- Fig. 1 Luggage compartment: Handle for releasing towing bracket
- Fig. 2 Rear bumper: Engaging towing bracket and opening socket
- Fig. 3 Area below rear bumper: Removing bumper cover
Applies to Audi Q5s: with towing bracket
Special care is required when extending and retracting the towing bracket.
Extending towing bracket
Take off the bumper cover Link.
Detach the left-hand side trim in the luggage compartment.
Pull the handle -1- in the direction indicated (arrow) Fig. 1 WARNING!. The towing bracket is released and swivels downwards. The diode -2- will change from green to a flashing red light.
Swivel the towing bracket -3- by hand further in the direction indicated (arrow) until you hear and feel it engage Fig. 2. The diode will light up green.
Before hitching up a trailer, pull off the dust cap -4- and stow it away in the Audi Q5.
When you switch on the ignition make sure that the instrument cluster display does not display the indicator lamp 
or the message Check towing bracket !
or the message Check towing bracket !Retracting towing bracket
After unhitching a trailer, press the dust cap -4- back on.
Pull the handle -1- out in the direction indicated (arrow). The towing bracket is released and swivels downwards. The diode -2- will change from green to a flashing red light.
Swivel the towing bracket under the bumper as far as possible by hand until you hear and feel it engage WARNING!. The diode will light up green.
Insert the bumper cover Fig. 3 with the retaining tabs first and turn both fasteners 90° until the bumper cover engages securely.
When you switch on the ignition make sure that the instrument cluster display does not display the indicator lamp or the message Check towing bracket !
or the message Check towing bracket !Improper use of the towing bracket can cause injury and accidents.
- Make sure that no people, animals or objects of any kind are in the path of the towing bracket.
- The towing bracket may NOT be used if the towing bracket does not engage properly. Risk of accident and injury!
- Never attempt to interfere with the movement of the towing bracket, for example with tools, while it is swivelling. This can cause damage to the towing bracket, in which case the trailer can no longer be towed safely.
- Never tow a trailer if the diode is flashing red. This means that the towing bracket is not securely engaged in its extended position and cannot be used. Risk of accident.
- Only use the towing bracket when it is extended fully, it has engaged securely and the diode is lit green.
- You should have the towing bracket checked by a qualified dealership if any faults occur in the system or in the towing bracket itself.
- Do NOT operate the handle when there is a load on the towing bracket.
Caution!
Do NOT hold a high-pressure cleaner or steam cleaner directly at the seal of the towing bracket or the socket. This may cause damage to the seal, which can lead to moisture entering and causing rust and other damage to the system.
Note
- The swivel mechanism of the towing bracket is filled with a lubricant. If you have not used the towing bracket for a relatively long time or have used it constantly without retracting or extending it, the swivelling movement may be stiff because the lubricant is no longer distributed evenly, or the towing bracket may no longer swivel downwards automatically when the handle is operated. In this case we recommend that you extend and retract the towing bracket several times or loosen it by jogging it up and down repeatedly.
- The ball joint of the towing bracket must be lubricated regularly before hitching up a trailer.
- The diode -2- only lights up when the tailgate is open.
- It is advisable to retract the towing bracket when you are not towing a trailer.