Audi›R8 GT›2012›R8/audi/r8-gt/2012/r8/

2012 Audi R8 GT — R8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 R8 GT R8.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine R8Transmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2012 Audi R8 GT is a passenger car powered by Audi's R8 engine paired with an automatic transmission (AM6), representing the high-performance variant of the R8 lineup. It utilizes 10.6 quarts of oil with a recommended viscosity of 5W-30 or 5W-40 API grade, and achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 13 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined. In terms of reliability, this model year recorded 11 total owner complaints with engine issues being the most frequently cited concern, alongside one recall, suggesting that while the 2012 GT had some reliability considerations consistent with high-performance sports cars, the overall complaint volume remained relatively modest for a vehicle in this class.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity10.6 qtOEM · verified

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

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy13/21/16 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 079198405E. 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 sizeP235-35R19; Rear: P295-30R19OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	079198405E
Engine air filter	420133844D alt 420133843B
Fuel filter	4F0201511E alt 420201511
Spark plug	079905620
Battery	000915089K
Front wiper blades	423955426 alt 423955425
Serpentine belt	07L903137C alt 07L903137T
Thermostat	079121119C alt 079121115AT
Cabin air filter	4F0898438C alt 4F0820261

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (AM6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	174.4 in
Overall width	74.8 in
Overall height	49.2 in
Wheelbase	104.3 in
Curb weight	3858 lb
Track (front / rear)	64.6 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	44/56

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	13 / 21 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain	All-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 10.6 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	10.6 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	8.8 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	10.6 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	Diagonally tighting 11 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.2

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	740 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Spark Plug Torque	22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.38-1.47 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	4.72-5.40 oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.38-1.47 lbs
Oil Group	PAG

Service checks

Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176 °F
Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	221 °F
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	81 USE NEW BOLTS ONLY ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	81 USE NEW BOLTS ONLY ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.102 in / 1.496 in / 1.26 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.102 in / 1.496 in / 1.26 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.197 in
Brake Application	WITH STANDARD
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.339 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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 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 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) · Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Belt Tensioner (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Air Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Drive Belt Tensioner (inspect)
At 35,000 mi	Body Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 mi	Body Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level)
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)
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.

Owner complaints about the 2012 Audi R8 GT lead in one area — the engine, 2 of 11 reports (18%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the engine are also the target of recall 16V-619 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine 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

1093

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine2

Steering2

Electrical System,Air Bags,Unknown Or Other1

Fuel System, Gasoline,Engine1

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System,Visibility/Wiper1

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Unknown Or Other1

Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V619000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 24/08/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Audi A8 vehicles manufactured May 15, 2010, to May 14, 2012. The affected vehicles have a coolant valve that may leak, allowing… Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant valve and inspect for coolant that has leaked through the electrical connector, free of charge. The recall is…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1093 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_2082046_1	2026-06-22	Power Train	This bulletin provides information when there is a strong jolt after engine automatically…

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 R8 GT. 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 10.6 qt Engine oil filter 079198405E Engine air filter 420133844D Fuel filter 4F0201511E Spark plug 079905620

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 2012 R8 GT R8 take?

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

Does the 2012 R8 GT have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the R8 get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 21 highway / 16 combined mpg.