soonerfan

The sensors are like little radar beacons. Anything in close proximity of a sensor will engage the audible alarm. I'd bet one of those bicycle wheels would do the trick. As a point of information, I can lay my road bike on its side inside the Q5 with the rear seat backs down. It's a 54cm frame. Maybe you can find a hitch mounted rack that will hold your bike(s) high enough as to not set off the sensors.

koobah

Don't understand the concern. The sensors are active only in reverse gear no?

Jazzy

...or if you engage the sensors manually using the button on the console.

The sensors surround the vehicle, so while the front sensors may be far or close you wouldn't know, because the tone would be a solid scream due to the bike rack proximity alerting the rears.

All this is moot though if there's some way to disable the rears if the hitch outlet is activated somehow (eg. like towing) and/or if the rack is out of the way enough as to avoid causing detection.

koobah

Isn't there a graphic on the MMI screen? Swear I saw it during my test drive. Anyway, I'll probably be installing the Curt hitch because I plan to use it for bikes and skis occasionally, so OEM hitch cost is tough to swallow.

skl1

If I'm not mistaken, the "factory" hitch is put on at the port so technically it is after the fact already...

pedser

I wish there was a way to drive to Houston (my closest) port of entry an pay for the install w/o using the dealer, 2k for a hitch is just crazy specially since its installed at the port.

Pedro

jrtouareg

For those of you towing, the dealer OEM Audi unit comes with a control unit that interfaces with the engine/transmission module that optimizes the towing capability of the vehicle. The dealer needs to program the vehicle so the computer knows when a hitch is attached not just for the lights, brakes, etc. but also to program the engine/transmission for proper shift points and engine management so you do not damage the vehicle when towing. The VW/Audi/Porsche SUVs also have built-in towing stability programming for safer towing. Not to mention it turns turns off the sensors that may interfere with towing. So, a few hundred dollars saved is not worth the risk of safety in towing and damaging a not inexpensive vehicle.