Parts for your 2012 Audi Q5-Sump plug washers

2012 Audi Q5 sump plug washers: what they do and when to replace them

Yes, the 2012 Audi Q5 uses a sump plug sealing washer. Audi’s factory workshop information for the 8R Q5 (Elsa/ErWin) specifies a replace-after-removal sealing ring for the engine oil drain plug, and the Audi/VW ETKA parts catalogue lists a 14 x 20 mm crush washer for the drain plug on common 2012 Q5 engines (for example, sealing ring A14x20 such as N 013 815 7 copper or N 013 849 3 aluminium). Those same sources also note a typical tightening torque around 30 Nm for an M14x1.5 drain plug when fitted with a new sealing washer.

On a 2012 Audi Q5, the sump plug washer does the unglamorous but vital job of keeping engine oil inside the sump once the plug is refitted after a service. It’s a soft metal “crush” ring that deforms precisely when the plug is torqued up, creating a gas- and oil-tight seal between the plug head and the sump face. Because it crushes to seal, it’s designed as a single-use item. Reusing a flattened washer risks weeping leaks, oil smells on hot exhaust parts, and even plug loosening over time.

As part of a normal service, this washer should be replaced every oil change. After draining the oil, clean the sump’s sealing land and the plug, bin the old washer, slip on a new 14 x 20 mm washer that matches the engine variant, and torque the plug to spec—Audi documentation for many 2.0 TFSI and TDI Q5 engines quotes roughly 30 Nm with a new washer. Don’t overtighten, the sump is alloy on most models, and stripping threads is a pricey headache.

• Always use the correct size: commonly A14 x 20 mm for the Q5’s M14 drain plug, copper or aluminium are both used by Audi depending on engine code.
• If your specific engine variant uses a drain plug with an integrated seal, replace the plug itself at each service instead of fitting a separate washer, as noted in Audi service literature.
• After refilling, run the engine, then check under the vehicle and around the undertray edges for any fresh oil. A quick re-check after the first drive is smart.

It’s a cheap part that protects an expensive engine. Keeping a couple of spare genuine-spec washers in the service kit makes every Q5 oil change straightforward and leak-free.

• Does a 2012 Audi Q5 actually need a sump plug washer?
  Yes. Audi’s workshop information for the 8R Q5 and the ETKA parts catalogue specify a replaceable sealing ring for the oil drain plug on 2012 models. Some engines may use a plug with an integrated seal, but the sealing element must still be renewed at each oil change.
• What size washer and torque does it take?
  Most 2012 Q5 engines use a 14 x 20 mm washer on an M14x1.5 drain plug, with a typical tightening torque of about 30 Nm when using a new washer. Always confirm against the engine code in the factory manual.
• Can the washer be reused if it looks fine?
  Best practice is no. Crush washers are single-use, once compressed, they won’t seal as designed. If your Q5’s plug has an integrated rubber seal, replace the plug (or the specific seal if serviceable) each time per Audi guidance.