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Oil Change HELP!!!

74K views 35 replies 12 participants last post by  Grand-Cayman  
#1 ·
Whats up guys???? About to change my wife's 2016 Q3 engine oil and filter. It seems that the manual does not state oil capacity, can anyone help me with that? Also I plan on buying audi brand oil filters, does anyone else recommend another brand? Do I need a crush ring for the drain plug?

thanks!!!
 
#2 ·
Have 5 liters (not quarts) on hand, maybe even a 6th one for good measure. You'll need almost the 5 when you change everything. Start your refill at 4.5 liters and check from there. You may end up at 4.6 - 4.7. DO NOT over fill it. Audi (as is MOST these days) shop practice is to SUCK the oil out through the dipstick tube and NEVER touch the drain plug. If you do drain it, you WILL need a new crushable washer - they are intended ONLY for one use. Using aftermarket filters won't save you much as the OEMs are made by the same folks anyway - although unless you get an ACNA member (you ARE a member aren't you?) discount in parts (sometimes as much as 25%) you may find them a bit cheaper on line, but not much.
 
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#3 · (Edited)
Haha! Same problem I had this past weekend doing my wife's change.
The manual ridiculously left that out & ask us to call into their help center.
Luckily there was a nice lady manning the phones this past Saturday.

4.8 qts (~4.5L) was the answer from Audi USA - which was what I had found from googling the heck out of the term "Q3 Oil Capacity."

I actually suctioned out only about 4.6 qts (4.3L) & refilled with about that same amount & the dipstick was wet at the upper fill line.

As for the oil filter, I didn't want to drive across town to the Audi dealer to get the OEM filter & bought from Amazon the Mann 719/45 filter (Amazon fit tool is wrong on it not fitting).

That was cross referenced vs. the OEM part number from each of these sites to con firm fit:
https://www.europaparts.com/oil-filter-06j115403q.html

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2220246&cc=3329257&jsn=10415

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=2264298&cc=3329257

http://catalog.mann-filter.com/NA/e...cles/CARS + TRANSPORTERS/AUDI/2016/Q3 Quattro 4 cyl. 2.0L FI Turbo CTA (T256584)

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-Q3-Quattro-2.0T/ES2631754/


As Roger said, you will need a new drain washer too if you do it the old fashion way as they are one & done usage.
I go from the top and have only done it that way with all my prior & current German cars.
 
#6 ·
The P/N is : N 013 815 7; it's 14x20 mm (which are inner and outer diameters) and costs USD0.84
 
#9 ·
It IS a special device, uses compressed air and an aspirator to create the vacuum thru a small tube stuck down the dipstick tube. I'm sure you could buy one from a tool supplier, expect about $150 or so with a small cyclonic separator...
 
#10 ·
OK, so I got the oil change done and was able to reset the oil reminder but when I go in with Vag Com to try and reset the SRI it tells me that the instrument cluster uses a different kind of software and that I have to go through Adaptation 10 and look for something resembling "Reset" I found what appears to be the only thing in the list similar to that and that's pretty much where the wheels come off. I don't know where to go from there. Any help you guys can provide would be awesome. I've used the Vag Com in the past but only on VW's. I would think the Q3 wouldn't be that much different. BTW it's a 2015 Q3 Quattro and I'm using a Ross Tech Micro Can cable on Windows 8.
 
#13 ·
Ok - you have the right tools - so where did the "wheels come off?" You go into Control Module 17 Instruments, click on Adaptation, then in the empty Channels box - with a little down arrow on the right, click there to see all the Channel Labels - like this :

Image


Click on the one highlighted and then the "Soft Reset" box, then Do It!
 
#12 ·
No actually I don't - BUT, maybe from a place like Advanced Auto Parts, Pep Boys or the like as some (not all) rent special tools and they may have one...
It's not a particularly big gadget, the catch can is usually a vertical 10 gal drum on a wheeled dolly - with the cyclonic separator and aspirator mounted on top, with a 10 ft hose and 18-24" dip tube. The aspirator usually has an air chuck, pressure/vacuum gage for the drum and a valve for the vacuum tube. Check these out - $10-$500
 
#15 ·
While I have not actually reset mine, I have faith that this IS that reset. Additionally, whilst poking about the other adaptations listed, it DOES seem easy to CHANGE various settings (mileage and time) for both oil and service intervals. However, I must also note - that while it looks like these can be changed, Audi has at other times in similar circumstances, LOCKED the values within some adaptation channels OR required additional security inputs to change or unlock them...
 
#17 ·
I was trying to reset my SRI on my Q3 yesterday & got the Error button mention in the instructions above wqhen using the SRI RESET button

Looks like the Ross Tech folks have confirmed what you wrote above.
This can be done on the newer VAG cars here1 & how to do it here2.
 
#35 ·
... You don't need a new crush washer. The old one will work fine.
That's just not true in general. The purpose of crushing is so the metal flexes to seal any irregular surface features. You may get by reusing an old or or it may leak. If you want to reuse a metal crush washer, put a heat gun on it for a bit to relax the metal so it will crush and form again. Or buy a lifetime supply of crush washers for $10 and have "peace of mind." :)
 
#20 · (Edited)
It is easier to use an extractor and suck it out the dipstick. It gets 99% as much out as pulling the drain plug. This is how all the VW/Audi/Porsche dealerships do it. It does take about 10 or 15 minutes for the extractor to remove all the oil. I use the Mityvac extractor.no air compressor needed (it has a built in hand pump...about 10 or 15 pumps and you can walk away as the oil gets sucked out, thru the dipstick tube.

To pull the drain plug, you need to pull the black plastic bellypan off first, which is about 10 or 12 fasteners. If you don't have a lift, removing and re-installing the bellypan is a pain, due to the limited working room with car-ramps. You need to use a new crush washer, make sure you get the aluminum version, not the copper version. Check for leaks after refill, after a few minutes. These drain plugs and crush washers are finicky (another reason to use the extractor).

When you remove the filter, loosen it about 5 turns, and let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow the oil to drain out. (When it is loosened a few turns, a drain port opens and allows the oil to drain into the oilpan.) Then you can remove it without making a mess.

Refill takes 4.8 to 4.9 quarts. Always use an oil that meets the VW/Audi spec called out in your owners manual. Most commonly available oils do NOT meet this spec. I use Mobil-1 0W-40 "European Formula", easily found at Walmart in 5 qt jugs. Walmart also carries Castrol Edge (5W-40 I think), one version which also meets the VW spec, read the bottle. Always use genuine VW/Audi oil filters, or the same ones sold under the OEM manufacturer, made by Mahle or Mann.

I suggest changing your oil and filter every 5000 miles max. Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter, and the rear diff gear oil, and the Haldex fluid & filter every 40,000 miles.

The first gen (PQ35) VW Tiguan forums are full of usefull info. The Q3 and the Gen-1 Tiguan share the same exact engine, transmission, rear diff/Haldex all-wheel-drive system, steering and suspension (other than shock and spring rates, and the Q3 has aluminum front control arms, the Tigs are steel). The unibody chassis are similar, but the Q3 has structural enhancements which improved its small-offset crash test performance. The Q3 also has an aluminum hood and rear tailgate, the Tig is all steel.
 
#21 ·
Do you have to remove the belly pan to remove the oil filter? Ive never had a crush washer leak in 40+ years of changing my own oil in no less then 30 cars.



It is easier to use an extractor and suck it out the dipstick. It gets 99% as much out as pulling the drain plug. This is how all the VW/Audi/Porsche dealerships do it. It does take about 10 or 15 minutes for the extractor to remove all the oil. I use the Mityvac extractor.no air compressor needed (it has a built in hand pump...about 10 or 15 pumps and you can walk away as the oil gets sucked out, thru the dipstick tube.

To pull the drain plug, you need to pull the black plastic bellypan off first, which is about 10 or 12 fasteners. If you don't have a lift, removing and re-installing the bellypan is a pain, due to the limited working room with car-ramps. You need to use a new crush washer, make sure you get the aluminum version, not the copper version. Check for leaks after refill, after a few minutes. These drain plugs and crush washers are finicky (another reason to use the extractor).

When you remove the filter, loosen it about 5 turns, and let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow the oil to drain out. (When it is loosened a few turns, a drain port opens and allows the oil to drain into the oilpan.) Then you can remove it without making a mess.

Refill takes 4.8 to 4.9 quarts. Always use an oil that meets the VW/Audi spec called out in your owners manual. Most commonly available oils do NOT meet this spec. I use Mobil-1 0W-40 "European Formula", easily found at Walmart in 5 qt jugs. Walmart also carries Castrol Edge (5W-40 I think), one version which also meets the VW spec, read the bottle. Always use genuine VW/Audi oil filters, or the same ones sold under the OEM manufacturer, made by Mahle or Mann.

I suggest changing your oil and filter every 5000 miles max. Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter, and the rear diff gear oil, and the Haldex fluid & filter every 40,000 miles.

The first gen (PQ35) VW Tiguan forums are full of usefull info. The Q3 and the Gen-1 Tiguan share the same exact engine, transmission, rear diff/Haldex all-wheel-drive system, steering and suspension (other than shock and spring rates, and the Q3 has aluminum front control arms, the Tigs are steel). The unibody chassis are similar, but the Q3 has structural enhancements which improved its small-offset crash test performance. The Q3 also has an aluminum hood and rear tailgate, the Tig is all steel.
 
#26 ·
I agree, topside oil changes are the way to go, I happen to have a Schwaben, but any brand will work just get the tube all the way down. You don't even need to wash your hands after you get done the work it is so clean. I also use it to suck the oil of of the old filter and the oil that is in the galleys under the filter on the motor.
 
#27 ·
I just got done doing the first oil change at 5700 miles. Easy piezy and you don't need to spend $ for a vac pump. Remove the belly pan (5 mins) and drain oil. remove engine cover and remove oil filter(5 minutes) and install new Purolator oil filter. The drain plug crush gasket does not need to be changed and does not leak at all when reinstalling. In all a easy job and only costs $27 for oil and $10 for the filter. Both at Wal Mart. Castrol 0W-40 and Purolator oil filter
 
#29 ·