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2018 Audi A3/S3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 A3/S3.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2018 Audi A3 and S3 constitute passenger cars pairing the AM-S7 automatic transmission with EPA ratings of 26 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, while routine service demands 5.8–6.0 of 5W-40 viscosity oil to maintain mechanical integrity. This model year carries a reliability footprint marked by 44 owner complaints and seven recalls, with air bag systems emerging as the primary reported defect, a record that necessitates careful scrutiny of safety system maintenance histories and recall clearance before purchase.

Model year2018 2017 2016 2015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.8-6.0OEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-40OEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy26/35/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 06D115562. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP225/45R17, P225/40R18Y, P225/40R18H, P235/35R19OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06D115562
Engine air filter	3Q0129620A
Spark plug	06K905601M
Battery	000915089BD
Front wiper blades	8V1998002A
Thermostat	07K121111E
Cabin air filter	5Q0819669

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (AM-S7)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	26 / 35 / 29 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	86 cu ft
Cargo volume	12 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.8-6.0 of 5W-40 engine oil, Use Audi/VW part number G052145A1 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5.8-6.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	Use Audi/VW part number G052145A1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.1 qt
Engine Coolant	Use Audi coolant part number G13TL-VW774J
Engine Coolant Capacity	10.5
Engine Coolant	Use Audi coolant part number G13TL-VW774J

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	30.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)	14.75 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Audi
Spark Plug Torque	22 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Audi
Spark Plug Torque	M12 Thread: 18 ft-lbs; M14 Thread: 26 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Audi
Spark Plug Torque	22 ft-lbs

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	87.0
Residual Pressure	43 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	87.0 psi
Residual Pressure	43 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	87.0 psi
Residual Pressure	43 psi
Engine Compression	159-203 psi @ RPM / Maximum Variation 44 psi

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180.0°

148 ft. lbs

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180.0°

148 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	72.0 inch lbs.	72 in
2	90

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Gasoline engines

1	33.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees; Diesel engines	33 ft. lbs
1	22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90	22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	33.0 ft. lbs.	33 ft. lbs
2	90

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

110 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

37 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

37 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. · Long head bolts

1	Tighten all bolts finger tight.
2	30.0 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees	90 degrees
4	90 degrees; Short head bolts (located in front of head)	90 degrees
1	3.0 ft. lbs.	3 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. · Long head bolts

1	Tighten all bolts finger tight.
2	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
3	44.3 ft. lbs.	44.3 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees
5	90 degrees; Short head bolts (located in rear of head)	90 degrees
1	6.0 ft. lbs.	6 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	44.0 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
2	90

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Lower: Step 1: 3.6 ft. lbs

2	6.6 ft. lbs.; Upper: Step 1: 6.6 ft. lbs.	6.6 ft. lbs
2	6.6 ft. lbs.	6.6 ft. lbs
3	6.6

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	11 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	18 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
3	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
4	22

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Gas engines · Cap bolts: Step 1: 48.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Side bolts: Step 1: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees · Diesel engines

48.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

48 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	29.0 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
2	90

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire Repair Kit Sealant (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 80,000 mi	Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2018 Audi A3/S3 dominate in one area — the air bags, 19 of 44 reports (43%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recall 21V-198 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

803

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 44 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags19

Tires4

Power Train3

Fuel/Propulsion System2

Unknown Or Other2

Engine1

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Electrical System,Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V198000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front PassengerReported 22/03/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Audi S3 Sedan, A3 Sedan, 2016-2018 A3 Etron, 2017-2020 RS3 Sedan, and 2015-2019 A3 Cabriolet vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system… Remedy: Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and update the PODS control module, free of charge. Owners letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service…

24V110000Fuel System, GasolineReported 14/02/2024

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf… Remedy: Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 803 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB_2074640_3	2026-06-26	Engine	This bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2074729_3	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_7	2026-06-23	Electrical System	This bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2082323_1	2026-06-10	Engine	This bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.
TSB_2052680_6	2026-06-04	Unknown Or Other	This Reporting Obligation requires technicains to contact the Technical Assistance Center…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific A3/S3. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 5.8-6.0 Engine oil filter 06D115562 Engine air filter 3Q0129620A Spark plug 06K905601M Battery 000915089BD

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 A3/S3 take?

5.8-6.0 of 5W-40 Meeting Audi/VW specification 502 00 or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 A3/S3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the A3/S3 get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 35 highway / 29 combined mpg.

2018 Audi A3/S3

Quick specs

Fitment & sizes

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Lubricants & capacities

Engine torques

Chassis torques

Ignition

Service checks

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Common OBD-II trouble codes

VIN tools

Vehicles with shared specs

Reference guides

Related vehicles

Other years

Frequently asked