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1999 Audi A4/A4 Quattro/Avant

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 A4/A4 Quattro/Avant.

The 1999 Audi A4, presented in sedan, Quattro all‑wheel‑drive and Avant wagon configurations, is powered by an engine that holds 3.7 qt of oil and is recommended with viscosities of 5W‑30, 5W‑40 or 10W‑30. The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system was the focus of most of the 196 owner complaints recorded for the model year, and it carried seven recorded recalls. These figures place the 1999 A4 at the early stage of a mixed reliability trajectory, suggesting that while the platform introduced advanced engineering, owners should be mindful of service‑brake and hydraulic concerns.

Model year19991998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 640 CCA battery, OE oil filter 078115561J. Note the factory serpentine belt is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 640 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turn15AOEM · verified
Tire size205-60HR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter078115561J alt 068115561B
Engine air filter058133843 alt 8D0133843
Fuel filter1H0201511A
Spark plug101000035HJ alt 101000051AA
Battery000915105AG
Front wiper blades3A1955427 alt 8D1955425A
Serpentine belt06B260849B discontinued · alt 06B903137E
Thermostat078121113G alt 050121113C
Cabin air filter8A0819439A alt 8D0819165B

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 engine oil, Rear: 90 GL- in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-3-6-2-5.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Differential Gear OilRear: 90 GL-
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.2 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · 5W-40 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-50 · 10W-50 · 10W-60
Engine Oil Capacity3.7 qt
Engine Oil Capacity6.3 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · 5W-40 · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 5W-50 · 10W-50 · 10W-60

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub85 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)860 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)40 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance18,000-25,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerAudi/VW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance640 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance720 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance640 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188 °F
Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)58.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)50.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket22 ft-lbs / 18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle92 ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.18 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.18 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.1 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18044 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18030 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18044 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

At 5,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 5,000 miFinal Drive (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 7,500 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Neutral Safety Switch (test) · Windshield Washer System (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 miBrake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Center Differential (inspect fluid level) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miSteering Linkage (inspect)
At 30,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)

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 1999 Audi A4/A4 Quattro/Avant dominate in one area — the service brakes, hydraulic, 74 of 196 reports (38%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 7 recall campaigns target the service brakes, hydraulic, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 9 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the service brakes, hydraulic 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.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
33
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
196
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 196 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic74
Engine & Engine Cooling23
Vehicle Speed Control13
Steering12
Air Bags7
Tires7
Service Brakes, Air6
Electrical System5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V056000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 31/01/2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI)… Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator when the parts become available, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed September…

14E007000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 07/03/2014

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and… Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 33 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A451510 2042048-2015-10-05Power TrainVehicle will not communicate with diagnostic scan tool or emissions test equipment…
1310201828842013-09-05Back Over PreventionIf the vehicle?s engine experienced a serious mechanical problem, it is possible that…
1341202530332013-06-20Engine And Engine CoolingDiscontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants.
1335202530322013-04-25Engine And Engine CoolingDiscontinuation and mixing of Audi-approved engine coolants.
TSB-45-08-042008-11-19Service Brakes, HydraulicAUDI: ABS ACTIVATES DURING LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATION . CONTROL NOISES ARE HEARD FROM THE…

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 A4/A4 Quattro/Avant. 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.

Group 48 batteryVehicles taking 3.7 qtEngine oil filter 078115561JEngine air filter 058133843Fuel filter 1H0201511ASpark plug 101000035HJ

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 A4/A4 Quattro/Avant take?

3.7 qt of ENERGY CONSERVING OILS: 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30 OR 10W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50200, EXCEPT ENGERGY CONSERVING OILS: 5W-50, 10W-50, OR 10W-60 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50200, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 A4/A4 Quattro/Avant have open recalls?

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