S6 Oil Change Question

[Prh]

I recently purchased a CPO 2014 S6. NGP set me up with a APR tune after getting my 15k Audi service plan done at the dealership. I want to do 5k oil changes on my own. (I will get flashed back to stock before going in for the major Audi care service plans that were pre-purchased from original owner). I don't want to get flagged with TD.

Put the car up on ramps, got underneath and started removing the smaller torx screws. Then came across one pattern that was a surprise. Looks like this below, 4 of them.


Can someone please tell me what size this is and where I can get a bit to take them off. I'm assuming once I get this plastic cover off, I can get to the oil filter and drain plug. BTW - I already bought new filter and drain plug from the dealer. If there is anything else tricky about removing this plastic cover on the bottom of the car, please advise. I searched these forums but could not find any detailed photos for C7 S6 showing all the screws and sizes that need to be removed underneath to get to the oil pan and filter.

Thanks in advance

[AudIan]

search for a "triple square bit drive"

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...e+bit&tbm=shop


You might also want to look into an oil pump and do a top down method of changing the oil. Much easier in this car.

Kudos for doing your own work

[Prh]

Thanks AudIan ! Just ordered on Amazon > http://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-Tr...ple+square+bit

Will be here tomorrow.

[redrocker55]

search for a "triple square bit drive"

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...e+bit&tbm=shop


You might also want to look into an oil pump and do a top down method of changing the oil. Much easier in this car.


Kudos for doing your own work

But you still have to get under the car to get the oil filter changed...so you might as well do a proper oil change and drain it from the plug.

[MLee]

honestly, audi care is basically oil changes until you hit the 35K service, then they change the air, cabin filters, dsg fluid and spark plugs on the S6. if you're tuned, I wouldn't bother going to the dealer and flashing back unless you needed major warranty work or for at least the 35k service. $100 oil change isn't worth the hassle of going to the dealer for.

[hubris]

Even flashed back to stock you will get TD1.. Audi can detect if the ECU has been tampered with

[Prh]

Agreed. I don't plan to go back to dealer until the 35k, it's pre-paid.

[Prh]

Well, that's not what APR and their dealers have told me. They say, authorized APR dealer can flash back to stock (they save original ECU settings before flash). They can restore those settings when needed, like going to dealer for warranty work. They claim with the newest APR version(s), this cannot be detected by Audi dealer when restored to original ECU - untuned.

I know APR provides the end user the ability to change the settings back to stock "mode" but that is different then resetting the ECU to stock.

Would love to hear what others say....

[14S4GWM]

Agreed. I don't plan to go back to dealer until the 35k, it's pre-paid.

Audicare expires if you dont use it

[14S4GWM]

Well, that's not what APR and their dealers have told me. They say, authorized APR dealer can flash back to stock (they save original ECU settings before flash). They can restore those settings when needed, like going to dealer for warranty work. They claim with the newest APR version(s), this cannot be detected by Audi dealer when restored to original ECU - untuned.

I know APR provides the end user the ability to change the settings back to stock "mode" but that is different then resetting the ECU to stock.

Would love to hear what others say....

This is a touchy subject. Many have flashed back to stock by going to the authorized APR dealer and have gone to Audi dealer and have not been detected. Others have flashed back and instantly been TD1 at the dealer. Pay to play.

Stock mode only changes your map locally within apr software to stock mode. It is not the same as going to your apr dealer and flashing your stock map back on your ecu. Many threads about this.

[Prh]

Original owner pre-paid for Audicare 15k, 25k, and 35k. Are you saying if I don't use the 25k service, they won't honor the 35k? I only plan to use the 35k Audicare.

[Prh]

This is a touchy subject. Many have flashed back to stock by going to the authorized APR dealer and have gone to Audi dealer and have not been detected. Others have flashed back and instantly been TD1 at the dealer. Pay to play.

Stock mode only changes your map locally within apr software to stock mode. It is not the same as going to your apr dealer and flashing your stock map back on your ecu. Many threads about this.

Agreed and that's my understanding. Thanks

[14S4GWM]

Original owner pre-paid for Audicare 15k, 25k, and 35k. Are you saying if I don't use the 25k service, they won't honor the 35k? I only plan to use the 35k Audicare.

That's my understanding. It goes by time or miles, whichever comes first.

[HyperM3]

Original owner pre-paid for Audicare 15k, 25k, and 35k. Are you saying if I don't use the 25k service, they won't honor the 35k? I only plan to use the 35k Audicare.

This is probably one of the dumbest things Ive ever heard. If its pre-paid for, why wouldnt you bring it in when its supposed to go in? Its not just an oil change, its a full safety check as well as diagnostics. If you dont bring your car in and there is a TSB or something that needs to be changed on your car, you can LOSE your warranty because you didnt bring it in at the pre-determined times you were supposed to. Go pull out your manuals and look at the book specific to warranty and maintenance. Then turn to page 21/22. This will explain everything that is done during those required service intervals....its not just an oil change.

Its absolutely mind boggling how people decide to treat their 80k+ cars.

[Prh]

This is probably one of the dumbest things Ive ever heard. If its pre-paid for, why wouldnt you bring it in when its supposed to go in? Its not just an oil change, its a full safety check as well as diagnostics. If you dont bring your car in and there is a TSB or something that needs to be changed on your car, you can LOSE your warranty because you didnt bring it in at the pre-determined times you were supposed to. Go pull out your manuals and look at the book specific to warranty and maintenance. Then turn to page 21/22. This will explain everything that is done during those required service intervals....its not just an oil change.

Its absolutely mind boggling how people decide to treat their 80k+ cars.

I know you must understand TD1... For me to pull up to the Audi dealer garage, tt's a 2 hr roundtrip in my case to the APR dealer, re-flashing back to stock and then flashing back again at APR dealer. If a 25k service is basically an oil change, I would rather do it myself then go through the hassle - not to mention the last time the dealer changed the oil, they didn't replace all the screws on the plastic underbody, sloppy work not to mention they use the cheapest approved oil available. All scheduled services do not have to be done by an Audi dealer.

I have reviewed all the schedule maintenance in the owner's manual and know what's covered. Sure, I understand the value of the 35k service, safety inspection and TSB benefits - thanks for sharing.

I started this thread seeking some feedback on a fastener so I could do my own oil changes at 5k intervals instead of the 10k done by the dealer. I'll do my 20k oil change, which you won't find in the service manual. I'll probably have Audi do the basic 25k service (as you recommend) but it's going to require I get re-flashed before going in there because they will hook the car up to the computer - already had that discussion with the Audi tech. Seeing that you are an Audi Brand Specialist - you probably have more flexibility with your Audi service techs in not getting flagged TD1 / hooked up to a the computer for basic services?

[HyperM3]

Seeing that you are an Audi Brand Specialist - you probably have more flexibility with your Audi service techs in not getting flagged TD1 / hooked up to a the computer for basic services?

I dont have anything on my car that would get flagged. And just because I work at the dealership doesnt mean Im held to lesser standards, I would get flagged just as quickly as anyone else if I showed up having a tune. As I mention to anyone(even my own customers), I am a big fan of modding cars and Im happy to VAG mod anyone that needs it. However, the car still needs its routine maintenance and checkups regardless if you have just exhaust on the car or went full out with every mod under the sun. You(or anyone else) are now holding your car hostage because you are afraid of getting caught with something you did to the car outside of OEM. Because of this, you could end up losing your warranty anyway because you arent bringing the car in during its required intervals through the warranty period.

So basically, rock and a hard place.

[14S4GWM]

My dealer uses only the Castrol oil that Audi recommends for it. They also drain it from the pan instead of siphoning it out. They are going to give me an oil sample too.

As far as the flashing back thing, this is what we call pay to play. Seems crazy at times but you asked for it.

[Prh]

My dealer uses only the Castrol oil that Audi recommends for it. They also drain it from the pan instead of siphoning it out. They are going to give me an oil sample too.

As far as the flashing back thing, this is what we call pay to play. Seems crazy at times but you asked for it.

I'm playing and paying ;)

Thanks for all the feedback.

[eyeloveteeth]

isn't it easier just to take it to ASS?

That's what i do

NGP to remove tune, then to ASS for that added protection.


how many miles on your APR? just curious. also 1.1?

[siberianwolf]

This is a touchy subject. Many have flashed back to stock by going to the authorized APR dealer and have gone to Audi dealer and have not been detected. Others have flashed back and instantly been TD1 at the dealer. Pay to play.

Stock mode only changes your map locally within apr software to stock mode. It is not the same as going to your apr dealer and flashing your stock map back on your ecu. Many threads about this.

yeah but FULL flash to stock rewrites all, similar thing with Revo. I plug Revo flasher interface, run the app and tick stock mode and everything is done in 5 seconds. Then again, I run complete flash to stock, which takes 15-20min, and no trace of Revo sw is in the ECU

[Prh]

isn't it easier just to take it to ASS?

That's what i do

NGP to remove tune, then to ASS for that added protection.


how many miles on your APR? just curious. also 1.1?

I have almost 5k on the APR, ver 1.1. Coming up on 20k this weekend.