.

Driving with a trailer

Trailer brakes

If the trailer has its own brake system, then fol-

low the manufacturer specifications. However,

the brake system on the trailer must never be

connected to the vehicle brake system.

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.

Safety chains

Make sure the safety chains are correctly applied

when pulling a trailer. The chains should hang

down enough so that the trailer can drive around

curves. However, they must not touch the

ground.

Note

Attachments retrofitted on the vehicle may

cause damage, especially on the trailer hitch

ball head. In cases of damage, have the func-

tion checked by an authorized Audi dealer or

authorized Audi Service Facility.

WARNING

If the trailer is equipped with electronic

brakes, these brakes cannot be activated by a



125

Trailer towing

factory-installed control system, which in-

creases the risk of an accident.

Retrofit installation

You can find out if your vehicle is equipped with a

retrofitted trailer hitch at an authorized Audi

dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.

An authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility knows the specifications for retro-

fitting a trailer hitch and any necessary technical

requirements.

WARNING

– Only have the additional trailer hitch instal-

led by an authorized Audi dealer or author-

ized Audi Service Facility.

– There is a risk of an accident if the trailer

hitch is installed incorrectly.

– For your own safety, read the assembly in-

structions provided by the trailer hitch man-

ufacturer.

Note

– Connecting the socket incorrectly could

cause damage to the vehicle electrical sys-

tem.

– Longer inclines cannot be driven without a

suitable cooling system, especially if the

outside temperatures are high. Otherwise,

this increases the risk of engine damage.

126

Trailer towing for Your Audi A5 4 Door Third Generation (2025-2026)

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