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2005 Audi A8/S8/A8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 A8/S8/A8.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2005 Audi A8 (including the high‑performance S8 variant) is a full‑size passenger car built on Audi’s flagship platform and equipped with an automatic S6‑type transmission that pairs with a drivetrain requiring 13.2 qt of 5W‑30 or 5W‑40 oil. Its EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined illustrate the balance Audi sought between luxury comfort and efficiency for a vehicle of this size. Reliability data show the model year generated only six owner complaints, most frequently concerning service brakes, hydraulic systems, vehicle‑speed control and adaptive mobility equipment, and it was subject to a single recall. Consequently, the 2005 A8/S8 sits near the lower end of the model’s overall complaint spectrum, indicating a relatively solid reliability record for its generation.

Model year2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity13.2 qtOEM · verified

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

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 95R · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 07C117070. 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 95R · 850 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size235-55R17OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	07C117070 alt 079198405A
Engine air filter	4E0129620C alt 4E0129620D
Fuel filter	1J0201511A alt 4F0201511D
Spark plug	101905616 alt 101905615A
Battery	000915089K
Front wiper blades	4E1955426D alt 4E1955425D
Thermostat	077121113D alt 07D121091D
Cabin air filter	4E0819439A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	100 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 13.2 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9. 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 Fluid	Audi part number G055005A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	11.9
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.9 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	13.2 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	8.0 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.2

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	0.3-0.5 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	VW
Spark Plug Gap	0.028-0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque	22.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	VW
Spark Plug Gap	0.028-0.031 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Standard BCI Group Number	95R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	95R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	17-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	179 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	58.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	52.0 psi
Residual Pressure	36 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	140 ft-lbs / 103 ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.417 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.417 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.338 in / 1.259 in / 1.102 in / 0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Install new bolts with the shorter bolts installed on the outside.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	37.0 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45

44 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 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Windshield Washer System (inspect) · Windshield Wiper Linkage (lubricate)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Windshield Washer System (inspect fluid level)
Every 10,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Windshield Washer System (inspect) · Windshield Wiper Linkage (lubricate)
At 15,000 mi	Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Decklid Hinge (lubricate) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Decklid Hinge (lubricate) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Driveshaft (inspect)
At 35,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 40,000 mi	Air 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)
Every 75,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (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 2005 Audi A8/S8/A8 top in one area — the service brakes, hydraulic,vehicle speed control,equipment adaptive/mobility, 1 of 6 reports (17%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the service brakes, hydraulic,vehicle speed control,equipment adaptive/mobility, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes, hydraulic,vehicle speed control,equipment adaptive/mobility 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.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

245

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 6 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Vehicle Speed Control,Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1

Equipment1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Electrical System,Structure1

Latches/Locks/Linkages,Vehicle Speed Control,Tires1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06V324000Air Bags:FrontalReported 31/08/2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING PRODUCTION OF THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT UNFOLD PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND THEREFORE MAY NOT INFLATE AS DESIGNED. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 245 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
A0023742052680_4	2023-10-04	Equipment	This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety…
A9122752024323_9	2022-02-07	Electrical System	This bulletin contains technical information regarding when the parking aid sporadically…
A4021312024318_1	2021-12-22	Wheels	This technical service bulletin provides instructions for correcting a clicking sound…
A0021482021205_6	2021-06-25	Structure	This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety…
A9121642024323_7	2021-01-25	Parking Brake	This bulletin contains technical information regarding when the parking aid sporadically…

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 A8/S8/A8. 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 95R battery Vehicles taking 13.2 qt Engine oil filter 07C117070 Engine air filter 4E0129620C Fuel filter 1J0201511A Spark plug 101905616

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 2005 A8/S8/A8 take?

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

Does the 2005 A8/S8/A8 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the A8/S8/A8 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.