What Oil Does a 2011 Audi A6 Take?

A 2011 Audi A6 typically requires fully synthetic engine oil that meets Volkswagen/Audi standard VW 502 00 or VW 504 00, most commonly 5W-30 or 5W-40, depending on the engine and climate. The exact oil specification is more important than the brand or viscosity alone, and owners should confirm via the owner’s manual, the service booklet, or the label under the hood.

Understanding the 2011 Audi A6 Oil Requirements

The 2011 Audi A6 was sold with several different engines globally (gasoline and diesel), and each variant has specific oil approvals defined by Audi. While viscosity grades like 5W-30 and 5W-40 are often discussed, Audi’s internal VW oil standards (such as VW 502 00 or VW 504 00 for gasoline, and VW 507 00 for many diesels) are the key reference points that determine whether an oil is suitable for your car.

Official Oil Specifications for the 2011 Audi A6

Audi uses VW-group specifications to ensure oils meet strict requirements for wear protection, sludge control, turbocharger compatibility, and extended service intervals. These specs are typically printed on oil bottles and in the owner’s manual.

The main oil specifications for a 2011 Audi A6 are:

• VW 502 00 – Common for many gasoline (petrol) engines, suitable for fixed/normal service intervals.
• VW 504 00 – Long-life gasoline oil spec for flexible/extended service intervals (often used with variable service systems).
• VW 505 01 – Older spec more relevant to certain earlier diesels with unit injectors (less likely primary spec for 2011 A6, but may appear in regional manuals).
• VW 507 00 – Low-ash long-life oil for modern diesel engines with diesel particulate filters (DPF), commonly used in many 2011 A6 TDI models.

In practice, most 2011 Audi A6 gasoline engines will require an oil labeled VW 502 00 or VW 504 00, while many diesels will require VW 507 00. Always pick an oil where the bottle explicitly states one of these approvals, not just “recommended for” or “meets requirements of” without official certification.

Recommended Viscosity Grades (5W-30 vs 5W-40)

Viscosity describes how thick or thin the oil is at different temperatures. For the 2011 Audi A6, Audi typically recommends multi-grade synthetic oils such as 5W-30 or 5W-40, assuming they also carry the proper VW approval.

Common viscosity recommendations for a 2011 Audi A6 include:

• 5W-30 – Often specified for both gasoline and diesel engines, especially when paired with VW 504 00 or VW 507 00 for long-life intervals.
• 5W-40 – Frequently used with VW 502 00 gasoline-spec oils in moderate to warmer climates or where fixed/shorter service intervals are used.
• 0W-30 or 0W-40 – Sometimes approved in colder climates, provided they carry the right VW spec (e.g., VW 502 00 / 504 00). Check your regional manual or dealer for confirmation.

While both 5W-30 and 5W-40 are common, the safest approach is to choose the viscosity and VW spec combination printed in your owner’s manual or under-hood service label, as Audi sometimes tailors these by engine code and region.

Differences by Engine Type

The 2011 Audi A6 was offered with a variety of engines worldwide, including 2.0 TFSI, 2.8 FSI, 3.0 TFSI gasoline units and several TDI diesels such as 2.0 TDI and 3.0 TDI. While the general oil approach is similar, there are nuances between gasoline and diesel engines.

Gasoline (Petrol) Engines

For most 2011 A6 gasoline engines, Audi’s baseline is a fully synthetic oil with VW 502 00 or VW 504 00. These are designed to handle turbochargers (in TFSI engines), higher operating temperatures, and potential longer drain intervals.

Key points for gasoline engines:

• Look for an oil that explicitly states VW 502 00 or VW 504 00.
• Typical viscosities: 5W-30 or 5W-40, depending on climate and service plan.
• Use fully synthetic oil only—conventional or semi-synthetic oils generally do not meet Audi’s long-life performance requirements.
• If you have a TFSI turbo engine, correct spec oil is especially crucial to protect the turbocharger and reduce deposits.

If in doubt for a gasoline Audi A6 from 2011, a high-quality 5W-30 or 5W-40 fully synthetic oil with VW 502 00 approval will be acceptable in most cases, unless your documentation specifically demands VW 504 00 for extended intervals.

Diesel (TDI) Engines

Many 2011 Audi A6 models, especially in Europe and other diesel-heavy markets, use TDI engines with diesel particulate filters (DPF). These engines usually require low-SAPS (low ash) oils to protect the DPF and meet emissions standards.

For diesel engines, look for:

• Primary spec: VW 507 00 low-ash, long-life oil, especially for engines with DPF.
• Typical viscosity: 5W-30 fully synthetic matching VW 507 00.
• Only use oils explicitly marked as VW 507 00; generic “diesel” or “DPF-safe” claims are not enough.
• Older specs like VW 505 01 may appear in materials, but for a 2011 A6 with DPF, VW 507 00 is usually the default recommendation.

Using the correct VW 507 00 oil in a diesel A6 is critical, as the wrong oil can increase ash buildup, damage the DPF, and lead to expensive repairs or emissions issues.

How to Double-Check the Correct Oil for Your Specific Car

Even within the same model year, exact oil recommendations can depend on engine code, market (US, Europe, etc.), and whether the car is set up for flexible (long-life) or fixed service intervals. Verifying for your specific vehicle helps avoid mistakes, especially between gasoline and diesel versions.

Ways to confirm the right oil for your 2011 Audi A6 include:

• Owner’s manual: Check the “Engine oil” or “Specifications” section for VW oil standards (e.g., VW 502 00 / 504 00 / 507 00) and recommended viscosity.
• Service booklet or sticker: Many cars have a service label in the engine bay or door frame noting the oil spec and interval type.
• VIN-based lookup: A dealer can look up your engine code and recommended oil spec using the vehicle identification number (VIN).
• Online manuals and technical bulletins: Audi and VW group often host PDF manuals for specific regions; ensure you select the correct year, model (C6 vs C7 transition), and engine.

Confirming your engine’s exact spec helps ensure you buy oil that not only fits general Audi guidelines but is tailored to your specific A6 configuration and regional requirements.

Brands and Products That Commonly Meet Audi Specs

Many major oil manufacturers produce products that meet VW 502 00, 504 00, and 507 00. The approval on the label matters more than the brand name, but some well-known lines are widely used in Audi service environments.

Examples of commonly used oils (always check the exact spec on the current label):

• Castrol Edge and Castrol Edge Professional – Select formulations carry VW 502 00 / 504 00 / 507 00 approvals.
• Mobil 1 ESP series – Some variants are approved for VW 504 00 / 507 00 (often 5W-30).
• Shell Helix Ultra – Certain versions meet VW 502 00 / 505 00 or 504 00 / 507 00.
• Liqui Moly – Multiple product lines designed specifically around VW/Audi approvals.
• TotalEnergies / Elf, Motul, Valvoline, and others – Offer VW-approved oils in many markets.

Because formulations and approvals can change over time, always read the back label or technical data sheet to ensure the oil currently holds the correct VW approval for your Audi A6.

Oil Capacity and Service Interval Considerations

The amount of oil your 2011 Audi A6 needs and how often it should be changed can vary by engine and by whether the vehicle is set for flexible (long-life) or fixed service intervals.

General points to consider:

• Oil capacity: Typically in the range of about 4.5–7.0 liters (roughly 4.8–7.4 quarts) depending on engine size (2.0 vs 3.0, etc.). Exact figures are listed in the manual for each engine code.
• Service intervals:
  

  • Fixed intervals: Often around every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 1 year.
  • Flexible/long-life intervals: Can be up to about 18,000–20,000 miles (30,000+ km) or 2 years in some markets, when using approved long-life oils (VW 504 00 / 507 00) and with the flexible service system active.

• Driving conditions: Frequent short trips, extreme temperatures, or heavy urban driving may justify shorter oil-change intervals even if the car offers a longer theoretical limit.

Because many 2011 A6s are now older and may experience wear or oil consumption, many independent specialists recommend intervals closer to 7,500–10,000 miles (12,000–16,000 km) with approved oil rather than maximizing the longest possible drain interval.

What Happens If the Wrong Oil Is Used?

Using an oil without the correct VW approval can lead to a range of problems, especially over time. These issues may not appear immediately but can gradually affect engine performance and reliability.

Potential risks of using non-approved or incorrect oil include:

• Increased engine wear: Inadequate protection at high temperature or during cold starts can shorten engine life.
• Turbocharger issues: Deposits and coking from poor-quality oil can damage turbochargers, common on TFSI and TDI engines.
• DPF clogging (diesels): Oils without low-ash (low-SAPS) formulation can accelerate particulate filter blockage.
• Sludge and varnish buildup: Especially harmful in engines with tight oil pathways and variable valve timing components.
• Warranty and compliance concerns: For vehicles still under extended warranties or local inspection regimes, incorrect oil can complicate claims or emissions compliance.

While one emergency top-up with non-perfect oil is unlikely to be catastrophic, consistent use of oil that does not meet VW 502 00 / 504 00 / 507 00 can materially shorten the life of a 2011 Audi A6’s engine and emission systems.

Summary

A 2011 Audi A6 generally requires fully synthetic engine oil approved to specific Volkswagen/Audi standards. Most gasoline engines need oil meeting VW 502 00 or VW 504 00, commonly in 5W-30 or 5W-40 viscosity. Most diesel engines, especially those with diesel particulate filters, require VW 507 00, usually in 5W-30. The exact oil for your car should be confirmed in the owner’s manual, service stickers, or via a VIN-based dealer lookup, and the official VW approval printed on the oil bottle is more critical than the brand name. Using the correct, fully synthetic VW-approved oil helps protect the engine, turbocharger, and emissions systems, and supports reliable performance from an aging but still sophisticated 2011 Audi A6.

What is the best oil for Audi A6 high mileage?

Castrol 5w30ll is the best in my opinion. Change your oil at every 5K miles, dont listen to the dealerships.

Can I use 5W-30 in my Audi?

The recommended oil type is 5w-40 synthetic. While 5w-30 can work in a pinch, it’s best to use 5w-40 if you have it available. Yes, using Mobile One is perfectly acceptable.

What oil does the Audi A6 2011 take?

Use synthetic oil SAE 5W-40, 5W-30 or 0W-40. Refer to Technical Bulletin 2010043 for engine oils that meet this Audi oil standard.

What engine oil goes in an Audi A6?

Castrol – Edge 5W-40 Full Synthetic Motor Oil, Maximizes Engine Performance, 5 Quart (Part No. 15B6FE)