Audi›A4/S4/Avant›2004›Overview/audi/a4-s4-avant/2004/base/

2004 Audi A4/S4/Avant

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 A4/S4/Avant.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Defined as a passenger car, the 2004 Audi A4, S4, and Avant lineup specifies an engine oil capacity of 4.3 qt using 5W-30 or 5W-40 API viscosity for proper maintenance. The model year carries a documented reliability history comprising 3 recalls and 189 total owner complaints, offering researchers a quantifiable baseline for assessment. With the Fuel System, Gasoline recorded as the top complaint area, this data indicates that prospective evaluation should prioritize verification of these components to understand the vehicle's standing.

Model year20082007200620052004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 640 CCA battery, OE oil filter 068115561B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 640 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnRUNOEM · verified
Tire size215-55R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7, 7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter068115561B alt 078115561J
Engine air filter06C133843
Fuel filter8E0201511L
Spark plug101000063AA alt 101905611
Battery000915089J alt 000915105AG
Front wiper blades8E0955425A alt 8H1955426C
Serpentine belt06D903137E alt 078903137BJ
Thermostat06B121119C alt 06B121111K
Cabin air filter4B0819439C alt 8E0819439

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.3 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAudi part number G060162A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.5-11.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.2 Pints
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.2 Pints
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs18 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub85 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.4-0.6 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance9000-14,000 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.3-0.5 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance640 cca
Optional BCI Group Number49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance760 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance640 cca
Optional BCI Group Number49

Service checks

Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188 °F
Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188 °F
Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle55 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs / 147 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.394; Rear: 0.276 front
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
2180 degrees180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
2180 degrees180 degrees
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18044 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 35,000 mi.

At 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Windshield Washer System (inspect)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Windshield Washer System (inspect fluid level)
Every 10,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Windshield Washer System (inspect)
At 15,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 20,000 miAir Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
At 35,000 miPower Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 40,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect)
At 55,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 55,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2004 Audi A4/S4/Avant lead in one area — the fuel system, gasoline, 43 of 189 reports (23%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the fuel system, gasoline, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 8 of the reports describe a crash and 3 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel system, gasoline pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
172
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
189
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 189 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline43
Air Bags21
Tires15
Engine & Engine Cooling14
Visibility13
Vehicle Speed Control12
Power Train10
Exterior Lighting9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V382000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 01/06/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii… Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact…

14E007000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 07/03/2014

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and… Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 172 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A0023742052680_42023-10-04EquipmentThis bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety…
SM 48-20222022-06-15EquipmentThis special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the…
A0021482021205_62021-06-25StructureThis informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety…
A0020362002047_12020-04-16EquipmentThis information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their TAC…
A9419182012749_12019-12-06EquipmentExterior lights, moisture accumulation 2013-2021 A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 Sportback…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific A4/S4/Avant. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 94R batteryVehicles taking 4.3 qtEngine oil filter 068115561BEngine air filter 06C133843Fuel filter 8E0201511LSpark plug 101000063AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 A4/S4/Avant take?

4.3 qt of 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50200, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 A4/S4/Avant have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.