LR Audi

Holy crap, you guys are getting ripped off. I've been changing oil on my own vehicles since I first learned how to drive. It's a bit more challenging with the A4 2.0T motor since it's a cartridge style filter but it's no big deal. Basic hand tools will do the trick. I purchased the oil filter drain tube from a company called "Metalnerd" which manufacturers custom tools for VW/Audi cars. It pays for itself with the first oil change. I've changed the oil without this tool and spilled hot oil all over myself and my driveway, so for $50 it's well worth it. I purchase only Mobil 1 synthetic and OEM filters.

Darryl

Who is getting ripped off? I'm pretty sure everyone in this thread changes their own oil, just like you. So how are we/they getting ripped off?

I'm not sure I follow.

LR Audi

By changing your oil more frequently than necessary. Even a non-synthetic will last 10,000km easily. Personally I run Mobil 1 synthetic and change it every 15,000km and with my driving habits my vehicle would fall under the "severe" category. Save yourself some money and extend your intervals. Of course this is entirely up to you, but you are literally draining money when you drain your oil earlier than necessary. The old school rule of 5,000km is back when vehicles had carbs and ran leaded fuel. Modern vehicles with port injection or direct injection plus much cleaner fuels allow you to do less maintenance than what was normally seen on vehicles from the 70s and 80s.

Darryl

Ahh I see what you are saying now. However, I'm not so sure I would say they are getting ripped off.. more that they are ripping themselves off maybe?

But to further the discussion, how do carbs, port/direct injection and leaded fuel have anything to do with the viscosity breakdown and/or cleanliness of oil?

I could maybe see you saying that newer oils (synthetic) are able to last longer and don't breakdown as quickly under certain usages, but your argument for why doesn't make sense. You change your oil for one of two reasons, 1) because it collects contaminants (dirt, dust, etc) that the filter was unable to filter out, or 2) because the lubrication abilities breakdown and the oil is no longer able to adequately lubricate the engines internal components.

The only true way to know if 2) has occurred is if you test the oil in a lab. Otherwise, you do it based on recommendation or assumption.

Do you have any documentation that backs up your claim that a 5000km oil change is "old school" and is no longer needed? I would think that this depends on many factors, including the oil, the engine it is in and the type of driving between intervals. Climate would also likely be a factor.

LR Audi

Funny, I'm certain that I made a length response to this but it seems to be missing. Anyhow, different types of fuel and different types of fuel injection make a huge difference to a vehicle's maintenance intervals, and specifically to oil changes. I'm not going to go into detail to explain it all as that's what Google can do but I do have documentation to back that up. The owner's manual on my A6 with SFI has much longer oil change intervals from what is stated in the owner's manual of my A4 with FSI. There's documentation right from the manufacturer.

I don't do anything based on assumption, and if from recommendation it would be from a reliable source. But most importantly, after 20+ years of industry experience I don't need to send oil to a lab to know the facts about vehicle servicing.