Technical Service Bulletin
17 Oil consumption measurement - R8
17 15 56 2020666/4 February 12, 2015. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 17 number 10-13 dated
December 13, 2010 for reasons listed below.
Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

R8

2008 - 2015

All

Not Applicable

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

4

-

Revised header data (Added model year, updated customer code)
Revised attachment (New oil consumption measurement form)
Revised Service (Updated tester to ODIS)

3

12/13/2010

Revised header data (MY)

2

8/6/2009

Revised header data (New customer codes)

1

5/21/2009

Original publication

Customer states that oil consumption is higher than what is stated in the vehicle owner’s manual.

Technical Background
In order to provide effective lubrication and cooling of internal engine components, all internal combustion engines
consume a certain amount of engine oil. Oil consumption varies from engine to engine, and may change
significantly over the life of the engine. Typically, engines with specified break-in periods consume more oil during
the break-in period, and the oil consumption will stabilize after the break-in period. Refer to the Owner’s Manual for
specific break-in procedures.
Under normal conditions, the rate of oil consumption depends on the quality and viscosity of the oil, the RPM at
which the engine is operated, the ambient temperature and road conditions. Further factors are the amount of oil
dilution from water condensation or fuel residue and the oxidation level of the oil.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Service
Before Testing or Attempting Repair
1. Explain the Technical Background to the customer as stated in the Owner’s Manual.
2. Obtain detailed information regarding the customer’s perceived oil consumption before starting the test. If the
oil usage is lower than the Audi oil consumption standard that is listed in the vehicle owner’s manual, advise the
customer that the engine oil consumption is within specifications and no further testing is needed at this time.
3. Ensure a minimum of 3,000 miles (5,000 km) have been put on vehicle. It is normal for the oil consumption of a
new engine to reach its lowest value after a certain mileage has been driven. A vehicle must be driven about
3,000 miles (5,000 km) before oil consumption can be properly assessed.
4. If the vehicle is within the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, you must obtain authorization from the Audi Technical
Assistance Center before proceeding.

Note:
Only R8-certified technicians are allowed to perform the following measurement.
Oil Consumption Test, Part 1
1. Select the test plan in the ODIS tester: Function/Component Selection: Powertrain >> Engine >> Engine
lubrication >> Partial systems >> Oil consumption measurements.
Tip: Technician must select the correct model year and engine code from the GFF selection screen.
2. Follow the ODIS test protocol exactly. Document all information on attached oil measurement sheets (Keep a
copy of the oil measurement sheet in the vehicle’s service file and attach a copy to the TAC ticket) .
Tip: Due to the dry-sump lubrication design with multiple drain plugs, the oil draining procedure below
must be followed exactly for both parts of the consumption tests to achieve accurate and consistent
measurements.

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
~

a. Remove both sections of rear dampening pan (Figure
1).

Figure 1. The rear dampening pan.
b. Open the oil drain plug (Figure 2, label 1) and drain
for 10 minutes. Reinstall drain plug with new gasket
and torque to specification.

Figure 2. The oil drain plugs (1, 3, and 5).

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
c. Open the oil drain plug (Figure 2, label 3) and drain
for 5 minutes. Reinstall drain plug with new gasket
and torque to specification.
d. Open the oil drain plug (Figure 2, label 5) and drain
for 5 minutes. Reinstall drain plug with new gasket
and torque to specification.
e. Open the oil drain plug on the oil reservoir (Figure 3)
with a 12 mm multi-point socket comparable to VAS
5301/19. Drain for 5 minutes. Reinstall drain plug with
new gasket and torque to specification.
Tightening Specifications:
Oil drain plugs to oil pan: 10 Nm
Oil drain plug to oil reservoir: 22 ± 2 Nm

Figure 3. The oil drain plug on the oil reservoir.

3.

Archive the diagnostic log and oil measurement test sheets in the vehicle service file.

4.

Advise the customer that if the low oil level warning light comes on before the required 630-mile test is
completed, the vehicle must be taken directly to the dealership for Part 2 of the oil consumption test
regardless of the miles accumulated.

Oil Consumption Test, Part 2
1. When the customer returns the vehicle to the dealership, complete Part 2 of the oil consumption test. Ensure
the oil is drained in the manner described above.
If the GFF printout from Part 2 of the test indicates an oil consumption rate outside the permissible tolerance and
the vehicle is within the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, authorization to perform any repairs is required from the
Audi Technical Assistance Center (TAC). Attach the GFF log to the TAC contact.

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Warranty
If the result of the test is that the oil consumption is within the permissible tolerance, another oil consumption test
on the same engine will not covered under Warranty within the next 25,000 miles (40,000 km).
Claim Type:

Use applicable claim type. If vehicle is outside any warranty, this Technical Service Bulletin is
informational only.

Service Number: 1716
Damage Code:

0010

Labor
Operations:

Oil consumption test Part 1, includes removing both
sections of rear dampening pan.

1716 0199

120 TU

Oil consumption test Part 2, includes removing both
sections of rear dampening pan.

1716 0299

90 TU

No allowance

0 TU

Road test prior to service procedure

No allowance

0 TU

Road test after service procedure

No allowance

0 TU

Diagnostic Time: GFF

Technical diagnosis at dealer’s discretion
(Refer to Section 2.2.1.2 and Audi Warranty Online for DADP allowance details)
Claim Comment: As per TSB #2020666/4
All warranty claims submitted for payment must be in accordance with the Audi Warranty Policies and Procedures
Manual. Claims are subject to review or audit by Audi Warranty.

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Required Parts and Tools
Tool Number

Tool Description

T40159

Socket XZN 8

See below

Digital scale with 15 kilogram capacity and 5 gram accuracy

The digital scale with 15 kilogram capacity and 5 gram accuracy can be obtained locally if necessary. Adam
Equipment, Inc. offers a Model CPW plus 15 and will provide a 20% discount for this item to our dealer network,
plus freight. They may be contacted at:
Adam Equipment, Inc.
26 Commerce Drive
Dandury, CT 06810
Phone: 888-355-3868
Fax: 203-792-3406
E-mail: [email protected]

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB (2020666) are subject to change and/or removal. Always
check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

© 2015 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.