2025-2026 Audi S Q5 SUV Trailer towing -> Trailer hitch(swivel tow bar) User Manual
MyCarUserManual.com
USER MANUALS FOR EVERY MAKE & MODEL

Trailer towing -> Trailer hitch(swivel tow bar) for Your Audi S Q5 SUV Third Generation (2025-2026)

Trailer towing  
must be reduced by approximately 10%. The ac-  
tual combined weight is the combined weight of  
the (loaded) vehicle and the (loaded) trailer.  
Trailer towing  
Driving with a trailer  
General information  
Tongue weight  
The maximum permitted tongue weight of the  
trailer drawbar on the trailer hitch ball head must  
not be exceeded.  
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.  
For driving safety, Audi recommends always us-  
ing the maximum permitted tongue weight, but  
do not exceed this weight. Having the tongue  
weight too low affects the handling of the vehicle  
and trailer.  
Driving with a trailer affects the vehicle's energy  
usage, performance, and wear. It also requires  
greater concentration.  
You can determine the tongue weight using a  
tongue weight scale, a bathroom scale, or a pub-  
lic weigh station, for example. Audi recommends  
checking the tongue weight, especially when  
towing tandem trailers. If the tongue weight dif-  
fers, it can be adjusted by distributing the load in  
the trailer correctly. If the tongue weight meets  
the specifications, then the load on the trailer  
should not be changed anymore.  
A retrofitted trailer hitch must be installed ac-  
cording to the instructions provided by the manu-  
facturer ðpage 137.  
WARNING  
To reduce the risk of death, do not transport  
any people in a trailer.  
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.  
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:  
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.  
Distribute the load in the trailer so that the  
heavy objects are as close to the axle as possi-  
ble.  
Operating instructions  
Towing capacity  
Never exceed the maximum permitted weights  
ðpage 321.  
In some cases, the load when towing a trailer  
may be reduced due to the gross combined  
weight rating.  
Secure objects so that they do not slide.  
Utilize the maximum permitted tongue weight  
if possible.  
You can drive up larger inclines if you are not us-  
ing the maximum towing capacity.  
Speed  
Adhere to the legal speed limits. Follow the legal  
regulations that are applicable in the country  
where you are operating the vehicle.  
The specified towing weights only apply at eleva-  
tions up to 3,200 feet (1,000 m) above sea level.  
As the elevation increases, the engine power de-  
creases due to the decreasing air pressure. This  
reduces the hill climbing ability and towing ca-  
pacity. For every additional 3,200 feet (1,000 m),  
the maximum gross combined weight rating  
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,  
134  
Trailer towing  
Engine cooling system  
and/or wind conditions. This especially applies  
when driving downhill.  
Driving with a trailer means a higher load on the  
engine and the cooling system. Make sure the  
cooling system contains enough coolant.  
Hills  
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.  
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 16. Shift to a higher gear in a timely man-  
ner.  
Conventional drive system: downshift before  
driving on hills to utilize the engine braking ef-  
Tires  
fect ð  
.
Set the tire pressure on your vehicle for a “full  
load”; see the tire pressure sticker ðpage 279. If  
necessary, also adjust the tire pressure on the  
trailer according to the manufacturer's specifica-  
tions.  
Plug-in hybrid drive system: reduce the speed  
and use the recuperation braking effect  
ðpage 104 to relieve the brakes ð  
.
Exterior lighting  
The trailer and the vehicle should be equipped  
with winter tires when driving in winter tempera-  
tures.  
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.  
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.  
Before you start driving, check all lighting equip-  
ment on the trailer while it is hitched to the vehi-  
cle.  
The headlight range control automatically ad-  
justs the light range of the headlights.  
When the indicator light blinks, then the turn  
signals are activated in trailer mode. If a turn sig-  
nal on the trailer or on the vehicle fails while in  
trailer mode, the indicator light will not blink  
twice as fast to indicate this.  
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.  
Exterior mirrors  
Note  
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  
that you have a sufficient visibility behind the ve-  
hicle. Follow the local legal regulations for instal-  
ling additional exterior mirrors.  
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.  
Tips  
Block the wheels with chocks when parking  
on inclines if the trailer is loaded.  
135  
Trailer towing  
Audi recommends having the vehicle in-  
spected between the inspection intervals if  
you tow a trailer frequently.  
the Audi drive select comfort mode before  
connecting the trailer. The tongue weight  
and vehicle height must be coordinated with  
one another.  
Avoid driving with a trailer during the vehi-  
cle break-in period.  
Tips  
Even when lowering manually, the vehicle lev-  
el will not lower more than the amount speci-  
fied in the Audi drive select comfort mode.  
Air suspension  
Applies to: vehicles with air suspension  
Requirement: all vehicle doors must be closed.  
The Audi drive select comfort mode ðpage 116  
Trailer hitch  
is selected before you connect the trailer ð  
.
Introduction  
Setting trailer mode  
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.  
Applies to MMI: select on the home screen: VE-  
HICLE > Settings & Service > Air suspension:  
trailer.  
Turn trailer mode off again when you are no  
longer towing a trailer.  
For vehicles with a factory-installed trailer hitch,  
the air suspension trailer mode will automatically  
turn on if you connect the trailer connector to the  
socket.  
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.  
When using rear carrier systems that are mount-  
ed directly on the trailer hitch ball head, you can  
also turn on trailer mode manually.  
Check regularly if the trailer hitch is securely  
mounted. Always follow the instructions given by  
the trailer hitch manufacturer.  
If you have to drive through difficult road condi-  
tions, you can raise the vehicle again after hitch-  
ing the trailer or after ensuring the tongue  
weight is correct. To do this, select the Audi drive  
select offroad or allroad mode ðpage 116, or  
select Raise to create the maximum ground  
clearance ðpage 117.  
WARNING  
Never mount a "weight-distributing" or "load-  
balancing" trailer coupler as the trailer hitch.  
The vehicle was not designed for these types  
of trailer hitches. The trailer hitch can mal-  
function and the trailer can separate from the  
vehicle, which increases the risk of an acci-  
dent.  
Note  
Never turn off trailer mode while driving  
when a trailer is hitched, because then the  
restrictions for controlling the vehicle level  
will be turned off.  
Driving with a trailer on unpaved roads  
when the vehicle is raised may change the  
vehicle handling. Adapt your speed.  
Note that the vehicle will lower automati-  
cally at certain speeds if you have raised the  
vehicle level manually.  
Be sure to adhere to the applicable tongue  
weight for your vehicle ðpage 134. Select  
136  

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals