Audi Q5 8R 2.0 TDI Service Schedule

The Audi Q5 8R with the 2.0 TDI is one of the best-selling SUVs here in Bulgaria. It's comfortable, there's plenty of room, and quattro is a real help in winter. But here's the thing! A lot of these cars have serious mileage on them now, and just changing the engine oil isn't enough. There are a few other important things you need to look after. Let me walk you through what we check at Das Auto Service as part of the Audi Q5 8R 2.0 TDI service schedule.

What should you know about the engine?

The 2.0 TDI in the Q5 8R is a common rail diesel with a timing belt, DPF and EGR valve. It's generally a solid engine, as long as you change the oil on time and don't spend all your time driving around town. And as the mileage climbs, keeping on top of servicing becomes even more important.

How often should you change the engine oil?

I recommend changing the engine oil and oil filter every 10,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first, regardless of the oil used. The oil must meet VW 507 00 because of the DPF. It's not enough for the bottle to simply say it's suitable for diesel engines.

How should you service the S tronic?

The automatic gearbox in the Q5 8R 2.0 TDI is the seven-speed S tronic 0B5. I really want you to pay attention here, because a lot of owners miss something important. This DSG-type gearbox uses two separate oils. One is for the clutches and the mechatronic unit, which is basically the gearbox's brain. The other is for the gears themselves. Both oils need changing every 60,000 km using genuine oils. After the oil change, we always carry out the gearbox adaptation too.

What about servicing the quattro system?

The Q5 8R has quattro with a Torsen centre differential. I recommend changing the rear diff oil as well, especially if your car has covered a lot of miles or you tow a trailer. That's part of looking after the drivetrain too. Don't skip it.

S tronic gearbox servicing at Das Auto Service

What else needs servicing?

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

What do we check on higher-mileage cars?

The condition of the DPF and EGR valve.
The dual-mass flywheel, if you have a manual gearbox.
The front suspension control arms.
The electric parking brake when we change the rear brake pads.

With the S tronic 0B5, we don't just change one of the oils. The gearbox has two separate oils, and both need changing. Skip one and the gearbox starts wearing unevenly. Then you're looking at an expensive repair. I'm telling you this because that money will come out of your pocket, not the workshop's.

A tip from Kris Mladenov: If you tow a trailer with your Q5, don't wait for the standard service intervals. I'd advise you to change the gearbox and differential oils more often.

If you drive an Audi Q5 8R 2.0 TDI and you're not sure what's been serviced in the past, come and see us at Das Auto Service. We'll check the engine, gearbox and quattro system so you know what's in good shape and what we need to take care of.