I've got a, new to me, 2016 Avant with a towbar that won't drop down.

Searching google shows that the operating knob in the boot works by pulling and twisting, but mine just pulls out on a cable. The red/green LED's work the same but cant find any info.

Anyone had any experience with these?

TIA

Suspect you'll need to get under the rear valance and see if anything is stopping it dropping. Obviously be aware the towbar it's a heavy old lump, so if someone pulls the cable - see if it will detach down with a little help. Failing that - you might need to scan with VCDS to see if any logged errors. Have you checked fuses too? 

 

Thanks for input.

When I first got my A6 Allroad - 2nd hand - the towbar was also reluctant to drop, a few squirts with aerosol lubricant and some manual asisstance - waggling it up and down - over a few days - and it now works as intended . I suspect it had not been used for some time.... might be worth a try...

The only "fuses" to check are those for the unlocked/locked indication/interlock system .. its a TOTALLY MECHANICAL system ...  at least mine is !

Edited August 19, 2025Aug 19 by Entwood

21 hours ago, Entwood said:

When I first got my A6 Allroad - 2nd hand - the towbar was also reluctant to drop, a few squirts with aerosol lubricant and some manual asisstance - waggling it up and down - over a few days - and it now works as intended . I suspect it had not been used for some time.... might be worth a try...

The only "fuses" to check are those for the unlocked/locked indication/interlock system .. its a TOTALLY MECHANICAL system ...  at least mine is !

Thanks Entwood