Towing a car (Audi A4 B6)

The basic rule of towing is as follows: both drivers must be familiar with the features of the towing process; inexperienced drivers should not participate in towing. Towing for the purpose of starting the engine should only be undertaken if it is not possible to start it from an external battery. Towing cars with an automatic transmission for this purpose is impossible for technical reasons. Due to the risk of damaging the catalytic converter, an engine with a warmed-up converter can only be started in this way if the towing distance does not exceed 50 m. Otherwise, unburned fuel may get into the converter and cause damage.

When towing vehicles with a manual transmission, the following four points must be observed:

• Before towing, engage 2nd or 3rd gear, depress the clutch pedal and hold it in this position.
• Turn on the ignition.
• Once both vehicles have moved, release the clutch pedal.
• Once the engine starts, depress the clutch pedal and shift out of gear to avoid hitting the towing vehicle.

What Else You Need to Know About Towing

For towing, use ropes made of artificial fibers or ropes made of other elastic materials, but it is better to use a towing rod. The towing rope or rod may only be attached to the shackles intended for this purpose. The towing shackles must be screwed in until they stop.

It is essential to ensure that no impermissible traction forces or jerky movements occur during towing. When towing off-road, there is a risk of overloading the fastening parts. If a towing rope is used, the driver of the towing vehicle must engage the clutch particularly gently when starting off and changing gears. The driver of the towed vehicle must ensure that the rope is kept taut at all times. In accordance with legal regulations, the hazard warning lights of both vehicles must be switched on. The ignition must also be switched on so that the steering wheel is not locked and that the direction indicators, horn and windscreen wipers function.



Since the brake booster only works when the engine is running, you have to press the brake pedal much harder if necessary. When the engine is not running, the power steering does not work, so you have to apply more force when steering.



If there is no lubrication in a manual or automatic transmission, the vehicle can only be towed with the drive wheels raised.

When towing vehicles with front-wheel drive and automatic transmission, the following additional precautions must be observed:

• The gear selector must be in the "W" position.
• The speed when towing must not exceed 50 km/h.
• The towing range must not exceed 50 km.

When towing over long distances, the front of the vehicle must be raised because the transmission oil pump does not work when the engine is not running. When towing at high speeds and over long distances, the transmission is not sufficiently lubricated. When using an emergency towing vehicle, the vehicle may only be towed with the front wheels raised. If the vehicle is raised from behind, the drive wheels rotate backwards, causing the planetary gears in the automatic transmission to rotate so fast that the transmission is severely damaged within a short time.

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