14Q5

I purchased a 2014 Q5 in september. I notices when it gets cold (-10 C or colder)the car makes a loud whining sound for the first 5 minutes of driving. The sound gets louder as I accelerate and tapers off when I release. After a few minutes or driving a speeds over 75kmh it will go away.

Does anyone know what it is? I tried to get video of it today but of course it didn't do it. Ill try again tomorrow as the weather is staying cold.

HZ60

I have a 2013 3.0T that I purchased in Dec 2012. I started hearing exactly what you describe this winter. It didn't do it last winter. As you said, it only happens when it's cold, usually 20F ambient or below. It's not very loud so I've tried turning off the radio and the HVAC to try and pinpoint it, no luck so far. It seems to only happen in the upper gears 5-8 at around 40-45mph. I don't hear it in the lower gears or at lower speeds. If I gently accelerate and then release, I can vary the pitch with the rpms. It stops after the car warms up and doesn't do it at all when it's warm out. I'm thinking maybe cold tranny or diff fluid but that shouldn't really matter. It almost sounds like it's coming from the center console area in front of the shift lever. It doesn't seem to bother the operation or performance, just kind of annoying. I'm planning to ask my service guy about it next time I see him but if I can't reproduce it I don't expect much help there. I too would appreciate if anyone has any info on this.
Tks

Q-Branch

I just got a CPO 2011 Q5 (2.0T) with 50,000 miles on it, and I've noticed the same sound. I can't verify that it is only in the cold though; I have yet to drive it when the temperatures are above 25º F.

Q53.0T4ME

Yep- 2013 3.0T. Exact same sound during early warm-up when very, very cold outside. Usually very short, less than 2 minutes. Sounds like coming from the front-right. No performance issues. Supercharger?

Highpark

Air injection into the exhaust to burn off unburnt fuel during cat light off.

HZ60

So much for my "only when it's cold out" theory. It did it again today after work with 61F outside air temp on the display. It wasn't quite as loud and stopped after about 6 or 8 miles. Cat should have been hot enough after the first few miles don't think it's the SAI. Again, only in the upper gears w/ low rpms at about 40-45 mph. Could still modulate the pitch up and down by giving it just a little throttle. Engine speed barely moves so I don't think it's the supercharger. Kinda sounds like a gear or maybe a bearing that quiets down after it heats up? If I take it in, I'll have to leave it overnight so they can run it in the morning before everything warms up. Might just wait and see if it gets any worse.

BlackSVT

It's always sounded like gear whine in the center diff/transfer case to me. Not so much as to be alarming, but then again, maybe I'm more accepting given my past auto history. Jeeps and performance diffs in drag cars can generate large amounts of whine depending on the situation.

I may still mention it at my next service just to see what I get back. I'm certain they won't be able to reproduce it because that will be the 1 day in the past 3 months it hasn't been -10F!

14Q5

Mine also comes front right. Can't be supercharger as I have a 2.0.