Parts for your 2020 Audi Q5-Ignition leads

2020 Audi Q5 ignition-leads: are they used or relevant?

For the 2020 Audi Q5, traditional ignition-leads (high-tension spark plug leads) aren’t fitted or required. Both the 2.0 TFSI (EA888 Gen.3/3B) and the 3.0 TFSI V6 (EA839, as in SQ5) use a coil-on-plug ignition system. Each spark plug has its own ignition coil mounted directly on top, so there are no separate leads running from a central coil to the plugs.

This isn’t just hearsay. Audi’s technical literature describes the layout as “single-spark coil on plug.” See Audi Self-Study Programme SSP 606 for the EA888 Gen.3 2.0 TFSI and SSP 657 for the EA839 3.0 TFSI V6. The Audi erWin/ELSA workshop manuals for the FY-series Q5 (2018–2020) list service procedures for individual ignition coils and spark plugs only, and the ETKA parts catalogue doesn’t list high-tension leads for this model year and platform. That’s why an ignition-leads replacement isn’t part of standard servicing on a 2020 Q5.

Why the change? Coil-on-plug brings a few wins:

• Improved spark energy control and timing accuracy under turbocharged loads
• Less electrical loss and radio interference without long high-voltage leads
• Fewer wear items and better reliability in heat-soaked plug wells

What owners should look after instead are the spark plugs and, as needed, the individual coils. Spark plugs are routine service items, many Australian and New Zealand schedules call for replacement about every 60,000 km (check the VIN-specific service plan). Coils aren’t scheduled, but can be replaced if there’s a misfire or rough running. Typical signs of ignition issues include a check engine light, uneven idle, hesitation under load, or higher fuel use.

Good practice under the bonnet:

• Use OEM-spec plugs and set the correct gap (don’t exceed spec for the turbo engines)
• Torque plugs to the service spec (commonly around 23 Nm for M14 long-reach plugs—confirm for the exact engine code)
• Keep moisture and oil out of the plug tubes, damaged coil boots should be replaced
• If chasing a misfire, scan for fault codes and try swapping the suspected coil to another cylinder to see if the fault follows

FAQs

Does a 2020 Audi Q5 have ignition-leads?
No. It uses a coil-on-plug setup with an individual ignition coil on each spark plug, so there are no traditional high-tension leads to replace.

What gets serviced instead of ignition-leads on a 2020 Q5?
Spark plugs are replaced at the specified interval (often about 60,000 km locally), and ignition coils are replaced only if they fail. Sticking with OEM-spec parts and correct torque helps avoid misfires and coil damage.

How do you diagnose a misfire on a 2020 Q5 if there are no leads?
Scan for codes to see which cylinder is misfiring, inspect the spark plug, and swap the coil to another cylinder to confirm if the fault follows. Check for water or oil in the plug wells and ensure plugs are correctly gapped and torqued.