Where to Find the Battery Terminals on an Audi Q5

The main battery terminals on most Audi Q5 models are not accessed directly at the rear battery; instead, you use dedicated positive and negative jump-start terminals located under the hood, typically near the right side (passenger side in LHD markets) of the engine bay beneath plastic covers. The physical 12V battery itself is usually mounted in the rear of the vehicle (trunk/boot area), often under the floor panel or beneath the spare wheel, depending on model year and powertrain.

Understanding Battery Terminal Locations on the Audi Q5

The Audi Q5’s design separates day‑to‑day access points (for jump-starting or testing) from the actual battery location. This can be confusing for owners used to cars with fully accessible batteries in the engine bay. Knowing where both the front service terminals and the rear battery are will help you safely jump-start the vehicle or connect a charger.

Under‑Hood Battery Terminals (Primary Access Points)

For most maintenance tasks like jump-starting, charging, or checking system voltage, Audi intends you to use the terminals located in the engine compartment. They provide a safe, clearly marked connection without needing to dismantle interior or trunk trim.

Positive Terminal Under the Hood

On most Audi Q5 generations (including common models from roughly 2009–2024), the 12V positive terminal for jump-starting and charging is located in the engine bay under a plastic cover:

• Position: Typically on the right-hand side of the engine compartment (passenger side in left-hand-drive markets), near the firewall or close to the edge of the engine bay.
• Identification: Covered by a red or black plastic cap often marked with a “+” symbol or a battery/jump-start icon.
• Access: You usually need to flip open or unclip a small cover to expose the metal post or terminal block where you attach the positive (red) jumper or charger clamp.
• Use case: Recommended point for connecting the positive lead during jump-starts, booster packs, and many types of external chargers that support under‑hood connections.

Once you locate this positive terminal, it serves as your reference point for safe jump-starting: you connect the red clamp here first, then find the appropriate negative connection point under the hood.

Negative Terminal / Ground Under the Hood

Instead of using the actual negative post of the rear battery, Audi usually provides a designated ground point in the engine bay for jump-starting and electrical work.

• Typical design: A solid metal stud or bolt, often unpainted, sometimes marked with a small grounding symbol, and typically located near the engine or on the bodywork in the upper engine bay area.
• Location: Frequently found:
  

  • On a metal bracket or support near the strut tower, or
  • On a dedicated grounding lug attached to the body or engine.

• Identification tips: Look for a protruding metal point specifically mentioned in your owner’s manual diagrams as the “ground” or “negative” terminal for jump-starting.
• Use case: Connect the black (negative) jumper cable or charger clamp here, not directly to the under‑hood positive post or random engine components, to reduce risk of sparks near the battery circuit.

Using the designated ground point instead of hunting for the rear battery’s negative terminal ensures safer operation and aligns with Audi’s official jump-start procedure.

Physical Battery Location in the Rear of the Vehicle

While the under‑hood terminals handle most daily needs, the actual 12V battery in many Audi Q5 models is located in the rear cargo area. This placement helps with weight distribution and cabin packaging, but makes the battery less obvious to owners.

Battery in the Trunk / Boot Floor Area

On many combustion-engine Q5 variants (including a large portion of first and second generations), the battery is typically found under the cargo floor.

• Access path:
  

  • Open the rear tailgate.
  • Lift the main cargo floor panel using the pull tab or handle.
  • In many models, you’ll see a spare wheel or tire repair kit; the battery often sits in a recessed well nearby or directly underneath that assembly.

• Mounting: The battery is usually secured with:
  

  • A metal hold-down clamp or bracket at the base, and
  • Heavy-duty positive and negative cables leading forward to the engine bay and vehicle electronics.

• Terminal visibility: Once the cover over the battery is removed, you can see:
  

  • A red-covered “+” post with additional fused connections, and
  • A “–” terminal attached to the body ground nearby.

• Intended use: Primarily for battery replacement or deeper service work, not the preferred point for routine jump-starting.

Accessing the rear battery directly is more involved than lifting an under‑hood flap, which is why Audi provides front jump points for everyday use.

Variations in Plug‑in Hybrid and Newer Q5 Models

In plug‑in hybrid (TFSI e / PHEV) and some newer Q5 configurations, the 12V auxiliary battery and high-voltage system packaging can differ slightly, but the general principle remains: dedicated under‑hood terminals for 12V access, with the main battery often still in the rear area.

• Plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) models:
  

  • High-voltage traction battery is located separately (typically under the floor),
  • 12V auxiliary battery may still sit in the trunk area or a side compartment, depending on packaging.

• Owner’s manual reliance: The exact panel shape, floor layout, and plastic trim may differ slightly year-to-year, so the model-specific diagram in the manual is the most precise reference.
• Service considerations: On PHEVs, high-voltage circuits are separate from the 12V battery; never attempt to access orange high-voltage components when looking for 12V terminals.

Despite these variations, Audi continues to route convenient 12V access to under‑hood terminals so drivers and roadside services don’t need to dismantle hybrid battery areas to jump-start or supply power.

How to Use the Audi Q5 Battery Terminals Safely

Knowing where the terminals are is only half the task; using them correctly protects both you and the vehicle’s sensitive electronics. The Audi Q5’s jump points are designed to simplify this, but the order of operations still matters.

Typical Jump‑Starting Sequence Using Under‑Hood Terminals

While you should always confirm in your specific owner’s manual, the broad procedure for using the Q5’s front terminals is generally as follows.

1. Prepare both vehicles or power pack: Place the donor vehicle or booster pack close enough that cables reach, but avoid contact between vehicles.
2. Turn everything off: Switch off ignitions, lights, and accessories on both vehicles.
3. Connect positive first: Attach the red cable clamp to the Q5’s under‑hood positive “+” terminal, then to the donor battery’s positive terminal.
4. Connect negative to ground: Attach the black cable clamp to the donor vehicle’s negative terminal (or ground), then connect the other end to the Q5’s designated under‑hood ground point (not the positive terminal or bodywork at random).
5. Start the donor, then the Q5: Start the donor vehicle (if using another car), allow it to run briefly, then attempt to start the Audi Q5.
6. Disconnect in reverse order: Remove the black clamp from the Q5’s ground, then from the donor; then remove the red clamp from the donor, and finally from the Q5’s positive terminal.

Following this sequence with the dedicated Audi Q5 terminals reduces the chance of sparks near the battery circuit and protects sensitive electronics from surges or improper connections.

Charging or Maintaining the Battery

If you use a smart charger or maintainer, many can be connected to the same under‑hood points rather than directly to the rear battery. This often matches Audi’s recommended practice.

• Connection: Positive clamp to the under‑hood “+” terminal; negative clamp to the under‑hood ground point.
• Mode selection: Choose an AGM or appropriate mode if your Q5 uses an AGM battery (common on modern models with start‑stop systems).
• Monitoring: Use the charger’s voltage or status display; there’s usually no need to expose the physical rear battery just for maintenance charging.
• Battery replacement caution: If you replace the rear battery, many modern Audi Q5s require battery coding or registration with a diagnostic tool so the energy management system recognizes the new battery type and capacity.

By using the front service terminals for routine charging, you reduce the wear on rear trim panels and avoid unnecessary disassembly of the cargo area.

Model-Year Differences and Why Documentation Matters

Across the Q5’s production—from the first generation (around 2009) through current models—Audi has largely stuck to the same philosophy: rear-mounted battery, front-mounted service terminals. However, trim details, plastic covers, and cable routing can change, which can affect exactly how you access the terminals.

• First generation (approx. 2009–2017): Commonly features a rear battery under the cargo floor or spare wheel, with clearly labeled under‑hood positive and ground points.
• Second generation (approx. 2017–present, including facelifts): Similar layout, but more extensive plastic engine covers and refined trim around the cargo floor; the jump-start post may be integrated into a more compact plastic housing.
• Performance variants (SQ5) and diesels: Battery and terminal layout generally similar, but exact locations of ground studs or accessories in the engine bay can differ due to intercoolers, airboxes, or additional hardware.
• Plug‑in hybrid Q5 TFSI e: Still offers under‑hood 12V access, but the rear compartments may contain additional high-voltage hardware and control units; only the 12V battery and terminals are intended for owner access.

Because of these small but important differences, it is always wise to confirm the diagrams in the printed or digital owner’s manual for your exact model year and powertrain before working around the battery system.

Summary

The battery terminals you actually use on an Audi Q5 are usually the dedicated service points in the engine bay: a covered positive “+” post and a designated metal ground point under the hood. The main 12V battery itself is typically mounted in the rear cargo area, often under the trunk floor or near the spare wheel, and is accessed mainly for replacement or more advanced service. For jump-starting and routine charging, Audi’s own guidance favors the under‑hood terminals, which are designed to provide safe, straightforward access to the vehicle’s electrical system.

How to start Audi Q5 with dead battery?

Holder. Once the key fob is sitting in the cup holder like that I’ll come over here and press the stop start button. And then once the vehicle beeps I’ll start it as normal.

Where is the battery in the Audi Q5?

The main car battery in an Audi Q5 is located in the trunk, underneath the floor panel, behind the spare tire. To access it, you will need to lift the trunk floor and remove the spare tire.
 
This video shows the location of the Audi Q5 battery: 55sJoe Beermaster The Car MasterYouTube · Oct 7, 2019

• Locate the battery: Open the trunk and lift the floor panel to reveal the spare tire. The battery is located beneath the spare tire. 
• Access the battery: You may need to remove the spare tire and any other panels to get to the battery itself. 
• Important note: Some newer models may have a separate jump start terminal under the hood in the engine bay, but the main battery is still in the trunk. 

This video shows the location of the Audi Q5 jump start terminal: 58sMotorCarNutYouTube · Feb 12, 2025

Where to put jumper cables on Audi Q5?

And then you will never start the car again because you’re going to fry the engine. Computer you’re going to fry every electronic in there if you reverse the polarities.

How to find battery terminals?

Battery terminals are the metal connectors on top of a battery, usually marked with a plus (+) for the positive terminal and a minus (-) for the negative terminal. The positive terminal is often covered by a red cap, while the negative terminal is typically black and may have a minus sign. They can be found on top or on the side of the battery and are often located in the engine compartment but may also be in the trunk or under a seat.
 
This video demonstrates how to identify positive and negative terminals on a car battery: 54sMake It Easy MechanicYouTube · Feb 10, 2024
How to find the terminals and their polarity

• Look for the plus (+) and minus (-) signs: The most reliable way to find the terminals is by looking for the stamped symbols on the battery case. 
• Check for color coding: The positive (+) terminal is usually associated with a red color, often a red cover, and a red cable. The negative (-) terminal is generally black, though it may not have a cover. 
• Identify the negative terminal by its connection: The negative terminal cable is often connected to the car’s chassis or engine block, which acts as a ground. 
• Consult your owner’s manual: If you are unsure of the battery’s location or need more specific instructions for your vehicle, the owner’s manual is the best resource.