Audi Q3 Towbars
Things to considerTowbar types explained Towbar Electrics
Audi Q3 Towbars
All Audi Q3 towbars are type approved, vehicle-specific, this means that they are specially designed, tested and approved for the Audi Q3. Currently, there are two generations of the Audi Q3, 2011-2019 and 2019 onwards.Audi Q3 Towing Specifics
The Audi Q3 was first introduced in 2011 by the German manufacturer as a subcompact luxury crossover SUV, that has strong towing capabilities. We will cover the towing specifics of both generations below.
Audi Q3 2019 Onwards Towbars
The Audi Q3’s second generation was launched into the market in 2019. If you have a 2019 Audi Q3 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 logbook.
Audi Q3 2019 Onwards Towbar Electric Kits
It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to an Audi Q3 2019 onwards 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 Q3 2019 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 Q3 2019 onwards 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.
Fitting a Bypass relay is necessary when fitting a universal electrics kit, to make the towbar electrics function without faults appearing on your dashboard, but we do not fit or sell universal electrics for this vehicle.
The connections would need to be made above the roof lining, this can easily lead to damaging of the roof lining.
The Audi Q3 switches the lights from the bumper to the tailgate when the tailgate is opened, if you were to break down whilst towing and opened the tailgate, the hazard lights on the trailer would not operate.
Coding
This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicle's software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Audi Q3 vehicles manufactured 2019 onwards will require coding.
Bumper cuts
Depending on the towbar, Audi Q3 2019 onwards 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.
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. Any Audi Q3 vehicles manufactured after 2019, have a minimum nose weight of 80kg and a maximum nose weight of 100kg. The tow bar selected will determine your vehicles nose weight.
Towing weight
Towing weight is the weight that the Audi Q3 2019 onwards towbars can tow safely without damaging the vehicle. The towing weight capacity ranges between 2000kg to 2500kg depending on which Audi Q3 2019 onwards towbar you chose.
You will need to check the towing limit for your Q3 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.
Audi Q3 2011-2019 Towbar Electrics Kits
It is recommended that all tow bars fitted to an Audi Q3 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 Q3 2011-2019 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 Q3 year range 2011 to 2019 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.
Fitting a Bypass relay is necessary when fitting a universal electrics kit, to make the towbar electrics function without faults appearing on your dashboard, but we do not fit or sell universal electrics for this vehicle.
The connections would need to be made above the roof lining, this can easily lead to damaging of the roof lining.
The Audi Q3 switches the lights from the bumper to the tailgate when the tailgate is opened, if you were to break down whilst towing and opened the tailgate, the hazard lights on the trailer would not operate.
Coding
This is the coding of the ECU to accept the dedicated system, this updates your vehicle's software to run smoothly with the new towbar. Audi Q3 vehicles made between 2011-2019 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 Q3 2011-2019 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. You have a choice of non-visible and no bumper cuts for the tow bars offered with the Audi Q3 range.
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. For any Audi Q3 vehicle manufactured between the years 2011 to 2019, the lowest nose weight is 80kg and the highest nose weight is 100kg. Nose weight varies depending on the towbar you choose and are displayed under each tow bar below.
Towing Weight
Towing weight is the weight that an Audi Q3 2011-2019 towbar can tow safely, without any risk of damaging the vehicle. Towing weights are bar specific and displayed below each towbar.
For the Audi Q3 range, the towing weight capacity for the tow bars is between 2000kg to 2500kg depending on which towbar you chose.
You will need to check the towing limit for your Q3 vehicle model as it may not be able to tow up to the weight limit that the tow bar can tow.