S5 in warranty--is DIY oil change--service okay?

[Citizen Sane]

Want to make sure Audi has NO excuses to dodge warranty responsibility. Yet it is so aggravating to get stung with excessive stealer charges for simple things like oil changes.
First--apparently the oil change interval on my 4.2L 2012 S5 is every 10K miles. Do people really observe that (or would an intermediate change at 5K miles be preferrable?) ??
I'm inclined to just bite the bullet and accept the stealer's exorbitant fees to do all service until my car is out of warranty.
Based on my driving --that would likely mean just one oil change (based on the MMI service interval reminder)--might be two at the most.
How ever -- my tight a*s nature is telling me to do at least the oil changes and tire rotates at the local garage and save the $

I'd just ask the stealer SA but suspect I'd get the company answer (better take it into us you "cheapskate")

thanks Dave

[Chanman94]

If you use Audi approved oil and keep all the receipts and proper documentation it should be fine.

[doughboy17]

I do not let mine go 10K. I suggest every 5-8K miles.

I am assuming you bought the car new. If not, call AoA and ask whether your VIN was purchased with AudiCare. When I bout my car used, the selling dealership tried to sell me the AudiCare package; I declined. When I took it to my local dealer, they looked it up and told me it had AudiCare through 45K miles!

[Nastybutler]

First off, it's against the law for any manufacturer to deny a warranty claim because you went elsewhere for scheduled service/maintenance. As long as you have documentation of what's been done service wise, you'll be fine. You can do it at home in your garage as long as you log it in the back of the OM and keep the receipts of your oil/filter.

Secondly, with modern synthetic oils, 10K miles is very reasonable provided you use a high quality oil filter. Some pickup truck guys go all out and get expensive filtration systems and run the same oil for 50K+ miles and then get it lab tested and it's still well withing the range of where oil with only a regular filter and 1,000 miles on it would be. I've never wanted to get that involved in my filtration systems just to keep from doing oil changes, but it's possible.

[alexza4]

AS far as the oil change intervals, the big question is so these 3.0 motors have issues with sludge? Since i'm new to the B8 platform and have not looked into this, I don't know if the answer is yes or no, but im sure other folks can chime in and answer this question. Coming from a B6 1.8 platform, where sludge was a real issue, the oil change recommendations were always every 3-5K. If sludge is no issue for B8, 10k change intervals would not be a problem.

[Citizen Sane]

First off, it's against the law for any manufacturer to deny a warranty claim because you went elsewhere for scheduled service/maintenance. As long as you have documentation of what's been done service wise, you'll be fine. You can do it at home in your garage as long as you log it in the back of the OM and keep the receipts of your oil/filter.

Secondly, with modern synthetic oils, 10K miles is very reasonable provided you use a high quality oil filter. Some pickup truck guys go all out and get expensive filtration systems and run the same oil for 50K+ miles and then get it lab tested and it's still well withing the range of where oil with only a regular filter and 1,000 miles on it would be. I've never wanted to get that involved in my filtration systems just to keep from doing oil changes, but it's possible.

I'm not so sure about that. I believe Audi could specify that service work ONLY be performed at authorized (by Audi) service providers and that this would be legal (of course, the only authorized Audi servicers are their dealers). A simple oil change should not be too great a risk to get performed outside of the Audi network but anything more complicated and I'd definitely only use an Audi dealer (while I'm still under factory warranty). I also believe their CPO program specifies service only at Audi authorized servicers. That is why I'm glad I purchased my used S5 WITHOUT the certification (so I can take it to my trusted long time Audi indie guy without reservation once I'm out of warranty)
Maybe I'll get the Audi warranty statement and examine it to verify my suspicion

[Nastybutler]

I'm not so sure about that. I believe Audi could specify that service work ONLY be performed at authorized (by Audi) service providers and that this would be legal (of course, the only authorized Audi servicers are their dealers).

Wrong. Google Magnuson-Moss Act for more info. Doesn't matter what Audi or anyone says. If they try and deny a warranty claim, they'll be in a world of shit.

[timlog123]

Wrong. Google Magnuson-Moss Act for more info. Doesn't matter what Audi or anyone says. If they try and deny a warranty claim, they'll be in a world of shit.

Exactly right. Worked for Audi in service for years. Its never up to AoA as to what is covered or not. Its up to the dealership(service advisor/manager) to decide to submit claims otherwise they consult their District Manager and he/she decides. This goes for all warrantable parts. If the item has not been tampered with or damaged due to driver error or otherwise, IT WILL BE COVERED.

[Citizen Sane]

Exactly right. Worked for Audi in service for years. Its never up to AoA as to what is covered or not. Its up to the dealership(service advisor/manager) to decide to submit claims otherwise they consult their District Manager and he/she decides. This goes for all warrantable parts. If the item has not been tampered with or damaged due to driver error or otherwise, IT WILL BE COVERED.

So, if you have a trusted and skilled indie shop--you'd just take it there for all service (including spark plugs etc) while the car is under the original factory warranty? I think that would be dangerous and open yourself to a lot of conflict with Audi as to what is and isn't a warranty claim (they could argue the indie shop mis installed something--didn't do it to factory specs etc). I've owned many German cars (mostly Audi but some BMW too) and have learned the Germans can really be a major pain in the ass. Of course, their business model is to support their dealer network and service is a big part of that

[timlog123]

So, if you have a trusted and skilled indie shop--you'd just take it there for all service (including spark plugs etc) while the car is under the original factory warranty? I think that would be dangerous and open yourself to a lot of conflict with Audi as to what is and isn't a warranty claim (they could argue the indie shop mis installed something--didn't do it to factory specs etc). I've owned many German cars (mostly Audi but some BMW too) and have learned the Germans can really be a major pain in the ass. Of course, their business model is to support their dealer network and service is a big part of that

It sounds to me like you'd rather just take it to Audi. But I can say it will always be easier having report and maint/repairs with the dealer. When something comes up warrantable or not they will typically help you out because of what you spend there. In my case its $135/hour
But they CAN NOT deny warranty to you. They can "argue" all they want. If that ever happens you just say you want to talk to their district manager and see what he says. 9/10 times they wont give you his number because they don't want that trouble or to inconvenience you further.

While in warranty you can take your car anywhere you want or do your own work. Damage something and its on you, your drain plug falls out and you might be up shit creek. But I know from experience that I wanted your customer pay business and warranty business because I made money of off it either way. Sometimes the warranties paid me more so the last thing I wanted was to deny you that because you went to a Midas one time.

Who is the dealer or AoA to tell you where you have to take it? You might live in the boonies or need Service/Maintenance from someone immediately when there happens to be no local Audi dealers and you don't have to explain yourself to the dealer when/if that happens. Its your car.

[Citizen Sane]

It sounds to me like you'd rather just take it to Audi. But I can say it will always be easier having report and maint/repairs with the dealer. When something comes up warrantable or not they will typically help you out because of what you spend there. In my case its $135/hour
But they CAN NOT deny warranty to you. They can "argue" all they want. If that ever happens you just say you want to talk to their district manager and see what he says. 9/10 times they wont give you his number because they don't want that trouble or to inconvenience you further.

While in warranty you can take your car anywhere you want or do your own work. Damage something and its on you, your drain plug falls out and you might be up shit creek. But I know from experience that I wanted your customer pay business and warranty business because I made money of off it either way. Sometimes the warranties paid me more so the last thing I wanted was to deny you that because you went to a Midas one time.

Who is the dealer or AoA to tell you where you have to take it? You might live in the boonies or need Service/Maintenance from someone immediately when there happens to be no local Audi dealers and you don't have to explain yourself to the dealer when/if that happens. Its your car.

Okay--you say you have worked at an Audi dealer in service, so I'll take your word for it. Just makes me a little nervous that I'm opening myself up to warranty claim problems.

[timlog123]

Okay--you say you have worked at an Audi dealer in service, so I'll take your word for it. Just makes me a little nervous that I'm opening myself up to warranty claim problems.

If you're going to a reputable privately owned shop I really wouldn't worry about it anyway. If you ever had a real problem I know from experience that worse case scenario you could call AoA. They will ALWAYS side with the customer, they don't even need to see the car or know what was or wasn't done. I had replaced motors in cars that had obviously been neglected and never performed any maintenance at my dealership and had no proof of work performed elsewhere but the reps at AoA and VWoA don't care. Their sole job is to help the customer.

[rasetsu]

I understand that people get worried about possible warranty disputes and what not from a personal stand point, but you should not spread misinformation either. You can get your car serviced by anyone at anytime. The cause of the defect needs to be proven that it was created by another source before your warranty is denied. This means that consumers just need to weigh the pros and cons of if and when to hand the car over to the dealer and pay more or have it done by someone else and pay less.

[Citizen Sane]

thanks for all the great input---this is what makes forums like this worth participating in