AudiA6/S62016Overview/audi/a6-s6/2016/base/

2016 Audi A6/S6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 A6/S6.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2016 Audi A6/S6 is a passenger car equipped with an automatic AM-S7 transmission and achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 24 city, 34 highway, and 28 combined mpg. In terms of reliability, this model year has accumulated 51 owner complaints, with the engine being the most frequently cited problem area, alongside three recalls. These figures place the 2016 A6/S6 in a reliability position that warrants attention, as the number of engine-related issues and recalls suggests potential long-term concerns for owners.

Model year201820172016201520142013

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy24/34/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · 640-850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 079198405D. 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 NS · 640-850 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255/40R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter079198405D
Engine air filter4G0133843
Fuel filter4G0201317B
Spark plug079905626M
Battery000915089K alt 000915089AE
Front wiper blades4G1955425B alt 8F1955426B
Serpentine belt079903137AJ
Thermostat079121119J alt 079198013
Cabin air filter4H0819439

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 34 / 28 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 VW Part Number G052145S2 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.1 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidAudi part number G060162A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.8-4.2
Automatic Transmission FluidAudi part number G060162A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.8-5.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilVW Part Number G052145S2
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.9-2.1
Engine CoolantUse Audi coolant G13 TL-VW774J

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6.6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts1st step:
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts1st step:
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.1 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.2

Chassis torques

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

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-3-6-2-5
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Torque22 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.21-1.30 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.72-4.40 oz
Standard BCI Cranking Performance640-850 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief20-23 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)72.5-116 psi
Residual Pressure43 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)72.5-116 psi
Residual Pressure43 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 22.0; Rear: 26 Use; Front: 22; Rear: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 145; Rear: 75 use; Front: 145; Rear: 74
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.354; Rear: 0.315 Specifications

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install new bolt and tighten to 148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180 degrees.148 ft. lbs
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install new bolt and tighten to 148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180 degrees.148 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 36.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9022 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; coolant at 15,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 15,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
At 15,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 miAir Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Diesel Particulate Filter (inspect)
At 35,000 miBrake Rotor (inspect) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
Every 40,000 miBrake Rotor (inspect) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 55,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 75,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt Tensioner (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 2016 Audi A6/S6 lead in one area — the engine, 9 of 51 reports (18%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the engine, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine 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
997
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
51
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 51 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine9
Air Bags6
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Service Brakes3
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine2
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Steering2
Engine & Engine Cooling2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V035000Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel RailReported 16/01/2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Q7, A6 and A7 vehicles, and 2015-2018 Audi A8 vehicles. The left and right fuel rails may leak fuel. Remedy: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the left and right fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at…

18V862000Electrical System:WiringReported 05/12/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi A6 Sedans and 2015 Audi A7 vehicles. The auxiliary heater electrical connector on these vehicles may have been incorrectly inserted into… Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the auxiliary heater connector, replacing the auxiliary heater and connector, as necessary, free of charge. The recall…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 997 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_2074640_32026-06-26EngineThis bulletin provides information when there is increased oil consumption; >0.5ltr/1000…
TSB_2074729_32026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides informationwhen noises/vibration are detected from front of…
TSB_2059335_72026-06-23Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides information when there are noises from the area around the…
TSB_2082086_12026-06-22Power TrainThis bulletin provides informaiton when there is a leak on the oil hole between the…
TSB_2082323_12026-06-10EngineThis bulletin provides informaiton when the engine is not running smoothly, misfiring.

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. 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

Does the 2016 A6/S6 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 get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 34 highway / 28 combined mpg.