Audi A6 C6: How to Check and Top Off Oil
Knowing the engine oil level in your Audi A6 C6 is important. Here's why.
This article applies to the Audi A6 C6 (2004-2010).
If you're ever driving and you take notice of a warning light on your dashboard indicating that your engine oil is low (e.g., "Oil Level Min"), then you will know it's time to top off your engine with a quart of fresh oil. If you prefer to replace your old engine oil with new engine oil, without taking a trip down to your local Audi dealership, then knowing how to use an oil dipstick will be especially important, as it will tell you if your engine is healthy. Remember, the number one way to keep your Audi A6 C6 up and running for the longest amount of time possible is to keep your engine properly oiled. Let's get started!
Materials Needed
- Replacement engine oil
- Oil dipstick (comes with your car)
- Rag/paper towel
Step 1 – Prepare to check your engine oil
Before getting started, you will need to allow your engine to cool down completely. A running engine has hot oil circulating throughout it. It takes a few hours for all of the oil to drain back into the sump. A cool engine gives a more consistent and accurate view of the oil level versus a hot one.
Pro Tip
Make sure your car is parked on an even surface.
Step 2 – Remove your oil dipstick
Now that your engine has completely cooled, go ahead and pull the oil dipstick out from of your engine by hand. You should notice some oil on the end of the dipstick. Using an old rag, go ahead and wipe the oil from off the dipstick. Now, insert the dipstick back into the engine, taking care to ensure it goes all the way back in. Next, remove the dipstick; give it a second to sit in the engine before pulling it back out, however. Examine the oil on the end of the oil dipstick. This will tell you exactly how much oil you have and whether you will need to top up your reservoir.
Pro Tips
- If your engine oil level is below the minimum, then you will obviously need to top up your reservoir.
- Remember to keep your dipstick pointed down, and not upside down or etc.
Step 3 – Top off your engine oil
You might be wondering how much oil your engine requires. When doing an oil change, the answer is seven quarts (with a filter change). However, when reading a dipstick, you need to know the following: the area between the "high" and "low" notches on the dipstick covers one quart of oil. If your dipstick is just under the "low" mark, add one quart and re-check the dipstick. Once you are done, your dipstick should read above (or just at) the maximum level. Do not under any circumstances overfill the engine oil.
Related Discussion
- How to Check Engine Oil - AudiWorld
