Audi Maintenance

Engine oil is like blood in human veins, all Audi uses special blend of synthetic oil. It is very important that oil is changed at regular intervals to keep VANOS system running at smoothly. Mechanic Nation uses special blend of oil that is imported from Dubai for high end cars, we use 5w-30 in all our imported cars that gives better protection meeting ISO standards.

Normal Service Interval is – every 8000KM

*some dealers / vehicles may take to 15000km ~ 25000km but interval is based on our repair experience in industry.

In order for car to be fuel efficient it needs to have clean flow of air coming smoothly into engine. If air filter is clogged or dirty, it will suffocate the engine thus resulting in poor performance consume more gas. Sluggish acceleration and more carbon deposits internally reducing further performance.

Normal Interval – every 30,000 KM

This filter is most important and generally ignored by usual car owners because they do not know that there is such a filter. This filter cleans air that being circulated inside of the car or brought from outside air into the car. The filter traps all dust particles, leaves or any foreign debris that is trying come inside the car.


Sometimes a foul smell could be felt inside when fan blower is turned on, or sometimes a funky smell when AC is turned on is a very good hint usually that cabin air filter has built fungus on it and poses not only danger to health but keeps a foul odor in car.


Normal Service Interval – every 45,000KM

Over my career I have noticed that nobody changes power steering fluid, also common practice with transmission fluid until the problem comes which usually cost more than simple matainence that could been avoidance of an expensive repair.


Smooth power steering is vital in many situations in city driving which improves fuel economy by reducing the load on engine on belt driven systems. Power Steering oil should be flushed every so often to keep the system running at optimum performance.


Normal Service Interval – every 115,000 KM

Transmission Fluid is 2nd most important fluid in automotive maintenance which is usually ignored by everyone. Even though Audi states that fluid is lifetime, everyone of us knows that there is nothing lifetime. Over my career, I have seen many Audi with very dirty fluids causing mactronics valve body to fail prematurely especially true in All Wheel Drive Systems.

These mactronics valve body uses synthetic transmission fluid, even with a filter inside the transmission, fluid changes it chemical properties due to hot and cold conditions. It forms bubbles, it burns, it thickens overtime putting more stress onto the solenoid valves that are working inside the mactornics system.

If this fluid is changed regularly with normal service internals, the entire drivetrain system will have reduced stress and performance will improve resulting in smoother shifting and improved fuel economy over long highway drives.

Normal service Interval – every 75,000KM

Front Differential Fluid

Unlike rear differential fluid, in my experience I have seen many front differentials going bad than the rear differentials due to failing seals lack of lubrication and bearings burning out inside the front differential.

Failing seals is one problem, old oil or worn oil can also make the rubber seals stiff bringing leaks in the front differential system, which causes under lubrication of unit failing the bearings. Solution to this problem is always keeping up with service and this way it would ensure that front differential oil is always topped up and at optimum performance levels.

Regular Service Interval – every 75,000KM

Rear Differential Fluid

Rear Differential is a sub-transmission assembly in all Audi , that drives the rear two wheels, it also carries fluid like transmission fluid however in much less quantity and very cheap to maintain. It only requires 1L of fluid in many Audi.

This fluid should also be changed every so often to keep less stress on bearings inside the rear differential. I have seen failed bearings due to thick dirty fluid inside the rear differential which can result in every costly repair to do exhaustive labor to install the unit.

Regular Service Interval – every 120,000KM

Transfer Case Fluid becomes dirty much faster than any other sub-transmission units for some reason. I always have seen this fluid from transparent to almost dark brown tone much earlier than expected. I think it is due to extensive use of clutch system inside the Audi transfer case assemblies.

This fluid should be changed with transmission fluid as same interval to keep transmission and transfer both running at same pace and smoothly working together.

Normal Service Interval – every 75,000KM

Over my career I have seen almost always coolant being neglected that has destroyed many vehicles completely or sometimes in very massive engine repairs.

Coolant is acid, in Toronto region it is mixed at 50/50 ratio with distilled water. Overtime, hot/cold and prolong period of coolant in the system will turn more acidic eating rubber and heavy deposits from high acidic situation can clogged radiator or heater core resulting in no heat in winter or overheating engine in summer season.

Coolant should be changed like any other fluids to keep engine cooling at optimum levels. We always flush when service coolant systems as it is only proven way to making sure all containments are drained out and washed out before putting new 50/50 mix into the system.

Regular Service Interval – every 200,000KM or 5 years whichever comes earlier.

*Please note that above Audi maintenance schedules are designed by Mechanic Nation themselves, and all intervals are based on expertise by Mechanic Nation, Audi doesn’t recommend any of these recommendations, in fact they say a lot of fluids are lifetime, except engine oil. Please refer to CBS for more information.