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2008 Audi A8/S8/A8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 A8/S8/A8.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2008 Audi A8/S8/A8 is a passenger car fitted with an automatic six-speed (S6) transmission, and it uses 13.2 quarts of 5W-30 or 5W-40 API engine oil while carrying EPA ratings of 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. Reliability data for this model year are comparatively light, with eight owner complaints and one recall, and air bags stand out as the top complaint area. That makes this a low-volume concern year, though researchers should still verify air-bag-related service history.

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 economy16/23/18 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 079103121BE. 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 sizeS-LINE P255-40R19; BASE P255-45R18;S-LINE P275-35R20OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	079103121BE alt 079198405E
Engine air filter	4E0129620D
Fuel filter	4F0201511E
Spark plug	101905621B
Battery	000915089K
Front wiper blades	4E1955426D alt 4E1955425D
Serpentine belt	07L903137E
Thermostat	079121119C alt 079121115BK
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 / 23 / 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 oil drain plug to 22.1 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	10.5
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	10.5 qt

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.1 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	1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Cylinder Firing Order	1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	645 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	125 rpm
Spark Plug Torque	22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Optional BCI Group Number	49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	95R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	95R

Service checks

Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20-23 psi
Engine Compression	145-203 PSI @ RPM. 44 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression	145-203 PSI @ RPM. 44 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression	145-188 PSI @ RPM. 44 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	140 ft-lbs / 103 ft-lbs
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
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.417 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

15 ft. lbs., step 2: 22 ft. lbs., 90

15 ft. lbs

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

15 ft. lbs., step 2: 22 ft. lbs., step 3: 90 degrees.

15 ft. lbs

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

100 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 degrees.

100 ft. lbs

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

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

in sequence 1-10

6 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

hand tighten, step 2

15 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

in sequence 1-10

6 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

install by hand until touches exhaust manifold. Step 2

7.3 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 Blade (inspect)
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 Blade (inspect)
At 15,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Decklid Hinge (lubricate) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Decklid Hinge (lubricate) · Driveshaft (inspect)
At 35,000 mi	Brake Rotor (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 40,000 mi	Air Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 55,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
Every 75,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt Tensioner (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.

Owner complaints about the 2008 Audi A8/S8/A8 lead in one area — the air bags, 2 of 8 reports (25%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 2 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags 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

383

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 8 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Air Bags2

Power Train2

Engine1

Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes1

Air Bags,Structure1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V415000Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof AssemblyReported 09/06/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Audi A8 and S8 vehicles. The sunroof glass on the affected vehicles may not be properly secured to the sunroof frame. As a result… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install additional adhesive between the sunroof glass and frame, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in August 4, 2016…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 383 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
A5724422025031_3	2024-05-17	Structure	This bulletin provides information when the exterior trunk handle is inoperative.
A5724422025031_3	2024-05-17	Structure	This bulletin provides information when the exterior trunk handle is inoperative.
A9124632044694_3	2024-02-07	Equipment	This bulletin provides information pertaining to MMI Navigation database concerns.
A912306202432310	2023-12-21	Electrical System	This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance provides false warnings.
A9023562032113_8	2023-11-16	Electrical System	This bulletin provides general information about the outside air temperature reading.

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 079103121BE Engine air filter 4E0129620D Fuel filter 4F0201511E Spark plug 101905621B

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 2008 A8/S8/A8 take?

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

Does the 2008 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 / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.

2008 Audi A8/S8/A8

Quick specs

Fitment & sizes

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Lubricants & capacities

Engine torques

Chassis torques

Ignition

Battery & A/C

Service checks

Brakes

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Common OBD-II trouble codes

VIN tools

Vehicles with shared specs

Reference guides

Related vehicles

Other years

Frequently asked