Audi Q5 2017 FAQs

Check out real-world situations relating to the Audi Q5 here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

• My Audi Q5's coolant light comes on even though it seems okay

  The best way forward here is to take the car to a workshop that knows Audis and have them pressure test the cooling system. Modern cars have sealed coolant systems, suggesting that they shouldn’t lose any coolant at all. The reality is a little different, and what may have happened is that your coolant level has been falling very slowly perhaps over a period of years until the level is low enough to trigger the warning message.

  By pressure testing the system, any leak should become visible and can be fixed. Water pumps, radiators, heat exchangers and the network of coolant plumbing that makes up a modern car can all develop leaks. Sometimes the leak is so small, the coolant evaporates before it ever hits the ground which is why there’s no tell-tale puddle under the car each morning.

  Don’t automatically jump to the conclusion that your car has a blown head gasket; there are lots of ways for coolant to escape, which is why it’s wise to keep an eye on the level on a weekly basis.

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• Gearbox knocking in my 2014 Audi Q5

  You haven’t told me what engine and transmission your car is fitted with, but if it’s one with the seven-speed DSG transmission, then this would not be the first time buyers have experienced problems. While not as troublesome as some dual-clutch gearboxes, the Audi’s DSG can wear over time, with symptoms including jerking on take-off, an inability to select a gear and, as you’ve noted, a selection of noises and clunks during shifts.

  A transmission specialist should be able to scan the car electronically to see if the car throws up a fault code, and can also graph the performance of the transmission’s clutch packs to see if they’re behaving smoothly.

  But don’t rule out something loose or worn in the front suspension or even a worn driveshaft. Both these things can contribute to clunks at low speed.

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• Is it dangerous if the reductant heater in my 2013 Audi Q5 is broken?

  The reductant heater on this car is a heating element that stops the AdBlue from freezing. According to most sources, the heater is only called into operate at ambient temperatures of minus-11 Celsius or lower. So, unless you're a regular at Australia's snowfields, your car will probably never need this function. But while the car may work perfectly without a functioning reductant heater, you might find that it's technically unroadworthy on the basis of its emissions systems (of which the AdBlue is a part) are not all working properly.

  Most times, failures of this heater revolve around the electronics that control it, but when that happens, the computer will usually flash up a check-engine light to let you know there's something wrong. Without this light, I'm unsure why your mechanic would think there's a problem with the heater system.

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