Oil change

[lengster1]

Just a quickie im going to have the oil changed between its normal services what is regarded as the best for it?I thought i read on here somewhere that the audi stuff was too thin a viscosity?something about camshaft wear?im not sure if i will do it myself or let the main agent,im a bit concerned that some numpty might put some low grade long life in it.

[FrankC]

AFAIK Audi tend to specify Castrol SLX 503.01 for the RS4 Rich.....warrenty issues etc etc.
Cheers
Frank

[don]

Just while we're on the topic of oil change... I'm going to do a 3800 mile / 12 month oil change..

Would it be ok the just change the oil at this stage and leave the filter for another 3800 miles?

[tartan_rob]

Filter is > £10. Easier to change it. It your oil is stuffed, there is a 99% chance the filter is too.

[Golich]

Its never good practice and Like Tartan Robb says, the filter is < £10. But then changing the oil this early isn't really needed unless your racing your car or its modified? If you're taking the time to remove the oil you're as well taking the extra time to spin off the filter.

[don]

I think the oil would still be fine.. only 3800 miles.. half motorway/half city driving and only the odd hard take off here and there

But I thought an oil change was needed at x miles or once every year, which ever comes first?

So I thought I might as well treat my car and change the oil myself. Only the cost of £23 for 5l of Mobil 1 5W-50 and take me 20 minutes.

I'll take it to the service agent next time.

Easy enough to drain the oil, but I haven't seen where the oil filter is.

I'd rather leave the filter for next time if that would be ok?

How hard it is to get to anyway?

Oh.. and no modifications.. stock standard.. sounds like you guys reakon I should wait a bit longer?

[SimonS4MTM]

You will need more that 5L

[RED_ROCKET]

7L approx

[SimonS4MTM]

You will need more that 5L.

The filter is easy see from underneath, it is near the front of the engine. Worth changing if you are changing the oil.

As to waiting a bit longer, it depend how many more miles you plan on doing, im my opinion it is always good to change the oil every 5k.

[don]

I changed my oil on the weekend... probably way too early and certainly too early for a full service but it had been a year so I though why not.

Now can anyone tell me any easy way to reset the service indicator for another year?

[TWH]

I was just thinking about changing my oil. So you say the filter is easy to get to (haven't had a chance to get underneath yet), if so then I'll do it myself (I'd imagine the stealer is gonna charge way over the odds for an oil change). I normally use the Mobil approved for audi long life - is that good enough for the RS4?

[don]

I'd say the RS4 is the easiest oil change I've ever done.

The filter is 'unbelievably' accessible... you literally don't even have to jack the car up. It sits just forward of the drain plug off the side of the sump.

The only issue will be with the black nylon tray, which I expect you will need to take off to get to the filter and oil drain plug, but should be easy enough.

I just have a narrowish aluminium under tray which just clears the drain plug so no probs for me.

I used Mobil 1 fully synthetic.. I don't think you can go wrong with that or most other fully synthetic brands, which most dealiers over here seam to use.

[Dippy]

lengster,
The post you saw was about advice by a well-known tuning company to use oil with a higher hot viscosity to reduce the change of cam wear. As you know, Audi recommend 0W30. They also insist on VAG 503.01 spec oil (as FrankC noted). The only non-0W30 oil I know of which is certified to 503.01 is Mobil 1 0W40 which I had been using.
I have thought carefully about the alleged reports of cam wear and so decided to use Mobil 1 15W50 in my last change. I checked the bottle and there is no 503.01 declaration. (The spec is suitable for an S4, however I have no warranty to void anyway!).

don,
You can reset the indicator using the knobs on the instrument cluster. I can never remember exactly how to do it and have to check the owners manual myself (that's a hint ).

TWH,
It is quite easy really. I suggest that you jack up the front or use ramps (I have no choice with my lowered S4, but I doubt there is enough space underneath on your car). You remove the undertray with 6 pins underneath (3 at the front, 3 at the back) and 2 in each wheel-well. Then you can see the filter and the sump drain right at the front , just to right of centre. Just make sure you have a proper metal-strap filter wrench as there's no space around it (believe me - if you try a chain wrench you will get covered in oil). Also buy a new sump plug (they're about 70p).

[lengster1]

Thanks dippy
I had it done at main agent and believe it or not they were going to put longlife normal oil in it,they said it was to the correct standard i had to insist on the slx,and its a good job i walked into the workshop because the young lad helping the mechanic had booked out bog standard stuff.they only look after one other rs4 at my local agent so its a good job i get the best gen on here.im a little cautious of changing to mobil 1 as i did it on a cavalier 4+4 some years ago and within the week the turbo seals were leaking and cost me a new turbo,i was told that mobil 1 has alot of detergents in it and can loosen carbon deposits etc built up using normal oil how true it is im not sure maybe the turbo would have died anyway.i hope the audi stuff is good at nearly a tenner a litre,it will be coming out in 4k for its scheduled service o what joy ha ha

[PhilT]

Now can anyone tell me any easy way to reset the service indicator for another year?

I thought you had to use VAG-COM?