AudiA6/S6/RS6/Quattro/Allroad2003Overview/audi/a6-s6-rs6-quattro-allroad/2003/base/

2003 Audi A6/S6/RS6/Quattro/Allroad

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 A6/S6/RS6/Quattro/Allroad.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2003 Audi A6, S6, RS6, Quattro, and Allroad range is catalogued as a passenger-car lineup equipped with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios, an 8.0-quart engine oil capacity specifying 5W-30, 5W-40, or 10W-30 API viscosity, and EPA-rated fuel economy of 18/25/21 mpg. Reliability data for this model year records 71 total owner complaints and seven recalls, with the gasoline fuel system registering as the top complaint area. That specific concentration of documented issues gives researchers a concrete baseline for assessing this model year’s standing in the vehicle’s broader reliability history.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/21 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 · 720 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 Note the factory serpentine belt is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 49 · 720 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTURNOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter078115561J
Engine air filter058133843
Fuel filter1H0201511A
Spark plug101905611
Front wiper blades4B1955425C
Serpentine belt078903137BJ discontinued
Thermostat06B121119C alt 06C121111E
Cabin air filter4B0819439C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume98 cu ft
Cargo volume15 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 8.0 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.2 Pints
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-4 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.2 Pints
Engine Oil Capacity8.0 qt
Engine Oil Capacity8.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs18 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7 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
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub148 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.3-0.5 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerVW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance720 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance640 cca
Optional BCI Group Number49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance760 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188 °F
Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188 °F
Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle89 ft-lbs / 95 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle89 ft-lbs / 95 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 18 ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 0.394 in / 0.984 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 0.394 in / 0.984 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.102 in / 0.315 in / 0.906 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 0.394 in / 0.984 in / 0.866 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
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
2180 degrees180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
144.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
2180 degrees180 degrees
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
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9044 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

At 5,000 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 5,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (read dtcs)
At 10,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (read dtcs)
Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
At 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Intake Duct (inspect) · Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Intake Duct (inspect) · Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Driveshaft (inspect)
At 35,000 miTiming Belt Tensioner (replace)
Every 35,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (clean) · Radiator (clean) · Timing Belt Idler Pulley (replace)
Every 40,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt Tensioner (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 2003 Audi A6/S6/RS6/Quattro/Allroad lead in one area — the fuel system, gasoline, 15 of 71 reports (21%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the fuel system, gasoline are also the target of recalls 11V-267 and 08V-157 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 5 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel system, gasoline 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
140
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
71
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 71 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline15
Electrical System8
Power Train8
Tires7
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Visibility3
Engine2
Steering,Suspension2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V267000Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 03/05/2011

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 AUDI A6, MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 S6 AND MODEL YEAR 2003 RS6 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.2L ENGINES AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 19, 2001, THROUGH JUNE 8, 2004. THE AGING OF… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY…

08V157000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 08/04/2008

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 68,240 MY 2001-2004 AUDI A6 QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L, 2.8L, OR 3.0L ENGINES AND MY 2001-2005 ALLROAD QUATTRO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7L OR 4.2L ENGINES. THE AGING OF THE PLASTIC… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE TO PREVENT LEAKAGE OR REPAIR THE CRACKING AT THE NIPPLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 140 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A0023742052680_42023-10-04EquipmentThis bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety…
SM 48-20222022-06-15EquipmentThis special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the…
A0021482021205_62021-06-25StructureThis informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety…
A0020362002047_12020-04-16EquipmentThis information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their TAC…
A0019252011732_12019-09-17Electrical System00 Software Version Management (SVM), operating instructions

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/RS6/Quattro/Allroad. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 A6/S6/RS6/Quattro/Allroad take?

8.0 qt of ENERGY CONSERVING OILS: 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30 OR 10W-40 API SL, EXCEPT ENGERGY CONSERVING OILS: 5W-50, 10W-50, OR 10W-60 API SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 A6/S6/RS6/Quattro/Allroad have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the A6/S6/RS6/Quattro/Allroad get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.