BrianE

Does anyone know how to remove the center vent of the 2012 Q5? My wife wanted me to try a phone holder and of course I f-ed it up. The thing pushed the mechanism that links the vertical slats together so I either broke it out and pushed it out of place. To make matters worse, a piece of the crap phone holder broke off. I need to take it out and try to fix.

Thanks in advance

IntheQ5

towhitch

I love to help here, because I spent many hours looking for the proper way to remove my center vents without damaging the finish (to hunt for squeaks) on my 2016 Q5. The best instructions I found are below; instead of the special VAG hook tool to pull the vents, just cut a metal coat hanger in half, bend each half into little hooks, then alternately pull a bit on each side, until the entire vent comes loose. No prying with screwdrivers nor any violet jerks or pulling required. A normal metal hanger is more than strong enough to pull our the vents.

DennisMitchell

It pulls straight out. If you have hook tool that could work. You should pickup plastic trim tools. I wouldn't use a screwdriver.

BrianE

Thanks Dennis

BrianE

Thanks for the images towhitch

BrianE

Thanks for the pic IntheQ5

Redd

Brian-
Once the pain has gone away...I would suggest a gooseneck cell phone holder. I've got another brand of this:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f116/denim-for-docking-line-abrasion-206416-new-post.html
You remove one bolt from the inboard passenger seat rail, slip the mounting foot under it, and retighten the bolt.
Then the cell phone can be positioned pretty much anywhere center-dash and moved around to suit the driver.
Very rugged, nothing to stick to plastic or obstruct vents. I run a charger from the rear power socket, alongside the console, zip-tied to the gooseneck so it is always right by the phone. (Can hold a small tablet or other things too--comes with different "arms".)
There are some less rugged brands that plug into a cigarette lighter or attach in other ways, but I prefer the simple solid floor mount. You'll need one of the special VW/Audi "8-point" sockets to remove that seat rail bolt, but they're also online, maybe $10 for a set of four most common ones.

FWIW.

SQ5_Scott

Did you ever manage to fix this? My 2015 SQ% vent has just broke in exactly the same way, only had the car 1 week

Hoolibumbum