Audi R8, 42 (USA)

Coolant capacity & service interval

Audi R8, 42 (USA) models require coolant with a capacity range of 23 to 25 liters. Service intervals consist of checks at 15000 miles or 12 months, 20000 miles or 12 months, 15000 miles or 24 months, and 20000 miles or 24 months. The data covers 16 configurations.

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

TypeSpecifications
R8 4.2 FSI quattro (316 kW) (2013-2015)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 25 liter
  • Check 20000 miles/ 24 months
R8 4.2 FSI quattro (316 kW) (2013-2015)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 25 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 24 months
R8 5.2 FSI plus quattro (404 kW) (2013-2015)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 25 liter
  • Check 20000 miles/ 24 months
R8 5.2 FSI plus quattro (404 kW) (2013-2015)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 25 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 24 months
R8 5.2 FSI quattro (386 kW) (2013-2015)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 25 liter
  • Check 20000 miles/ 24 months
R8 5.2 FSI quattro (386 kW) (2013-2015)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 25 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 24 months
R8 5.2 FSI quattro (412 kW) (2011-2013)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 25 liter
  • Check 20000 miles/ 24 months
R8 5.2 FSI quattro (412 kW) (2011-2013)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 25 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 24 months
R8 4.2 FSI quattro (316 kW) (2010-2013)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 23-25 liter
  • Check 20000 miles/ 24 months
R8 4.2 FSI quattro (316 kW) (2010-2013)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 23-25 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 24 months
R8 5.2 FSI quattro (386 kW) (2010-2012)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 24 liter
  • Check 20000 miles/ 24 months
R8 5.2 FSI quattro (386 kW) (2010-2012)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 24 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 24 months
R8 5.2 FSI quattro (386 kW) (2008-2010)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 24 liter
  • Check 20000 miles/ 12 months
R8 5.2 FSI quattro (386 kW) (2008-2010)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 24 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 12 months
R8 4.2 FSI quattro (309 kW) (2007-2010)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 23 liter
  • Check 20000 miles/ 12 months
R8 4.2 FSI quattro (309 kW) (2007-2010)
  • Use: First check only
  • Capacity 23 liter
  • Check 15000 miles/ 12 months

Additional Notes

  • The Audi R8 42 (USA) cooling system capacities across all listed variants fall within a 23 to 25 liter range, which is consistent with a mid-engine supercar layout where coolant must circulate through a rear-mounted engine, front-mounted radiators, and extended plumbing runs throughout the chassis.
  • The 4.2 FSI quattro at 309 kW, covering 2007-2010, carries a fixed 23 liter capacity, while later 316 kW versions of the same displacement show a range of 23-25 liters for 2010-2013 and a fixed 25 liters for 2013-2015, reflecting incremental changes to the cooling circuit across production updates.
  • The 5.2 FSI quattro at 386 kW holds 24 liters for the 2008-2012 period, then rises to 25 liters for 2013-2015, a shift shared by the 412 kW and 404 kW plus variants, both of which specify 25 liters from their respective start years.
  • A first check only interval of 15000 miles or 12 months applies to the 4.2 FSI quattro at 309 kW and the 5.2 FSI quattro at 386 kW for 2008-2010. This shorter initial interval is separate from the standard recurring schedule and is used to verify coolant condition and level after the system has completed its first extended operating cycle.
  • Beginning with the 2010-onward variants across both the 4.2 and 5.2 engine families, the time component of the check interval extended from 12 months to 24 months. The mileage trigger of 20000 miles for normal use and 15000 miles for the first check remained unchanged across this transition.
  • The normal use interval of 20000 miles or 24 months applies uniformly to all variants from 2010 onward, regardless of displacement or power output, covering the 316 kW 4.2 FSI, the 386 kW 5.2 FSI, the 412 kW 5.2 FSI, and the 404 kW 5.2 FSI plus.
  • The 5.2 FSI quattro at 412 kW, spanning 2011-2013, shares the same 25 liter capacity and identical 20000 mile or 24 month normal interval as the 404 kW plus variant from 2013-2015, despite the difference in power output between the two configurations.
  • A capacity figure of 23-25 liters, as listed for the 316 kW variant in 2010-2013, represents a specified range rather than a single value. In cooling system contexts, such a range typically accounts for variation between a drain-and-refill service fill and a full system flush, or for differences between manual and pressure-fill procedures.

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