[Guest]

I have been asked by a friend in France to bring a car over for him. I have an Ifor Williams trailer (twin axle & braked) which will easily carry the car and other related junk - in total 2.5 tonnes. The Q5 will pull up to 2.7 tonnes no probs but...... this is my new car
It will have under 1000 miles on the clock and only three weeks old when I drive back to France, so barely run in, brakes barely bedded in etc. Am I being stupid saying I will tow this trailer back for my friend, will it affect the brakes, engine, transmission or damper control?

In other words should the car be "run in" before being made to work hard? It is 800 miles door to door and there are some steep hills on the peages and we always do the drive "non stop".

Is my new car going to need surgery when it gets to the destination - new gearbox etc or should it all be man enough?

I would have no hesitation after I had clocked up a years motoring but what if any pitfalls on a new car and possible warranty am I letting myself in for ?

kc

 

[Guest]

The Q5 max towing capacity is 2,400 kilos. Your car and trailer may well be overweight! In any case it is not recommended to tow more than 80 percent of the gross vehicle weight. Obviously the trailer/car combination must be plated accordingly to be legal.

The Audi manual states "do not tow before 1,000 kms have been reached". When I purchased my Q5, I was advised by the garage to complete 1,000 miles before towing.

 

[nsm3]

No way would I tow more than 500kgs before the engine is run-in and not for long haul anyway?

As I understand it, the worst things you can do are a) sit at a constant speed on the motorway, which you will do towing a trailer - I think it adversely affects the cylinder bores and

put the engine under undue strain, which you will do pulling that weight of trailer up steep hills - I think it can affect the wearing in of big end bearings etc, so that they are "out of round"?

I'm no Mechanical Engineer, but this is what I understand to be the case. Also, it may put additional strain on a new gearbox, although I am less convinced about that?

However, the car should be able to be run-in with say up to 500kgs, for stop/start journeys, as that equates to about 4 passengers plus a boot full of luggage?

My trailer is for motorcycles and fully loaded comes in at about 500kg, although even at that, I am hoping to get the running in done before hauling it around to anywhere of a significant distance?

 

[CrustyNoodle]

Towing capacity of the Q5 is indeed 2400kg and I think you might even find the factory fitted towbar has an even lower load rating (I'm guessing here).

......I think it can affect the wearing in of big end bearings etc, so that they are "out of round"?.....

Big end bearings don't wear-in, they only wear out! Basically if the fit of the big end bearings is not absolutely spot on during assembly then the engine will be knackered before it even starts. A hard run-in doesn't damage the big end, poor assembly does.

Who knows, towing a 2500kg trailer might actually be great for bedding in the rings of a brand new engine and nipping that oil consumption period in the bud, but I don't think you'd want to do it for an extended period of time - mainly because of the extra heat generated by the tight piston/ring/bore fit.

I don't think I'd do it with our Q5 until at least the 2000km mark.

 

[nsm3]

Big end bearings don't wear-in, they only wear out! Basically if the fit of the big end bearings is not absolutely spot on during assembly then the engine will be knackered before it even starts. A hard run-in doesn't damage the big end, poor assembly does.

Well I did say I was no Engineer - LOL.

Taking on board what you have said - why bother to run-in an engine at all then - I suppose the better the build quality (F1 springs to mind) means you can thrash them from the start?

Anyhoo - I am quite prepared for the O/P to test out the theory, using his yet to be delivered, brand new motor !

 

[CrustyNoodle]

Taking on board what you have said - why bother to run-in an engine at all then - I suppose the better the build quality (F1 springs to mind) means you can thrash them from the start?

Anyhoo - I am quite prepared for the O/P to test out the theory, using his yet to be delivered, brand new motor !

Too true - I can't imagine Vettel putting around in his Red Bull for 1500k's before giving it some welly! As you can well imagine there are many theories when it comes to engine run-in but the manufacturers have a recommended run in procedure (or really just guidelines) so I think straying too far from these is done at the owners own risk.

 

[CrustyNoodle]

I think I've found the Q5 break-in procedure:

 

[smo]

The factory fitted towbar will be rated to the same value as the max permissable tow weight for the vehicle, it certainly wont be supplied with a lesser rated one.

As for towing that far with such a load on a new engine, i'd be a little cautious and want at least 1500 miles on the clock, but then for me thats only 3 weeks commute to work and back!

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all your replys, I have off loaded the car so no need to tow it back, although I still need to take the trailer with the wifes shopping on it!!! with a bit of luck the car should have clocked almost 1000 miles before I leave
When I looked in the brochure I was certain it said the Q5 could tow 2700kg, I will dig the brochure out to check what it says - maybe only the 3.0 takes a bit more weight
kc

 

[smo]

Juist checked the brochure that sits next to my chair (yes im sad, until mine arrives the brochure is all i have!) and the max towing weight for any model is 2400kg with the 143Tdi and 180 Petrol rated at a lower 2000kg. Those are the brocure figures for 8% gradient.