
The oil drain plug for the Q5 is located on the oil pan. Introduction to the oil drain plug: The oil drain plug is a screw located at the bottom of the engine oil pan. When performing an oil change during engine maintenance, this screw is loosened to drain the old engine oil, and then tightened back before adding new oil through the engine's oil filler port. Introduction to the oil drain plug washer: The oil drain plug washer should not be reused. The washer serves as a seal, and the most commonly used washers are aluminum washers. Since aluminum is softer than steel, when the screw is tightened, the aluminum washer deforms to fill gaps. However, a used washer has already been deformed during previous installation, making its internal structure denser. Reusing it makes it difficult to compress and deform again, thus failing to provide a proper seal. Therefore, it is recommended to replace the washer during every oil change.

My car is an Q5, and I just had it serviced last week. The drain plug is located at the very bottom of the oil pan. You need to lift the car with a jack or jack stands and crawl underneath to see it. The oil pan is right below the engine, shaped like a metal box, and the plug is embedded at its lowest point, usually a hex socket screw sized around 17 or 19mm. If you're changing the oil yourself, be extremely careful—use professional tools to stabilize the car properly, or it could collapse, which is very dangerous. Last time I watched the mechanic at the repair shop, he specifically reminded me to replace the sealing washer after an oil change, as the old one can easily cause leaks.

I often help friends with Q5 maintenance, and the oil drain plug isn't that hard to locate. If you crawl under the car and look at the silver metal block directly beneath the engine, that's the oil pan. The drain plug is right at the center bottom of it, featuring a hex head about the size of a fingernail. However, DIY oil changes can be tricky – you'll need a lift to raise the car for proper working space, otherwise lying on the ground makes it impossible to reach. I've even seen cases where people used the wrong wrench and stripped the plug threads, resulting in having to replace the entire oil pan. It's advisable to keep a new plug and washer handy, as the OEM plastic washer may deform and cause leaks after just two uses.

I've owned my Q5 for five years, and I can point out the drain plug location with my eyes closed. It's at the bottom of the oil pan, behind the engine guard plate—you'll need to remove the guard to access it. The screw is completely invisible during normal conditions; you must lift the car or use ramps. I tried a DIY oil change once and discovered the Q5's oil pan is aluminum, so you can't overtighten the drain plug, or the threads may strip. When draining, oil gushes out forcefully, so position the drain pan accurately and wear oil-resistant gloves. Also, note that the oil temperature can reach 90°C right after turning off the engine—wait at least 30 minutes before starting for safety.

Last time at the repair shop, I watched an oil change for a Q5. The technician pointed at the undercarriage and said the drain plug is located at the lowest point of the oil pan in the middle-rear section of the engine. Specifically, it's about ten centimeters in front of the exhaust pipe, wrapped in a layer of heat-insulating aluminum foil. They first loosened it with a few clicks from an impact wrench, and the old black oil flowed out, filling nearly half a bucket. I asked why it had to be designed there, and the mechanic said that a bottom opening ensures complete drainage of the used oil. He also reminded me that if there are oil stains around the plug, it might indicate a worn-out sealing ring that needs timely replacement. Such operations are better left to professional shops to avoid hassles—doing it yourself might lead to missing a washer or over-tightening.

My friend runs an auto repair shop and frequently handles Q5 maintenance orders. He told me the drain plug is located in the center recess of the oil pan, a position quite similar to most German cars. However, the Q5's underbody protection panel is exceptionally tight, requiring the removal of five or six Torx bolts before the oil pan becomes visible. He complained that some owners use adjustable wrenches to force it open, rounding off the hex head until only an angle grinder can fix the mess. His advice: use a socket wrench with a torque wrench, keeping the tightening force around 25 Nm. After replacement, remember to start the engine and check for two minutes to ensure no oil seeps around the screw.


