Parts for your 2017 Audi Q5-Ignition coils

2017 Audi Q5 ignition coils — what they do and when to replace them

Per Audi’s own technical literature, ignition coils are fitted to the 2017 Audi Q5 petrol (TFSI) engines and not used on the diesel (TDI) variants. Audi erWin repair manuals for the 2.0 TFSI (EA888 Gen 3) and 3.0 TFSI detail coil-on-plug ignition, while the ETKA parts catalogue lists individual ignition coils for these petrol engines. In contrast, Audi training and repair documentation for the 2.0 TDI and 3.0 TDI describe compression ignition with glow plugs, so there are no ignition coils on those diesel models.

For owners of a 2017 Q5 with a petrol engine, the ignition coils sit directly on top of each spark plug and transform the battery’s 12 volts into the high voltage needed for a clean, strong spark. Good coils mean smooth starts, crisp throttle response, tidy fuel economy and lower emissions under the bonnet. Because they live in a hot environment, coils can age over time, they’re not generally a scheduled service item, but they’re worth a quick check whenever the spark plugs are changed.

Most workshops in Australia and New Zealand will inspect coil condition at regular servicing intervals and scan for misfire codes. If a Q5 starts to stumble at idle, hesitates under load, or flashes a check engine light with codes like P0300–P030X, a weak coil is a prime suspect. Replacement is straightforward on the TFSI engines and often done on the affected cylinder only, many techs choose to replace the full set if the vehicle has high kilometres or there’s a pattern of intermittent misfires.

• When to consider replacement: persistent misfire, rough idle, poor fuel economy, hard starting, or visible cracking/heat damage on a coil.
• Good practice: pair new coils with fresh spark plugs if the plugs are due, keep the coil boots clean and seats dry, avoid pulling on the wiring.
• Intervals: spark plugs are typically due around 60,000 km on many TFSI engines, coils are replaced as needed rather than by schedule.
• Diesel note: if the 2017 Q5 is a TDI, it uses glow plugs instead of ignition coils, so coil replacement doesn’t apply.

Bottom line: on a 2017 Q5 petrol, healthy ignition coils keep the engine running sweet as. If there’s a shudder, light on the dash, or the fuel bill’s creeping up, it’s smart to have the coils and plugs checked during the next service.

Popular questions about 2017 Audi Q5 ignition coils

Does every 2017 Audi Q5 have ignition coils?
No. Petrol (TFSI) models have coil-on-plug ignition coils. Diesel (TDI) models don’t use ignition coils at all, they rely on compression ignition and glow plugs. If unsure, check the engine badge or the VIN details to confirm the engine type.

How often should the ignition coils be replaced?
There’s no fixed interval. Coils are replaced when they fail testing or show symptoms such as misfires, rough idle or hard starting. Many owners have them inspected whenever spark plugs are changed, and some choose to replace the set proactively on higher‑kilometre vehicles for peace of mind.

What are the symptoms of a failing ignition coil on a 2017 Q5?
Common signs include a flashing or steady check engine light, shaky idle, hesitation under load, poorer fuel economy and misfire fault codes (P0300–P030X). On wet days, a failing coil can play up more due to moisture around the boots.