NoahWeb

Not everyone will agree with Audi Care's 10k interval approach to oil changes. This means either paying your servicing dealer (or indy) to execute an oil change, or do it yourself. I opted for the latter today and figured some of y'all might as well.

The Oil, Filter and drain plug self-crushing washer were all ordered from EuropaParts (EuropaParts.com: Online shopping for Audi and Volkswagen parts, fluids, tools, and accessories). Quick, easy and no issues of any kind. I'll order from them again.

Step one -

Remove the TDI engine cover and say hello to awesomeness! I had removed the rear plastic cover for cleaning, you do NOT need to remove it for an oil change.



Step two -

Remove the oil cap and filter -



Step three -

Lift the car and notice how much detail Audi put into the under-body aerodynamics. The oil drain plug is under there!



Step four -

14 screws removed. It was a combination of the four large ones, three small ones and seven of the one-turn style things.

This panel overlaps the front bumper tray cover and the transmission cover. It will drop out with little effort needed, but not fall.

Of note, getting it back in takes a bit more effort to ensure that the overlaps are correct front to back.



Step five -

Hello oil pan!!



Step six -

Remove drain plug. Make sure the crush washer is (1) attached to the drain plug, (2) removed from the bottom of the oil pan or (3) fell into the oil catch pan. DO NOT DOUBLE STACK new and old!!



Don't forget to put the drain plug back in and tighten to standard. The tightening was easy with a simple ratchet, no torque wrench needed. You'll feel it stop.

Step seven -

Replace the covers on the under-side. Again, make sure the panel edges overlap correctly front to back!! Tighten all screws and lower the car.

Step eight -

Oil filter gasket...don't forget to replace it. Peels right off. Lube the new one (it comes with the OEM filter) and replace.



Step nine -

Nipple down and towards the driver side of the car. Replace cap and tighten, like the drain plug, it will stop on its own.



Step ten -

Add oil.

I started with 6.5 quarts and started the car. After I shut it off and let it settle a bit, it showed "OK." Drove home and checked again, and added ~.3 quarts more. This matches what the owners manual says is capacity, 6.8 quarts with filter.



Step eleven -

Check the oil level in the MMI.



Step twelve -

Have cold beer.

perlfather

Nice write-up. Thanks.

Superfly_A6

Nice,
Thanks for the info.
I like the last photo ...

Mickelin

Nice write-up, thanks! Don't forget to reset the MMI oil change interval when you are done.

KevinGary

Nice write up!

Viper TT

Thanks for posting this Kevin. I am a diehard DIY person.

Viper TT

Sorry Noah.

kingcezar1992

What size key do we need for the oil filter?

what other size keys do we need for the underneath panel?

Thanks!!

stilts

Thanks for this 'NoahWeb', this was something I was looking to do myself recently, however, I failed just to get the engine cover off, there wasn't many of the 14 bolts you listed in this article remaining, but out of the ones that were the heads on them were knackered so I couldn't get them off, I ended up getting a local garage to do the job for me (oil sensor, oil and filter).

I asked them at the time to do something with both engine and gearbox undertrays so I could remove them myself in the future, however, they rushed it and the problem remains.

So, I'm eyeing up some replacement engine and gearbox covers up on eBay, however, I can't find fitting kits which contain all the bits you listed, do you know what I should look for, can you tell me exactly what size bolts/screws make up each cover?


Many Thanks in advance

Valpo A7

Since the filter is up top just get an extractor and suck the oil out the top. No need to screw with the busted up 14 bolts on the underside. Plus I was told by a trusted Audi tech that extraction will get more oil out of the engine. The oil pan has a lip at the drain plug that raises up and thus traps a bit of oil.