Hi Everyone

I am new to the forum - I picked up my Q5 two week ago.

I plan to hardwire my dash cam into the fuse panel using Fuse Taps and hide the wires behind the dash, A-pillar trim/ headliner, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to remove any of the trim panels.

My previous car was a Ford, and all the panels I needed to remove popped off quite easily with a bit of persuasion. In the Audi, everythong seems so much tyighter and solid, but I am scared to use too much force in case I damage something.

Can anyone point me to a decent set of instructions?

 

@LordFridge I've tried to do this on my 2020 SQ5 and although I found a video that showed how the front pillar trim is attached and what you need to do to release it, I just didn't manage it!

It's held in place at the top by a post in the bodywork and a sliding latch in the trim. The latch need to be slid upwards but getting to it involved distorting the roof liner just above the piller to allow access. When I tried it I could see the latch but could not move it and I had to stop in case I damaged the liner trying to get better access.

Don't be tempted to use any tools to lever the trim off!

Edited July 31, 2025Jul 31 by John6502

 @John6502 Thanks for your reply. I found a video that showed that peg, and the clip you mention.

I’ll have a go at the weekend, but (like you) I’m worried about damaging the trim or headlining.

I’ll report back . . . 

Hi

Try the attached instructions. They are fom the pre-facelift workshop manual.

A-Pillar removal_1.pdf

@MiguelP Thank you

OK - So that is just impossible.

After three evenings trying to release the metal clip, I am close to giving up.

It will be easier to remove the overhead light panel and run the cable above the headlining over to the B-pillar - Apparently, the B Piller trim just pops off.

Do please let us know of success.

Sorry for the delay on an update.

The idea of going acros the headlining to the B Pillar was so much easier. All of the B pillar trim pops off easily.

I dropped the interior light trim and then poked a stiff wire above the headlining over to the pillar. With a bit of wiggling, it came through, so I taped the cable to the end and piulled it back through.

With that top section sorted, it was simple to route the cable down the B-Pillar and under the floor trim to the passenger footwell fuse panel.

It's all working great now.

Thanks for the update Gary and I'll certainly give that a go; seem much easier than removing that front screen side panel.

Plus it means I can place all three wires for my system on this route - originally I was going down both front side panels.

Just checked to see how long a bit of wire I might need when I saw the panaramic sunroof - damn, guess I'm going to have to find another way!

How easy was it to drop the interior light?

Might be able to get access to headlining above driver's door and then to the side pillar.

13 hours ago, John6502 said:

How easy was it to drop the interior light?

@John6502 - This is the video that I followed.

 

The only difficult clip is the one the guy uses a trim tool for . . . . It was still a lot easier than that A pillar trim though.

You also need to be careful re-assembling the SOS switch.

Thanks Gary, very useful.