Audi Forum - Audi Forums for the A4, S4, TT, A3, A6 and more! - Q5 Roof Rack Installation DIY! (Lots of Pics!)

Thanks to The Portland Audi Experts!

Quote:

As time passes I find that I get asked the same questions more than a few times a week and I love to give the answers because showing people the Audi Brand and technologies is one of my true passions. A question that has been asked of me in a number of times in emails by people all around the country is “How do I install my Audi Q5 Roof Racks ?” I really enjoy helping and working at Sunset Imports gives me an opportunity to do this every day. The Audi Q5 comes standard with adaptive cross bars that can be installed in less then ten minutes and will actually change the driving characteristics of the vehicle to counteract the top heaviness caused by the roof load. With up to 220 pounds of load capacity on the crossbars of the Q5 it really is nice to have the ability to put bikes, kayaks, surfboards, skies, snowboards or anything else you can think of on the roof. The roof rails will not interfere with the open sky system (panorama glass roof) as long as you use Audi genuine adapters for whatever it is you are carrying. Now to start with, in order to install the Q5 Cross bars you will need to find the tool; it is usually located in the back in the spare tire well. After you have laid out the cross bars and located the tool (pictured) you will need to find the cross bar end with three prongs, this is important. Take the cross bar end with three prongs and make sure it goes in front and the three prongs go over the drivers front side. After that it is simple. You will lift the caps on the end of the bars up, the installation is easier the first time with two people, lay the Q5 cross bars across the roof (carefully) and line up the prongs on the inside of the roof rails. After the alignment of the roof rails is done you can tighten them down, make sure not to tighten them too much, you only need about 3.5 pounds of force, like softly squeezing an orange. (If you overtighten the roof rails it can strip out the threads.) After you have installed your roof rails stand back and take a look at the dynamic lines of the Audi Q5 and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!