First Oil Change for "new to me" 2019 A5 Sportback without extractor

[Gregory_Tolson]

I can see why tons of Audi people seem to use the extraction method much more often than other vehicle makes. Audi engineered a very annoying under body cover that's partially plastic and partially felt type material. There were like 12 torx bit screws (2 different sizes), 2 13mm bolts, and 2 plastic torx clips. Insanely overkill for an under body cover but i got the thing off. Luckily the car is high just enough to drive it up on ramps. My car just hit the 20,000 mile mark.

I purchased a replaceable oil drain plug since it is plastic and goes with the theme of the plastic oil pan. I initially thought a plastic oil pan is insanity but realized the plastic plug design is ingenious, with no torque spec, only needs a flat head, and snaps when placed into position. Changing the oil filter was insanely simple after i purchased a 32mm socket at Lowe's. Clicked the new filter in place and changed the o-ring for the oil filter cap.

I filled up with Liqui Moly 0W-30. The only thing i found massively annoying is the digital oil level indicator in the car versus no dipstick. Had to get the car up to temp, which meant i had to drive it around for over 5 minutes, had to shut the car off and wait 2 minutes for it to read. I realized I was at the max line, so what is annoying is not knowing how far above max i was. So i took out 0.4L of oil and now my level is just above half way in the min/max range. I do know ECS Tuning sells a dipstick but unsure if the thing is perfectly designed for my car or not since it seems to be used across a variety of platforms.

Even though it is annoying taking the the 1000 bolts off for the undertray i know where all of them are and a stubby impact was able to zip them off quickly enough for me. I plan to drain the oil and get a new oil drain plug via the lifetime replacement policy via FCP Euro. Also plan to send the oil back as well so it only costs me $20 per oil change. Dont want to unload on that extractor tool and hope i got all the oil out. I recommend filling the car with 4.5 liters of oil and topping off after using the digital gage in the car. It claims the car takes 5.2 liters.

[AccordingToAlex]

I'll take your word for it LOL. Extractor all the way for me. Nice write-up though. Very informative.

[JohnEnglish]

The engine was designed to have the oil changed with an extractor, that's why most people do it that way.

[CurvesAhead]

I love the extractor, I stay clean and don't make any mess, and it's super quick too.

MityVac copy.jpg


It even works sideways!

[Gregory_Tolson]

One benefit with taking out the plug and replacing it with a new one is that the o-ring on the plug gets replaced every time. If you go extraction method for 75k+ miles you risk that o-ring aging and eventually leaking. I like how simple the plug was to take off but it’s a little nerve racking that one little o-ring is the only barrier of the oil leaking out completely.

[icepickjazz]

Glad that your method is working well for you and encourage everyone to go the with method that is best for their comfort level and situation. It's a little spendy, but you can add dipstick. It's handy for which ever method you choose. Billet Engine oil Dipstick

[Gregory_Tolson]

Glad that your method is working well for you and encourage everyone to go the with method that is best for their comfort level and situation. It's a little spendy, but you can add dipstick. It's handy for which ever method you choose. Billet Engine oil Dipstick

I was about to pick one up but noticed it has a July delivery date. Covid supply chain issues?

I ended up caving and buying an extractor, since itll do more than just oil extractions (transmission fluid and brake bleed). I got the shwaben one versus the bavarian autosport one. Going to use that if i ever over fill it slightly.

[VPM3]

Just curious do you guys using an extractor get the oil to operating temps? or just warm?

Curious to know im assuming the extractor tubes are heat resistant

[CurvesAhead]

Just curious do you guys using an extractor get the oil to operating temps? or just warm?

Curious to know im assuming the extractor tubes are heat resistant

I've done warm and cold, and don't see much of a difference. By "warm" I mean about 30 to 40 minutes after shutting the hot engine down to suck out the oil.

[b9pressure]

Extractor method for me, but every now and then a drain from the bottom to get any particles the extractor didnt get. (hopefully none)

[LYKUNO]

Glad that your method is working well for you and encourage everyone to go the with method that is best for their comfort level and situation. It's a little spendy, but you can add dipstick. It's handy for which ever method you choose. Billet Engine oil Dipstick

Looking at that link on the ECS website, it indicates it "does not fit" the 3.0T B9.5 S5 -- it's for the 2.0T engine. I ordered the polished billet dipstick for my '23 S5 Sportback a couple months ago (before the car arrived) and it finally arrived today, along with a carbon fiber license plate frame I ordered at the same time. This new dipstick can be seen at the ECS web page at https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...954ecs01-01~a/. Must be a hot seller since it's showing not available until August 17th.

That said, ECS does show a black anodized dipstick for the 3.0T engine is in stock at this link: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...954ecs01-02~a/. It's actually about $4 more than the polished dipstick, however it's available in stock now instead of waiting until August for the polished one. I'd recommend being careful to check whether anything you buy from ECS has a confirmation that it will fit your model year and engine spec.

I was about to pick one up but noticed it has a July delivery date. Covid supply chain issues? ...

.
See above for availability and correct part number.

[c99]

I don't like Extractor, because there is still some old oil left inside the engine and some sludge so draining is always better for engine.

The Extractor is just for laisy people.

[JohnEnglish]

Eh, I’ve seen a bunch of YouTube videos where they dropped the pan after using an extractor in an engine designed for it and there was maybe half a thimble of oil left. I can’t comment on engines not specifically designed to have the oil removed with and extractor but for those engines that were designed for it, the extractor does a thorough job.

[ccssid]

Worst case scenerio. Purchase oil from FCP. Exchange / change oil often. What may or may not left in the oil pan becomes a non-issue. A plus for the extractor

[Smac770]

I've personally done the drain method followed by extracting to test the claims, and the extractor still pulled some more oil out, on the Gen2. Audi designed the EA888 from day one as an extractor based oil change engine.

[c99]

Eh, I’ve seen a bunch of YouTube videos where they dropped the pan after using an extractor in an engine designed for it and there was maybe half a thimble of oil left. I can’t comment on engines not specifically designed to have the oil removed with and extractor but for those engines that were designed for it, the extractor does a thorough job.

I think draining is better because it helps flush, by higher flow, any crap, sludge, sediment, that collects on the bottom of the oil pan. Although there is no critical difference. Extraction is cleaner and easier, that's for sure.

So it's up to everyone.

[Gregory_Tolson]

I think draining is better because it helps flush, by higher flow, any crap, sludge, sediment, that collects on the bottom of the oil pan. Although there is no critical difference. Extraction is cleaner and easier, that's for sure.

So it's up to everyone.

Its actually easy to drain from the bottom, only pain is the complicated under pan that has a million different types of fasteners. Once that's off the plastic drain plug is super easy to take off and I just exchange for a new plug with FCP Euro. The A5 drives up ramps just fine for getting it up in the air. I'm just going to drain it from the bottom so that I always change out that crucial o-ring on the plug. That little o-ring is holding all the oil back compared to like a crush washer and metal drain bolt.

[a4audi4fun]

Its actually easy to drain from the bottom, only pain is the complicated under pan that has a million different types of fasteners. Once that's off the plastic drain plug is super easy to take off and I just exchange for a new plug with FCP Euro. The A5 drives up ramps just fine for getting it up in the air. I'm just going to drain it from the bottom so that I always change out that crucial o-ring on the plug. That little o-ring is holding all the oil back compared to like a crush washer and metal drain bolt.

Pictures I've seen of the oil plug looked like it engaged a reasonable locking mechanism when being reinstalled so it don't think it's just a friction fit o-ring only in place. Maybe not as comforting as a torqued crush washer and metal threads of a drain bolt - leave it to someone else who has physically removed the plug to give their 2c worth

[GoneQuantum]

FWIW I had the ECS dipstick for my B8.5 S4 and was happy with it. Will be getting one for the S5 as well.