Where the Battery Is Located in a 2013 Audi Q5

In a 2013 Audi Q5, the main 12-volt battery is located in the rear of the vehicle beneath the cargo floor, on the right-hand (passenger) side, covered by interior trim and an access panel. This design differs from many older cars where the battery sits in the engine bay, and it can cause confusion for owners who are looking under the hood and not finding it there.

Why the Battery Isn’t Under the Hood

The 2013 Audi Q5’s battery placement is part of a broader engineering trend in modern vehicles, especially premium SUVs, where weight distribution, safety, and packaging efficiency drive key design decisions. Audi has chosen to move the battery to the rear compartment instead of the engine bay, mostly to improve vehicle balance and free up space in the engine area.

Exact Battery Location in the 2013 Audi Q5

For owners and technicians, the precise location and access method matter when jump-starting, replacing, or disconnecting the battery. While the front of the car is still used for jump-start terminals, the actual battery itself sits at the back of the vehicle.

Rear Cargo Area Placement

In the 2013 Audi Q5, the main 12 V battery is mounted in the luggage compartment, not in the engine bay. This layout can be confusing if you are accustomed to simply opening the hood to find the battery.

The following list explains exactly where and how the battery is installed in the rear cargo area.

• Under the cargo floor: Lift the main floor panel in the trunk (luggage compartment). This is the removable panel that covers the spare tire or tire repair kit area.
• Right-hand (passenger) side compartment: After lifting the floor, look to the right side of the cargo well. The battery is housed behind a molded trim panel or cover on this side.
• Protective cover or bracket: The battery is typically covered by a plastic or fiberboard panel that may need to be unclipped or unscrewed, depending on exact trim and market specification.
• Near toolkit/jack area: In many Q5s, the jack and tools are in the same general rear compartment; the battery is located just adjacent to or beneath some of this equipment.
• Secured with a clamp and vent hose: The battery is fixed with a hold-down clamp and often has a small vent tube connected, as is common with batteries inside or near the cabin.

Taken together, these details mean you’ll gain access to the battery by lifting the trunk floor and removing the right-side trim or cover, revealing the 12 V unit set deep in the rear compartment.

No Conventional Battery in the Engine Bay

Many owners expect to find the battery under the hood. On the 2013 Audi Q5, however, lifting the hood reveals only the engine, fuse boxes, and designated jump-start points—not the main battery itself.

The next list clarifies what you will and will not see in the engine bay regarding the battery.

• No main battery housing: There is no large battery block mounted near the firewall or front corners as in older vehicles.
• Jump-start terminals present: Audi provides positive and negative jump-start posts under the hood, allowing jump-starting without direct access to the rear battery.
• Electrical distribution points: Under-hood fuse and relay boxes handle power distribution from the rear-mounted battery.
• Visual confusion for new owners: It’s common for first-time Q5 owners to think the vehicle has “no battery” because they only look under the hood.

These elements mean that while electrical service and jump-starting can be done from the front, any physical battery replacement or disconnection requires working in the rear cargo area.

How to Access the Battery Safely

Locating the battery is only the first step—accessing it safely is crucial for both personal safety and protecting the vehicle’s electronics. Audi’s design makes the battery reasonably accessible once you know where to look, but care is required.

Step-by-Step Access in the Rear Compartment

The following list outlines a practical sequence for safely exposing the battery in a 2013 Audi Q5.

1. Park safely and power down: Park on a flat surface, switch off the ignition, remove the key (or key fob), and ensure all lights and accessories are off.
2. Open the rear tailgate: Lift the tailgate fully to provide room to handle the floor and trim panels.
3. Remove cargo floor panel: Lift the main floor panel in the trunk by its handle or pull tab. Set it aside carefully.
4. Move any tools or foam inserts: If your Q5 has a spare wheel, foam organizer, or tire repair kit, remove or lift these components for access to the side compartments.
5. Locate the right-side trim cover: Identify the cover panel on the passenger-side rear compartment. It may be held by clips, tabs, or small fasteners.
6. Detach the cover: Gently unclip or unscrew the cover to avoid breaking trim pieces. Behind it, you should see the battery and its securing bracket.
7. Inspect the terminals and vent: Before disconnecting anything, identify the positive (+) and negative (–) terminals and any vent hose connected to the battery.

Following these steps allows clear access to the battery for inspection or replacement, while minimizing the risk of damaging trim or wiring.

Using the Battery vs. Using Under-Hood Jump Points

While the battery is in the rear, Audi provides dedicated jump-start points under the hood to prevent owners from having to work in the cargo area in emergencies.

The list below outlines when to use the rear battery itself versus the under-hood terminals.

• Use under-hood jump points for jump-starting: If the car is dead and needs a boost, connect jumper cables or a booster pack to the designated positive and ground points in the engine bay, as indicated in the owner’s manual.
• Use rear battery access for replacement: When the battery is weak, old, or failing, and you’re installing a new unit, access the rear battery directly.
• Prefer rear access for long-term charging: For a smart charger or battery maintainer, connecting at the rear battery posts often provides the most direct and stable connection.
• Follow polarity and safety rules: Whether using front jump points or the rear battery, always connect positive to positive, negative to the designated ground, and avoid sparks near the battery.

By distinguishing between emergency access under the hood and full access in the cargo area, owners can manage both quick jump-starts and more complex battery work efficiently and safely.

Considerations When Replacing the Battery

Replacing the battery in a 2013 Audi Q5 is more involved than in older, purely mechanical cars. Modern Audi models integrate the battery into the vehicle’s electronic management systems, so correct installation and coding are important.

Type of Battery and Registration

The Q5 is typically equipped with an AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) or similar high-spec 12 V battery. This supports start-stop systems (if equipped) and heavy electrical loads. On many VAG (Volkswagen Audi Group) vehicles, the car’s control module tracks the battery’s age and condition.

The following list highlights key factors to keep in mind during a replacement.

• Match the specification: Use a replacement battery with the same or compatible capacity (Ah), cold cranking amps (CCA), and technology (often AGM), as specified in the owner’s manual or by the manufacturer.
• Observe proper disconnection order: Typically, disconnect the negative terminal first, then the positive, to reduce the risk of short-circuits.
• Observe proper reconnection order: When installing the new battery, connect the positive terminal first, then the negative.
• Maintain venting if required: If the battery uses a vent tube, ensure the new battery is connected to the vent system properly to avoid gas buildup inside the vehicle.
• Battery coding/registration: On many 2013 Audi Q5 models, it is recommended—or required—to “register” or code the new battery with a suitable diagnostic tool so that the battery management system recognizes the new unit. This can affect charging strategy and component longevity.
• Protect vehicle electronics: Some technicians use a memory saver to retain radio presets and certain settings, although this must be done carefully to avoid electrical issues.

Accounting for these factors will help ensure that the replacement battery works correctly with the Q5’s electrical system and does not trigger avoidable faults or premature wear.

Why Audi Places the Battery in the Rear

For owners, the rear-mounted battery can seem inconvenient, but the packaging is part of a deliberate design approach used across several Audi and other European models in the 2010s.

Engineering and Safety Rationale

Moving the battery away from the engine bay yields both dynamic and practical advantages. While this layout slightly complicates physical access, it aligns with performance and safety goals for the Q5 as a premium SUV.

The list below explains the main reasons behind this design decision.

• Improved weight distribution: Locating a heavy component in the rear helps balance front-heavy vehicles, enhancing handling and stability.
• Thermal protection: The rear location keeps the battery away from intense engine heat, which can extend battery life and reliability.
• Crash safety: A rear or central location can be easier to protect in certain crash scenarios, reducing the likelihood of damage or short-circuits.
• Engine bay packaging: The crowded modern engine compartment—packed with turbochargers, emissions gear, and electronics—benefits from having one less large component to house.

These engineering considerations help explain why the 2013 Audi Q5’s battery is not where many drivers first expect to find it, even if it adds a small layer of complexity for DIY maintenance.

Summary

In the 2013 Audi Q5, the main 12-volt battery is located in the rear cargo area, under the trunk floor on the right-hand (passenger) side, hidden behind an interior trim cover. It is not in the engine bay; instead, Audi provides under-hood jump-start terminals for convenience while reserving the actual battery location for better weight distribution, thermal protection, and packaging efficiency. To access the battery, you must lift the trunk floor, remove or shift any tools or foam inserts, then open the right-side cover panel. When replacing the battery, matching the correct specification and, in many cases, registering the new battery in the vehicle’s electronic system are important steps to ensure reliable operation.

Where is the battery on a 2013 Audi Q5?

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.

Where is the battery on a 2013 Audi?

Wheel. Next remove the plastic cover the tool tray can also be removed. And now you’ll have access to the battery.

Why are Audi batteries in the trunk?

Because it’s really close to the engine. Those vibrations will be transferred to the battery when the batteries vibrate the plates. Inside. Okay could get disconnected. And the battery quits.

Where are the battery terminals on an Audi Q5?

So to get to that. You need a little screwdriver. Get a little screwdriver. And put it in this little slot right here. And this will lift up i already did it it’s just a little little tab.