A 2012 Audi Q5’s oil capacity is 4.9 quarts for the 2.0L engine and 6.6 quarts for the 6.2L engine. When shopping for oil, be sure to know the size of your engine.

If you own a 2012 Audi Q5, count yourself lucky. Edmunds gave the 2012 Q5 high marks for interior craftsmanship, great crash scores, and excellent handling. It’s a fun and sporty SUV.

Staying on top of routine maintenance such as oil changes is essential if you want to keep your Q5 in top condition and save money, especially since

Q5 car insurance rates

are expensive.

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2012 Audi Q5 engine oil capacity.

The 2012 Audi Q5 oil capacity is 4.9 quarts or 6.6 quarts of SAE 0W-40 synthetic motor oil, depending on your engine size.

You may be wondering what 0W-40 means. The first number (0) refers to the viscosity (thickness) of the oil in cold temperatures, like your car’s starting temperature. The second number (40) is the oil’s viscosity at typical operating temperatures, usually 212 degrees.

Many brands sell their oil in containers marked with liters instead of quarts. This isn’t a problem as long as you remember that a liter is slightly more than a quart.

What kind of oil does a 2012 Audi Q5 need?

Once you’ve figured out your 2012 Audi Q5’s oil capacity, you’ll need to determine what type of oil to use: conventional or synthetic.

It may be tempting to go with the less expensive conventional oil, but keep in mind that Audi recommends a fully synthetic oil.

What are the advantages of synthetic oil? Synthetics typically have a higher-quality oil base, which means you can go longer between oil changes. However, the fact that it is higher-quality means it is also better for your engine.

Let’s say you decide to go with synthetic oil—which brand should you choose? Again, you might decide to review your owner’s manual, which recommends FRAM. However, there are many reputable options out there. Take a look at the list below, which was compiled from the recommendations of other Q5 owners.

FRAM - Full Synthetic 5W-40 European Motor Oil

Mobil 1 FS European Car Formula Full Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-40

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic 0W-40 Motor Oil

Reminder: Don’t forget to change your Q5’s oil filter when you change your oil. Expect to pay about $20 for a good quality filter.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

How often to change oil on a 2012 Audi Q5

With conventional oil, the traditional guidance is to change your oil every 3,500 to 5,000 miles. If you use synthetic oil, this interval can be longer: up to 7,500-10,000 miles.

However, most car experts don’t recommend going quite so long, particularly if your Audi is older and has high mileage. If you have an older SUV, don’t go any more than 5,000 miles between oil changes.

Why should you change the oil more frequently in older vehicles? In short, engine wear. Even if your Q5’s engine purrs like a kitten, after being on the road for 10+ years, its components are worn. This results in higher oil consumption, so to keep your engine in top shape, you’ll want to change your oil more often.

When you’re between oil changes, you should check your oil and oil levels. Do this by pulling out the dipstick and inspecting the oil. Look for these issues that indicate your Q5 needs an oil change:

Black or dark brown oil

Gritty feeling or coarse oil

A burning smell

Loud engine noises

MORE:

Audi lug pattern guide

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How to change your oil and oil filter

Learning to change the oil in your Q5 can be empowering and make you a more informed SUV owner. Before you change the oil in your Q5, assemble the following:

5 or 7 quarts of SAE 0W-40 synthetic oil, depending on your engine size

A 2012 Audi Q5 oil filter with new washer

Oil funnel to pour in new oil

Ratchet to unscrew the drain plug

Torx driver to remove the screws in the panel covering the oil drain plug area

New crush washer for re-installing the drain plug

Drain pan (for used oil) and paper towels and cardboard to protect your garage floor from used oil

Jack stand (or Rhino ramps) and wheel chocks to secure your Q5

Park your Q5 in a level area, start your Audi’s engine, and let it run for about five minutes. You’ll want to do this so that the used oil will easily flow out of the engine.

After the engine has warmed up, shut off the engine and put it in park with the emergency brake on.

After placing wheel chocks behind the rear wheels, jack up the front of your Q5 so that you can slide underneath easily.

You will need to remove the protective front panel underneath the front of the Q5. This panel covers the drain bolt. Use a Torx driver to unscrew the screws and place the panel to the side, away from the area so that it does not get oil on it.

Place your oil collection bucket underneath the drain bolt. Then unscrew the bolt with the ratchet. The oil should easily drain out into the bucket.

After the old oil has fully drained out, replace the drain bolt using a new crush washer. Tighten to the torque spec. Then replace the protective front panel.

Go under the hood and remove the old

oil filter

Install the new filter and washer. Using the funnel, pour in the new oil.

Replace the oil fill cap.

Now, start your Q5’s engine and check to be sure there are no leaks. After the engine has been running for a few minutes, turn it back off, and using the dipstick, check to see if you need to add a bit more oil.

When you’re done, be sure to get rid of the old oil responsibly. Old oil must be recycled. Luckily, many auto parts stores and recycling centers are required to take used motor oil, so call around to find out where you can dispose of your oil ahead of time.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Audi car insurance costs

can be expensive. In addition to doing things like oil changes yourself, you’ll want to make sure you compare car insurance rates to find the best savings possible on your coverage.

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