Get Emergency assistance -> Towing Guide for Audi Q8 SUV First Generation (2018-2026)

Emergency assistance

►

Store the vehicle tool kit in its designated

place.

If the removed wheel does not fit in the spare

wheel well, store it securely in the luggage

compartment ðpage 87.

Connect the compressor hose to a vehicle sock-

et and turn it on.

Let the compressor run until the specified value

on the tire pressure sticker is reached

ðpage 283, fig. 172 ð

.

►

Check the tire pressure on the installed wheel

as soon as possible.

Correct the tire pressure and store it in the MMI

ðpage 292 or ðpage 294.

The wheel bolts must be tightened to 120 ft lbs

(160 Nm). Have them checked as soon as possi-

ble with a torque wrench. Drive carefully until

then.

Screw the valve cap back onto the valve.

Returning to storage

►

To release air, turn the valve insert. See an au-

thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service

Facility.

Turn the valve insert back once the air has been

released.

►

Have the faulty wheel replaced as soon as pos-

sible.

Wait several hours before placing the collapsi-

ble spare tire in the spare wheel well. Only then

will it fold down completely so that you can

store it securely.

Collapsible spare tire

►

Then screw the valve cap back onto the valve.

Applies to: vehicles with collapsible spare tire

►

Secure the collapsible spare tire with the hand-

The collapsible spare tire is intended for short-

term use only. Have the damaged tire checked

and replaced if necessary by an authorized Audi

dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility as soon

as possible.

wheel.

►

Fold the cargo floor cover back into place.

Snow chains

Using snow chains on the collapsible spare tire is

not permitted for technical reasons.

There are some restrictions on the use of the col-

lapsible spare tire. The collapsible spare tire has

been designed specifically for your type of vehi-

cle. Do not replace it with the collapsible spare

tire from another type of vehicle.

If you have to drive with snow chains and a rear

tire fails, mount the collapsible spare tire in

place of a front tire. Install the snow chains on

the front tire that you removed, and install that

in place of the rear tire that failed.

The collapsible spare tire is located in the lug-

gage compartment under the cargo floor.

WARNING

Requirement: the vehicle tool kit ðpage 303 and

the compressor must be laid out.

– Only use the collapsible spare tire in emer-

gencies and drive very carefully, especially if

it is more than six years old.

Removing

– The compressor and the hose can become

very hot during operation which increases

the risk of burn injuries.

►

Lift the cargo floor using the handle.

Turn the handwheel counter-clockwise and re-

move it.

►

– After installing a collapsible spare tire, the

tire pressure must be checked as quickly as

possible to reduce the risk of an accident.

– Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h)

with the collapsible spare tire. Driving faster

than that increases the risk of an accident.

– To reduce the risk of an accident, avoid hard

acceleration or braking and driving fast

around curves with the collapsible spare

tire.

►

Remove the collapsible spare tire.

You must inflate the collapsible spare tire before-

hand in order to use it.

Inflating

►

Remove the valve cap from the collapsible

spare tire.

Tighten the compressor hose on the collapsible

spare tire valve.

►

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309

Emergency assistance

– Never drive using more than one collapsible

spare tire, because this increases the risk of

an accident.

– Read the warnings when working in the en-

gine compartment ðpage 255.

– Handling the jump start cables incorrectly

may cause the vehicle battery to explode

and result in serious injuries.

– Normal tires or winter tires must not be

mounted on the collapsible spare tire rim.

Note

The compressor must be turned off after ten

minutes at the most to reduce the risk of

overheating. Let the compressor cool down

for several minutes before using it again.

Jump start cables can cause considerable

damage to the vehicle electrical system if

they are connected incorrectly.

Tips

Jump starting

– There must be no contact between the

vehicles, or else voltage could flow when

connecting the positive terminal and drain

the vehicle battery of the vehicle providing

the jump start.

Preparation

You should only perform the following steps if

you have the necessary technical knowledge and

tools.

– The drained vehicle battery must be con-

nected correctly to the electrical system.

– Turn off electrical equipment that is not

needed.

If the engine does not start because the vehicle

battery is drained, you can jump start your vehi-

cle using another vehicle. Jump start cables are

needed to do this.

Jump starting

Both vehicle batteries must have 12 volt nominal

voltage. The voltage capacity (Ah) of the vehicle

battery that is giving power must not be less

than the capacity of the drained vehicle battery.

Both jump start cables must be connected in the

correct order.

Jump start cable

Only use a jump start cable with a large enough

diameter. Note the manufacturer's specifica-

tions.

Only use a jump start cable with insulated termi-

nal clamps.

Positive cable - usually red.

Fig. 184 Engine compartment: connectors for jump start

cables or a charger

Negative cable - usually black.

WARNING

– A drained battery can freeze at tempera-

tures around 32 °F (0 °C). To reduce the risk

of an explosion and chemical burns, thaw a

frozen battery immediately, before connect-

ing jump start cables. After jump starting

the vehicle, drive to an authorized Audi deal-

er or authorized Audi Service Facility imme-

diately to have the vehicle battery checked.

Fig. 185 Connecting the jump start cables



310

Emergency assistance

The jump start cable connections are located in

the engine compartment.

that conduct electricity when it is connected

to the positive vehicle battery terminal. This

can cause a short circuit.

Follow the information about the vehicle battery

– The plugs on the battery cells must not be

opened.

ðpage 266.

Connecting the positive cable (red) to the

positive terminal

– Keep ignition sources (such as open flames,

burning cigarettes, etc.) away from the vehi-

cle batteries to reduce the risk of an explo-

sion.

►

Open the red cover on the positive terminal

ðfig. 184.

1. Attach one end of the positive cable (red) to

the jump-start pin 1 ðfig. 185 on your vehi-

cle.

– Route the jump start cables so they cannot

get caught in the moving parts in the other

vehicle's engine compartment.

2. Attach the other end of the positive cable

(red) to the positive terminal 2 on the pow-

er source.

Note

Please note that the connecting process previ-

ously described for the jump start cables is in-

tended for when your vehicle is being jump

started.

Connecting the negative cable (black) to the

negative terminal

3. Attach one end of the negative cable (black)

to the negative terminal 3 on the power

source.

4. Attach the other end of the negative cable

(black) to the jump-start pin 4 on the vehi-

cle.

Tips

Make sure that the connected jump start ca-

bles have sufficient contact with metal.

Towing

Starting the engine

General information

►

Start the engine in the vehicle giving the charge

You should only perform the following steps if

you have the necessary technical knowledge and

tools.

and let it run at idle.

Now start the engine in your vehicle, which has

the drained battery.

►

If the engine does not start, stop the starting

Towing requires a certain amount of practice.

Audi recommends contacting a towing company

to have the vehicle transported.

procedure after 10 seconds and then repeat it

after approximately 30 seconds.

Turn on the rear window defogger in your vehi-

►

cle in order to reduce any voltage peaks that

may occur when disconnecting the jump start

cables. The headlights must be turned off.

You should only have your vehicle towed by an-

other vehicle when disabled in exceptional cir-

cumstances. Inexperienced persons should not

tow a vehicle.

►

With the engines running, remove the cables in

reverse order of the way they were installed.

Close the red cover on the positive terminal.

Notes on towing

►

When the engine is stopped, the transmission

will not be sufficiently lubricated if traveling at

high speeds and long distances:

WARNING

– Never connect the jump start cable directly

to your vehicle battery. Only use the connec-

tions in the engine compartment.

– The maximum permitted towing speed is 30

mph (50 km/h).

– Do not touch the non-insulated parts of the

terminal clamps. The cable must also not

come into contact with vehicle components

– The maximum permitted towing distance is 30

miles (50 km).



311

Emergency assistance

Additional information on towing with a tow

truck

Tips

– If the power supply is interrupted, then it

will not be possible to move the selector out

of the "P" position. The parking lock must

be released using the manual release before

towing the vehicle ðpage 104.

The vehicle may only be towed with the front axle

raised. Do not wrap any chains or cables around

the brake lines.

Tow bar and towing cable

– Turn off Audi pre sense* ðpage 165 when

loading the vehicle onto a vehicle carrier,

train, ship, or other type of transportation,

or when towing the vehicle. This can prevent

an undesired intervention from the pre

sense* system.

The vehicle can be towed with a tow bar or tow-

ing cable. Both persons involved should be famil-

iar with the special considerations when towing,

especially when using a towing cable.

Always make sure the traction force does not ex-

ceed the permitted level and there are no shock

loading conditions. There is always the risk of the

coupling becoming overloaded when driving off-

road.

– Follow the local legal regulations for tow-

ing.

Towing

For the most safety and security, drive with a tow

bar. You should use a towing cable only if a tow

bar is not available. Use a towing cable made of

synthetic elastic cable or a cable made of similar

elastic material.

Read and follow the important information on

ðpage 311.

Preparations

►

Only secure the towing cable or tow bar at the

designated towing eyes ðpage 313,

ðpage 313.

Make sure the towing cable is not twisted. Oth-

erwise it could disconnect from the towing eye

while towing.

WARNING

– Towing highly increases the risk of an acci-

dent, for example from colliding with the

towing vehicle.

►

– To reduce the risk of an accident, do not al-

low anyone to remain inside the vehicle

when it is being transported by a tow truck

or a special transporter.

►

Turn on the emergency flashers in both vehicles

ðpage 58. However, do not do this if it prohib-

ited by law.

Towing vehicle (front)

– Never secure the tow bar or towing cable to

parts of the vehicle’s axles or suspension.

These could be damaged, resulting in acci-

dents and serious injuries.

►

Start driving only once the towing cable is taut.

►

Press the brake pedal very carefully.

►

Avoid sudden braking or driving maneuvers.

Vehicle being towed (rear)

Note

►

Make sure the ignition is turned on so that the

steering wheel is not locked and so that you can

use the turn signals, the horn, and the wind-

– If normal towing methods are not possible,

for example if the transmission is faulty or if

the towing distance is greater than 30 miles

(50 km), then transport the vehicle on a

special carrier.

shield wipers if needed ð

.

►

The full functionality of the brake booster and

power steering may not be available. You would

then need to use more force to steer and brake

the vehicle.

– If the vehicle is towed by a tow truck at the

axle that is not permitted, this can cause se-

vere damage to the transmission.

►

Release the parking brake ðpage 110.

Select the “N” position.

Make sure the towing cable is always taut.

– The vehicle must not be tow started for

technical reasons.



312

Emergency assistance

Rear towing eye

WARNING

– Never tow a vehicle using a tow bar or tow-

ing cable if the vehicle does not have electri-

cal power.

– If the vehicle loses power while it is being

towed, stop towing the vehicle immediately

and consult an authorized Audi dealer or

qualified repair facility.

Front towing eye

Fig. 187 Rear bumper: installing the towing eye (version 1)

Fig. 186 Front bumper: installing the towing eye

Fig. 188 Rear bumper: installing the towing eye (version 2)

The threaded opening for the towing eye is locat-

ed on the right side of the front bumper.

Vehicles with a towing eye

On vehicles without a factory-installed trailer

hitch*, the towing eye threads are located on the

right rear side of the bumper.

►

Remove the towing eye from the vehicle tool kit

ðpage 303.

Press the cap inward with brief, strong pressure

►

Remove the towing eye from the vehicle tool kit

ðfig. 186. The cap will loosen from the bump-

ðpage 303.

er.

►

Press the cap inward with brief, strong pressure

ðfig. 187 or ðfig. 188. The cap will loosen

from the bumper.

Tighten the towing eye as far as it will go into

the mount. Use a suitable object to tighten the

towing eye completely and securely in the

mount.

Tighten the towing eye as far as it will go into

the mount. Use a suitable object to tighten the

towing eye completely and securely in the

mount.

After using, place the towing eye back in the ve-

hicle tool kit.

►

After using, place the towing eye back in the ve-

hicle tool kit.

WARNING

If the towing eye is not tightened all the way

when installing, the threads may be pulled

out when towing the vehicle and result in an

accident.

Vehicles with a trailer hitch*

►

Attach the tow bar or the towing cable to the

trailer hitch.

Tips

Vehicles with a factory-installed trailer hitch* are

not equipped with towing eye threads at the rear. 

Depending on the model, the shape of the cap

can vary.

313

Emergency assistance

WARNING

If the towing eye is not tightened all the way

when installing, the threads may be pulled

out when towing the vehicle and result in an

accident.

Note

To reduce the risk of damaging the trailer

hitch*, only use suitable tow bars that are

compatible with it. If a tow bar is not availa-

ble, you can use a towing cable.

Tips

Depending on the model, the shape of the cap

can vary.

314

Emergency assistance -> Towing for Your Audi Q8 SUV First Generation (2018-2026)

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