Hi,

I've got a 2000 Audi A6 Avant with about 170K miles, and generally tell the mechanic to only do what I see in the Audi maintenance manual unless I have a problem. I just realized that the manual doesn't mention the fuel filter anywhere. Are they saying it never needs to be changed unless you run into an issue?!

 

Like you, I was not able to find any specific maintenance interval for my fuel filter so I change mine about every 15K to 20K miles. They only cost about $20 dollars and the change itself if fairly easy taking usually around 20 minutes of time to complete. To me its having piece of mind changing it so regularly but others may only change them when they run into some type of fuel supply issue.

 

Well wouldn't this depend somewhat on the quality of gas you're putting in? I mean gas is PRETTY clean these days, so you probably don't have to change the fuel filter very frequently at all. I've changed mine once in 50k miles and it honestly didn't look like i needed to change it (nor was anything different afterwords, which is of course better than it being worse).

 

NM3210, you are right about the gasoline being clean...but don't forget that not all of the supply lines, trucks and storage tanks that move and store the fuel is. The filter is a safegaurd meant to catch contaminants before they make into the engine and ruin one or more of the very expensive fuel injectors. In addition to regular filter changes, occasional use of an additive with a moisture dispursant is also a good idea since all fuel used here in the US contains at least 10% Ethanol. Ethanol itself is corrosive and holds moisture, both of which are harmful to a fuel system.

 

Not really. If you need a new fuel filter you will know it. Floor the car, if you can take it up to speed and maintain speed you are getting adequate fuel though the filter.

In the US, gasoline does contain 10% ethanol, more than enough to hold all the moisture you will experience in suspension. There is no such thing as a moisture dispersant for gasoline. Adding more alcohol can cause "phase separation", not a good thing. Such additives are snake oil. (As opposed to fuel stabilizers, which have their proper place in your outboard, lawnmower, etc.)

 

I replace fuel filter, cabin filter, tranny and diffy fluids, brake fluid approximately every 60k miles. That used to be about 2+ years of driving, but I have cut way back on the mileage (car at 216k).