Get Driving tips -> Removable towing bracket (tow bar) Guide for Audi S5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2024)

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Towing a trailer

201

able equipment, this can cause damage to the towing bracket. In an

extreme case, damage to the towing bracket could cause it to break

Accessories

Before mounting equipment and accessories (e.g. bicycle

rack) please observe the following notes.

⇒

.

WARNING

• If you wish to mount equipment which has not been approved

by Audi please ensure that it is suitable for use on Audi vehicles.

• Use of unsuitable equipment can result in severe damage to

the towing bracket. The towing bracket could then break while

pulling a trailer and cause an accident.

• Never use tools of any kind when fitting and removing the ball

joint. This could damage the mechanism which locks the ball joint

in place and impair its safety (accident risk).

Fig. 194 Load distribu-

tion of equipment and

accessories

The equipment/accessories mounted must not protrude more than

1

700 mm from the ball joint A.

Removable towing bracket

The total weight (mounted equipment plus the load) must not

exceed 75 kg.

Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracket

Introduction

The maximum load depends on where the centre of gravity lies.

Special care is required when fitting and removing the

towing bracket.

The maximum weight decreases as the distance between the centre

1

of gravity and the ball joint A increases.

The following limits apply:

If the distance is 300 mm, the total weight (incl. the equipment

A

mounted) A must not exceed 75 kg.

If the distance is 600 mm, the total weight (incl. the equipment

B

mounted) A must not exceed 35 kg.

Only bicycle racks for a maximum of three bicycles may be used.

Fig. 195 Luggage

compartment with

towing bracket

Equipment mounted on the towing bracket

We recommend that you only mount equipment (e.g. bicycle rack)

which has been approved by Audi on the ball joint. If you wish to

attach other equipment please make sure that it has been approved

by the manufacturer for use on the ball joint. If you mount unsuit-

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202

Towing a trailer

Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracket

The removable ball joint attachment for the towing bracket is stored

under the floor panel on the left-hand side of the luggage compart-

ment.

Fitting the ball joint (step 1)

The ball joint can be fitted and removed by hand.

WARNING

Never use tools of any kind when fitting and removing the ball

joint. This could damage the mechanism which locks the ball joint

in place and impair its safety (accident risk).

Fig. 196 Area below

rear bumper: Folding

down the socket

Note

• Do not attempt to modify or repair the ball joint or other towing

bracket components.

• Should you have any difficulties when using the towing bracket,

or suspect that it is not fitted properly, contact a qualified workshop.

• Before setting off, always check that the ball joint is secured

properly ⇒ page 204.

• Never disengage the ball joint with the caravan / trailer still

hitched or with a bicycle rack or similar accessory still attached.

Fig. 197 Socket

(folded down)

• It is advisable to remove the ball joint when you are not towing a

trailer. Fold the socket back to its original position so that the

mounting fixture is properly closed.

– Remove the bumper cover to access the socket unit.

• The ball joint must be removed if you intend to clean the car with

a steam cleaning attachment. Make sure that the mounting fixture

is properly closed.

– Fold the socket unit all the way out in the direction of the

arrow ⇒ fig. 196.

• For installation and removal of the ball joint we recommend that

– The cover piece is held automatically in the open posi-

tion.

the gloves provided be used.

– Check that the mounting for the towing bracket, which

will now have become visible -arrow- ⇒ fig. 197, is free of

dirt, and clean if necessary ⇒

.

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Towing a trailer

203

The ball joint can only be installed if the internal spring mechanism

is in the ready position.

– Also check the shaft section of the ball joint and its asso-

ciated mechanical parts to make sure they are clean and

undamaged.

Continued ⇒ page 203, “Fitting the ball joint (step 3)”.

Continued ⇒ page 203, “Fitting the ball joint (step 2)”.

Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracket

Fitting the ball joint (step 3)

WARNING

It is important to keep the mounting fixture clean. Otherwise the

ball joint may fail to engage securely (accident risk).

Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracket

Fitting the ball joint (step 2)

Fig. 199 Removable

towing bracket:

Setting the spring

mechanism to the

"ready" position

Fig. 198 Removable

towing bracket: Ball

joint

The spring mechanism inside the ball joint must

be in the "ready" position.

Fig. 200 Removable

towing bracket:

Inserting the ball joint

2

– Check that the red marking A ⇒ fig. 198 on the knob is

inside the green zone on the ball joint.

Setting the spring mechanism to the "ready"

position (if required)

1

– Check that the locking ball A is inside the hole in the

shaft section of the ball joint.

4

– Insert the key A ⇒ fig. 199 for locking the ball joint into

the lock on the knob and turn it clockwise.

– Check that the knob protrudes visibly from the ball joint,

3

so that there is a clear gap A between the knob and the

ball joint.

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204

Towing a trailer

Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracket

a

– Pull out the knob in direction A, hold and turn in direc-

Fitting the ball joint (step 4)

b

5

tion A until the locking ball A engages ⇒

.

Inserting the ball joint

– With the spring mechanism in the “ready” position,

insert the ball joint into the mounting fixture and push it

upwards ⇒ page 203, fig. 200 in the direction indicated

(arrow) ⇒

. The spring mechanism should then

engage automatically with an audible click.

– Lock the ball joint by turning the key anti-clockwise.

Fig. 201 Removable

towing bracket: Safety

check

– Take out the key and press the cover cap provided onto

the lock.

Continued ⇒ page 204, “Fitting the ball joint (step 4)”.

WARNING

• If it is not possible to set the spring mechanism to the "ready"

position as described above, do not use the ball joint. Please take

your vehicle to a qualified workshop.

Fig. 202 Area below

rear bumper: Electrical

socket for trailer

• To avoid injury, keep your hands away from the knob and the

cover piece when inserting the ball joint into the mounting fixture.

Safety check

Note

6

– Check that the green marking A ⇒ fig. 201 on the knob

Make sure that the knob can turn freely when the ball joint is

inserted.

is inside the green zone on the ball joint.

– Check that the knob is directly against the ball joint, so

7

that there is no gap A between the knob and the ball

joint.

– Check that the ball joint is locked and the key is removed

(so that the knob cannot be pulled out).

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Towing a trailer

205

– Check that the ball joint fits tightly in the mounting

fixture (try moving it about to check).

Electrical socket for trailer

– The cable of the towing bracket can be connected to the

socket ⇒ page 204, fig. 202.

Fig. 204 Area below

rear bumper: Folding

up the socket

If the safety check is not satisfactory, the ball joint must be fitted

again properly.

8

– Take off the cover cap and insert the key A ⇒ fig. 203 in

WARNING

the lock on the knob.

To avoid accidents, the ball joint must meet all the safety require-

ments listed in the safety check. The towing bracket must not be

used if any one of these requirements is not met. If this is the case,

you should contact a qualified workshop.

– Unlock the ball joint by turning the key clockwise.

– Take hold of the ball joint and pull out the knob in direc-

a

tion A.

– Keep hold of the knob and turn it as far as it will go in

Applies to vehicles: with removable towing bracket

b

direction A.

Removing the ball joint

– Release the knob. The spring mechanism will remain in

the "ready" position ⇒

.

– Pull the ball joint down out of the mounting fixture.

– Then swivel the socket up ⇒ fig. 204 as far as it will go.

The mounting fixture will be closed automatically.

– Fit the bumper cover over the opening on the bumper.

Fig. 203 Removable

towing bracket:

Removing the ball joint

– Put away the ball joint attachment under the floor panel

in the luggage compartment.

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Towing a trailer

A

The securing points, which are marked by an A in the illustrations

⇒ fig. 205 and ⇒ fig. 206, are located under the vehicle.

WARNING

Make sure that the socket unit has closed off the mounting fixture

of the towing bracket properly. Otherwise the ball joint may fail to

engage securely if dirt accumulates in the mounting fixture.

Audi dealers are familiar with the method of installation and any

modifications which may be required for the cooling system.

WARNING

Towing bracket (retrofitting)

• If a towing bracket is retrofitted, the installation should be

carried out by a qualified workshop.

If required, the vehicle can be retrofitted with a towing

bracket.

• If the towing bracket is incorrectly fitted, this could cause a

safety risk.

• For your own safety, please observe the instructions provided

by the manufacturer of the towing bracket.

Caution

If the connector socket is not fitted correctly, this could cause

damage to the vehicle's electrical system.

Fig. 205 Positions of

securing points (side

view)

Fig. 206 Positions of

securing points (from

above)

If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the car is purchased, this must

be done according to the instructions of the towing bracket manu-

facturer.

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Towing a trailer

207

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Driving tips -> Removable towing bracket (tow bar) for Your Audi S5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2024)

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