Audi A8, S8, 4E (USA)

Brake fluid capacity & service interval

Audi A8, S8, 4E (USA) models require 1 liter of brake fluid. Service intervals include checks at 5000, 10000, 15000, and 20000 miles or 12 months, and a fluid change every 24 months. The data covers 16 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

TypeSpecifications
A8 4.2 V8 quattro (257 kW) (2007-2010)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 10000 miles/ 12 months
  • Change 24 months
A8 4.2 V8 quattro (257 kW) (2007-2010)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 5000 miles/ 12 months
A8 6.0 W12 quattro (331 kW) (2007-2009)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 10000 miles/ 12 months
  • Change 24 months
A8 6.0 W12 quattro (331 kW) (2007-2009)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 5000 miles/ 12 months
S8 5.2 V10 FSI quattro (331 kW) (2007-2009)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 10000 miles/ 12 months
  • Change 24 months
S8 5.2 V10 FSI quattro (331 kW) (2007-2009)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 5000 miles/ 12 months
A8 4.2 V8 quattro (257 kW) (2006-2007)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 10000 miles/ 12 months
  • Change 24 months
A8 4.2 V8 quattro (257 kW) (2006-2007)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 5000 miles/ 12 months
S8 5.2 V10 FSI quattro (331 kW) (2006-2007)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 20000 miles/ 12 months
S8 5.2 V10 FSI quattro (331 kW) (2006-2007)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 12 months
A8 4.2 V8 quattro (246 kW) (2005-2006)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 10000 miles/ 12 months
  • Change 24 months
A8 4.2 V8 quattro (246 kW) (2005-2006)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 5000 miles/ 12 months
A8 6.0 W12 quattro (331 kW) (2004-2007)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 10000 miles/ 12 months
  • Change 24 months
A8 6.0 W12 quattro (331 kW) (2004-2007)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 5000 miles/ 12 months
A8 4.2 V8 quattro (246 kW) (2002-2005)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 10000 miles/ 12 months
  • Change 24 months
A8 4.2 V8 quattro (246 kW) (2002-2005)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 1 liter
  • Check 5000 miles/ 12 months

Additional Notes

  • The brake system capacity across all configurations of the Audi A8, S8, 4E (USA) — covering the 4.2 V8, 6.0 W12, and 5.2 V10 FSI engines — is uniformly specified at 1 liter. A 1-liter figure for a brake system represents a service fill volume, meaning the quantity needed to top up or replace fluid during routine maintenance rather than a full hydraulic system overhaul.
  • All A8 configurations, spanning the 4.2 V8 quattro (246 kW and 257 kW) and the 6.0 W12 quattro (331 kW), share an identical normal-use service schedule: a check interval of 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first, paired with a fluid change every 24 months. The 24-month change interval reflects the hygroscopic nature of brake fluid, which absorbs moisture over time and lowers its boiling point regardless of mileage.
  • Under the first-check-only condition, all A8 variants — both V8 and W12 — require an earlier inspection at 5,000 miles or 12 months. A first-check-only interval is a one-time, break-in-period inspection that does not recur on subsequent service cycles.
  • The S8 5.2 V10 FSI quattro (331 kW) for 2006-2007 carries a notably different normal-use check interval of 20,000 miles or 12 months, compared to the 10,000-mile interval applied to all A8 variants. The 2007-2009 S8 V10 FSI specification reverts to the 10,000-mile or 12-month check interval with a 24-month change cycle, aligning with the A8 schedule.
  • The first-check-only interval for the S8 5.2 V10 FSI quattro (331 kW) in 2006-2007 is set at 15,000 miles or 12 months, which is three times the 5,000-mile first-check interval used by all A8 configurations and by the later 2007-2009 S8 specification.
  • The S8 5.2 V10 FSI quattro (331 kW) for 2006-2007 does not carry a fluid change interval in the normal-use specification, whereas the 2007-2009 S8 V10 FSI normal-use row includes a 24-month change interval alongside the check schedule.
  • The 4.2 V8 quattro appears across two distinct power output ratings within the 2002-2010 range: 246 kW, covering 2002-2006, and 257 kW, covering 2006-2010. Despite the difference in output, both ratings carry identical brake fluid capacity and service interval specifications across all use conditions.
  • The 6.0 W12 quattro (331 kW) and the later S8 5.2 V10 FSI quattro (331 kW) share the same rated output figure, yet the W12 and the 2006-2007 V10 FSI carry different normal-use check intervals — 10,000 miles and 20,000 miles respectively — while both are specified at 1 liter capacity.

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