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2008 Audi RS4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 RS4.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Manual 6-spd

The 2008 Audi RS4 is a passenger car specified with a 10.0-quart engine-oil capacity, a 5W-30/5W-40 API viscosity requirement, and a six-speed manual transmission, carrying EPA fuel-economy ratings of 13 city/20 highway/15 combined mpg. That service profile—especially the large oil volume—anchors its mechanical identity for anyone researching this model. In reliability terms, the 2008 model year records just three owner complaints, with Engine & Engine Cooling cited as the top complaint area, alongside three recalls; the low complaint total suggests a relatively quiet ownership record, though the engine-cooling concentration is the area to examine first.

Model year2008 2007

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity10.0 qtOEM · verified

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

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy13/20/15 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 079198405E. Note the factory serpentine belt is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 · 850 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnTURNOEM · verified

Tire sizeP255-35R19OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	079198405E
Engine air filter	079133843A
Fuel filter	4F0201511E
Spark plug	101905621C
Battery	000915089BE alt 000915089J
Front wiper blades	4B1955425C alt 8H1955426C
Serpentine belt	079903137S discontinued
Thermostat	079121119C alt 079121115E
Cabin air filter	8E0819439

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Manual 6-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	13 / 20 / 15 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	89 cu ft
Cargo volume	13 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RS4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.2–4.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.20 sec — 2007 RS 4 Quattro Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2007	RS 4 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	4.20 sec	13.30 sec	420 hp	AWD
2007	RS 4 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	4.30 sec	12.80 sec	420 hp	AWD
2007	RS 4 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	4.50 sec	13.10 sec	420 hp	AWD
2007	RS 4 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	4.50 sec	13.00 sec	420 hp	AWD
2007	RS 4 Quattro Sedan 4.2L V8	4.60 sec	13.20 sec	420 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 10.0 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.1 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.9 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	10.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE AUDI PART NO. G002000 OR G004000

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.1 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
Spark Plug Torque	22.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Standard BCI Group Number	49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	850 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188 °F
Engine Compression	145-203 PSI @ RPM. 44 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs / 22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	55 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs / 147 ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., step 2: 22 ft. lbs., 90

15 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45

44 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

in sequence 1-10

6 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

hand tighten, step 2

15 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) · Windshield Wiper Blade (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) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
At 15,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Belt Tensioner (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
At 35,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Hood Latch (lubricate) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level)
Every 35,000 mi	Headlamp (inspect alignment)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Evaporator Case Drain (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Hood Latch (lubricate)
At 55,000 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.

The 2008 Audi RS4 recorded three complaints and three recalls, whereas the 2004 model year had zero complaints and one recall. Technical service bulletins also rose sharply from 35 in 2004 to 241 in 2008, while investigations remained at zero for both years. This upward trend in reported issues suggests that the 2008 model experienced more field problems than its predecessor within the same generation. Because the data do not specify root causes for the complaints or recalls, any assessment of underlying defects would be speculative. Consequently, the 2008 RS4 appears less favorable from a reliability standpoint, making it a less attractive purchase unless the price adequately compensates for the higher likelihood of service needs.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

241

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

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

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Unknown Or Other1

Suspension1

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 241 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
A9124632044694_3	2024-02-07	Equipment	This bulletin provides information pertaining to MMI Navigation database concerns.
A912306202432310	2023-12-21	Electrical System	This bulletin provides information when the parking assistance provides false warnings.
A9023562032113_8	2023-11-16	Electrical System	This bulletin provides general information about the outside air temperature reading.
A0023812070568_2	2023-11-07	Equipment	This bulletin provides information on the VAS 611 015 PICO-NVH tool for professional…
A9423672071954_1	2023-10-30	Exterior Lighting	This bulletin provides information pertaining to when there are foreign objects inside of…

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 RS4. 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 battery Vehicles taking 10.0 qt Engine oil filter 079198405E Engine air filter 079133843A Fuel filter 4F0201511E Spark plug 101905621C

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 2008 RS4 take?

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

Does the 2008 RS4 have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the RS4 get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 20 highway / 15 combined mpg.