C7 A6 TDI Oil Change for the DIY'er

**PB4UGO** · 10-10-2014 02:56 PM

Not everyone will agree with Audi Care's 10k interval approach to oil changes. This means either paying your servicing dealer (or indy) to execute an oil change, or do it yourself. I opted for the latter today and figured some of y'all might as well.

The Oil, Filter and drain plug self-crushing washer were all ordered from EuropaParts (EuropaParts.com: Online shopping for Audi and Volkswagen parts, fluids, tools, and accessories). Quick, easy and no issues of any kind. I'll order from them again.

Step one -

Remove the TDI engine cover and say hello to awesomeness! I had removed the rear plastic cover for cleaning, you do NOT need to remove it for an oil change.

Step two -

Remove the oil cap and filter -

Step three -

Lift the car and notice how much detail Audi put into the under-body aerodynamics. The oil drain plug is under there!

Step four -

14 screws removed. It was a combination of the four large ones, three small ones and seven of the one-turn style things.

This panel overlaps the front bumper tray cover and the transmission cover. It will drop out with little effort needed, but not fall.

Of note, getting it back in takes a bit more effort to ensure that the overlaps are correct front to back.

Step five -

Hello oil pan!!

Step six -

Remove drain plug. Make sure the crush washer is (1) attached to the drain plug, (2) removed from the bottom of the oil pan or (3) fell into the oil catch pan. DO NOT DOUBLE STACK new and old!!

Don't forget to put the drain plug back in and tighten to standard. The tightening was easy with a simple ratchet, no torque wrench needed. You'll feel it stop.

Step seven -

Replace the covers on the under-side. Again, make sure the panel edges overlap correctly front to back!! Tighten all screws and lower the car.

Step eight -

Oil filter gasket...don't forget to replace it. Peels right off. Lube the new one (it comes with the OEM filter) and replace.

Step nine -

Nipple down and towards the driver side of the car. Replace cap and tighten, like the drain plug, it will stop on its own.

Step ten -

Add oil.

I started with 6.5 quarts and started the car. After I shut it off and let it settle a bit, it showed "OK." Drove home and checked again, and added ~.3 quarts more. This matches what the owners manual says is capacity, 6.8 quarts with filter.

Step eleven -

Check the oil level in the MMI.

Step twelve -

Have cold beer.

**Brooklyn** · 10-10-2014 03:33 PM

I don't have a TDI, but kudos on a very useful write-up for those who do.

**PB4UGO** · 10-10-2014 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

I don't have a TDI, but kudos on a very useful write-up for those who do.

The process should be similar for the 3.0T's as well. Don't y'all get a dipstick??

**agent47** · 10-10-2014 04:11 PM

Great write up brother. Especially the end

btw through the dipstick we can do a top end oil change too. I am gonna do that after 4K miles .

**13allroad** · 10-11-2014 02:36 PM

Thank you for the post. I purchased the audi car when I got the car but will be changing at 5k intervals due to the high levels of dirt/dust in the air here in Phoenix, AZ. Somehow, the audi car for a a6tdi is the exact same price as the 3.0T a6, not sure how its the same price as the diesel cost more money in basic service, oil/ad blue, etc. Having removed the bottom cover mutiple times on my past allroad has moved me toward buying an oil extractor thus avoiding lifting the vehicle.

I see you went with the Castro oil, did you get any of the additives?

**PB4UGO** · 10-11-2014 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by 13allroad

Thank you for the post. I purchased the audi car when I got the car but will be changing at 5k intervals due to the high levels of dirt/dust in the air here in Phoenix, AZ. Somehow, the audi car for a a6tdi is the exact same price as the 3.0T a6, not sure how its the same price as the diesel cost more money in basic service, oil/ad blue, etc. Having removed the bottom cover mutiple times on my past allroad has moved me toward buying an oil extractor thus avoiding lifting the vehicle.

I see you went with the Castro oil, did you get any of the additives?

With no dipstick on the TDI's, how are you going to use an extractor?? I don't think you can use an extractor though the filler neck...can you?

No additives, don't really see a need. My TDI is running excellent and returning exceptional fuel mileage. Why mess with it?

**13allroad** · 10-12-2014 07:10 AM

Extractor through the filler neck? Can anyone clarify, suggestions?

Yeah I am not sure either.

**jrsAudiA6** · 10-12-2014 05:50 PM

Now, I do not have a TDI, but the oil dipstick did not come with my 3.0T A6. However, the tube for the dipstick is still present and just has a plug in it. I know have the oil dipstick and have use a fluid extractor thru the dipstick tube to extract the oil. It works great. Not sure if the TDI engine has the oil dipstick tube but if it does than that is what you use suck the oil thru when changing the oil with an extractor. So much simpler and that is how the dealers do oil changes, at least on the 3.0T engines.

**/dev/null** · 10-22-2014 09:52 AM

Sum Bitch! - I JUST did a oil change on my wifed A6 TDI on the 11th! I spent at least an hour Goggling where the darn filter was (eventually found it), but otherwise found the car extremely easy to work under (I use ramps). I ended up ordering a couple of filter sockets from Europaparts as well - forget the sizes (one for the A4, the other for the A6) as they are VERY low-profile and great UNDER the A4.

Nice write-up on how to do it... wish I looked here FIRST, it would have saved me some time.

**m j b** · 10-23-2014 07:53 AM

Nice job, good pics. Step 8 - that's an o-ring, not a gasket. And I'd suggest tightening the oil drain plug and filter housing to spec, whatever that is. Tightening "until it stops" may not be quite enough.

It's always a good idea to check for leaks after a DIY oil change just in case you didn't tighten everything down quite enough.

**a4magnet** · 02-21-2015 02:30 AM

Does anyone know the specs to tighten everything?

**tenspeed** · 02-23-2015 11:35 AM

Dip stick tube plug

---------------
The part numbers for Audi C7 dipsticks:

2.0 T: 06J115611E
3.0 T: 06E115611H
3.0 TDI: 059115 611AB

**redrocker55** · 02-23-2015 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by a4magnet

Does anyone know the specs to tighten everything?

Usually drain plugs are in the 22-28 lb range. Check your owners manual...it should be listed in the oil section/specifications. It should say 'oil drain plug torque'.

The oil filter is hand tightened...once it is snug turn it another 1/4-1/2 turn and you are good to go. It has to be firm...but not Baja 1000 tight.