The short answer
Use the jump-start points in the engine bay, not the battery itself. Connect the red lead to the positive post under the red cap and the black lead to the marked earth point. On Audis with the battery in the boot or under a seat this is the only practical way, and you do not need to open the boot.
Where do you connect jump leads on an Audi?
Open the bonnet and look for a red plastic cap marked with a plus sign. Under it is the positive jump post. Nearby is a marked earth point, usually a bare metal stud or lug, for the negative lead. Audis with the battery under the boot floor or under a seat are built to be jump started from these two points, so the battery can stay where it is.
What is the correct order for the jump leads?
Park the donor car close without the two cars touching, and switch both off. Check that both cars use a 12V system. Then connect in the order below and take your time with each clamp. A firm connection on clean metal matters more than speed.
- Red lead to the positive jump post on the Audi
- Other end of the red lead to the donor battery's positive terminal
- Black lead to the donor battery's negative terminal
- Other end of the black lead to the marked earth point on the Audi
- Start the donor car, wait a few minutes, then start the Audi
- Remove the leads in the reverse order
Why not connect to the battery negative terminal?
Many Audis have a battery monitor sensor fitted on the negative terminal. It measures the current going in and out of the battery. Where the car provides a proper earth point, use that and never clamp onto the battery negative. Connecting at the earth point also keeps the last connection, the one most likely to spark, away from the battery.
How do I get into an Audi with a dead battery?
A flat battery can leave the central locking dead. Every Audi key fob has a mechanical key inside it. Slide it out and use it to open the driver's door. The lock may be hidden under a small cover on the door handle. From inside, pull the bonnet release as normal.
A dead battery can also keep an electric boot release shut. On cars with the battery in the boot that sounds like a trap, but it is not. Power the car from the under-bonnet jump posts and the boot release works again.
What safety rules matter most?
Jump starting is simple, but a mistake with the leads can damage electronics or cause injury. Keep to the rules below, and if anything looks wrong, such as a swollen or leaking battery, stop and call for help. Do not attempt the job in that case.
- Never let the red and black clamps touch each other
- Double-check positive and negative before each connection
- Keep leads clear of fans and belts
- Do not jump start a battery that is cracked, leaking or swollen
- Use leads thick enough for a large engine
What should I do after a jump start?
Keep the engine running and drive the car so the battery can take some charge back. Then have the battery tested. A jump start gets you moving, but it does not tell you why the battery went flat. If the car needs a second jump within days, the battery is likely at the end of its life or the car is not charging it.
If you would sooner not handle jump leads at all, message us on WhatsApp. We work 24/7 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, usually arrive in 20-35 minutes in Dubai, and can test, jump start or replace the battery on the spot.
