Audi›R8 Spyder›2011›R8/audi/r8-spyder/2011/r8/

2011 Audi R8 Spyder — R8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 R8 Spyder R8.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine R8Transmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2011 Audi R8 Spyder is a passenger-car variant of the R8 line, powered by the R8 engine and paired with the Automatic (AM6) transmission, with EPA ratings of 13/21/16 mpg city/highway/combined and an oil capacity of 10.6 quarts of 5W-30 or 5W-40 API lubricant. Because the model-year complaint history covers 2012 through 2021, the 2011 Spyder sits outside that tracked window, so direct year-over-year reliability comparisons are not supported by the data. Still, the broader record is comparatively sparse: 15 total owner complaints, engine issues cited as the top complaint area, and one recall on file—meaning researchers should treat this early-build year as a low-sample data point rather than a fully developed reliability profile.

Model year2012 2011

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	420201511 alt 4F0201511E
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	3439 lb
Track (front / rear)	64.2 / 62.6 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

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

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
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.102 in / 1.496 in / 1.26 in / 1.339 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.102 in / 1.496 in / 1.26 in / 1.339 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.197 in / 1.276 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.

The 2011 Audi R8 Spyder’s top complaint areas are engine‑related (six reports), followed by suspension (two) and combined power‑train/electrical/engine or suspension/engine issues (one each), with no crash or fire complaints recorded. In the surrounding model years, federal records show zero complaints in 2012, one complaint in 2015, and zero complaints in 2021, while recalls occurred in 2012 and 2021 but none in 2015. Technical service bulletins decline steadily from 669 in 2012 to 645 in 2015 and further to 495 in 2021, indicating a decreasing need for dealer‑issued fixes over time. No investigations were opened in any of the listed years, and the data does not specify root causes for the complaints or recalls. Given the relatively low complaint volume, absence of crash/fire incidents, and the downward trend in TSBs, the 2011 model appears reasonable to consider, though prospective buyers should prioritize a thorough engine inspection.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

981

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’12 ’15 ’21

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine6

Suspension2

Power Train,Electrical System,Engine1

Suspension,Engine1

Structure1

Unknown Or Other1

Electrical System,Engine1

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine1

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 981 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_2059335_7	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2082054_1	2026-06-22	Power Train	This bulleitn provides information when there is a delayed accelerator response.
TSB_2082323_1	2026-06-10	Engine	This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
TSB_2052680_6	2026-06-04	Unknown Or Other	This Reporting Obligation requires technicains to contact the Technical Assistance Center…

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 Spyder. 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 420201511 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 2011 R8 Spyder R8 take?

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

Does the 2011 R8 Spyder 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.