The automatic lowering of the suspension height is not desirable when towing a trailer.
The system detects the trailer and automatically activates the "towing mode" when you hitch up a trailer or caravan to the vehicle and plug in the electrical connector. This mode is deactivated automatically when the trailer is unhitched from the vehicle. The towing mode can also be switched on and off manually on the MMI.
Select: Function selector button CAR > function selector button SETUP > Towing mode.
Suspension settings when towing a trailer or caravan
- You should select the automatic or comfort setting so that the suspension is at the Normal height level before hitching up the trailer and adjusting the draw bar weight Link.
- If you wish to use the dynamic setting while towing a trailer, this setting must be selected before hitching up the trailer and adjusting the draw bar weight. Please remember, however, that the suspension will be lowered to the Low level, and the ground clearance will be reduced accordingly.
- If you have to drive on a rough surface, you can select the offroad or lift setting after hitching up the trailer and adjusting the draw bar weight.
Restrictions when towing a trailer or caravan
When towing a trailer, the lift setting is only available at speeds up to about 20 km/h. The offroad setting is available up to about 35 km/h. The lift setting is cancelled automatically when the vehicle exceeds a speed of about 40 km/h; the offroad setting is cancelled at about 50 km/h.
If one of the suspension settings automatic, comfort, offroad or lift was selected before activating the towing mode, it will not be possible to switch to the dynamic setting.
If the dynamic suspension setting has been selected before the towing mode is activated, it will still be possible to drive with the dynamic setting. However, this setting cannot be re-selected once you have changed to another setting.
Note
- The suspension height will not drop to the Low or Low (motorway) level while the towing mode is active.
- The towing mode is also activated automatically when you mount a bicycle carrier that employs the electrical connection for the trailer. In this case you can switch off the towing mode manually via the main Setup menu of the adaptive air suspension in order to deactivate the restrictions to the AAS functions which would otherwise be in effect when towing a trailer.