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2004 Audi A8/S8/A8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 A8/S8/A8.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

As a full-size passenger car, the 2004 Audi A8/S8 lineup routes power through an S6 automatic transmission to deliver an EPA-estimated 16 city and 22 highway miles per gallon. The engine's mechanical demands are similarly specific, requiring a substantial 7.9 quarts of 5W-30, 5W-40, or 10W-30 API oil for proper lubrication. Within the model's broader reliability history, this year represents a notably stable chapter, marked by just one recall and 20 total owner complaints. This positions the 2004 model as a generally dependable iteration of the flagship, where owner grievances are primarily confined to visibility issues rather than systemic mechanical failures.

Model year2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity7.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 95R · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 079198405A. 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 95R · 850 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size235-55R17OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	079198405A
Engine air filter	4E0129620C
Fuel filter	1J0201511A
Spark plug	101905616 alt 101905615A
Battery	000915089K
Front wiper blades	4E1955425D alt 4E1955426D
Thermostat	077121113D
Cabin air filter	4E0819439A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	107 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 7.9 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Audi part number G055005A2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	11.9
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.9 Pints
Engine Oil Capacity	7.9 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE AUDI PART NO. G002000 OR G004000

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	9 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.2

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

89 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	0.3-0.5 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	VW
Spark Plug Gap	0.028-0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque	22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Standard BCI Group Number	95R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	17-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	179 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	58.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	52.0 psi
Residual Pressure	36 psi
Engine Compression	145-203 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	140 ft-lbs / 103 ft-lbs / 89 ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.417 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.417 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.338 in / 1.259 in / 1.102 in / 0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 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 every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 55,000 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Windshield Washer System (inspect)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Windshield Washer System (inspect fluid level)
Every 10,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Windshield Washer System (inspect)
At 15,000 mi	Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Decklid Hinge (lubricate) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Decklid Hinge (lubricate) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
At 35,000 mi	Power Steering System (inspect fluid level)
Every 40,000 mi	Air Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect)
At 55,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plugs (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 2004 Audi A8/S8/A8 lead in one area — the visibility, 4 of 20 reports (20%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the visibility 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

209

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 20 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility4

Vehicle Speed Control3

Vehicle Speed Control,Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes1

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Electrical System,Service Brakes1

Suspension,Vehicle Speed Control,Equipment,Traction Control System1

Suspension1

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 209 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
A0023742052680_4	2023-10-04	Equipment	This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety…
A4021312024318_1	2021-12-22	Wheels	This technical service bulletin provides instructions for correcting a clicking sound…
A0021482021205_6	2021-06-25	Structure	This informational bulletin explains how to order replacement VIN plates, Safety…
A4020052024318_9	2020-05-13	Wheels	This technical service bulletin provides instructions for correcting a clicking sound…
A0020362002047_1	2020-04-16	Equipment	This information bulletin contains instructions for technicans on how to ensure their TAC…

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 A8/S8/A8. 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 95R battery Vehicles taking 7.9 qt Engine oil filter 079198405A Engine air filter 4E0129620C Fuel filter 1J0201511A Spark plug 101905616

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 2004 A8/S8/A8 take?

7.9 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 2004 A8/S8/A8 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the A8/S8/A8 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.