Why is this maintenance schedule here?
While Volkswagen & Audi publish maintenance intervals for their vehicles, neither is immune from the general trend in the
industry - the move towards high service intervals to appeal to buyers. It's this trend towards the ideal of a maintenance-free
car that has led to the development of "lifetime" fluids and sealed transmissions, among others. Unfortunately, gasoline cars
still operate much as they have for the past decades, working against enemies such as heat, contamination, and aging - often
leaving newer technologies aimed at increasing service intervals only a partial solution.
The maintenance schedule below has been compiled with real-world use in mind, including early replacements for items known
to fail before their time (most importantly, the timing belt). The listings at each interval are loosely ranked by priority,
but note that this is a list of carefully compiled essentials - with the exception of the cabin air filter, skipping items
will directly lead to disrepair & failures. A few suggested replacement parts are also listed, with US sources listed when
parts are not commonly available. Considering the significant expenditure a car represents, keeping to such a schedule can
dramatically reduce the cost of ownership by preventing the common failures of aging and neglected cars. All hail TCO.
For more information on the various fluids used below, check out the Recommended Fluids page.
Suggested Maintenance Intervals (1.8t engine):
- 3,000 miles / 3 months
- 6,000 miles / 6 months
- Change engine oil & filter
Mobil1 0W-40 synthetic oil - $5/quart (5 qts. required)
Mann W 940/25 oil filter - $7
(datasheet)
As noted in the comments below, use a 5,000 mile replacement interval if you're still covered under the powertrain warranty.
Up to 2001: 10 years/100k miles (5 years/50k miles for second owners). 2002 onward: 5 years/60k miles (for all owners).
The original oil filter for the 1.8t engine has been
superseded by a much larger capacity filter (the filter used for diesel engines), likely due to sludge issues on cars that
ran conventional oil with long replacement intervals. The new part number is 068 115 561 B (originally 06
A 115 561 B), and with
the added capacity the 1.8t engine now takes 4.2 quarts of oil.
- Rotate tires
- Leather interiors: Apply leather conditioner.
- 12 months
- 30,000 miles / 24 months
- Flush brake fluid: Flushing procedure
Valvoline DOT4 brake fluid - $5/quart (1 qt. required)
- Tiptronic transmissions - change ATF: Replacement procedure
Valvoline MERCON V ATF - $3/quart (4 qts. required)
Quaker State/Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF - $3/quart
OEM Esso LT 71141 - $12/liter
- Replace engine air filter
Mann C 26 168 air filter - $8
(datasheet)
Purolator A47039 air filter - $16 (Pep Boys)
Bosch 73456 air filter - $29
- Replace spark plugs
NGK BKUR6ET (AEB engine) - $2/each (4 required)
Bosch F7LTCR (AEB engine) - $4/each (4 required)
NGK BKR6E (copper, ATW engine) - $1.60/each (4 required, O'Reilly's)
NGK PFR6Q (platinum, ATW engine) - $11/each (4 required)
- 60,000 miles / 48 months
- Replace timing belt, tensioner, accessory belts, water pump: Replacement procedure
Timing belt kit - $190
(ECS Tuning)
Idler roller - $28
Accessory belts - $30
Water pump impeller - $50
- Tiptronic transmissions - change ATF & filter: Replacement procedure
Valvoline MERCON V ATF - $3/quart - $3/quart (6 qts. required, as the pan
needs to be dropped to replace the filter)
Quaker State/Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF - $3/quart
OEM Esso LT 71141 - $12/liter
Transmission filter kit - $30
- Replace fuel filter
Mann WK 830/7 fuel filter - $10
(datasheet)
Bosch 71056 fuel filter - $17
- Flush power steering fluid
Pentosin CHF-11s - $12/liter (2 liters required,
TDIParts.com)
- Flush cooling system: Flushing procedure
VW/Audi G12 - $8/1.5 liter (4 liters required)
Prestone Extended Life - $8/gallon (1 gallon required)
- 100,000 miles / 72 months