Parts for your 2013 Audi Q5-Drive belt

2013 Audi Q5 drive-belt: what it does, and when to replace it

Yes, a drive-belt (ribbed V-belt/serpentine belt) is fitted to the 2013 Audi Q5 across its common engines (2.0 TFSI petrol, 3.0 TFSI petrol and 3.0 TDI diesel). Audi’s factory workshop information for the Q5 8R platform (erWin/ELSA “Poly V-belt, removing and installing”) and the Audi ETKA parts catalogue both list the auxiliary ribbed belt and related tensioners/idlers. Audi Self-Study Programme material for the 3.0 TFSI also notes the belt-driven supercharger. So the drive-belt is absolutely relevant on this model.

On a 2013 Audi Q5, the drive-belt loops around the crank pulley and spins key auxiliaries: the alternator, the air-con compressor, and on some variants the water pump, on the 3.0 TFSI it also turns the supercharger. It’s the quiet achiever under the bonnet that keeps the battery charging, the cabin cool, and the cooling system and other accessories humming along. While the engine’s cam timing is chain-driven on these Q5s (not a timing belt), the auxiliary drive-belt still does a lot of heavy lifting every time the key’s turned.

Servicing-wise, it’s smart to have the belt, tensioner and idlers inspected at each regular service interval (typically every 12 months or 15,000 km in AU/NZ conditions). Audi’s schedules call for periodic inspection rather than a strict mileage swap, but many workshops recommend proactive replacement around 100,000–120,000 km or 6–8 years, sooner if any wear is found or if the vehicle tows or sees hot, stop–start driving.

• Signs it’s due: squeal or chirp on start-up, belt glazing or cracking, frayed edges, black dust around pulleys, intermittent charging or A/C performance, or wobble from the tensioner/idler.
• Good practice: replace the belt with the tensioner and any noisy idlers as a set, check pulley alignment, and follow the correct belt routing and torque specs.

Left too long, a slipping or broken belt can leave the Q5 without charging or air-con, in some variants, cooling can be affected too. The job is straightforward for a technician with the right tools and is usually completed the same day. Quality OEM-spec belts and a fresh tensioner keep things quiet, reliable and ready for the next big road trip.

For owners, the takeaway is simple: get the belt checked at each service, listen for new noises, and budget for replacement in that 100–120k km/6–8 year window to stay ahead of trouble.

Popular questions about 2013 Audi Q5 drive-belt

Does the 2013 Audi Q5 have a timing belt or a chain?
It uses timing chains for the camshafts across the usual petrol and diesel engines. The “drive-belt” discussed here is the auxiliary ribbed belt that runs accessories like the alternator and A/C, not the cam timing system.

How often should the drive-belt be replaced on a 2013 Q5?
Audi specifies regular inspection rather than a fixed change interval. In Aussie and Kiwi conditions, many workshops plan a preventative replacement around 100,000–120,000 km or 6–8 years, or earlier if there are cracks, noise, or tensioner wear.

What symptoms point to a failing drive-belt or tensioner?
Common clues include squealing on cold start, a rhythmic chirp, visible cracking or fraying, flickering charge light, or weak A/C performance. A shaky or noisy tensioner/idler is another giveaway and should be replaced with the belt.