Audi›Cabriolet A4, S4, RS4›2009›Overview/audi/cabriolet-a4-s4-rs4/2009/base/

2009 Audi Cabriolet A4, S4, RS4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Cabriolet A4, S4, RS4.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2009 Audi Cabriolet lineup — encompassing the A4, S4 and RS4 — is a passenger‑car convertible equipped with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios. Its engine requires 4.8 quarts of oil, specified at 5W‑30 or 5W‑40 API viscosity. Fuel economy is rated at 23 city, 30 highway and 25 combined mpg. Owner reports total 142 complaints, with air‑bag issues leading the list, and the model has been subject to six recalls.

Model year2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified

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

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy23/30/25 mpgEPA · 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 079198405A. 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

Tire size235-40R18OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	079198405A
Engine air filter	079133843A
Fuel filter	4F0201511D alt 4F0201511E
Spark plug	101905616 alt 101905615A
Battery	000915089BE alt 000915089BF
Front wiper blades	4B1955425C alt 8H1955426C
Thermostat	079121119 alt 079121111J
Cabin air filter	8E0819439

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	179.9 in
Overall width	70.1 in
Overall height	54.7 in
Wheelbase	104.3 in
Curb weight	4079 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.4 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	23 / 30 / 25 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 4.8 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 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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 Fluid	Audi part number G060162A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	8.5-11.0
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.8 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	9.3 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	VW part number G055532A2

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	27.1 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.1 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	17 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.2

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	30.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Audi/VW
Spark Plug Torque	22 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Torque	22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Standard BCI Group Number	94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	640 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca

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.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	55 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs / 147 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.394; Rear: 0.276 front
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

10 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

10 ft. lbs

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

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

15 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
2	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees	90 degrees

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

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

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45

44 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4 ft. lbs., step 2: 9 ft. lbs., step 3: 12 ft. lbs., step 4: step 18

4 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4 ft. lbs., step 2: 9 ft. lbs., step 3: 12 ft. lbs., step 4: step 18

4 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 55,000 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 (inspect)
Every 5,000 mi	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) · Door Stop (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) · Door Stop (lubricate)
At 35,000 mi	Brake Rotor (inspect) · Headlamp (inspect alignment) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 40,000 mi	Brake Rotor (inspect) · Headlamp (inspect alignment) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 55,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark 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 2009 Audi Cabriolet A4, S4, RS4 dominate in one area — the air bags, 50 of 142 reports (35%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 18V-427 and 18V-082 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 6 of the reports describe a crash and 3 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

841

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

142

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 142 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags50

Engine30

Steering12

Visibility5

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System4

Unknown Or Other,Engine3

Engine & Engine Cooling3

Suspension3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V427000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 22/06/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011… Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact…

18V082000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 30/01/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet… Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 841 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB_2070568_6	2026-04-22	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015…
TSB_2070568_5	2025-08-19	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015…
TSB_2070568_4	2025-07-10	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015…
TSB_2075530_2	2025-03-12	Engine	This bulletin provides informatin when the engine does not run smoothly at idling speeds.
A2724842074729_2	2024-12-06	Electrical System	This bulletin provides information in circumstances where there are noises/vibration from…

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 Cabriolet A4, S4, RS4. 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 battery Vehicles taking 4.8 qt Engine oil filter 079198405A Engine air filter 079133843A Fuel filter 4F0201511D 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 2009 Cabriolet A4, S4, RS4 take?

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

Does the 2009 Cabriolet A4, S4, RS4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cabriolet A4, S4, RS4 get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.