Experiencing electrical issues with your 2013 Audi A4, such as dimming headlights or key fob malfunctions? A likely culprit could be a failing battery. Modern vehicles like the Audi A4 rely heavily on their electrical systems, making a healthy battery crucial. While battery replacement might seem straightforward, the Audi A4 presents a unique situation compared to many cars. The vehicle’s computer system requires recalibration to recognize a new battery, and it’s optimized for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Audi batteries. Don’t worry, you can still handle the replacement yourself. This guide will show you the location of your 2013 Audi A4 battery and provide step-by-step instructions for replacing it. You’ll then know whether professional coding at a dealership or using diagnostic software like VCDS is necessary.
Tools You’ll Need
- New Genuine Audi Battery for 2013 A4
- Ratchet
- 10mm Socket
- 13mm Socket
Finding the Battery in Your 2013 Audi A4
Unlike many vehicles where the battery is located under the hood, the 2013 Audi A4 houses its battery in the trunk. Specifically, it’s located in the spare tire well. Here’s how to access it:
Step-by-Step Audi A4 Battery Replacement Guide
Follow these steps to safely access and replace the battery in your 2013 Audi A4.
Step 1 – Accessing the Battery
Open the trunk of your Audi A4 and lift the floor panel to reveal the spare tire area. Locate the large wingnut in the center of the spare tire. Twist this wingnut counterclockwise to loosen and remove it. Once loose, you can lift out the spare tire itself and set it aside. Underneath the spare tire, you’ll find a spare tire tray and a tool tray. Remove both of these trays to fully expose the battery.
Step 2 – Removing the Battery Brackets
Now that you can see the battery, the next step is to remove the brackets securing it in place. Use your 13mm socket and ratchet to remove the bolts holding the battery bracket. You should find a total of four bolts for the main bracket. After removing these, take off the bracket itself. You’ll also find a smaller bracket at the base of the battery, secured by another 13mm bolt. Remove this bolt and bracket as well.
Step 3 – Disconnecting the Old Battery
Before removing the old battery, you need to disconnect all attachments. First, locate and disconnect the vacuum hose connected to the side of the battery. Next, using your 10mm socket, loosen the clamp on the negative (black) battery cable. Carefully pull the clamp away from the battery terminal and position it so it cannot accidentally make contact again. Repeat this process for the positive (red) battery cable. With the cables and hose disconnected, you can now carefully lift the old battery out of the spare tire well. Move it to a safe and dry area for disposal.
Important Disposal Tip: Remember to recycle your old car battery responsibly. Most auto parts stores, dealerships, and battery retailers offer battery recycling services.
Step 4 – Installing the New Battery
Carefully place your new, genuine Audi battery into the battery compartment in the trunk. Ensure that the battery terminals are oriented correctly to match up with the positive and negative battery cables. Reconnect the vacuum hose to the new battery. Then, reconnect the positive battery cable first, followed by the negative battery cable, ensuring the clamps are securely tightened.
Before you proceed further, take a moment to locate and write down the Battery Energy Management (BEM) code on your new battery. This code is crucial for the next step, battery coding, and typically consists of two serial numbers and a vendor identifier.
Reinstall the battery brackets, tightening the bolts to secure the new battery. Replace the tool tray, spare tire tray, and finally, the spare tire.
At this point, your 2013 Audi A4 should start and run, even without battery coding. However, it may operate in a low power mode until the car’s computer is properly coded to recognize the new battery.
Pro Tip for Battery Coding: For optimal performance and to ensure the new battery is correctly managed by your Audi’s electrical system, battery coding is essential. If you have access to VCDS software, navigate to control module 61 (battery regulation). Go to “coding,” select “battery coding,” and input the BEM code you recorded earlier. Alternatively, you can take your Audi to a dealership for professional battery coding.
By following these steps, you can confidently locate and replace the battery in your 2013 Audi A4. Remember that proper battery coding is the final, crucial step for optimal performance and battery life.
