How often should I change...

[AudiDWK]

spark plugs
cabin filter
brakes
transmission, brake, steering fluids?

Also, what are the recommended intervals at which to perform various flushes?

I'm not heavily modded - just ecu flashed, DV, and K&N drop in air filter

TIA!

[akaEsCo01]

First thing is first, get an updated service manual it that will tell you when to change cabin filter and spark plugs and such.

The factory plugs last about 60K-70K and cabin filters are good for about 10K or your car starts to stink which ever comes first. Change your brakes when you hear them start squealing, all you have to do is look and see the pad thickness to tell if they need changing. The rears may get changed twice before the fronts get changed once, my fronts lasted 75K until I decided to upgrade and they had plenty meat left. If you car is manual, supposedly the fluid is to last the life of the transmission. Get that service manual to find out intervals on an automatic. Brake fluid is good to flush every year and I think every other year for power steering fluid??? Some one help me out on the last part.

[pondside36]

I think you pretty much covered it all.. I've heard mixed reviews on changing and flushing tranny fluid. Don't forget to check your air filter as well when you do oil changes, big source of low MPGs right there and regularly check your tire pressure.

[AudiDWK]

thanks fellas. I'll look into that service manual.

the only thing then is the K&N air filter. I've heard that re-oiling it is a bit tricky, because too much oil can mess up the MAF sensor. I'll figure it out when I get there though.

THanks again!

[demea]

The rears may get changed twice before the fronts get changed once, my fronts lasted 75K until I decided to upgrade and they had plenty meat left.

Wow, usually its the complete opposite!

[akaEsCo01]

Not on this car, ask around

[zims666]

Wow, usually its the complete opposite!

dude nice sig GO PHILS!
even nicer avatar QUATO LIVES!

(or should it be QUATRO?)

[mdzaudi]

Not on this car, ask around

I changed my fronts 5K ago and the rears are still fine. Weird.

[rudtf]

hmm i'm about there in miles for spark plugs. last time i checked, i was getting 21-22 mpg on easy driving, barely hitting boost. i hear that changing this will help with my fuel comsumption so i'm thinking about doing it. any brands, types that i should consider or just replace with the same?

[koolade9]

My concern is with the tranny fluid...

I understand it's synthetic, and that's great, but of all the other MT cars I've had, they all had a 25k-50k or so tranny fluid interval. Some rear-ends (non-lsd) I've seen with a 100k fluid interval... But I just find it hard to believe it's a "lifetime" fluid...

Most getrag and tremec trannys have normal fluid change intervals... Some dog-boxes require changes every 1500-3000 miles...

This is also coming from a service manual that says we need to change our oil every 10k *cough* 1.8 sludge *cough...

[04QuattroTurbo]

hmm i'm about there in miles for spark plugs. last time i checked, i was getting 21-22 mpg on easy driving, barely hitting boost. i hear that changing this will help with my fuel comsumption so i'm thinking about doing it. any brands, types that i should consider or just replace with the same?

Plugs, Air Filter, Tire pressures and the O2 sensors can greatly affect fuel consumption.

The dealer changed my rear brakes as well as part of the CPO "readyness" program. Something with the Quattros and rear brakes?

[koolade9]

The dealer changed my rear brakes as well as part of the CPO "readyness" program. Something with the Quattros and rear brakes?

Me too...and the car only had 17k on it... Had me wondering how long they're going to last. It was discussed in an earlier thread about the front and rear using different compounds...however it almost feels as if there's a slight rear-bias to the car. Perhaps the fronts need to be heated to 'operating temp' to even out the feel...but I'm just guessing at this point...
It's just not what I'm used to.