Right now there is valvoline 10w-30 in my 96 audi a4 and I still have 3,000 miles left until I'm supposed to change my it. But, my oil light comes on whenver I hit 3k rpm. So I'm thinking about changing my oil filter to a K&N and my oil to amsoil 5w-40. Is this a good idea or not? If so, what do I need to look out for when I change oil weights?

 

which freakin engine do you have?
I am guessing you are turbo...if I guessed correctly this may be your problem-
at 3k rpms your turbo is supposed to kick/begin boosting, the oil light is only supposed to come on when the oil pressure hits zero....it sounds to me like your engine is sludged up. or it may possibly just be a bad sensor. With the turbo models you MUST run a FULL Synthetic motor oil, and althogh amzoil is amazing, I have no faith in it fixing your oil light dilema....generally people change weights for two reasons, the most common would probably be a sale. and the second reason would be weather conditions (hot/cold) for viscocity/ warm-up reasons....you may end up with a serious problem, take it to autozone and vag it, return with codes and we will be able to guide you in da right direction...

 

Agree 100%.

The oil light is not telling you to change the oil because its dirty, its telling you that you are on the brink of dropping big bucks on a replacement engine and turbo (if you have a turbo - get a signature man!)

Changing weights isn't a big deal. Unfortunately, you probably go through the delightful procedure of de-sludging before you do anything else. Do a search and start reading about sludge and seafoam. Once you get that taken care of, then switch over to Amsoil, Mobil 1, or whatever other good full synthetic.

 

Its a 12V, the only engine for the 96 model year, well for US anyways...

How many miles are on the engine, and has this problem occurred before the last oil change. Could just be a faulty sensor, have it scanned first. Hopefully its not a sludge or faulty oil pump problem. I use to run amsoil 0w40 in my 30V but switched to valvoline 5w30. Amsoil was good but it burned too fast, plus the engine runs smoother with valvoline. Changing weights can lead to blown seals especially in high mileage engines.

 

Check your dip-stick.

 

160,000 miles. And this has never happened before my last oil change. Who can scan my car? Does it have to be an audi dealer?

 

autozone can scan your car, and they will do it for free

 

thanks for all the help.