When it comes to towing, you should approach the Audi E-tron like any other vehicle. Done sensibly and within the legal and safe limits, everything should be fine.
Before you start towing a trailer, it’s imperative to read your owner’s manual. That’s where you’ll find all the relevant data, information, and advice.
This page is a quick summary of the contents in that owner’s manual and shouldn’t be taken as a complete guide.
That said, here are the basics of towing a trailer with the Audi E-tron.
Table of Contents
What is the Audi E-tron towing capacity?
Before using your E-tron to tow anything, you must know the towing capacity.
For the 2022 E-tron, the towing capacities are as follows:
- E-tron or E-tron Sportback – 4,000 lbs (1,800 kg)
- E-tron S or E-tron Sportback S – 3,307 lbs (1,500 kg)
As always, these are accurate at the time of writing. However, you must double-check the information in your owner’s manual before towing.
Exceeding the E-tron’s towing capacity would be extremely dangerous.
Trailer weight requirements for towing
Before towing anything with any car, you must meet several strict weight requirements. These include the following:
- Staying below the car’s towing capacity
- Keeping the trailer weight below the maximum permitted tongue weight
- Sticking to the GVWR, GAWR, and overall load
- Following load distribution advice
- For example, most heavy objects should go in the E-tron or be placed near the trailer axle.
- Obeying local speed limits (as usual)
- etc.
General advice for towing a trailer with the E-tron
You should also check or adjust the following when you tow a trailer:
Connecting exterior lighting to your trailer
When driving, your trailer must display the usual lights. These include the following:
- Brake lights
- Tail lights
- Turn signals
- Fog light
- Parking light
It must also be fitted with reflectors and distance markers, so people behind you can clearly see at night.
Ensure all the trailer lights are working before setting off on your journey. Ask a friend to stand behind it to check these.
Speed of travel
When towing a trailer, the faster you go, the greater the risk of swaying or tilting.
Keep your speed to a low (but safe) level. This protects you and everyone else on the road from a tipping trailer!
Use the correct tire pressure
The tires are the focal point of any car. They’re the meeting point between it and the asphalt. As such, it’s crucial to ensure they’re under the correct pressures.
You’ll find the relevant tire pressures towards the rear of the owner’s manual. Check the door sills and pillars, too.
You should inflate your tires to the ‘full load’ psi. Check the pressures of the trailer’s, too, and make sure to use winter tires if necessary.
Seeing in your mirrors
Having a trailer attached to your E-tron shouldn’t mean you can’t see the road in your mirrors.
You must still be able to see the road all around you. This could involve adjusting the mirrors, or you might need to fit additional ones to widen your view.
These mirrors should be available from any automotive hardware store.
Driving up or down hills
Hills are another hazard. Driving uphill means the E-tron’s batteries use much more power to achieve the same speed. Downhill driving sees acceleration due to gravity.
Both put extra stress on the trailer, making swaying more prominent and creating a potentially dangerous situation.
Do your best to smoothly maintain a constant speed. This involves using the pedals, steering wheel, and recuperation braking to maximum effect.
Differences in driver assists
Hooking up a trailer can alter the sensors and cameras used for various driver assists.
Audi recommends the following to reset them:
- Turn the E-tron on and off again each time you connect or disconnect a trailer.
Adjusting air suspension (if applicable)
If your E-tron comes with air suspension, this must be put into trailer mode. If you don’t, the ride height might adjust while driving, putting the trailer out of balance.
Here’s how to put your E-tron’s air suspension in trailer mode.
- BEFORE connecting your E-tron to the trailer, the drive select should be in Comfort.
- On the MMI, go to Vehicle.
- Select Settings & Service.
- Choose Air suspension: trailer and activate the feature.
Remember to turn it off again once you’ve finished towing.
Stay safe while towing in your Audi E-tron
Whenever you tow anything, many safety restrictions need to be met. This article has covered only a few.
If in any doubt, get your trailer towed by a certified, trusted company.
Read your owner’s manual for the most relevant information. You’ll find a copy of the Audi E-tron’s below.
