How do you change the oil in an Audi A4?

Answer 1

Change the oil in Audi A4: I recently changed the oil in my g/f's Audi A4. The manual calls for a 5w-40 oil which you probably wont be able to find. A 5w-30 or 10w-40 is acceptable if your climate stays above 0 degrees F. Your local auto parts employees can help you get the right oil filter.

There is a skid plate under the front of the vehicle which will block your access to the drain plug. It can be removed with a flat head screwdriver. I believe there are about 9 screws holding it in place. Once it is removed, set it aside and remove the drain plug from the oil pan. Allow to drian. The oil filter can be accessed from above. Use oil filter wrench or your bare hand kung-fu grip to remove the filter. MAKE SURE THE GASKET (rubber ring) FROM THE OLD FILTER COMES OFF! If the old gasket stays on, it will leak.

Use your finger to put a little oil on the gasket of the new filter, screw into place 1/4 to 1/2 turn past hand tight.

Inspect the gasket on the drain plug and replace in oil pan. Pour in new oil according to the manuals directions based on your engine size. I think mine was 5 quarts.

Start the engine and check for leaks from the oil filter and drain plug.

Replace the skid plate. As a former employee of an oil change place, and having done my g/f's Audi A4 in the driveway, I can tell you it is a lot easier to deal with the skid plate if you can get under the car comfortably. Just take it to an oil change place! Good luck.

Be careful when you position your oil drain pan. Since the drain plug is on the side of the oil pan, the oil will come out squirting about 6 inches for 30-45seconds or so before trickling to a vertical fall. Either have a big drain pan, or keep an eye on it to make sure you catch it and reposition it as the oil comes out.

The following applies to a 2001 A4 with the 2.8 liter V6 engine.

The plastic under-engine cover is held on by 8 Cam-Lock fasteners. Three along the front, three along the back edge and one in each of the fender wells. It would be almost impossible to remove it without raising the car, so have a jack and jack stand handy. If you raise the right side of the car (USA passenger's side) you can leave it on the jack stand and when you drain the oil it will flow toward the drain plug.

Everything can be accessed from under the front of the car, no need to remove the upper engine cover. The oil filter is right next to the oil sump drain plug on the left side (USA driver's side) of the oil sump located just behind the front bumper. I spent a couple of minutes looking farther back until I finally found the right spot. Do NOT confuse the fitting that opens with a star bit as the oil drain, it's the transmission drain! The rest is very straight forward, just be prepared with 7 liters of oil to get a complete fill.