Audi›A6/S6/Quattro/Avant›2011›Overview/audi/a6-s6-quattro-avant/2011/base/

2011 Audi A6/S6/Quattro/Avant

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 A6/S6/Quattro/Avant.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2011 Audi A6/S6/Quattro/Avant is a passenger‑car model whose engine requires 10.5 qt of 5W‑30 or 5W‑40 API oil and is paired with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. It recorded a total of 19 owner complaints, with the air‑bag system cited as the top complaint area, and was subject to three recalls. These figures place the 2011 year within the documented reliability history of the A6 line, reflecting the complaint and recall count for that generation.

Model year20112010200920082007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity10.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/30/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06D115475. 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 49 · 850 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265-35R19OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter06D115475 alt 06E115562C
Engine air filter4F0133843
Fuel filter4F0201511E
Spark plug101905631A alt 101905611A
Battery000915089J alt 000915089K
Front wiper blades4F1955426C alt 4F1955425F
Thermostat06E121119B alt 06E121111M
Cabin air filter4F0898438C alt 4F0820261

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 30 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume98 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 10.5 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.1 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9. 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 FluidAudi part number G060162A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2-4.9
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.9 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper BoltsDiagonally tighting 11 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper BoltsDiagonally tighting 11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.1 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.2

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug7.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Spark Plug Torque22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance760 cca
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi
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 Temperature221 °F

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle103 ft-lbs / 144 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle103 ft-lbs / 144 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.472 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.472 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., step 2: 20 ft. lbs., step 3: replace bolt and shim15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., step 2: 9020 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel 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: 4544 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install by hand, step 211 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install by hand, step 211 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1hand tighten, step 215 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1in sequence 1-106 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 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 55,000 mi.

At 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
At 15,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate)
Every 20,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate)
At 35,000 miBody Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 miBody Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level)
At 55,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 75,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace)

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 2011 Audi A6/S6/Quattro/Avant dominate in one area — the air bags, 12 of 19 reports (63%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 18V-427 and 16V-382 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were 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.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
703
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
19
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 19 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Air Bags12
Seats3
Steering,Equipment1
Power Train1
Wheels1
Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V427000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 22/06/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011… Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact…

16V382000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 01/06/2016

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii… Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2017. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 703 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2027368_72025-07-31Electrical SystemThis TSB provides information when the Audi advanced key is inoperative; door handle…
TSB_2010353_62025-07-25Electrical SystemThis TSB provides informatin when the cigarette lighter element does not eject, or the…
TSB_2070568_42025-07-10Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin provides information about professional noise analysis with the VAS 611 015…
TSB_2042920_22025-06-26Fuel/Propulsion SystemThis bulletin provides information when there is corrosion on the exhaust tail pipes.
TSB_2056019_42025-05-08Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when the anti-theft alarm activates for no reason, or…

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 A6/S6/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 49 batteryVehicles taking 10.5 qtEngine oil filter 06D115475Engine air filter 4F0133843Fuel filter 4F0201511ESpark plug 101905631A

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 2011 A6/S6/Quattro/Avant take?

10.5 qt of 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50200, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 A6/S6/Quattro/Avant have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the A6/S6/Quattro/Avant get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.