Where to Find the Battery in the 2019 Audi Q5

The main 12-volt battery in the 2019 Audi Q5 is located in the rear of the vehicle, under the cargo floor on the right-hand (passenger) side, rather than under the engine hood. This positioning is part of Audi’s design for weight distribution, safety, and packaging efficiency, and it can surprise owners accustomed to front-mounted batteries.

Understanding the 2019 Audi Q5’s Battery Location

The 2019 Audi Q5 uses a rear-mounted 12V battery that powers core electrical systems such as engine starting, lighting, and infotainment. Unlike many older vehicles where the battery sits visibly in the engine bay, the Q5 conceals it beneath interior panels in the luggage compartment, requiring a few simple steps to access it safely.

Primary Battery Location: Rear Cargo Area

The core question for owners is how to physically locate the main battery when it is not immediately visible under the hood. The following description explains precisely where the battery is and how it is integrated into the rear cargo layout.

Exact Position in the Luggage Compartment

In the 2019 Audi Q5, the 12V battery is mounted beneath the cargo floor, on the right (passenger-side) section near the rear corner of the vehicle. It is typically covered by a removable floor panel and, in many trims, positioned near or under the foam insert or side storage compartment adjacent to the spare tire or tire repair kit.

How to Access the Battery

To reach the battery, owners need to lift or remove a series of covers and panels in the rear cargo area. These steps are not mechanically complex, but they should be done carefully to avoid damaging trim pieces or compromising wiring around the battery housing.

The steps below outline a common, manufacturer-aligned approach to accessing the battery in a 2019 Audi Q5, helping owners or technicians reach it for inspection, testing, or replacement.

1. Open the rear tailgate and fully clear the cargo area of any personal items or accessories.
2. Lift the main cargo floor panel from the rear edge; in many models this panel is hinged or can be raised and removed.
3. If equipped, remove or lift out the foam storage tray or organizer that sits above the spare tire or tire repair kit.
4. Locate the right-hand (passenger-side) section under the cargo floor; identify the dedicated battery compartment cover or side panel.
5. Carefully release the clips or fasteners securing this cover, then lift it off to expose the battery and its terminals.

Once the cover is removed, the battery and its mounting hardware become visible, allowing access for jump-starting, testing, or replacement. Reassembly is essentially the reverse of disassembly, ensuring each cover and tray is refitted securely.

Under-Hood Connections vs. Rear Battery

Some Audi Q5 owners expect to find and use the battery under the hood, yet the actual unit is in the rear. Audi addresses this by providing accessible jump-start points in the engine bay, so drivers rarely need to open the rear battery compartment for routine jump-starts.

Jump-Start Terminals in the Engine Bay

Because the battery is positioned in the luggage area, Audi typically supplies designated positive and negative terminals under the hood designed specifically for jump-starting. These connections are easier to reach at the front of the vehicle and also help protect interior trim from accidental damage when using jumper cables.

The following list outlines the general approach to using under-hood jump-start points without directly accessing the battery itself.

• Open the hood and identify the clearly marked positive jump-start post, usually protected by a red plastic cap.
• Locate the recommended negative connection point, often a labeled grounding lug or solid metal point on the body or engine.
• Attach jumper cables or a booster pack following the sequence specified in the owner’s manual: positive to positive, negative to recommended ground.
• Start the donor vehicle or power pack, then start the Q5 and let it run before disconnecting cables in reverse order.

Using the under-hood jump-start terminals avoids unnecessary access to the battery compartment and is the method Audi intends for most emergency starts, as confirmed in the official owner’s documentation.

Why Audi Places the Battery in the Rear

The rear-mounted battery in the 2019 Q5 is not an arbitrary choice; it is part of a broader engineering strategy common among premium manufacturers balancing performance, safety, and packaging.

Weight Distribution and Handling

Positioning the heavy 12V battery in the rear helps offset the weight of the engine and front drivetrain, improving overall balance. This can contribute to more predictable handling and stability—particularly useful in an all-wheel-drive, SUV-style vehicle like the Q5.

Safety and Thermal Management

By moving the battery away from the high-heat engine bay, Audi can improve the component’s longevity and make crash-energy management more predictable. It also allows for cleaner routing of cables and integration with other rear electrical systems, such as power tailgate hardware and rear lighting.

Important Safety Notes When Working Around the Battery

Even though accessing the 2019 Q5’s battery is relatively straightforward, it remains a high-current electrical component. Owners should use care and follow basic safety procedures whenever working near the terminals or removing the battery.

The key guidelines below help reduce risk of shock, sparks, and damage to sensitive electronics when dealing with the battery in the rear compartment.

• Switch off the ignition and remove the key or key fob from the vehicle before disconnecting any terminals.
• Wear eye protection and avoid metallic jewelry or tools contacting both terminals or grounded metal simultaneously.
• Disconnect the negative (–) terminal first and reconnect it last to minimize the chance of accidental short circuits.
• If your Q5 includes advanced systems such as start-stop or a battery energy management system, ensure replacement batteries meet Audi’s specifications.
• Consult the owner’s manual or a qualified technician for procedures that may require battery registration or coding using diagnostic equipment.

Following these precautions helps protect both the vehicle’s electronics and the person performing the work, especially in a modern SUV with extensive onboard computer systems like the Q5.

Summary

In the 2019 Audi Q5, the main 12V battery is not in the engine bay but in the rear cargo area, beneath the floor on the right-hand (passenger) side, covered by interior panels. Owners can reach it by lifting the cargo floor and removing the side compartment cover, though routine jump-starting is typically done via dedicated terminals under the hood. Audi’s rear-mounted design supports better weight distribution, improved safety, and cleaner packaging, but it means drivers need to look beyond the engine compartment when servicing or replacing the battery.

Where is the battery located on an Audi?

The Audi battery is most commonly located in the trunk under the spare tire, accessed by lifting the carpeted floor, removing the spare tire, and then taking out a plastic cover. For some models, like the Q7, the battery is under the front driver’s seat. On very rare occasions, it could be under the hood in an older model. If the battery is dead and won’t open the trunk, use the designated jump start terminals in the engine bay.
 
This video shows the Audi A4 battery location in the trunk: 42sIrixGuy’s Adventure ChannelYouTube · Dec 2, 2021
For most Audis (A4, A5, A8, S5, etc.)

1. Open the trunk: Use the key fob or the button on the driver’s door panel to open the trunk. If the battery is completely dead, you will need to use the jump-start points in the engine bay to open the trunk first (see below). 
2. Access the spare tire: Lift the trunk’s carpeted floor mat to reveal the spare tire. 
3. Remove the spare tire: Unscrew the central nut holding the spare tire in place and lift it out of the trunk. 
4. Locate the battery: The battery will now be visible underneath where the spare tire was. There may be a plastic cover or other components to remove before you can get to the battery itself. 

For Audi Q7

• The battery is located under the front driver’s seat. 
• You may need to open a compartment or lift a panel to access it. 

If the battery is dead and the trunk won’t open

• You can use the jump-start terminals under the hood.
• Open the hood and locate the positive (+) terminal, which is often under a red cover marked with a ‘+’ symbol.
• Find a good ground point on the engine or body (an unpainted metal surface).
• Follow proper jump-starting procedures, connecting the positive and negative terminals correctly, to give the battery enough power to open the trunk. 

This video explains how to jump-start an Audi with a dead battery: 46sXcelerateYouTube · Aug 17, 2024

Where is the battery on a 2019 Audi Q5?

The 2019 Audi Q5 battery is located in the trunk, underneath the spare tire. To access it, you must first remove the trunk floor covering and then the spare tire, which may involve disconnecting some fasteners or foam sections.
 
This video shows how to locate the battery in the trunk of an Audi Q5: 15sLive FreeYouTube · Jun 14, 2024

• Locate the spare tire: Open the trunk and lift the cargo floor to find the spare tire. 
• Remove the spare tire: Take out the spare tire. You may need to unscrew some fasteners or lift foam pieces to get it out. 
• Access the battery: The battery will be located in the spare tire well. 
• Note for hybrid models: For hybrid Q5 models, there may be a separate 12V auxiliary battery located in the left rear quarter panel area, according to I-CAR Repairability Technical Support Portal. 

Can I replace the Audi Q5 battery myself?

Can I replace my Audi Q5 battery myself? Absolutely! I’ve replaced my Audi Q5 battery myself a few times. Just ensure you follow the correct steps and safety measures to prevent any issues during the audi q5 battery replacement process.

Are Audi batteries in the trunk?

So what we do lift this up. This little store storage bin. And then under here. And by the way this is where the jack is if you wanted to know that. Come on my hands are like Oh here we go.