Audi A3 Towbars

Audi A3 Towing Specifics

The Audi A3 was first introduced in 1996 by the German manufacturer as a subcompact executive car, offering decent towing abilities. There are four different models included in the range; hatchback, Sportback, saloon and cabriolet. We will cover the towing specifics of each model below.

Audi A3 Hatchback Towbar Electrics Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to an Audi A hatchback 2003 onwards are done so with a dedicated electrics kit, rather than a universal electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit not only ensures all modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors are functional but also helps to keep your vehicle's warranty unaffected.

We offer both universal and dedicated electrics kits for the Audi A8 hatchback 2003 onwards towbars, but be aware that universal electrics kits can invalidate any manufacturer warranty your vehicle has and may also require a bypass relay.

Check your Audi warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All tow bars for the Audi A3 year range 1996 onwards will require a bypass relay if universal electrics are fitted.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

Whereas a dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Audi A3 vehicles made from 1996 will require coding.

Coding is used to update your vehicles software in order for it to run coherently with the new towbar through the dedicated electrics.

Bumper Cuts

Depending on the towbar, Audi A3 hatchback vehicles will require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar.

1996-2003 models have a choice of non-visible and no bumper cuts.

2003-2012, 2012-2016 and 2016 onwards models have a choice of visible, non-visible and no bumper cuts.

Nose Weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball, it is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Nose weight varies depending on the towbar you choose and are displayed under each tow bar below.

1996-2003 models have a nose weight of 75kg.

2003-2012 models have a low nose weight of 75kg and a high nose weight of 100kg.

2012-2016 models have a low nose weight of 75kg and a high nose weight of 85kg.

2016 onwards models have a low nose weight of 75kg and a high nose weight of 100kg.

Towing Weight

Towing weight is the weight that a Audi A3 hatchback vehicle can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

1996-2003 models have a minimum towing weight capacity of 1500kg and a maximum towing weight capacity of 1650kg.

2003-2012 models have a minimum towing weight capacity of 1600kg and a maximum towing weight capacity of 1800kg.

2012-2016 models have a minimum towing weight capacity of 1800kg and a maximum towing weight capacity of 2000kg.

2016 onwards models have a minimum towing weight capacity of 1802kg and a maximum towing weight capacity of 2200kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your A3 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

Audi A3 Sportback Towbars

The Audi A3 Sportback was launched into the market in 2004. If you have 2004 onwards Audi A3 it is important you correctly determine which model you have to ensure you get the correct towbar. You can find this information in your vehicle’s log book.

Audi A3 Sportback Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to an Audi A3 Sportback vehicle are fitted with a dedicated electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit helps to guarantee modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors function correctly, while also helping to ensure that any vehicle warranty is not affected.

Although universal electrics kits are available for the Audi A3 towbars, these could invalidate any manufacturer warranty you may have and will also require a bypass relay.

Check your Audi warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All towbars for Audi A3 Sportback vehicles that are fitted using a universal electrics kit will require a bypass relay.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

A dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Audi A3 vehicles manufactured from 2004 onwards will require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, Audi A3 Sportback vehicles will require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar.

2004-2013 and 2013-2016 models have a choice of non-visible and visible bumper cuts.

2016 onwards models have a choice of non-visible and no bumper cuts.

Nose Weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball, it is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. Nose weight varies depending on the towbar you choose and are displayed under each tow bar below.

2004-2013 models have a low nose weight of 75kg and a high nose weight of 100kg.

2013-2016 models have a low nose weight of 80kg and a high nose weight of 85kg.

2016 onwards models have a low nose weight of 80kg and a high nose weight of 100kg.

Towing Weight

Towing weight is the weight that an Audi A3 Sportback vehicle can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

2004-2013 models have a minimum towing weight capacity of 1500kg and a maximum towing weight capacity of 1800kg.

2013-2016 models have a minimum towing weight capacity of 1800kg and a maximum towing weight capacity of 2000kg.

2016 onwards models have a minimum towing weight capacity of 2000kg and a maximum towing weight capacity of 2200kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your A3 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

Audi A3 Saloon Towbars

The Audi A3 saloon was released into the market in 2013. If you have 2013 onwards Audi A3 it is important you correctly determine which model you have to ensure you get the correct towbar. You can find this information in your vehicle’s log book.

Audi A3 Saloon Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to an Audi A3 saloon vehicle are fitted with a dedicated electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit helps to guarantee modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors function correctly, while also helping to ensure that any vehicle warranty is not affected.

Although universal electrics kits are available for the Audi A3 saloon onwards towbars, these could invalidate any manufacturer warranty you may have and will also require a bypass relay.

Check your Audi warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All towbars for Audi A3 saloon vehicles that are fitted using a universal electrics kit will require a bypass relay.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

A dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Audi A3 vehicles manufactured from 2013 onwards will require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, Audi A3 saloon vehicles may require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar.

2013-2016 models have a choice of visible, non-visible and no bumper cut for the tow bars offered with the Audi A3 range.

2016 onwards models have a choice of non-visible and no bumper cut.

Nose weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball. It is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the individual tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.

2013-2016 models have a low nose weight of 85kg and a high nose weight of 100kg.

2016 onwards vehicles have a low nose weight of 75kg and a high nose weight of 100kg.

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the Audi A3 saloon towbars can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

The towing weight is up to 2000kg for the Audi A3 saloon 2013-2016 onwards towbars.

2016 onwards vehicles have a towing weight capacity between 1802kg and 2200kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your A3 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.

Audi A3 Cabriolet Towbars

The Audi A3 Cabriolet was released into the market in 2008. If you have 2008 onwards Audi A3 it is important you correctly determine which model you have to ensure you get the correct towbar. You can find this information in your vehicle’s log book.

Audi A3 Cabriolet Towbar Electric Kits

It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to an Audi A3 cabriolet vehicle are fitted with a dedicated electrics kit. A dedicated electrics kit helps to guarantee modern features such as; trailer stability and parking sensors function correctly, while also helping to ensure that any vehicle warranty is not affected.

Although universal electrics kits are available for the Audi A3 cabriolet onwards towbars, these could invalidate any manufacturer warranty you may have and will also require a bypass relay.

Check your Audi warranty for more information.

Bypass Relays

All towbars for Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles that are fitted using a universal electrics kit will require a bypass relay.

A bypass relay works by powering what it is you are towing through transferring power straight from the battery instead of taking too much current away from your vehicle.

A dedicated system works in harmony with your vehicle's ECU and all of its functions.

Coding

This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicles software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Audi A3 vehicles manufactured from 2013 onwards will require coding.

Bumper cuts

Depending on the towbar, Audi A3 Cabriolet vehicles may require a bumper cut. A bumper cut is when a fraction of the vehicle's rear bumper is cut in order to fit the towbar.

2008-2014 models have a choice of visible and non-visible bumper cuts for the tow bars offered with the Audi A3 range.

2014-2016 models have a choice of, visible and no bumper cut.

2016 onwards vehicles have a choice of non-visible and no bumper cut.

Nose weight

Nose weight is the amount of weight pushing down on the tow ball. It is important not to exceed the nose weight set on the individual tow bar, failure to do so could damage the car chassis and/or tow bar mounting points. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.

2008-2014 and 2014-2016 models have a low nose weight of 75kg and a high nose weight of 100kg.

2016 onwards vehicles have a low nose weight of 85kg and a high nose weight of 100kg.

Towing weight

Towing weight is the weight that the Audi A3 cabriolet towbars can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.

The towing weight is 1700kg up to 1800kg for the Audi A3 Cabriolet 2008-2014 onwards towbars.

2014-2016 models have a towing weight capacity of 1700kg up to 2000kg.

2016 onwards vehicles have a towing weight capacity between 2000kg and 2200kg.

You will need to check the towing limit for your A3 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.