8L S3 Dealer Servicing FAQ
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First up, the boring bit:
The following details the servicing requirements for the 8L S3. This FAQ is not intended as any kind of replacement or authoritative information. Such information below is provided as-is, and no liability will be taken by the author for its accuracy, or any damage/injury arising from its content. As you, the reader, the responsibility is with YOURSELF to ensure its accuracy and I can only recommend that you check this with your AUDI dealer, or AUDI UK.
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Audi Service Schedules fall into two types:
Longlife Servicing
--------------------------
Post facelift cars left the factory set for Longlife Servicing. Longlife servicing is an inspection service with flexible intervals, shown by the service indicator on the DIS. A longlife service interval can be up to a maximum of 24 months. Brake fluid is replaced every 24 months.
Standard Interval Servicing
--------------------------------------
Pre-facelift S3's, and those that have had their service interval settings changed, are set to Standard interval servicing. This service always comprises of an oil change every 12 months (or 10k miles), and an Inspection service every 24 months (or 20k miles), including a brake fluid change.
The work performed in these services is outlined as follows:
Normal service
-----------------------
Engine oil dropped and replaced
Engine looked at for leaks and damage
Battery level checked
Antifreeze checked
Dust and pollen filter replaced
DTC's checked and cleared
Exhaust checked for leaks
Brake pads checked
Brake system checked for leaks and damage
Brake fluid checked
Engine, gearbox and CV boots checked
Oil level in gearbox checked
Swivel joint boots checked
Under body sealant checked
Tyre tread, wear pattern, and pressures checked
Track rod ends checked for play, and boots checked
Door check straps and lock cylinders lubricated
Sunroof guide rails cleaned and lubricated
Lights, indicators, hazards, dash lights and horn checked
Headlamp washers and settings checked
Headlight alignment checked
Service indicator reset
Additional service work every 20k miles
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Haldex Oil changed
Additional service work every 40k miles
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Air filter replaced and airbox cleaned
Hydraulic fluid checked
Spark plugs replaced
Haldex Oil filter changed
Additional service work every 24 months
---------------------------------------------------------
Brake fluid changed
Additional service work every 14 years
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Replacement of ALL airbags
Remember when comparing AUDI dealer servicing with independent specialist (and even other VAG group dealerships) servicing to obtain a list of all work that the service includes. Certain items above, such as door lock lubrication, and sunroof guide cleaning and lubricating are essential to ensure the longevity of such components, and prevent failure later in the vehicles life - make sure they are done, as replacement of these items can be expensive.
When booking your S3 into a dealership for a service, do not assume that because your car has done 20/40/80k miles that it will have the corresponding service performed. Such "Additional Work" HAS to be asked for separately - such examples are Haldex filter and oil renewal and brake fluid replacement. If in any doubt, check with the dealer the work that they are about to perform - it costs less to get the work done all at once as you can negotiate a much better total cost of the work to be done.
One item not discussed here is the replacement of the cam belt, tensioners or the water pump. There are plenty of posts on this forum to help you decide when it's best to replace them.
Another topic not discussed here is variable vs. interval servicing. Again, search the forum for many views on this.
The final point about dealer servicing is HAGGLE. Start getting prices for your impending service well before it's needed. The prices given to you are not final, and you can save, in my experience, over £100 by playing dealerships off each other, or simply by stating that the price they quoted is too much.
Please post your servicing experiences and costs below, stating where and when it was serviced, what was included, and how much it cost.....
Hopefully then we can get a picture of the best places to take our s3's, or, more importantly, where not to take them....
---------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
First up, the boring bit:
The following details the servicing requirements for the 8L S3. This FAQ is not intended as any kind of replacement or authoritative information. Such information below is provided as-is, and no liability will be taken by the author for its accuracy, or any damage/injury arising from its content. As you, the reader, the responsibility is with YOURSELF to ensure its accuracy and I can only recommend that you check this with your AUDI dealer, or AUDI UK.
----------------------------------------------------------
Audi Service Schedules fall into two types:
Longlife Servicing
--------------------------
Post facelift cars left the factory set for Longlife Servicing. Longlife servicing is an inspection service with flexible intervals, shown by the service indicator on the DIS. A longlife service interval can be up to a maximum of 24 months. Brake fluid is replaced every 24 months.
Standard Interval Servicing
--------------------------------------
Pre-facelift S3's, and those that have had their service interval settings changed, are set to Standard interval servicing. This service always comprises of an oil change every 12 months (or 10k miles), and an Inspection service every 24 months (or 20k miles), including a brake fluid change.
The work performed in these services is outlined as follows:
Normal service
-----------------------
Engine oil dropped and replaced
Engine looked at for leaks and damage
Battery level checked
Antifreeze checked
Dust and pollen filter replaced
DTC's checked and cleared
Exhaust checked for leaks
Brake pads checked
Brake system checked for leaks and damage
Brake fluid checked
Engine, gearbox and CV boots checked
Oil level in gearbox checked
Swivel joint boots checked
Under body sealant checked
Tyre tread, wear pattern, and pressures checked
Track rod ends checked for play, and boots checked
Door check straps and lock cylinders lubricated
Sunroof guide rails cleaned and lubricated
Lights, indicators, hazards, dash lights and horn checked
Headlamp washers and settings checked
Headlight alignment checked
Service indicator reset
Additional service work every 20k miles
-------------------------------------------------------
Haldex Oil changed
Additional service work every 40k miles
--------------------------------------------------------
Air filter replaced and airbox cleaned
Hydraulic fluid checked
Spark plugs replaced
Haldex Oil filter changed
Additional service work every 24 months
---------------------------------------------------------
Brake fluid changed
Additional service work every 14 years
-------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of ALL airbags
Remember when comparing AUDI dealer servicing with independent specialist (and even other VAG group dealerships) servicing to obtain a list of all work that the service includes. Certain items above, such as door lock lubrication, and sunroof guide cleaning and lubricating are essential to ensure the longevity of such components, and prevent failure later in the vehicles life - make sure they are done, as replacement of these items can be expensive.
When booking your S3 into a dealership for a service, do not assume that because your car has done 20/40/80k miles that it will have the corresponding service performed. Such "Additional Work" HAS to be asked for separately - such examples are Haldex filter and oil renewal and brake fluid replacement. If in any doubt, check with the dealer the work that they are about to perform - it costs less to get the work done all at once as you can negotiate a much better total cost of the work to be done.
One item not discussed here is the replacement of the cam belt, tensioners or the water pump. There are plenty of posts on this forum to help you decide when it's best to replace them.
Another topic not discussed here is variable vs. interval servicing. Again, search the forum for many views on this.
The final point about dealer servicing is HAGGLE. Start getting prices for your impending service well before it's needed. The prices given to you are not final, and you can save, in my experience, over £100 by playing dealerships off each other, or simply by stating that the price they quoted is too much.
Please post your servicing experiences and costs below, stating where and when it was serviced, what was included, and how much it cost.....
Hopefully then we can get a picture of the best places to take our s3's, or, more importantly, where not to take them....
