Get Towing a trailer -> Swivelling towing bracket Guide for Audi RS6 4 Door Fourth Generation (2019-2025)

Towing a trailer

►

Open the boot lid.

Press button 1 ð

be released. The LED will flash.

Swivelling towing

bracket

. The towing bracket will

►

Swivel the towing bracket out manually until it

engages audibly in the operating position. The

LED in the button 1 will light up permanently.

Hitch up the trailer or the rear carrier system to

the towing bracket. Please read the informa-

tion on the air suspension trailer mode

ðpage 120.

Extending / retracting towing bracket

►

Plug the connector of the trailer or rear carrier

system into the trailer socket 2 . Use an adapt-

er if necessary.

When you hitch a trailer up to your vehicle,

hook the breakaway cable into the eye 3 on

the towing bracket.

Fig. 73 Luggage compartment: Button for releasing tow-

ing bracket

When you switch the vehicle on, make sure that

the instrument cluster does not display the indi-

cator lamp  or the message Please check tow-

ing bracket. Swivel the towing bracket in and out

again, if necessary.

Retracting towing bracket

►

Unhook the breakaway cable of the trailer from

the eye 3 .

Fig. 74 Rear bumper: Connecting socket and eye for break-

away cable

►

Unplug the electrical connector between the

vehicle and the trailer/rear carrier system ð

►

Remove any adapters from the trailer socket

The towing bracket is located on the rear bump-

er. It is released electrically and extended/retrac-

ted manually.

►

Unhitch the trailer or the rear carrier system.

Press button 1 ð . The towing bracket will

If you have not used the towing bracket for a rela-

tively long time or have used it constantly with-

out retracting or extending it, the swivelling

movement may be stiff or the towing bracket

may no longer swivel downwards automatically

when the handle is operated. In this case Audi

recommends that you extend and retract the

towing bracket several times or loosen it by jog-

ging it up and down repeatedly.

be released. The LED will flash.

►

Swivel the towing bracket in manually until it

engages audibly in the rest position. The LED in

the button 1 will light up permanently.

When you switch the vehicle on, make sure that

the instrument cluster does not display the indi-

cator lamp  or the message Please check tow-

ing bracket. Swivel the towing bracket out and in

again, if necessary.

The button 1 is not active when the vehicle is in

Retract the towing bracket or detach it when

there are no trailers, bicycles or similar loads at-

tached to it. This applies especially if the number

plate or rear vehicle lighting is masked by the un-

used towing bracket. Observe the relevant local

regulations for the use of a towing bracket.

motion or if the boot lid is closed.

The eye 3 must only be used for securing the

breakaway cable of the trailer.

Extending towing bracket



►

Apply the parking brake.

121

Towing a trailer

Electronic stabilisation control (ESC)

WARNING

The ESC – in particular in conjunction with the

trailer stabilisation system – makes it easier to

stabilise a trailer if it starts to skid or sway. You

should therefore keep the ESC switched on at all

times.

– Make sure that no people, animals or ob-

jects of any kind are in the path of the tow-

ing bracket – risk of injury!

– The towing bracket must NOT be used if it

does not engage properly or if the LED flash-

es as this means that it is not in its end posi-

tion – risk of accident and injury. Only use

the towing bracket when it has swivelled out

fully and engaged securely. The LED lights

up to indicate this.

Stabiliser

Swaying and pitching can be reduced by attach-

ing an extra stabiliser to the trailer. Degrease and

clean the ball joint before using a stabiliser. The

stabiliser can be purchased and installed at a

qualified workshop.

– Never press the button 1 if a trailer is

hitched up or if a luggage rack or other ac-

cessories are mounted on the towing brack-

et – risk of accident!

Clean the ball coupling before using a trailer

without a stabiliser and apply multi-purpose

grease to it. Repeat this application regularly if

you tow a trailer frequently.

– If any faults occur in the electrical system or

in the towing bracket, safe use of the towing

bracket is no longer guaranteed. Have the

towing bracket inspected by a qualified

workshop – risk of accident!

Power supply

When you switch the vehicle off, the power sup-

ply to the trailer is not interrupted as long as the

energy management system does not intervene.

CAUTION

– Do NOT hold a high-pressure cleaner direct-

ly at the seal of the towing bracket or the

trailer socket. This may cause damage to

the seal, with the result that moisture can

enter and damage the system.

Information on trailer stabilisation

The trailer stabilisation system, which is integra-

ted in the electronic stabilisation control (ESC),

helps to reduce the risk of the trailer skidding at

speeds over approx. 65 km/h. Please refer to the

description of the ESC ðpage 115 for informa-

tion on how the system works. Please also refer

to the notes on ðpage 118 and ðpage 122 to

ensure that the trailer stabilisation system is

functional.

– Never press the button 1 when a trailer is

hitched up or if a luggage rack or other ac-

cessories are mounted on the towing brack-

et. The swivelling unit, accessories and

parts of the vehicle could be damaged.

– If you have plugged an adapter into the

trailer socket, this could damage the bump-

er and trailer socket when the towing brack-

et is retracted. Remove the adapter before

retracting the towing bracket.

The functions may not be available if the ESC is

restricted or deactivated or if a fault has occur-

red.

WARNING

Information on the swivelling towing

bracket

– The ESC and trailer stabilisation system can-

not defy the laws of physics. Always bear

this in mind, especially when towing a trail-

er which is light in weight – risk of accident!

– It is essential that you adjust your speed to

suit the weather, road and traffic conditions.

Towing bracket

Check that the ball coupling meets the relevant

country-specific regulations and is not worn.



Not available on vehicles for some markets.

122

Towing a trailer

Information on rear carrier systems

Do not let the trailer stabilisation system

tempt you into taking any risks when driving

– risk of accident!

– The trailer stabilisation system is not always

able to detect if the trailer is swaying and

may therefore not intervene – risk of acci-

dent! In this case, apply the vehicle’s brakes

and avoid unnecessary steering input.

– A trailer can still “jack-knife” on slippery

roads with little grip, even if the towing ve-

hicle is equipped with the trailer stabilisa-

tion system – risk of accident! You should al-

ways drive at a speed which is suitable for

the road conditions.

Fig. 75 Rear carrier: Maximum overhang

Rear carrier systems are systems such as bicycle

racks which are mounted on the towing bracket.

– Trailers with a high centre of gravity may

even tip over before they start to sway side-

ways – risk of accident! Adjust your speed as

appropriate.

Please make sure that the rear carrier system is

approved for use on your vehicle.

Degrease and clean the ball joint before using a

rear carrier system.

– Towing a loaded trailer with an unladen ve-

hicle may result in the trailer swaying even

at low speeds – risk of accident! Should you

need to drive with this combination, drive

particularly slowly to allow for the unbal-

anced weight distribution.

Note the instructions provided by the manufac-

turer of the rear carrier system.

Rear carrier system load

The carrying load consists of the rear carrier sys-

tem and the load transported on it. The maxi-

mum recommended carrying load may differ

from the vehicle’s maximum draw bar weight.

The maximum draw bar weight and the maxi-

mum axle weight must not be exceeded.

– If you are not towing a trailer, but the trailer

socket is being used (e.g. for an illuminated

bicycle rack), the trailer stabilisation system

may be activated automatically in extreme

driving conditions.

– If the vehicle is driven with two trailers at

once, the trailers may begin to sway in cer-

tain situations – risk of accident! The vehicle

must not be driven with more than one trail-

er.

The greater the distance from the towing brack-

et, the smaller the carrying load. For this reason,

you should secure heavy objects as near as possi-

ble to the towing bracket.

– If the vehicle is driven with a trailer attached

off-centre, the trailer may begin to sway in

certain situations – risk of accident! Accesso-

ries which are designed to attach the trailer

off-centre must not be used.

Determining the maximum carrying load

Look up the draw bar weight for your vehicle in

the technical data in the Owner's Manual. You

can then find the carrying load in the table be-

low. In accordance with Regulation UN-R 55, Audi

recommends that you adhere to the maximum

number of bicycles on the rear carrier system as

follows:



123

Towing a trailer

Installation dimensions and retrofitting

Maximum

draw bar

Maximum car- Number of bi-

rying load (kg) cycles

weight (kg)

50 – 74

75 upwards

Maximum overhang of the rear carrier

system

The maximum overhang depends on the maxi-

mum carrying load and is as follows:

Maximum carrying

load (kg)

Maximum overhang

(mm)

50 – 74

500

700

For bicycle carrier systems with two bicycles, the

maximum overhang measured from the centre of

the ball coupling to the centre of the rail of the

last bicycle carrier is 500 mm 1 . For bicycle car-

rier systems with three bicycles, the maximum is

700 mm 2 .

Fig. 76 Towing bracket: Installation dimensions and points

The towing bracket is bolted to the body at the

securing points 7 .

WARNING

The use of an unsuitable rear carrier system

could cause severe damage to the towing

bracket. The towing bracket could then break

and cause an accident.

Installation dimensions (mm)

1 1000

4 395

2 1208 – 1214

3 776

5 65 (min.)

6 350 – 420

Driver messages about the swivelling

towing bracket

The values given for the distance between the

centre of the wheel on the rear axle and the cen-

tre of the ball on the towing bracket 2 are nomi-

nal values of the base vehicle. The dimensions

may vary depending on the type of suspension in

conjunction with the vehicle’s equipment and the

load the vehicle is carrying.

The following driver messages may appear, de-

pending on the equipment installed in your vehi-

cle:

 Please check towing bracket

A malfunction has occurred. If the message ap-

pears while the vehicle is moving, stop at the

next opportunity. Swivel the towing bracket in

and out again. If the message remains displayed,

drive to a qualified workshop soon.

The distance between the road surface and the

centre of the ball on the towing bracket 6 ap-

plies to the loading condition in the type appro-

val according to UN-R55 (ECE). This dimension

must not be smaller or larger than the value

specified. The dimension may vary on vehicles

categorised as M1G in the type approval.

Please contact a qualified workshop to find out

whether your vehicle can be retrofitted with a

towing bracket.



124

Towing a trailer

Your qualified workshop will have all the details

on retrofitting a towing bracket.

vehicle, as the trailer assist will otherwise not

be active.

– Whenever necessary, clean the reversing cam-

era either manually, or by operating the rear

window washer ðpage 60, or by selecting the

cleaning function on the MMI ðpage 182.

Please observe the notes on cleaning and care

ðpage 261.

WARNING

– Avoid improper installation of the towing

bracket – risk of accident! If a towing bracket

is retrofitted, the installation should be car-

ried out by a qualified workshop.

– For your own safety, please observe the in-

structions provided by the manufacturer of

the towing bracket.

System limits

The functions of the trailer assist are limited or

unavailable under the following circumstances:

CAUTION

– The trailer assist will be deactivated if you drive

forwards faster than 10 km/h.

– If the connector socket is not fitted correct-

ly, this could cause damage to the vehicle's

electrical system.

– The trailer assist may be unavailable for a short

period after the vehicle is switched on.

– The trailer assist is not available if the trailer

brake lights are defective.

– Particularly in high outside temperatures, it

is not possible to drive up long steep gradi-

ents without a suitable cooling system.

there is a risk of damaging the engine.

– For technical reasons, trailers with LED rear

lights may not always be detected by the trailer

assist.

– The trailer assist may not be available on steep

gradients.

Trailer assist

Introduction

– A rear carrier system is fitted to the ball head

of the towing bracket.

The trailer assist helps you with driving and ma-

noeuvring when a trailer is hitched to the vehicle.

The reversing camera detects the trailer angle.

The system automatically learns the properties

of the trailer while driving.

– The functions may not be available if the ESC is

restricted or deactivated or if a fault has occur-

red.

– The trailer assist cannot be used for trailers

with steering axles.

The trailer assist automatically steers the trailer

in the desired direction when reversing and,

where necessary, when making steering correc-

tions while driving forward. You operate the ac-

celerator and brake pedal. When reversing, the

trailer assist limits the speed to between approx.

3 km/h and 8 km/h, depending on the situation.

The speed cannot be increased even by pressing

the accelerator further.

WARNING

– Please note the safety precautions and sys-

tem limits of the supporting systems, sen-

sors and cameras ðpage 130 to

ðpage 132.

– The technology in the trailer assist cannot

defy the laws of physics and works only

within the limits imposed by the system. Do

not let the extra convenience afforded by

the trailer assist function tempt you into

taking any safety risks – this can cause acci-

dents. The trailer assist cannot replace the

full concentration of the driver.

Audi recommends that you practise manoeuvring

with the trailer assist in a quiet location (car park

or low traffic area) in order to become familiar

with the system and its functions.

Before every trip

– Unintended vehicle manoeuvres can cause

serious injuries.

– Please make sure that the electrical connector



on the trailer is plugged into the socket on the

125

Towing a trailer -> Swivelling towing bracket for Your Audi RS6 4 Door Fourth Generation (2019-2025)

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