Audi A5 Owners' Guide

  • Car ownership

FixMyCar provides key information about the Audi A5.

Ellie Dyer-Brown

Tuesday April 01 2025

8 min read

The launch of the Audi A5 in 2007 marked the German brand’s return to the compact coupe market after a hiatus of over a decade. Fast forward to 2025, and the A5 is quite different. According to Audi, it’s a saloon car with coupe stylings, and for combustion engine fans, the latest iteration replaces the A4, which is now all-electric.  

This owners' guide compiles key information about your A5 in one convenient place, covering service intervals, recommended tyre pressures, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you keep your car running smoothly. 


Audi A5 generations

Audi A5 Mk1 2007-2017 

audi a5 mk1
iStock.com/Sue Thatcher

Walter de Silva, the famous Italian car designer, was responsible for designing the first-generation A5, which had a sporty appearance and a bonnet almost a quarter of the car’s length.   It came with various engine options, front and all-wheel drive versions, LED running lights, and three trims: S Line, Black Edition and S5.   The Mk1 A5 was refreshed in 2011, providing more power and fuel efficiency. 

Body styles: 

  • Two-door coupe 

  • Two-door convertible 

  • Four-door liftback saloon 

Key engine options: 

  • Petrol – 170bhp 1.8-litre TFSI, 180bhp 2.0 TFSI, 272bhp 3.0 TFSI Quattro, 265bhp 3.2 V6 Quattro. 

  • Diesel – 170bhp 2.0-litre TDI, 190bhp 2.7 TDI CVT, 245bhp 3.0 Clean Diesel Quattro. 

Audi A5 Mk2 2017-2024

audi a5 22
iStock.com/Sue Thatcher

The second-gen A5, based on the ninth generation of the Volkswagen MLB platform, was unveiled in 2016. Drivers could choose between coupe and Sportback versions. 

Body styles: 

  • Two-door coupe 

  • Two-door convertible 

  • Four-door liftback saloon 

Key engine options: 

  • Petrol – 187bhp 2.0-litre TFSI, 248bhp 2.0-litre Quattro TFSI. 

  • Diesel – 187bhp 2.0-litre TDI, 215bhp 3.0 Quattro TDI.  

Audi A5 Mk3 2024- 

Audi replaced the A4 and S4 saloon and Avant (estate) with the A5/S5 in 2024. It’s taller, wider and longer than its predecessor and supremely comfortable, making it a great executive cruiser. 

Body styles: 

  • Five-door liftback 

  • Four-door saloon 

  • Five-door estate 

Key engine options: 

  • Petrol – 150bhp 2.0-litre TFSI, 204bhp 2.0 TFSI S Tronic. 

  • Diesel – 204bhp 2.0-litre TDI S Tronic, 204bhp 2.0 TDI Quattro. 


Service intervals

Audi recommends a few different service regimes depending on your type of car. If you buy your vehicle from an Audi dealership, they will advise you on the most suitable option, and you can use the myAudi app to check when your next service is due. 

audi dealer
iStock.com/shaunl

Petrol, diesel and hybrid – flexible regime 

  • Oil service based on fluid degradation up to a maximum of two years or 18,600 miles, whichever comes first. 

  • Inspection service every 18,600 miles/two years. 

Petrol, diesel and hybrid – fixed regime 

  • Oil service every 9,300 miles/one year, whichever comes first. 

  • Inspection service every 18,600 miles/two years 

Used Audi A5 maintenance schedule 

Maintenance typeReplacement interval
Engine oil & filterEvery year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Brake fluidEvery two years regardless of mileage.
Brake systemChecked with annual service
BatteryChecked every 20,000 miles/two years.
TyresChecked with annual service

Want to learn more about vehicle servicing? Check out the following guides: 


Tyre pressure

audi wheel
iStock.com/Kenneth Cheung

The recommended tyre pressure varies depending on the spec and engine of your car. The table below shows tyre sizes and pressures listed for the A5 on TyrePressures.com

However, you should always check this information before adjusting your tyres. You can find the correct pressure for your A5: 

  • In the vehicle handbook/owner’s manual. 

  • Printed on the sill of the driver’s door. 

  • On the inside of the fuel tank cap. 

Read our guide to tyre pressure for more information. 

A5 model yearFront tyre sizeFront tyre pressureRear tyre sizeRear tyre pressure
2025245/40/R19 98 Y38 PSI/2.6 BAR245/40/R19 98 Y32 PSI/2.2 BAR
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021255/35/R19 96 Y38 PSI/2.6 BAR255/35/R19 96 Y32 PSI/2.2 BAR
2020, 2019255/35/R19 96 Y36 PSI/2.5 BAR255/35/R19 96 Y32 PSI/2.2 BAR
2018255/35/R19 96 Y33 PSI/2.2 BAR255/35/R19 96 Y29 PSI/2 BAR

How to check Audi A5 tyre pressure 

You can check your A5’s tyre pressure at home using a handheld gauge or at a petrol station with an air machine. 

tyre pressure-3
iStock.com/jittawit.21

Here’s how to check it using a gauge: 

  • Remove the tyre valve cap. 

  • Place the pressure gauge on the valve stem and press until the hissing disappears 

  • Make a note of the pressure reading on the gauge. 

  • Remove the gauge and reattach the cap. 

  • Repeat for all four tyres. 

What to do if you see an Audi A5 tyre pressure warning light 

The first thing to do is check the pressure of your tyres. Adjust it if it’s too low or high, then try switching the car on again. The light should no longer be illuminated. 

tyre pressure light
iStock.com/JJ Gouin

If the tyre pressure warning light stays on despite all four tyres having the correct pressure, this signals a problem with the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). We recommend booking a diagnostic test to find out which part has failed. 

How to reset an Audi A5 tyre pressure light 

  • Turn the key in the ignition to switch the electrical systems on.   

  • There are some control buttons near the gearstick. Press ‘menu’.   

  • Use the circular control button to select ‘vehicle’.   

  • Next, click ‘service & checks’.   

  • Select ‘tyre pressure monitoring’.   

  • Click ‘yes’ when asked if you want to store the current tyre pressure. This will remove the warning light.  

The reset method may vary between different A5 generations. If unsure, consult your owner’s manual. 


Engine oil

oil top up
iStock.com/Ake Ngiamsanguan

Using the correct engine oil for your car is crucial – find out why in this guide.   

 5W-30 oil is commonly used in Audi models, but the recommended oil grade can differ between different A5 configurations and depending on whether the car uses petrol or diesel. Your owner’s manual will provide information about the correct oil for your vehicle

What is the oil capacity of an Audi A5? 

Oil capacity can vary depending on the configuration of your A5. Most models have a capacity between four and five litres. Before changing your oil, check this information in your owner’s manual to ensure you don’t overfill the system. 

Need help checking and topping up your engine oil? Read this guide


Battery

battery-3
iStock.com/Robin Gentry

What battery do I need for my Audi A5? 

The type and size of the battery will depend on the model’s configurations. Many A5 models use 115 AGM batteries.  

🚨 If your car has start-stop technology that automatically switches the engine off when stationary, it requires an AGM or EFB battery.  

What are the signs of a dying car battery? 

Your Audi A5’s battery should last between three and five years. When it needs replacing, you’ll likely notice the following signs: 

  • Battery warning light on the dashboard 

  • Dim headlights 

  • Difficulty starting the engine 

  • Visible corrosion on battery terminals 

Find out how to prolong the life of your battery in this guide. 


Warning lights

dashboard warnings
iStock.com/leongoedhart

What do the warning lights mean on an Audi A5? 

Dashboard warning lights are triggered by the car’s electronic control unit (ECU) when a problem is detected. You can learn some information by looking at the shape and colour of the light, but for a detailed diagnosis, you’ll usually need to book a diagnostic test

  • Red lights indicate a severe problem. You should stop driving and contact a mechanic. 

  • Yellow lights are less urgent – you can continue driving to your destination, but you should book your car into a garage. 

Learn more about car warning lights and what they mean in this guide. 

Audi A5 warning lights you might not know 

Audi transmission warning light

The transmission warning light looks like a gear with an exclamation mark in the middle. It appears when there is a problem with the gearbox or clutch. Low transmission fluid is a common cause, as are torque converter issues and damaged transmission components.   

transmission warning
iStock.com/ET-ARTWORKS

Audi pre-sense warning light 

This light shows a car symbol in the centre of a circle with dashed lines. There is a warning triangle to the car's left with an exclamation mark.  

Audi’s pre-sense system detects when a crash is about to happen and triggers certain safety features in advance. If the warning light comes on during everyday driving, there is an issue with one of the sensors. 


Common problems

Whether you’re already a proud A5 owner or you’re in the market for one, it’s helpful to know what kind of common problems the model experiences and how much they cost to repair.   

 Our Audi A5 common problems guide explores this topic in detail, so we’ll just cover the top two issues here. 

1. Electrical glitches 

Electrical problems are common in Audi models across the board, including the A5. Owners have reported infotainment system glitches, parking sensor faults, and central locking system issues. 

2. Noisy interior 

The A5’s interior can rattle and buzz while driving – an annoying but minor issue caused by the car's design.   

Need help diagnosing car problems? Check out the following guides for advice: 


Top Audi A5 questions and topics

Where is the battery in an Audi A5? 

The battery is in the boot under the spare tyre

Is the Audi A5 rear-wheel drive? 

The A5 is available with front-wheel drive or Audi’s quattro four-wheel system. 


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Written by Ellie

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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.

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