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Audi A4 B8: Information on the Oil Consumption Problem

Since the A4 B8 came out, there have been grumblings of major oil consumption problems with the 2.0T engine. Audi considers oil consumption of one (1) quart per 1,200 miles to be acceptable. Most Audi drivers do not, however. It seems strange to be dropping as much oil in a car between oil changes as it does at oil changes. This article will cover some of the things you need to be aware of and which Audi specified to fix the issue.

By Paul Johnson - April 6, 2016

This article applies to the 2009 Audi A4, 2010-2011 Audi A4/5, and Audi Q5 with 2.0TFSI Longitudinal engine (Engine Code: CAEB).

Oil consumption in the 2009 to 2011 Audi's originally equipped with the 2.0TFSI is hit or miss as a car owner. Some drivers report massive oil consumption of over one (1) quart per 1,000 miles driven. Some owners report no oil consumption at all. Your oil consumption may fall somewhere in between. Even though these cars are aging some, now at over six years old, the problem will not go away on its own. There are several things you should know about the oil consumption. This article will entail different aspects of the oil consumption and what might be done to fix the issue.

Component Breakdown

What Causes Oil Consumption?

VWGoA had first thought there was an issue with rings/pistons and would change these out under warranty if it were found that oil consumption was excessive. Later, they came back with a new engine breather element and software install, which also seems to fix the issue.

ECS 2.0T Dipstick
Figure 1. A 2.0T dipstick. Check your oil often.

Audi MMI Oil Level Indicator

The MMI is a great tool, but not the only tool which you have in your arsenal. Use it as a good indicator on oil usage. From Min to Max, it should represent a quart of oil. When topping the oil off, do it in small increments. It has been said on the forums the MMI takes a while to register the amount of oil you've added. When it gets down to the Min level, start with adding about 1/3 quart. Get your reading over a short period of driving, then add more as needed.

MMI Oil Level Indicator
Figure 2. The MMI oil level indicator. Works great as an indicator, but don't trust it completely.

Class Action Lawsuit

While not a typical "part" for an Audi, this may provide some with a way forward in case of excessive oil consumption. In 2012, a class action was granted against VWGoA concerning the CAEB engine. The class action provided if anyone of 129,000 current and previous Audi owners had this problem, they could get reimbursed if the problem was paid for out of pocket, or get the problem fixed if it hadn't been applied yet. It also provided for an extension of warranty coverage of 8yr/80,000miles or 1yr/10,000miles after the fix was applied, whichever comes later. More information about the lawsuit can be found in the litigation files or at the Class Actions News websites.

Class Action Lawsuit
Figure 3. What you can do about excessive oil consumption.

Scheduled Maintenance

The scheduled oil change intervals for the Audi are to change the oil and filter the first time at 5k miles, then at every 10k miles to follow (Figure 4). A complete list of the 2010 maintenance schedule can be found here.

Maintenance Schedule
Figure 4. 2010 maintenance schedule.

Common Questions

How often should I check my oil?

Keep an eye on your MMI display, but check your oil every time you fuel up. If after several fill ups you discover the MMI is not lying to you and the oil stays up to level, check it once a month as part of a normally scheduled maintenance routine.

Will Audi fix my car?

If your vehicle still falls under the extended warranty for the oil consumption problem (8yr/80k miles), VWGoA should install the fix for you. If it falls outside of this real, they will still fix the car, but you can expect to pay for it.

How much oil consumption is considered "excessive"?

According to Audi, if the car uses in excess of one quart per 1,000 miles, this is excessive. To determine this, you have to have two appointments with the dealership which will distinctly measure the amount of oil used between appointments. The service department will determine if your vehicle's usage is excessive or not.

What is actually fixed to cure the oil consumption?

Audi will replace a breather element and put new software into the computer. Many have stated these measures work. Originally, Audi prescribed installing new pistons and rings. While this worked, it was very expensive in retrospect to the new breather and software updates, so don't expect those repairs to be offered again.

What oil should I use?

There are many different kinds of oil, but ensure the oil meets or exceeds the Audi Oil Quality Standard VW 502.00. Each Audi vehicle may require a different weight or viscosity. Use your owner's manual to figure out exactly which weight oil to use. Castrol and Chevron both have oil which meets the 502 standard.

Common Issue

Engine Oil Indicator Illuminated

Check your MMI for how much the oil is low. If it does not read on the MMI, add about 1/2 quart and wait for the added amount to register. Add more oil as needed. The MMI is sometimes finicky and will not register the add right away. It is better to run with not enough oil (within reason) than with too much.

Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)

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