At a recent oil change the Audi service mgr told me that the oil used in my 2003 A4
is synthetic or a synthetic blend, which allows it to go 10,000 miles between changes.
They asked if I was going to change it every 5k or 10k miles, and apparently would
use different oil depending on my answer. The change is covered under the 4-year free
maintenance agreement so $$ probably isn't a motivating factor.

What oil is used from the factory, and do they really use a different 10k-mile oil?

Thanks,
Bob
2003 3.0L A4Q-M

 

Engine oils with Volkswagen Oil Standard VW 502.00 approval available in

North America

Manufacturer Brand Name Viscosity

Castrol Castrol Syntec 5W-40

Chevron Chevron Supreme Synthetic 5W-40

Elf Ele Excellium LDX 5W-40

Kendall Kendall GT-1 Full synthetic Motor Oil 5W-40

Mobil Mobil 1 0W-40

Pennzoil-Quaker state Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula 5W-40

Pennzoil-Quaker state Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula Ultra 5W-30

Pennzoil-Quaker state Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula 5W-40

Pennzoil-Quaker state Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula Ultra
5W-30

Seventysix lubricants 76 Pure Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-40

Texaco Havoline Synthetic 5W-40

Total Total Quartz 9000 5W-40

Valvoline Valvoline Synpower 5W-30

Valvoline Valvoline Synpower 5W-40

It has always been Audi's policy to continuously improve its products. Audi,
therefore, reserves the right tomake changes in design and specifications,
and tomake additions or improvements to its products without incurring any
obligation to install them on products previously manufactured.Text and
specifications in this Supplement are based on information and knowledge
available at the time of printing. All rights are reserved.May not be
reproduced or translated in whole or in part without the written consent of
Audi of America, Inc. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
If you are not sure which oil to use, consult with your authorized Audi
Service Advisor.

? 2004 Audi of America, Inc. Printed in USA, July 2004

241.AUDI.APPROVED.OILS.CHART.FOR1.8LTURBO.94

 

Engine oils with Volkswagen Oil Standard VW 502.00 approval available in

North America

Manufacturer Brand Name Viscosity

Castrol Castrol Syntec 5W-40

Chevron Chevron Supreme Synthetic 5W-40

Elf Ele Excellium LDX 5W-40

Kendall Kendall GT-1 Full synthetic Motor Oil 5W-40

Mobil Mobil 1 0W-40

Pennzoil-Quaker state Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula 5W-40

Pennzoil-Quaker state Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula Ultra 5W-30

Pennzoil-Quaker state Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula 5W-40

Pennzoil-Quaker state Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula Ultra
5W-30

Seventysix lubricants 76 Pure Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-40

Texaco Havoline Synthetic 5W-40

Total Total Quartz 9000 5W-40

Valvoline Valvoline Synpower 5W-30

Valvoline Valvoline Synpower 5W-40

It has always been Audi's policy to continuously improve its products. Audi,
therefore, reserves the right tomake changes in design and specifications,
and tomake additions or improvements to its products without incurring any
obligation to install them on products previously manufactured.Text and
specifications in this Supplement are based on information and knowledge
available at the time of printing. All rights are reserved.May not be
reproduced or translated in whole or in part without the written consent of
Audi of America, Inc. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
If you are not sure which oil to use, consult with your authorized Audi
Service Advisor.

? 2004 Audi of America, Inc. Printed in USA, July 2004

241.AUDI.APPROVED.OILS.CHART.FOR1.8LTURBO.94

 

Here in the UK Audi's official "variable" servicing intervals are based
on the idea that this synthetic oil is good for about 20,000 miles!!!

Reasons for difference? Choose from the following:

1.In USA theres more money to be made from oil changes
2.In UK theres more money to be made from fleet car sales on the back of
very long service intervals
3.Audi uses different oil/technology on each side of the Atlantic....?


Bob Navarro wrote:
> At a recent oil change the Audi service mgr told me that the oil used in
> my 2003 A4
> is synthetic or a synthetic blend, which allows it to go 10,000 miles
> between changes.
> They asked if I was going to change it every 5k or 10k miles, and
> apparently would
> use different oil depending on my answer. The change is covered under
> the 4-year free
> maintenance agreement so $$ probably isn't a motivating factor.
>
> What oil is used from the factory, and do they really use a different
> 10k-mile oil?
>
> Thanks,
> Bob
> 2003 3.0L A4Q-M
>

 

Here in the UK Audi's official "variable" servicing intervals are based
on the idea that this synthetic oil is good for about 20,000 miles!!!

Reasons for difference? Choose from the following:

1.In USA theres more money to be made from oil changes
2.In UK theres more money to be made from fleet car sales on the back of
very long service intervals
3.Audi uses different oil/technology on each side of the Atlantic....?


Bob Navarro wrote:
> At a recent oil change the Audi service mgr told me that the oil used in
> my 2003 A4
> is synthetic or a synthetic blend, which allows it to go 10,000 miles
> between changes.
> They asked if I was going to change it every 5k or 10k miles, and
> apparently would
> use different oil depending on my answer. The change is covered under
> the 4-year free
> maintenance agreement so $$ probably isn't a motivating factor.
>
> What oil is used from the factory, and do they really use a different
> 10k-mile oil?
>
> Thanks,
> Bob
> 2003 3.0L A4Q-M
>

 

"Bob Navarro" wrote
> They asked if I was going to change it every 5k or 10k miles, and
> apparently would
> use different oil depending on my answer.

Well, that's interesting. AFAIK, all dealers are now supposed to use one of
the oils that were referenced in AoA statement provided by BillyRay,
regardless if you choose to change it every 10K or every 5K or every 1K
miles, or whatever. You do understand that Audi will only pay for the 10K
changes, so if you want it done more often, you'll have to pay for it
yourself.

Since you don't have a turbo, I'd say 10K mile changes with synthetic oil
are fine, or at least once a year, whichever comes first.

AFAIK, the car comes filled with Castrol SLX 0w-30 (full synth.) from the
factory.

Cheers,

Pete

 

"Bob Navarro" wrote
> They asked if I was going to change it every 5k or 10k miles, and
> apparently would
> use different oil depending on my answer.

Well, that's interesting. AFAIK, all dealers are now supposed to use one of
the oils that were referenced in AoA statement provided by BillyRay,
regardless if you choose to change it every 10K or every 5K or every 1K
miles, or whatever. You do understand that Audi will only pay for the 10K
changes, so if you want it done more often, you'll have to pay for it
yourself.

Since you don't have a turbo, I'd say 10K mile changes with synthetic oil
are fine, or at least once a year, whichever comes first.

AFAIK, the car comes filled with Castrol SLX 0w-30 (full synth.) from the
factory.

Cheers,

Pete

 

In message <5LYjd.384135$D%.144428@attbi_s51>
Bob Navarro <rwnavarro2@comcast.net> wrote:

> What oil is used from the factory, and do they really use a different
> 10k-mile oil?

In the UK (and the rest of Europe?), there are options of standard fixed
interval servicing and variable interval servicing. The fixed interval
is normally 1 year/10,000 miles (and more miles for a diesel engine),
the variable interval can be anything up to 2 years/20,000 miles (30,000
for a diesel). Different oils are used for the two options.

--
Peter Bell (Note Spamtrap - To reply, replace 'invalid' with 'bellfamily')

 

In message <5LYjd.384135$D%.144428@attbi_s51>
Bob Navarro <rwnavarro2@comcast.net> wrote:

> What oil is used from the factory, and do they really use a different
> 10k-mile oil?

In the UK (and the rest of Europe?), there are options of standard fixed
interval servicing and variable interval servicing. The fixed interval
is normally 1 year/10,000 miles (and more miles for a diesel engine),
the variable interval can be anything up to 2 years/20,000 miles (30,000
for a diesel). Different oils are used for the two options.

--
Peter Bell (Note Spamtrap - To reply, replace 'invalid' with 'bellfamily')

 

>Well, that's interesting. AFAIK, all dealers are now supposed to use one of
>the oils that were referenced in AoA statement provided by BillyRay,
>regardless if you choose to change it every 10K or every 5K or every 1K
>miles, or whatever. You do understand that Audi will only pay for the 10K
>changes, so if you want it done more often, you'll have to pay for it
>yourself.
>


the dealer in Colorado Springs still uses Castrol GTX (conventional)
oil with 10K changes (at least for my 2.8L V6). I always pay the
extra and get synthetic (they offer Belgian Castrol Syntec 5W40).



>Since you don't have a turbo, I'd say 10K mile changes with synthetic oil
>are fine, or at least once a year, whichever comes first.
>
>AFAIK, the car comes filled with Castrol SLX 0w-30 (full synth.) from the
>factory.
>


that is also my understanding.