Sonu

Friends,

My 2017 Q7_Prestige is coming up on ~50K and its pre-paid maintenance plan expires. I do have extended warranty.
I keep new cars to 200K+ with preventive maintenance.

Please comment on my plan (Audi recommended interval in brackets)
Engine oil & filter (every 20K)
Dust & pollen filter (every 20K)
Tranny oil & filter (every 40K)

Brake fluid (every 2 yr)

Engine air filter (every 60K)
Ribbed V belt for compressor drive (every 60K)
Spark plugs (every 60K)

Coolant (never)
Center differential fluid (never)
Rear differential fluid (never)
Power steering fluid (never)
For these last four I am thinking of replacing every 50K mi unless there is better advice out there.

Am I missing any other fluids / replacement elements ?

I'm not too worried about the recommended "inspections". I'll get those done from an independent mechanic. So far my sense is that this is a pretty bullet proof car similar to my two earlier new cars (Acura TL, now at 199K and Toyota Sienna, sold last year at 276K because we were sick of looking at it... ran just fine.)

Cheers,

Sonu

Force-1

Engine oil & filter (every 10K)

J. Patterson

I drive them a long time too. Usually to 150000 miles. I do my own services buying supplies from dealer parts counter.

Your quote of Audi recommendations is confusing. In the US the engine oil interval for our 2015 models is 10,000 miles. I believe your 2017 is the same. Transmission service for the 8 speed in the Q7 (Tiptronic) is “lifetime”. I suggest engine oil and filter be done at 10,000 mile intervals at the most. 7500 would be better if you want to take the engine to 200,000 miles.
Differentials oil, coolant and power steering should be fine to 100,000 miles.
I do auto trans service at 100,000 miles also.

https://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/...aintenance.pdf

Sonu

Thanks so much for the feedback.

I used to DIY but am too old. Easier to pay an independent mechanic.

Engine oil is indeed every 10K.... and yes I will likely do it even more frequently than that.

I don't have experience with turbo engines. I'm told their reliability is worse than naturally aspirated engines.
Please educate me. Does oil change frequency has any bearing on the "turbo" aspect of engine reliability?
Is there anything specific you do (maintenance perspective) for preventive maintenance of a turbo engine?

Sonu

MoInEd

I my opinion (and I could be wrong) there is no "life-time-fluid" in any engine or transmission. They say life-time because they assume nobody is going to drive them long enough that needs changing.
Turbo engines in general work in higher pressure, the turbine themselves are subject to harsh conditions (extreme heat and pressure); so the parts wear faster. I am not sure there is much that can be done about it.

Force-1

He doesn't have a turbo engine (unless he has a 2.0).

J. Patterson

Your 2017 Q7 has the supercharged 3.0T engine. Not turbocharged. The 3.0T has been a very reliable engine. I have it in my 2015 S5. Just change the oil regularly. FWIW I’m 66 and got weary of getting under the vehicles to drain oil. I bought a mityvac unit and do it all from the top now. Easy Peasy

diagram showing your supercharger.
https://parts.audiofbirmingham.com/a...S/1382275.html

MoInEd

You are right, he said turbo and I didn't pay attention he has a 2017 model which is supercharged.

Sonu

Thanks for the education everyone.

OK Supercharged (not TurboCharged) YAY!

J.Patterson --> You have shamed be back to DIY. I'm only 52.
Clarification question: You use this device for engine oil changes only or can you use it for other fluids as well? I learned that the engine oil drain plug is a bit of a joke on the Q7 (the threads strip too easily) so I like your idea of a suction device.

MoInEd --> I agree that "lifetime" fluids are only good for disposable vehicles. I like to keep them running forever so I'm planning on 50K for tranny oil changes.
Not sure about the differentials, coolant and power steering. Still looking for folks who have actual experience with these.

The only other german vehicle I have is a BMW motorcycle 1997 K1100LT. On that bad boy I change all fluids annually except for coolant which is on a 5 year plan. And yes that one is 100% DIY :-)

Cheers,

Sonu

J. Patterson

I use a Mityvac 7201. https://www.skf.com/mityvac/products...cuators/mv7201 The nice thing about it is that it also dispenses. This allows you to pump the old oil back into a container for carrying to recycling. Makes a messy job much much neater. Yes it will dispense and evacuate other fluids also. Just would require cleanup before dispensing. As to power steering fluid change frequency, I have to admit I have never changed power steering fluid on a vehicle. I have a TT that has 21-year-old power steering fluid!