New towbar activating the reversing sensors on Q5

Tynan Family
Tynan Family Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited April 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

I've just had a Westfalia detachable towbar installed by a local specialist on my Audi Q5, but I have found that when it is fitted to the car, the tow ball is activating the rear sensors when reversing the car. This didn't happen with my previous A4, which
also had a detatchable westfalia towbar, so I'm assuming an adjustmen twas made to the sensors on the A4. The parking sensors can be deactivated manually or deactivate automatically when hitched to the caravan, but the specialist has told me it is normal for
the sensors to be activated by the towball when it not hitched up . Has anyone experienced the same issue?

Comments

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited April 2016 #2

    We have a Q3 and Westfalia Towbar fitted.  It doesn't have any affect on the parking sensors when thhe towball is in place and no van on the back.  When we hook up to the caravan it automatically deactivates the rear sensors.  I know we are a slightly smaller Q car than yours, but I'm sorry I feel your specialist is talking tosh!.

     

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #3

    Just take it off then when not in use. Cool Why pay for a detachable if you're not going to detach it when you're not using it? 

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #4

    Obviously it is working correctly when hitched and deactivated automatically, like most CANBUS systems will do. My car does not see the towball when unhitched and I'm sure many don't, but on a few the towball will be in the range of a sensor due to differing bumper heights, shapes and sensor positions, if it can be de-sensitized it will be an Audi job and not your fitters problem.

    Like said, if its detachable then detach it when not in use.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited April 2016 #5

    Simply fitting the towbar would not have any impact on the cars systems, only when the caravan is connected electrically will the car go into caravan mode e.g. switch off rear sensors, deactivate "auto-stop" show a caravan on the screen when engaging reverse
    etc so your sensors must be in a more sensitve position than some.

  • catherinef
    catherinef Forum Participant Posts: 647
    edited April 2016 #6

    Ok I may have to apologise for saying your fitter is talking tosh.  

    Are your sensors in the same position as in this link?

    http://autofidelity.com.au/product/audi-parking-system-plus-front-rear-park-distance-control-sensor-system-retrofit-for-audi-q5-8r/

    Although this is a retrofit kit, the sensors are in the same position as Q5 factory fit.  These are a lot lower than on our Q3 and also from what images I've seen on A4's too. 

     

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