Dipstick for D5 A8s
 

Recent Audis do not come with dipsticks, and for those of you who change your own oil or simply want to check your own oil for whatever reason, you can buy the tool that technicians use. The tool from Audi/VW directly is tool T40178 and costs about $200. It's, essentially, an "adjustable" dipstick. What you do is take the PDF attached, look up the engine, and then "adjust" the dipstick since the dipstick is used for all Audi models. In the case of my D5, it's engine code CZSE so I adjust the 'ring' to 76, and then the max oil level is "14".

The tool has since been superceded to T40178-B which adds the ability to measure oil on the R8. Since that is not useful for me, and because there is no 'generic' tool for the B version, I got this instead:


If there are issues with the tool, I will report back, but it's a well reviewed 'generic' tool company.

Do not be alarmed with the PDF stating it's for the 2018 A8. Remember, this car was launched in Europe in 2018, and the D5 is referred to as the A8 4N, which the PDF references.

Here is the dipstick plug "unplugged". It took me quite a while to figure out how to get it out. Use a keychain ring. Loop it around the hole, and pull HARD. Don't be afraid of breaking anything.

This is the plug, and the hole. Cheers!

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...8b6589238d.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...b353374032.jpg

Word of warning here. I guess I never noticed this before. I went to check my oil, for fun, today, and I went *GASP*, my oil level is below the 0 mark. (adjusted to "76" ring as per the audi guide), then insert it into the dipstick hole, and the engine oil level read at 0.

I drove to another flat surface, again - tested it, 0. *insert crazy freakout moment*.

Then I realized. You see that red line, it's THAT level that must correspond to 76. I had lined up 76 to "behind" the black thing you see there, not "in front". Hope that helps someone!
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...109a621423.png

See.... maybe that's why they don't want the general public buying/using that tool. Or messing with a dipstick at all. LoL ;)

You didn't want to try some of the fixed plastic versions to see if one matches, then you don't have to fiddle with the adjustable one?
If I lived near you I'd let you try mine to see how they line up. :)
Old 3.0T from 2009-2017
06E-115-611-H
Old C7 D4 4.0T
079-115-611-R
Some others.......
C5 3.0
06C-115-611-K
3.2
06E-115-611-E
C7 TDI
059-115-611-AB
4.2
079-115-607-C
All about $20-$30

Thanks for this photo--really helped me find the port so i could feed the tube and extract my oil! I'm thinking I will simply extract and change every 5K miles, and then have full replacement and oil filter change every 10K (currently covered by AudiCare).

I think that's reasonable. FYI, virgin oil has high NOACK (volatility), so there is some truth to changing oil too often = is also bad for carbon buildup on intake valves. That said, every 5000 miles or 7500km seems perfectly fine and is exactly what I would do if I drove more than 500 miles a year....

This thread was so helpful for my first oil change - 5K miles / one year. Everything said here works. Thanks MUCH!!!

How to remove broken dipstick plug...?
 

Okay....some frustration. Just bought the parts to do my own oil change. Go into the engine compartment to access the dipstick plug, and can see it was just put back in loose because the plug portion had been broken off by someone in service at my local dealer (they have done 3 oil changes on it). The airtight portion of the plug is still lodged in the tube. Any ideas on how to get it out? Argghh.

Picture please.

I would get an endoscope camera with light to see what's left inside the tube and go from there.
Cheers,
Louis