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2013 Audi A5 Sportback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 A5 Sportback.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2013 Audi A5 Sportback is a passenger car defined by a 4.9-quart engine oil capacity (5W-30 or 5W-40 API), an eight-speed AV-S8 automatic transmission, and EPA fuel economy ratings of 24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. In the model's recorded complaint history — which spans 2019 through 2025, peaking at 60 reports in 2020 and falling to a single report in 2025 — the 2013 model year itself registers 36 total owner complaints and 3 recalls, with the engine as the leading complaint area. That places this generation as a moderate data point for a researcher: neither an isolated failure cluster nor a clean outlier, but a year whose complaint volume and recall count warrant cross-referencing against both the high-volume years and the quiet tail of the model's record.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2018 2014 2013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy24/31/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 760 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06J115403Q. 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 48 · 760 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP245-40R18, S LINE PKG: P255-35R19OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06J115403Q
Engine air filter	8R0133843K
Fuel filter	8K0201511TA
Spark plug	06H905621A alt 06H905601A
Front wiper blades	8K1955425A alt 8F1955426B
Serpentine belt	06J260849F
Thermostat	06J121113C alt 06H121113B
Cabin air filter	8K0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (AV-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	182.7 in
Overall width	72.8 in
Overall height	53.9 in
Wheelbase	108.3 in
Curb weight	4032 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	24 / 31 / 26 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.4 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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

Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.9 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.5 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.9 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.4 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	17 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	6.67 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Audi/VW
Spark Plug Torque	22 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Torque	22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	760 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188 °F
Engine Compression	159-203 PSI @ RPM. 44 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 USE NEW BOLTS ONLY ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.472 in / 0.866 in / 1.181 in / 0.984 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.472 in / 0.866 in / 1.181 in / 0.984 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.394 in / 0.787 in / 1.102 in / 0.906 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages

74, STEP 2

90 DEGREES

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

6 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

33 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

7 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

7 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil.

1	30.0 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	front bolts only 6.0 ft. lbs.	6 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., step 2: 8.9 ft. lbs., step 3: 11.8 ft. lbs., step 4: step 18.4

3.7 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 at 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 35,000 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
At 15,000 mi	Air Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Convertible Top Latch (lubricate)
Every 20,000 mi	Air Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Convertible Top Latch (lubricate)
At 35,000 mi	Body Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 40,000 mi	Body Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 55,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
At 75,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The federal data show a volatile trend for the A5 Sportback generation, with complaints jumping from 12 in 2019 to 60 in 2020, then falling to 7 in 2021 and just 1 in 2025, while recalls remained modest (3–5 per year) and investigations were absent. The 2013 model sits before this recorded window, but its own complaint profile—dominated by Engine (9), Steering (7), Electrical System (3) and Engine & Engine Cooling (2) issues, plus 3 crash‑related and 2 fire‑related complaints—mirrors the types of problems that later produced the 2020 spike. Because the generation’s complaint volume contracts sharply after 2020 and no investigations are noted, the 2013 year does not appear to be an outlier in terms of systemic failures. However, the presence of fire and crash complaints in the 2013 data suggests owners should verify any related repairs or service bulletins before purchase. Overall, the 2013 Audi A5 Sportback is a relatively typical year in the line, and while not flagged by a major recall surge, prospective buyers should still conduct a thorough pre‑purchase inspection.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1492

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’19 ’20 ’21 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 36 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine9

Steering7

Electrical System3

Engine & Engine Cooling2

Air Bags2

Visibility/Wiper2

Power Train,Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V622000Electrical System:WiringReported 05/10/2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater… Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the auxiliary heater and, as necessary, update the software, free of charge. The Recall began November 27, 2017. Owners may…

17V002000Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling SystemReported 03/01/2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped… Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the software so that the power supply to the coolant pump is deactivated if the pump becomes blocked with debris, free of charge…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1492 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB_2074729_3	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2028902_5	2026-06-23	Power Train	This bulletin provides informaiton when the transmission warning message appears in the…
TSB_2028985_13	2026-06-23	Power Train	This bulleitn procides informaiton when tehre is a transmission warning mssage in the…
TSB_2059335_7	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2082323_1	2026-06-10	Engine	This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.

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 A5 Sportback. 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 48 battery Vehicles taking 4.9 qt Engine oil filter 06J115403Q Engine air filter 8R0133843K Fuel filter 8K0201511TA Spark plug 06H905621A

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 A5 Sportback take?

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

Does the 2013 A5 Sportback have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the A5 Sportback get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg.