Discovery during another oil change

[Dippy]

Did my oil change this afternoon (lazy me - I've done 6000 miles since the last one). When I put the plastic undertray back on I noticed that it was fairly heavily scraped such that at some point in the future it will split in a couple of places. Just shows what lowering an S4 with H&R coilovers can do!

[Carps]

On my previous car (Golf GT TDI) I had the VW sports suspension fitted and am now on my third under tray - and that is mashed [img]images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Regarding oil changes...
What's the recommended oil change interval, and what oil ?
I was planning of 5,000 miles and Mobil 1 0-40. Does that sound OK or is there a more accepted oil ? Also, do you do the filter every change or every other change ?

[Dippy]

Carps,

You'll find that opinions vary over the oil change interval. One camp says that synthetic oil is so good these days that 10K or more will suffice, and IIRC that is what the fixed service interval is. With Audi Variable Service, where fully synthetic is required (yes - that does mean that the S4 does not 'have' to use fully synthetic [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]), in theory the interval can be longer, however my service indicator would probably ask for an oil change every 10K anyway.

The other camp says that considering how important the oil is to the engine, it is so relatively cheap that it should be changed more regularly. This is probably more true for the S4 than the other models, since the older S4s were prone to turbo failure because the oil lines could get blocked (which is all the more reason to observe a warm-up and cool-down regime).

I am in the latter camp, especially since I was advise by AmD to change oil more regularly. Therefore I endeavour to do the change every 4000-5000 miles, although the last one was more like 6000 miles.

As to oil type, the rules for the S4 are:
0W-30 oil.
If you are on fixed service interval you can use any oil*.
If you are on AVS then you must use a fully synthetic oil.

Of course opinions vary on if these rules are enough. Personally I would only use a fully synthetic oil in the S4. Also it is worth considering the rules for other cars. The RS4, S3 and 225bhp TT must use oil to VAG standard 503.01. This means Synta Gold, Castrol Formula SLX, Mobil 1 and possibly others. I.e. the best fully synthetic oil. This tells me that Audi feels that their 'stressed' engines may suffer if this oil is not used!

So my conclusion is that a chipped S4 falls into the same category, and so 503.01 oil should be used. That's why I use Mobil 1 (which is of course 0W-40, but that should be fine).

On your final point, if you are putting £60 worth of oil in the car, there's no point in saving just £15 by using the old filter, especially as the S4's takes a fair beating. I would also advise changing the oil drain plug with a new one as well - they're only 60p.

Cheers,
Dave

P.S. Use Audi OEM parts: Oil filter = 078 115 561J and Plug = N90 813 201

*This means that yes, your S4 could have crap oil in it!

[Joshie]

Dave,

Is the oil change procedure difficult? Presumably you have to jack to car to get at the sump plug. Does this allow the oil to drain away OK.

And where do you get your oil from? AmD use Synta - what's your preference?

[Dippy]

It's necessary to jack the car up if you have lowered suspension, but if not you can just about do it without jacking, depending on what you are draining the oil into. Then you need to remove the undertray.

The sump drain is, as expected, very low and to the front of the car. I have not had problems fully draining it with the car raised at the front, however I tend to raise the offside a tad higher than the nearside just to be sure as the drain is on the nearside.

For the last two changes I have needed to use a chain-wrench to remove the filter. I was advised to put the new one on fairly tight too. Don't 'stand-on-the-wrench-until-it-squeals" to do the plug up though [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Also be carefull not to overfill the oil. Dump in about 5 litres and then run the engine for 30 seconds. Then put in the remainder (about 1 litre more) a bit at a time.

I'd prefer to use Castrol Formula SLX 0W-30, but I've only ever found it at Audi dealers in 1 litre bottles so it's too expensive. So I use Mobil 1 which I buy from Halfords at around £28 for 4 litres. I imaging that Synta is just Mobil or Castrol rebranded for VW anyway. To be honest I don't think it matters which oil you use as long as it is one of these, or another premium brand.

Have fun...

[s2driver]

Here is my reply in "oil changes for chipped cars" in Dealers, Servicing and Warranty thread

I do mine every 5,000 with fully synthetic and new filter. I also slick 50 (performance version) every 20,000. I do all my own car maintenance so I can afford to change things more regularly. Bosch Platinum plugs are changed and the K&N is cleaned every 15,000.

Anyone any eperience of using Carlube Triple R or Millers XFS. I might use something other than the VAG Synta Gold stuff but don't know if the switch is worth it.