Audi A6 C7 2.0 TDI Service Schedule

The Audi A6 C7 2.0 TDI is a big, quiet and surprisingly economical car. The thing is, plenty of these cars spent their early lives as company cars, and many have already covered some serious mileage. If you own one, or you've got your eye on one, I want to walk you through the Audi A6 C7 2.0 TDI service schedule and show you what to keep an eye on.

What should you know about the engine?

The 2.0 TDI in the A6 C7 has common rail injection, a timing belt, a DPF and an EGR valve. Overall, it's a solid, economical engine. But here's the catch! If you mainly drive around town, the DPF starts to suffer because it really doesn't like that kind of driving. At Das Auto Service, we always check the engine code first so we know exactly what servicing your particular engine needs.

How often should you change the oil?

I'll keep this simple: change the engine oil and oil filter every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first. We use oil that meets VW 507 00. The LongLife service interval sounds convenient, but if you want your engine and turbo to last, don't put off that oil change beyond 10,000 km or one year, regardless of which oil you use. This really isn't where you want to save money.

Multitronic or S tronic – which gearbox have you got?

Earlier front-wheel-drive A6 C7 2.0 TDI models have a multitronic gearbox, while later ones have a seven-speed S tronic. If yours is a quattro, it has the S tronic 0B5, which uses two separate oils. We change the gearbox oil every 60,000 km on both types, always using genuine oil. Then we carry out the gearbox adaptation. That's one step we never skip.

What else shouldn't you miss during a service?

• The timing belt, together with the rollers and water pump.
• The fuel filter, air filter and cabin filter.
• The crankcase ventilation filter – every 80,000 km.
• The brake fluid – every two years.
• The coolant – every third heating season.

What are the common weak points, and what do we check?

• The DPF and EGR valve – especially if you mainly drive around town.
• The dual-mass flywheel – that deserves some attention too.
• The front suspension arms – they can start knocking as the years go by.
• The electronic parking brake – we check it when replacing the rear brake pads.

A tip from Kris Mladenov: If you've found a car that used to be a company vehicle, ask the company for its service history. These cars often have quite detailed records, and those records can tell you an awful lot.

If you drive an Audi A6 C7 2.0 TDI and don't know when the gearbox was last serviced, come and see us at Das Auto Service. We'll identify exactly which gearbox you've got and explain what it needs. We're not going to start changing parts and oils blindly.

What do you need from our shop?

Genuine LongLife III FE 0W30 engine oil 5L

Genuine LongLife III engine oil meeting VW 507 00, suitable for the 2.0 TDI with a DPF.

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Genuine S tronic dual-clutch gearbox oil G052529A2 1l

Genuine gearbox oil that we use when servicing the S tronic gearbox.

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Genuine VAG G12evo coolant G12E050A2 1.0l

Genuine G12evo coolant, which we change every third heating season.

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Genuine DOT 4 brake fluid B000750M1 Audi/Volkswagen 250ml

Genuine DOT 4 brake fluid, which we change every two years.

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Read more

• Routine servicing at Das Auto Service
• Gearbox servicing
• Multitronic: why does it judder, and can it be repaired?
• S tronic 0B5 (DL501): mechatronic unit, clutch and two oils
• Audi A4 B8 2.0 TDI service schedule
• DPF and city driving: how to stop it clogging up
• Audi A6 C7 3.0 TDI service schedule

Frequently asked questions

Which gearbox does the Audi A6 C7 2.0 TDI have?

It depends on the year and drivetrain. Earlier front-wheel-drive cars have multitronic, while later ones have S tronic. On quattro models, it's the S tronic 0B5.

How often should you change the oil in a 2.0 TDI?

I recommend changing the engine oil and oil filter every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first. Stick to that interval if you want your engine and turbo to last.

Does the gearbox need adaptation after a service?

Yes, absolutely. At Das Auto Service, adaptation is always part of our gearbox service.