Where the Battery Is Located on a 2016 Audi Q5

The main 12-volt battery on a 2016 Audi Q5 is located in the rear cargo area, beneath the load floor on the right-hand (passenger) side, not under the hood. This rear placement can surprise new owners, but it is intentional for weight distribution, safety, and packaging reasons.

Understanding the Battery Location on the 2016 Audi Q5

Unlike many older vehicles that store the battery in the engine bay, the 2016 Audi Q5 (including most trims such as 2.0 TFSI and 3.0 TFSI) uses a rear-mounted battery configuration. To access it, you typically lift the cargo floor panel and remove an additional cover on the right side. Under the hood, you will usually find only jump-start terminals rather than the actual battery itself.

Exact Position of the Battery

Rear Cargo Area Placement

On the 2016 Audi Q5, the battery is positioned in the rear cargo compartment, beneath the floor covering on the right (passenger) side. This is a sealed battery, mounted low in the chassis to improve vehicle balance and to free up space in the engine bay.

The following steps outline where and how you will typically find the battery in a 2016 Q5:

• Open the rear tailgate and clear any luggage or cargo.
• Lift the main cargo floor panel (often hinged or removable).
• Locate the right-hand (passenger-side) compartment beneath the floor.
• Remove the plastic or fabric cover over the compartment.
• Inside this compartment, you will see the main 12-volt battery secured with a bracket and connected by heavy-gauge cables.

Once the floor panel and side cover are removed, the battery is relatively easy to identify and access for inspection, testing, or replacement.

Under-Hood Jump-Start Terminals

While the battery itself is not located under the hood, Audi provides dedicated jump-start points in the engine bay. These allow you to jump-start or charge the vehicle without physically accessing the battery in the rear, which can be especially useful in poor weather or emergency situations.

Here is what you generally find under the hood on a 2016 Audi Q5 related to the electrical system:

• A positive (+) jump terminal, usually protected by a red plastic cap.
• A designated negative (–) or ground point on the body or engine.
• Fuse and relay boxes near the cowl or on the sides of the engine bay.
• No conventional top-mounted battery as seen in many non-premium vehicles.

These front-mounted terminals allow safe connection of jumper cables or a battery charger, while the actual battery remains securely housed at the rear.

Why Audi Places the Battery in the Rear

Design and Engineering Reasons

The rear-mounted battery layout on the 2016 Q5 is not accidental; it reflects Audi’s broader engineering and design philosophy. Moving a heavy component like a battery from the engine bay to the rear of the vehicle has several practical and performance-oriented benefits.

Key reasons Audi located the battery in the rear of the Q5 include:

• Weight distribution: Positioning the battery at the back helps balance the weight between the front and rear axles, improving handling stability.
• Engine bay packaging: Modern turbocharged engines, emission-control equipment, and cooling systems need more space, so shifting the battery frees up critical room.
• Thermal protection: Batteries degrade faster in high heat; placing it away from the hot engine compartment can help extend its service life.
• Crash safety: Moving the battery away from the crumple zones in the front can reduce the risk of damage in frontal collisions.

Taken together, these factors make the rear cargo area a logical place for the battery in a compact luxury SUV like the 2016 Q5.

How to Access the Battery Safely

Basic Access Steps

Owners who need to inspect or replace the battery should be aware of the correct access procedure to avoid damaging trim pieces or electrical components.

General steps to access the 2016 Audi Q5 battery are:

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and switch off the ignition.
2. Open the rear tailgate.
3. Remove any cargo obstructing the floor panel.
4. Lift the main cargo floor panel; it may be hinged or fully removable depending on trim.
5. Locate the right-side compartment cover and carefully lift or unclip it.
6. Identify the battery, noting the positive and negative terminals and any attached sensor or vent lines.

Following these steps allows you to reach the battery without forcing panels or clips, reducing the risk of cosmetic or structural damage in the cargo area.

Precautions When Working Near the Battery

The 2016 Audi Q5 uses advanced electrical management, and the battery is integrated into that system. Owners planning to disconnect or replace the battery should exercise caution and, ideally, follow manufacturer guidance or consult a qualified technician.

Common precautions include:

• Always switch off the ignition and remove the key before touching battery terminals.
• Use proper tools and avoid short-circuiting the terminals with metal objects.
• Note any battery monitoring sensor or IBS (Intelligent Battery Sensor) attached to the negative terminal and avoid damaging it.
• If replacing the battery, use a compatible specification (capacity, type, and AGM vs. flooded) and have the new battery “coded” or registered to the vehicle using appropriate diagnostic equipment.

These precautions help protect the vehicle’s electronic systems and ensure the battery and charging system continue to function as intended after any work is performed.

Summary

On a 2016 Audi Q5, the main 12-volt battery is located in the rear cargo area, under the floor on the right-hand (passenger) side, rather than in the engine bay. Access involves lifting the cargo floor and removing a side cover to reveal the battery. Under the hood, Audi provides dedicated jump-start terminals, but not the physical battery itself. This rear placement improves weight distribution, frees up space in the engine compartment, and helps protect the battery from engine heat, while still allowing relatively straightforward access for inspection, charging, or replacement.

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

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.

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.

Why is the Audi battery in the trunk?

You have constant vibrations from the engine. 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