adg44

Well, WOW! Last weekened I finally got around to changing the oil in my 3.0 - it was the 10,000 mile service.

That damn panel under the car that covers the bottom of the engine is the biggest PITA. After you remove the 400 screws that are holding it on, the oil pan/filter placement on this car is excellent!

I like how the pan drains to the side instead of back, that way I don't have to crawl as far under the car.

After I drained the oil, it was time to get that huge filter off. I mean this is a BIG filter, no wonder the car holds 6.6 quarts. So, I bought an oil filter wrench from walmart incase I couldn't remove it by hand. No luck by hand, so I use the wrench. This filter is on there SO TIGHT that my oil filter wrench bent! The metal just started bending and the filter didn't move at all.

Now, I get pissed, so I go to the autoparts store, buy a $8 lisle oil filter wrench that looks like it could twist your head off, and I had to spend a good 15 minutes with that one trying to get it off. FINALLY, after 45 minutes with this damn filter, I hear this high pitched rubber screeching sound, and the filter breaks loose. Turns out they did not lube the gasket before putting on the filter, and it was way too tight.

Don't know if any of you had this same issue, but just thought I would let you know.

I decided to go with Mobil1 0w40 - I got 7 quarts of it for $28 with tax, which is really not bad. Next time around I may go for the Motul, but so far I am happy.

Just thought I would share my experience.

- Anthony

lawong

hmm.. wasn't your 10k covered under normal maintenance?

Tsle

Sure it is, but not a 5k like many people here do.

A4NCAR

Mecca performance filter. Not just better filtration (and last longer), as well as stronger. But easy access and never had a problem with being over tightened. It goes the 8-10K OCI's I do as well.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50842/mecca_oil_filter.jpg">


Was this your first OC (10K service)? Why not have the dealer perform it for free? Would have been a great time to change to the Motul Ester E-Tech 0W-40. You could go until next 10K OCI. Next time ; )

Saturnine

What does that have to do with anything?

adg44

I do all the maintenance and work on my cars. I just had the dealer give me the filter and the plug, and I did it myself.

As for oil filters, that is where I stick only to OEM.

Also, for the 3.0 the oil changes are every 10k, not 5k like the 1.8T.

- Anthony

ric714

the 1.8T's are also 10k miles, not 5k.

f1isbest

and you say you do not trust dealers?? Since it is apparent you did not know how to do the job, do you still think you know better than them?

Hell, use the warrenty you paid for, at least if the dealer screws it up, it only cost you the time to get it fixed.

adg44

Where did I say I didn't know how? I merely said the oil filter was on there way too tight.

How about you read the post fully before you go making comments....

It's personal preference - I am not like all the other Audi owners, I like to do the work myself. What a concept.

A4NCAR

But my dealer is so good, that I do not have to worry about it.

I thought OEM filters were perfect too, until I came across the Mecca filter 7 years ago. Been using it ever since on all my VW's and now Audi. It is essentailly the same but better; better filtration (8 microns as opposed to 20 microns for OEM's), no by-pass (unfiltered oil), stronger housing, easier access and just a small filter element to replace/throw out. Never had an issue with it, no dealer complaints and it has done a great job for my cars engines/oil for more then a total of 225K miles.

3.0 &amp; 1.8t are both 10K service intervals. I've had 1.8l[t]'s for many years and averaged 8-10K miles (and more) between OCI's.