Hi everyone, I recently purchased my A6 with 81000 miles and against the advice of my family (they are experts with Audi's). What I was told, is that the 3.0 has some very complicated cam operations with small oil journals that tend to sludgeup and starve some of the motor of lubrication, resulting in catostophic engine failures. Some suggest the increased oil change intervals by Audi could be causing this problem and that more frequent changes could avoid this scenario. I plan on changing the oil very 5K and I was wondering what oil brand and viscosity you all are running in your vehicles. I'm considering using Motul 5W40 that meets the standard specified by Audi. What do you all think?
Jim

 

Always run a good quality synthetic, 5w30 is best. Mobil 1, Castrol syntech are good oils for a 3.0L. If you are worried about the cam adjuster journals, then pour half a can of "seafoam" into the oil before driving to get the oil changed. Seafoam is a solvent that can be used in the oil, gas, or intake to clean carbon buildup. It works very well for increasing lost oil pressure. Just don't dive more than 50 miles with seafoam in the oil, as it can cause more harm than good if driven too long. Seafoam, every 20k should be good. You can get it at any major autoparts store.

 

Mobil 1 5-30 is recommended. If you are going 5k I hope its with synthetic. I use 15-50 in a 2.7t. Synthetic will last longer (up to 10k) but I still change it at 5k also.

 

There's nothing inherently wrong with the 3.0l as long as you maintain it. Agree with all recommendations and would run 5W-40 in the summer and either 0W-30 or -40 in the winter, depending on your climate. Absolutely stick with a full synthetic. I would not run 15W in a 2.7T -- to thick on startup in cold weather and could cause turbo damage (not an issue with your 3.0). Just my 2 cents.