What Oil Does Audi Recommend? A Detailed Guide for Owners

Audi generally recommends fully synthetic, VW-approved engine oils that meet its own specifications—most commonly VW 504 00 / 507 00 (for many modern gasoline and diesel engines), with viscosity grades like 0W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30, or 5W-40 depending on engine and market. The exact oil type is defined in the car’s owner’s manual, on the under‑hood label, and in Audi’s technical documentation.

How Audi Specifies Engine Oil

Instead of just telling drivers to use a certain brand or viscosity, Audi primarily specifies oil by internal approval codes (VW/Audi norms such as 504 00 or 508 00). These codes ensure the oil meets strict standards for lubrication, emissions-system compatibility, and long service intervals.

Audi’s VW Oil Standards Explained

The most important information on an oil bottle for an Audi engine is not the logo on the front, but the VW/Audi approval on the back label. These standards are sometimes referred to as “VW norms” and are updated as engines and emissions regulations evolve.

The main VW/Audi oil specifications commonly seen on modern Audi models include:

• VW 504 00: High-quality long-life oil for many modern gasoline engines, compatible with extended service intervals and emissions-control systems.
• VW 507 00: Low-ash long-life oil for many modern diesel engines with diesel particulate filters (DPF), again suitable for extended intervals.
• VW 508 00: Newer, very low-viscosity (often 0W-20) oil for certain latest-generation Audi gasoline engines, designed to improve fuel efficiency.
• VW 509 00: Parallel to 508 00, but for specific new-generation diesel engines, also commonly 0W-20, optimized for efficiency and emissions systems.
• Older norms (e.g., 502 00, 505 00, 505 01): Previously common on older engines; still required for some older or performance applications where specified.

Together, these specifications ensure that Audi engines get oil that can handle high temperatures, turbocharging, extended drains, and strict emissions regulations, all while reducing wear and deposits.

Viscosity Grades: 0W-20, 5W-30 and Beyond

Viscosity—the “thickness” of oil—is another key parameter that Audi defines in combination with the VW norm. Modern Audi engines increasingly use lower-viscosity oils to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, but they are engineered around very specific ranges.

Common viscosity grades Audi recommends, depending on engine and market, include:

• 0W-20: Used with VW 508 00 / 509 00 oils in many new-generation engines (especially in Europe and North America), prioritizing fuel economy.
• 0W-30: Sometimes recommended in cold climates or specific engines when paired with an appropriate VW norm.
• 5W-30: Widely used, especially with VW 504 00 / 507 00 oils, and perhaps the most common “all-rounder” for many 2010s-era Audi models.
• 5W-40: Often specified for older engines, higher-performance variants, or certain markets where environmental conditions and fuel quality differ.

The combination of VW norm and viscosity is crucial: using the correct viscosity but the wrong VW specification—or vice versa—can still mean the oil is not suitable for your specific Audi engine.

Factory-Fill and Officially Recommended Brands

While Audi emphasizes specifications over brands, its dealers and service centers do use specific partner products as factory-fill and official service oils, and these can guide owners when choosing oil for top-offs or out-of-warranty maintenance.

Current Partner Oils and Branding

Audi’s corporate group (Volkswagen Group) has long partnered with major oil companies to provide officially approved products that meet its internal norms. These relationships can evolve, but the underlying requirement remains: the oil must carry the correct VW approval.

In many markets, Audi dealers commonly use oils such as:

• Castrol EDGE / EDGE Professional: Historically a key partner, with formulations that meet VW 504 00 / 507 00 and other norms; often used as service-fill oil in numerous Audi dealerships.
• SHELL Helix Ultra / Pennzoil Ultra (Shell Group): In some regions, Shell-supplied products meeting VW 504 00 / 507 00, and newer VW 508 00 / 509 00, are used as official or recommended service oils.
• Other approved brands: Motul, Liqui Moly, Mobil 1, and several regional producers offer oils that carry the VW norms on their labels and are acceptable alternatives so long as the specific norm is printed and officially approved.

Brand partnerships change over time and differ by country, but any oil physically labeled with the exact VW norm required by your engine is considered acceptable by Audi, whether or not it bears the same brand used at your dealer.

Recommendations by Vehicle Age and Type

Because Audi’s lineup ranges from compact cars to high-performance RS models and plug-in hybrids, oil recommendations vary significantly across generations and engine families. Owners should rely first on the owner’s manual, the service booklet, or an Audi dealer for the final word, but there are broad patterns.

Modern Audi Gasoline and Diesel Engines (Approx. mid‑2000s to Recent Models)

For many Audi models built roughly from the mid‑2000s through the mid‑2010s—and still for some models today—Audi’s go-to recommendation is a fully synthetic long-life oil meeting combined gasoline/diesel specifications.

Typical recommendations for these vehicles include:

• VW 504 00 / 507 00, 5W-30: The most widely specified combination for mainstream TFSI and TDI engines with long service intervals and advanced emissions equipment.
• VW 502 00 / 505 00, 5W-40 or 5W-30: Common for certain older turbocharged engines or markets where extended service intervals are not used; often associated with fixed (shorter) oil-change intervals.
• VW 505 01, 5W-40: For some older pump‑duse (PD) diesel engines, which require special protection for the high-pressure unit injectors.

These combinations aim to balance engine protection, DPF and catalytic converter life, and the long drain intervals Audi promotes under flexible service regimes.

Latest-Generation Audi Engines and Ultra-Low Viscosity Oils

Recent Audi engines—especially in Europe and North America—are increasingly specified for new ultra-low-viscosity oils under VW 508 00 and 509 00. These engines are engineered around specific lubrication properties that older, thicker oils do not precisely match.

For newer Audi models (for example, late-2010s and 2020s platforms), recommendations often include:

• VW 508 00, 0W-20: For many new gasoline engines, including some 2.0 TFSI and 3.0 TFSI variants, focusing on efficiency while maintaining wear protection.
• VW 509 00, 0W-20: For specific next-generation diesel engines, also engineered for very low friction and optimized aftertreatment performance.
• Backwards compatibility limitations: These 0W-20 specs usually are not backward-compatible with older engines requiring 504 00 / 507 00 or 502 00 / 505 00, reinforcing the importance of using the exact norm listed for your car.

Because these modern oils are highly specialized, Audi stresses that drivers must not simply switch to a thicker or different grade without confirming compatibility in the manual or with an Audi service center.

High-Performance and RS Models

Audi’s S and RS performance vehicles often have distinct lubrication demands due to higher operating temperatures, greater specific output, and track use. In many cases, these engines share the same VW norms as mainstream models but with stricter adherence to oil quality and change intervals.

Key points for performance models include:

• Use of VW-approved long-life oils: Many RS and S engines still require VW 504 00 / 507 00 or specific alternatives, often in 5W-30 or 5W-40 grades.
• Market and climate-specific viscosity choices: In hotter climates or for sustained high-load use, 5W-40 that meets the correct VW norm may be preferred over 5W-30.
• More frequent oil changes: Even when the oil carries a long-life approval, aggressive driving or track use often justifies shorter service intervals than the maximum indicated by Audi’s flexible service system.

Because RS and S engines can be sensitive to lubricant performance, Audi and independent specialists strongly advise owners to follow both the VW norm and the usage-based service recommendations closely.

Where to Find the Correct Oil Recommendation for Your Audi

Although general guidelines are useful, Audi emphasizes that each vehicle’s exact oil requirements are defined at the model and engine level. Several official sources exist to confirm what your specific car needs.

Owner’s Manual and Under-Hood Labels

The most reliable reference for your Audi’s oil recommendation is the documentation and labeling that came with the car. These sources are tailored to your exact model, engine code, and market.

Owners can find the official recommendation in places such as:

• Owner’s manual: Typically lists required VW norms, acceptable viscosity ranges, and any climate-based alternatives.
• Service booklet: Often restates the oil norm and whether the vehicle is set up for flexible (long-life) or fixed service intervals.
• Under-hood or filler-cap label: Many Audis carry a sticker or cap marking indicating the VW spec (e.g., “Use only VW 504 00/507 00”).

These sources always take precedence over generic advice, since they reference your exact engine and its design requirements.

Audi Dealers and Official Service Information

When documentation is missing or unclear, Audi dealerships can look up oil recommendations based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), ensuring correct and up-to-date information, especially when technical bulletins have updated earlier guidance.

Dealers and authorized service outlets can provide:

• VIN-based oil specification lookup: Ensures the recommendation accounts for engine revisions or regional variations.
• Latest technical bulletins: Audi may update recommended oils for certain engines to improve durability or emissions performance.
• Guidance on local products: Advisors can point to locally available oils that carry the exact VW approvals your engine requires.

Consulting a dealer or authorized repairer is particularly important for newer engines, high-performance models, and vehicles with modified service regimes or updated software.

Practical Advice for Choosing Oil for Your Audi

For owners choosing oil themselves—whether for top-ups between services or for independent workshops—the core rule is non-negotiable: the VW approval must match what Audi specifies for your engine.

How to Read an Oil Label for an Audi

Oil packaging contains a mix of branding, marketing terms, and technical standards. To avoid confusion, it helps to know exactly where and what to look for when choosing oil for an Audi.

Key steps when checking a bottle include:

• Find the VW approval statement: Look on the back label for lines like “VW 504 00 / 507 00 approved,” “Meets VW 508.00,” or similar explicit wording.
• Confirm viscosity: Ensure the viscosity (e.g., 0W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40) matches one of the grades listed as acceptable in your Audi’s manual.
• Avoid “recommended for” without approval: If the label only says “recommended for use in cars requiring VW 504 00” but not “approved” or “meets and exceeds,” it may not be officially tested to that norm.

Accurately reading labels helps ensure your oil truly meets Audi’s engineering expectations, rather than just approximating them.

Top-Ups vs. Full Oil Changes

Owners sometimes face different choices when topping up oil versus performing a complete oil change, especially if they are between dealer services or traveling in regions with limited product availability.

When managing oil levels, it is important to consider:

• Consistency is best: Topping up with the same VW-approved oil already in the engine is ideal for maintaining consistent properties.
• Mixing oils: If an exact match is unavailable, using another VW-approved oil with the same specification is acceptable; sporadic small mixing among VW-approved oils is not normally harmful.
• Emergency situations: In a true emergency, if no approved oil is available, a high-quality synthetic oil of the same viscosity can be used temporarily, but the engine should be drained and refilled with the correct VW-approved oil as soon as possible.

Keeping a small container of the correct oil in the trunk—especially for higher-mileage or performance Audis—can simplify safe top-ups and avoid compromising on oil choice during long trips.

Why Following Audi’s Oil Recommendation Matters

Beyond engine longevity, Audi’s oil specifications are closely tied to emissions performance, warranty coverage, and the advanced technology integrated into modern powertrains.

Engine Protection, Emissions, and Warranty

Modern Audi engines rely on precisely engineered oil behavior at varied temperatures, under turbocharged loads, and within sophisticated emissions systems such as particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction units.

Using the correct oil helps ensure:

• Reduced engine wear: Proper film strength and detergency protect turbochargers, camshafts, timing chains, and other high-stress components.
• Clean emissions systems: Low-ash, low-sulfur formulations prevent premature clogging of DPFs and catalyst degradation.
• Warranty compliance: During the factory warranty period (and often extended warranties), Audi may require documented use of oils meeting the specified VW norms to honor claims for engine or emissions-system failures.

Following Audi’s recommendations therefore protects not only the mechanical integrity of the engine but also the legal and financial coverage owners rely on.

Summary

Audi recommends fully synthetic engine oils that carry specific VW/Audi approval codes—most commonly VW 504 00 / 507 00 for many recent gasoline and diesel engines, and increasingly VW 508 00 / 509 00 with 0W-20 viscosity for the latest platforms. The exact specification and viscosity for any given car are set out in the owner’s manual, service documentation, and under-hood labels, and should always be followed over generic guidance or brand marketing.

Owners selecting oil should focus first on matching the VW approval printed on the bottle to the one Audi lists for their engine, then confirm an acceptable viscosity grade. Audi dealerships and authorized repairers can verify recommendations by VIN and advise on locally available approved products. By adhering to these guidelines, drivers protect engine durability, ensure proper operation of advanced emissions systems, and maintain compliance with warranty requirements.