Cruise control disabled when towing

[Drahcir]

2021 Audi A4 Allroad

When I plug in the electrics when towing the cruise control is disabled.

I tow a caravan in France and using the cruise control at 100 kms/hr on the autoroutes would be a great help.

In my previous car, a BMW X3, I was able to do this.

Does anyone know a work around to fix this and enable cruise control to be used when towing?

[Drahcir]

6 hours ago, jasonj said:

Hi Richard .

This is a safety feature on this vehicle along with altering the brakes at the front to prevent them from locking up so it would be unwise to amend this as it would impact on other systems . Jasonj 

Thanks but it seems a curious view of safety by Audi. The whole point of cruise control is to free driver capacity so that more concentration can be directed to the surrounding traffic rather than monitoring the car’s speed.

 

[Drahcir]

Sadly, probably so.

[Magnet]

Many thanks Richard,

Since your car is 3 years old - and I guess has been fitted with its tow bar at some point after it was first registered - it may well be worth giving all this a good coat of thinking about before  dismissing the possibility that it might be associated with the after-fitting of the tow bar, rather than an incorporated designed safety ‘feature’  
Worth having a word with a towing bar fitting specialist-? 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Drahcir]

Tow bar fitted by specialist company and confirmed the disabling of cruise control as Audi policy.

They offered to see if the car could be re-coded as a work around but I declined this as too many possible unintended side effects. I understant the dead man's handle logic - very sensible - but I can't see any possible logic for this as the slightest tap on the brakes disengages cruise control.

 

[Magnet]

Hello Jason,

‘They would have researched this….’
Is this statement in knowledge that they actually did, or is it an assumption on your part? 

I think my suggestion to Richard to seek advice at a specialist, before accepting what has been said, is both progressive and meaningful. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Magnet]

Thanks Richard, 

There is better understanding, now that you have explained that the tow bar fitting specialist had already advised you that they know there isn’t anything abnormal about the situation you are left in. Knowledge of full facts is king if meaningful advice is to be given. 
Thanks again Jason, so the forum takes it that you have consulted with Audi Technical on this subject. If I may say, the forum needs to be assured that the facts it advises on are indeed supported. If they are, then that is fact If indeed they aren’t or haven’t been, then is must be taken as opinion or assumption, and that’s fine too - if stated to be. 
Many thanks and kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Hammie1982]

Whilst not wanting to stand on anyones toes or question anyones knowlege.  I do find it odd that the Cruise control would be dismissed when towing.

I used to travel with another friend when towing caravans and his A6 would have had cruise control on whilst towing. Having said that i dont know if it was a factory fit or retro fit tow bar to be honest.  And when searching for information reference another friends Skoda and the same issue, theres alot of information to do with people having issues with adaptive cruise control when towing! Intermittent loss of use but not complete loss! 

I wouldnt be the most knowledgable in these matters but i do find it interesting that they would deem it necessary to restrict the use of a feature which is most helpful in everyday driving and in maintaining the correct speed, just because your towing a trailer or caravan.

 

[Drahcir]

Until I bought my Audi I drove and towed with a BMW X3 and cruise control was available when towing on that.

I just can't see any reason why Audi have decided to do this.

But I'd still have the Audi in preference to the X3

[Drahcir]

That's fair enough but my 2021 Allroad doesn't have adaptive cruise control. Looks like Audi were getting ahead of the game!