Where to Find the Oil Drain Plug on an Audi Q5

The oil drain plug on most Audi Q5 models is located on the bottom rear section of the engine’s oil pan, roughly centered under the engine, and accessed from underneath the vehicle after removing the lower engine splash shield. In practical terms, you’ll be looking straight up at the oil pan from beneath the front of the car, with the plug facing downward or slightly toward the rear, depending on the engine and model year.

Understanding the Location of the Oil Drain Plug

On the Audi Q5, the oil drain plug is designed to be easily accessible for routine maintenance, but it is protected by an underbody panel (splash shield) to reduce damage and keep debris out. The exact appearance and orientation can vary slightly between engines—such as the 2.0 TFSI, 3.0 TFSI, 3.0 TDI, and later mild-hybrid variants—but the general position remains the same: at the lowest point of the oil pan, beneath the engine bay.

General Position on Most Audi Q5 Models

While the Q5 has evolved across generations and engine types, Audi’s layout philosophy for the oil drain plug has been consistent. It is attached to the oil pan, which is the lowest part of the engine’s lubrication system, allowing oil to drain completely by gravity.

Underbody View: Where to Look

From beneath the vehicle, you will be able to see the front subframe, plastic undertray, and the oil pan itself. The plug will appear as a single bolt or screw in the metal (or in some cases composite) oil pan, usually near the back edge.

Key points about the oil drain plug location across most Audi Q5 generations include the following:

• The plug is located on the bottom of the oil pan, which sits just behind the front axle line.
• It typically faces directly downward or at a slight angle toward the rear of the vehicle.
• On many Q5s, you must remove or partially loosen the plastic splash shield/undertray to see it.
• The plug is usually on the passenger side of center (in left-hand-drive markets), but still relatively central under the engine.

In summary, once the splash shield is off, you should see a clearly identifiable single plug in the lowest part of the pan, positioned so that drained oil flows straight down into a catch pan.

Differences by Generation and Engine Type

Although the basic location is consistent, there are practical differences between older and newer Q5s, especially with the introduction of plastic oil pans and different plug designs.

First-Generation Audi Q5 (Approx. 2009–2017, B8 Platform)

For first-generation Q5 models, including the popular 2.0 TFSI and 3.2/3.0 TFSI engines, the drain plug is a conventional metal bolt located at the rear underside of the metal oil pan.

Important layout details for this generation include:

• A metal oil pan with a hex-head or Torx-style drain plug at the lowest point.
• The plug is oriented downward and slightly toward the rear, near the back edge of the pan.
• Access requires removing or swinging down the front undertray/splash shield (several Torx screws or fasteners).
• On diesel variants (e.g., 3.0 TDI), the plug position remains similar: rear-lower portion of the oil pan.

For these earlier models, once the splash shield is off, the drain plug is typically very easy to spot and is the only removable bolt at the bottom of the oil pan.

Second-Generation Audi Q5 (Approx. 2018–Present, B9/B9.5 Platform)

With the B9 Q5 and subsequent updates, Audi introduced more extensive underbody covers and, in some engines, plastic or composite oil pans with specialized drain plugs. The basic location, however, remains the same—lowest point of the oil pan at the rear underside of the engine.

For newer Q5 models, consider these specifics:

• The oil drain plug is still at the lowest part of the oil pan but may be integrated into a plastic pan with a removable plug design.
• The underbody splash shield is larger and may have a small access hatch; in some trims, you can open a service flap rather than remove the entire panel.
• The plug may use a Torx, hex, or special plastic fitting (on some late-model VW/Audi engines) instead of a traditional metal bolt head.
• On many 2.0 TFSI B9 engines, the drain plug is slightly rearward of center, facing downward, directly behind the front subframe crossmember.

Even with these variations, the visual cue is the same: a single, clearly defined plug at the bottom of the oil pan, often with a slightly recessed seating area to guide oil flow.

Accessing the Oil Drain Plug Safely

Finding the plug is one thing; reaching it safely is another. Because the Q5 is an SUV with protective underbody panels, the vehicle must be raised and properly supported to access the plug.

Vehicle Positioning and Lift Points

Proper lifting is critical to both safety and drainage effectiveness. The vehicle needs to be level or very slightly nose-high to ensure complete drainage and safe working conditions.

General access considerations include:

• Use a quality floor jack at the designated front central jacking point or side pinch welds (consult the owner’s manual for exact locations).
• Always support the Q5 on appropriately rated jack stands before going underneath the vehicle.
• Ensure the parking brake is applied and wheels are chocked to prevent movement.
• Allow the engine to cool enough that the oil is warm but not scalding, improving flow while reducing burn risk.

Following these steps helps you safely reach the underbody panels and the drain plug without damaging the vehicle or risking injury.

Removing the Splash Shield

The underbody splash shield (or engine cover) typically hides the oil pan and plug to reduce road damage and improve aerodynamics. On nearly all Q5s, it must be removed or opened via a service flap.

For shield removal and access, you will usually need to:

• Locate Torx or hex fasteners along the front edge, sides, and rear of the plastic undertray.
• Remove or loosen enough fasteners to either drop the entire shield or hinge it downward.
• Identify any smaller access panel or flap specifically designated for oil service (on some newer models).
• Carefully lower the panel to avoid cracking the plastic or stressing any attached clips.

Once the shield is removed or the access flap is open, the oil pan and drain plug will be directly visible, greatly simplifying the rest of the job.

Visual Identification of the Oil Drain Plug

Even with the shield off, it is important to distinguish the oil drain plug from other bolts or plugs on the engine and transmission. Removing the wrong bolt can cause expensive damage or fluid loss in unintended systems.

How the Oil Drain Plug Typically Looks

The oil drain plug on an Audi Q5 is designed to be distinct and is located at the lowest point of the oil reservoir. It rarely resembles structural bolts used for the pan or subframe.

Expect these characteristics when looking for the plug:

• Positioned in the very bottom or very bottom-rear surface of the oil pan, not on the sides or higher up.
• Usually a single central bolt or plug head, often with a washer or integrated sealing ring.
• May be a metal hex-head bolt (commonly 13mm, 17mm, or similar, depending on engine) or a Torx/Allen fitting.
• On some newer plastic pans, a plastic or composite plug with a molded head and O-ring, sometimes with a quarter-turn or twist-lock design.

If you see multiple bolts in a line around the edge of the pan, those are pan mounting bolts and should not be removed for an oil change; the drain plug will be the solitary one located at the lowest point.

Exceptions: Top-Side Oil Extraction and Manufacturer Practices

A growing number of service centers use vacuum extraction through the dipstick tube rather than the drain plug, especially on newer VW/Audi engines. This can lead to confusion if you are looking for a plug that technicians rarely touch.

Why You Might Not See Evidence of Use

Dealers and some independent shops often use extraction systems to reduce mess and time, which means the plug may look almost unused. Nonetheless, it still exists as a backup and is required for a complete drain in some situations.

Important considerations about this practice include:

• The oil drain plug remains in the same location and can be used for traditional gravity draining.
• Vacuum extraction may not remove sludge or debris that settles at the bottom of the pan as effectively as draining through the plug.
• DIY owners often prefer using the drain plug for a more thorough flush, especially on higher-mileage Q5s.
• Some service procedures, such as engine repair or pan replacement, still require plug access regardless of extraction practice.

Even if your Q5’s service history shows extraction-based changes, the physical plug is still present, in the same oil pan location, and available for use.

When You Should Not Touch the Drain Plug

Locating the drain plug is not the same as needing to remove it in every scenario. There are times when leaving it alone—or deferring to a professional—is the safer choice.

Risks of Incorrect Removal or Reinstallation

Because the oil pan material and plug design differ by generation and engine, improper handling can result in stripped threads, leaks, or even pan replacement.

Situations where extra caution or professional help is warranted include:

• If the plug appears cross-threaded, overtightened, or rounded off from previous service.
• If the oil pan is plastic or composite and the plug uses a twist-lock or specialized seal that you are unfamiliar with.
• If you do not have the correct replacement crush washer or O-ring specified for your engine.
• If you lack a torque wrench to tighten the plug to the manufacturer’s specified torque (over-tightening is a common cause of damage).

In those cases, knowing where the plug is located is still useful, but letting a qualified technician handle removal and reinstallation may save significant repair costs.

Summary

The oil drain plug on an Audi Q5 is located at the lowest point of the engine’s oil pan, typically on the bottom rear section, accessible only from underneath the vehicle after removing or opening the front underbody splash shield. Whether you drive an early first-generation Q5 or a newer B9 model, the plug’s function and fundamental location remain the same: it is the single, dedicated outlet through which engine oil drains by gravity.