macaddict111

Hey all. In answering a cost of ownership thread, I realized I hadn't thought much about the (extensive) scheduled maintenance or cost. For my MY17, looking through the schedule, the major/real/non-inspect services I notice are:

• Oil Changes and Air Filters: Various times, 100% easy to do yourself, not worried at all.
• Replace Brake Fluid: Every 2 years
• Haldex Clutch - Replace Oil: Every 3 years
• DSG/S tronic - Change ATF oil and replace transmission filter element: Every 40,000 miles
• Spark Plugs - Replace: Every 40,000 miles

So first off, this is a lot. They makes sense, it's a turbo, hence frequent plug changes, and has very high friction/velocity clutch actuation, hence DSG/Haldex changes. But brake fluid every 2 years? WTF? Personally, regardless of what this all costs, I'm simply not going to be taking my car in at 2 years for brake fluid, then a year later for Haldex, then at 40,000 for the rest... I don't have the time for that, and I sincerely doubt that most of Audi's customers do this either. I can't imagine most of the car-clueless Audi customers are going to know to do this, let alone actually take it in each time.

Does anyone have advice on this? My goal isn't to not maintain my car or "how much can I get away with" at all, and those type of people grind my gears too. But am I going to be ok doing brake, DSG, Haldex, and plugs all at 40,000? Is that reasonable, and does anyone have any personal experience with these service intervals, especially brake fluid? I've never changed the brake fluid on any car up to 100,000 miles, none of them have ever required it. Why does Audi need this so frequently? I drive my cars at least 15,000 a year, so it's not really ever going to "time out" on anything... Are any of these services super easy to do yourself for a guy who has changed his oil but not much else?

uberwgn

Mac, not sure why you are focusing on the brake fluid change. The Euro mfrs generally call for a 2 yr flush. Maybe if you live in AZ it wouldn't be as critical? It's typically a time-based service, not mileage. And it's a small $$ service.

macaddict111

uberwgn

I don't know that your rationale is solid. Have you owned a Euro car in the past?

There is NOTHING to be ashamed about when it comes to good brake health and purging water from the fluid.

Rapture

Brake fluid should be changed every few years as it absorbs moisture and that can damage the internal parts of the brake system. Most people don't do it but should. You could stretch to 3 or more if you want just know it's not advisable and it's pretty inexpensive. The other stuff is pretty typical also. You can get away with not doing some of it and the car will probably be fine if you don't drive it in a "rough service " way like a taxi, police car, etc.

Pretty normal service stuff

Huey52

Just an aside, but racing brake fluid is even more hygroscopic than OEM and therefore must be flushed more frequently.

Water is also not compressible so that's not the issue but as others have cited water can degrade internal brake line components. Kinda the same way ethanol in fuel is hygroscopic and can more readily degrade its system (I use StaBil marine formula every fill up). But I can empathize with your comment MacAddict as I have a friend who is typically very good about most maintenance and yet never changes his brake fluid.

I was surprised when I got home from my 2-year 15K AudiCare service and noted that my brake fluid wasn't changed. Perhaps as I only had 10K miles on it at that point. I'll make sure they flush it next service interval.

Matthew Gaither

Brake flush is standard operating procedure on almost all premium luxury cars and especially German ones. Both my Porsche Boxster and my BMW 128i required 2 year intervals as does my Dad's 328i. It isn't expensive (especially with a good independent mechanic) and will keep your brakes working really well.

If you are concerned about the rest of the items then go with Audi Care. It's a good deal for bundling all of the necessary service items.

Vegas-roadster

The Mk 1 had the same brake fluid change intervals and I ignored them. I only changed the fluid when I replaced the brakes after about 4 years and 70K miles with no issues but then I live in dry Las Vegas. On my present Mk 2, it worked out that I did it on schedule because I had AudiCare for the first 45K and then recently upgraded my brakes earlier than I usually do.

S4Bloom

Huey52

Agree! Related, one of my YouTube Fav's: