DIY Car Maintenance ?s

[chip_]

Now that my car is no longer under Maintenance I am going to start Doing some of it myself so.....

The car is currently up on Jack stands as I am rotating my tires, checking brake pad depth, Tread depth, etc. which is why I am thinking about the below items.

Oil Changes

Gathered some info from this link - https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...ractor-Method)

What oil extractor is everyone using? I see Mityvac 7201 Manual Fluid Evacuator mentioned because it can dispense it back into containers after.

What oil service kit are people using and buying it from (ECS, FCP Euro) ?

Is 0W20 oil recommended? Looked at my records and they used LiquiMoly last time and OW20.


Brake fluid Flush
Is this easy enough to do yourself?

Which kit is a good starter kit?

Dust and Pollen filterr
Replaced recently

Spark plugs
What are go to spark plugs?

When should they be replaced?

S-Tronic transmission
Can this be done at home without a lift? I have jack/jack stands

When should this be done?

What is needed if DIY?

Brake Pads

Go to brake pads?

[angrycatmeow]

Oil changes: I use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Brake flush: I use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Keep in mind I'm pretty sure the flushing order is backwards, at least on my S5 it is. FL, FR, RL, RR and the S/RS has two bleeders on each front caliper, so start bleeding the outside bleeder first.

Plugs: OE from the dealer

Pads: Can't speak to most brands, I'd say stay away from Hawk Performance Ceramic, though. Not happy with mine. Very low dust, but also very low initial bite.

[Audibot]

FCP Euro is a great resource for DIY because of their phenomenal return policy. After purchasing fluids (like oil), on the second purchase, you can return your old oil for a refund.

[SHCKR]

Now that my car is no longer under Maintenance I am going to start Doing some of it myself so.....

The car is currently up on Jack stands as I am rotating my tires, checking brake pad depth, Tread depth, etc. which is why I am thinking about the below items.

Oil Changes

Gathered some info from this link - https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...ractor-Method)

What oil extractor is everyone using? I see Mityvac 7201 Manual Fluid Evacuator mentioned because it can dispense it back into containers after.

What oil service kit are people using and buying it from (ECS, FCP Euro) ?

Is 0W20 oil recommended? Looked at my records and they used LiquiMoly last time and OW20.


Brake fluid Flush
Is this easy enough to do yourself?

Which kit is a good starter kit?

Dust and Pollen filterr
Replaced recently

Spark plugs
What are go to spark plugs?

When should they be replaced?

S-Tronic transmission
Can this be done at home without a lift? I have jack/jack stands

When should this be done?

What is needed if DIY?

Brake Pads

Go to brake pads?

Minus the shit I can't do myself (camera calibration, etc) I do all my own maintenance. Everything is doable with the right tools.

Oil changes are $30 for the return shipping if you do FCP Euro (I do my cabin air filter at the same time as well, every 5000 miles with OEM oil/filter). I use the extractor, the only trick is run the engine for a bit first, otherwise you'll be there all day.

Brake flush is easy if you get this: Motive Products, European Power Brake Bleeder, 0100, Hand Pump Pressure Tank with Adapter https://a.co/d/aHql3ja
I've bled mine at least 5 times already (for various reasons, no need to do it that often). Get your fluid from FCP Euro as well.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/amb...-dot4-dotamber

OEM plugs (purchase anywhere, about $15 each from dealership), you will need this:
ARES 11001 - 14mm Thin Wall Magnetic Swivel Spark Plug Socket with 12-inch Extension - 3/8-Inch Drive 12-Point Spark Plug Socket - Walls 2mm Thinner Than Standard Spark Plug Sockets https://a.co/d/gK0D91J

There is an entire thread dedicated to brakes, ensure you have either OBD11 or VCDS to open the rear calipers. Pads are either OEM, Hawk 5.0, or EBC

Transmission, Audi swears it's lifetime, ZF says no more than 60K.

[chip_]

Great info so far.

Quick question on my rear brake pads. When measuring Outer Brake Pad Depth is it the shorter red line or long one I marked in the picture.

[SHCKR]

You have plenty. The wear sensors are in the last few mm of the pad.

[chip_]

Every 2 years regardless of mileage Replace brake fluid (all vehicles) - Is this correct?

[angrycatmeow]

Every 2 years regardless of mileage Replace brake fluid (all vehicles) - Is this correct?

Yes. Brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs water).

Sent from my SM-F936U1 using Tapatalk

[SHCKR]

Every 2 years regardless of mileage Replace brake fluid (all vehicles) - Is this correct?

Not sure what order it'll post in but here you go

[chip_]

Yeah I found a few different maintenance guides online yesterday. Now I am putting together an excel sheet with Different maintenance items, Tools req'd, How to guides, parts needed. This includes brake flush, replacing brake pads/rotors, Oil changes, Spark Plugs, Tire Rotation.

[chip_]

Is anyone using any type of Phone app for maintenance reminders, etc? I have seen a few mentioned like myCARFAX, AUTOsist

[Smac770]

Great info so far.

Quick question on my rear brake pads. When measuring Outer Brake Pad Depth is it the shorter red line or long one I marked in the picture.

Audi process is the thickness including the backing plate and the damping plate. Ie, the whole pad piece you'd have in your hand if you removed it from the caliper. ~17mm new, 10mm replace.

[RickNY]

FCP Euro is a great resource for DIY because of their phenomenal return policy. After purchasing fluids (like oil), on the second purchase, you can return your old oil for a refund.

Be aware that FCP Euro just changed their LRG policy.. Its still good, but starting with purchases made after 11/1, its store credit on LRG returns instead of refunds -- and at the price originally paid, not the replacement price.
https://blog.fcpeuro.com/fcp-euro-li...arantee-update

[Audibot]

Be aware that FCP Euro just changed their LRG policy.. Its still good, but starting with purchases made after 11/1, its store credit on LRG returns instead of refunds -- and at the price originally paid, not the replacement price.
https://blog.fcpeuro.com/fcp-euro-li...arantee-update

Thanks for the heads up. And that may not necessarily be bad, per their 2nd example. If you bought on sale, yeah sucks, but if you bought full price and now on sale, you make out.

[RickNY]

Thanks for the heads up. And that may not necessarily be bad, per their 2nd example. If you bought on sale, yeah sucks, but if you bought full price and now on sale, you make out.

Yeah.. From what I can gather, it sounds to me like there may have been some abuse going on -- to me, it sounded like commercial shops may have been abusing it since they mentioned it was always intended for home enthusiasts.

I still will continue to get my maintenance items from them.. Store credit is fine as long as it never expires.. I'll always need something.

ALSO -- if someone is using FCP Euro and utilizing their lifetime return guarantee -- make sure you sign up with a shipping service like Shippo... They will give you commercial shipping rates that are better than what you pay for one-off shipments from USPS, UPS, FedEx directly.. Example -- my oil change kit that I am sending back to FCP was 18 lbs.. From NY to CT, the price was $15.80 for USPS Priority Mail vs $22 from USPS themselves.

[Lionheart_CHP]

Is anyone using any type of Phone app for maintenance reminders, etc? I have seen a few mentioned like myCARFAX, AUTOsist

I use aCar, which I think now is Fuelly. Ben using it for over 10 years.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[sixpakldp]

I just did the 40k maintenance.

I bought my oil kit from ECS using Audi/VW OarM Castrol and filter/crush washer. I did it from under the car no extractor.

Plugs also OEM from ECS and used a skinny 14 mm 12 pt socket off of Amazon. Not super simple the first time but once you do it once, not that bad.

Brake bleeding I got the Motive products bleeder, however on my S5 only got the outside bleeder valve on the drivers side. Both the inside and passenger side starter to round, the metal is soft. I just bought a good set of flare wrenches and am gonna give it another try. Never had that issue with another car like that, but be careful. Figured that would be the easy part.

[Andy_FL]

I just did the 40k maintenance.

I bought my oil kit from ECS using Audi/VW OarM Castrol and filter/crush washer. I did it from under the car no extractor.

Plugs also OEM from ECS and used a skinny 14 mm 12 pt socket off of Amazon. Not super simple the first time but once you do it once, not that bad.

Brake bleeding I got the Motive products bleeder, however on my S5 only got the outside bleeder valve on the drivers side. Both the inside and passenger side starter to round, the metal is soft. I just bought a good set of flare wrenches and am gonna give it another try. Never had that issue with another car like that, but be careful. Figured that would be the easy part.

Tip: use a deep socket (not a flare wrench) to break the bleeder screw initially. THEN use your flare (or open ended if you don't have a flare) to open/close while bleeding.

[SHCKR]

Tip: use a deep socket (not a flare wrench) to break the bleeder screw initially. THEN use your flare (or open ended if you don't have a flare) to open/close while bleeding.

I use the closed end of a 12 pr wrench. I know 6 pt would be better, but beggars can't be choosers.