How often should the cabin air filter be replaced? Is that some thing to do as DIY? if so, would you tell me how?
By the way, what tire is the best for this car?

Tnx,
A.

 

The cabin air filter is recommended to be 12-15k miles I believe. But this is only changed this often if your a dunce and like throwing your money away
Personally I check it to see how dirty it is every 15k and clean it accordingly. I've heard of many people only suggesting it be fully replaced after 50k miles. I just got my 55k maintenance done and they said it is not uncommon to have it replaced that often, as long as its cleaned in between.
Location: Located in the direct center under the hood, nearest the windshield. In a somewhat rectangle shape screwed in with 4 locking screw things. I couldn't get it pryed open last time I tried but had my mechanic check it last time.

 

I posted a write-up for how to do an oil change on a 2004 A8: https://www.audiforums.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=150293

For those wanting to know where the air filter is, removing it is part of the oil change procedure, so take a peek. Plenty of pics.

l8r)

 

Future owner - read through the thread - my current vehicle has 190,000 miles on it has has been absolutely trouble free - I have done all simple maintenance on it myself - brakes, wheel bearings, suspension bushings.

I read the post advising getting the Bentley manual - is there any reason the A8 can not be "generally" maintained by the owner? I'm not talking about timing belts or head gaskets - just the simpler jobs (filters, brakes etc).

 

I'm certainly not a mechanic by profession (computer geek here), but I do like to wrench on my own cars. In having worked on various different cars (Corolla, Forester, Evo, B5 A4, A3, D2/D3 A8), I don't see the general maintenance of the D3 A8 to be any more or less difficult than most other cars - definitely not any more difficult than some of the A4's I've worked on. The oil change is a bit more time consuming, but turns out to be easier in some respects than other cars (easy undertray removal, didn't have to jack up the car). I haven't had to change the brakes or brake pads yet, but they look to be as straight forward as any other disc brake setup.

l8r)

 

Hi guys, new to the site...I have the opp to purchas an 05 A8 and love it above my MB..
Anyway I an going to enjoy the ride and the site with you guys....My only concern are replacing yhe brake pads on this baby...The timing belt changed at 74500 and almost lost it because of tensioner failier (2600.00) plugs were replaced 65000 along with power packs which is best to do when repl plugs. TRans svc is 100,000 mls...Oh by the MMI display motor/gear 750.00. I LOVE A8.

 

blackaudi
I would like a good manual so I could do some work myself like brake etc...Timing belt is very tricky..special tools and knowhow

 

You are blessed, 190,000 and no timing belt issue? I caught mine at 74500 too much play. please do not take any chances because the eng has no tol.

 

I have 71K on my A8L. To me it runs like a charm. What are the signs and symptoms that says, it i time for changing the timing belt?
Tnx,

A.

 

There are no warning signs that I know of for an impending timing belt failure. If you leave it in too long, then one day it will snap with no warning, your pistons start playing whack-a-mole with the valves, and your engine will be toast.

l8r)