
Audi Q5 generally starts to consume engine oil after about 100,000 kilometers. Oil consumption refers to the new engine burning oil, which is caused by the large leakage of the piston ring gap in the engine. When the piston ring scrapes the cylinder wall oil and blows it into the crankcase, it vaporizes. The oil separator cannot completely separate the vaporized oil, which then enters the intake pipe and is sucked into the cylinder, resulting in oil consumption. The following is an introduction to related content: 1. Turbocharged engines are more prone to oil consumption than naturally aspirated engines: The reason is that the cylinder pressure in the engine is high, and the leakage of the piston ring gap is large. The greater the engine load, the more oil is consumed. If the throttle is not pressed so hard and the turbocharger does not work, it becomes a naturally aspirated engine, and oil consumption will be less. 2. Audi's oil consumption is also called excessive oil consumption, which has become an unavoidable problem for various high-end cars: Oil consumption is a gradually worsening process. From a new car not needing to add oil within a maintenance cycle, to slowly starting to need to add oil, initially burning 0.5 liters per thousand miles, gradually burning 0.8 liters, and later burning 1.2 liters.

Oil burning in the Audi Q5 is quite common, especially among my friends driving 2015 models. They often mention needing to top up engine oil every two to three months, otherwise the dashboard warning light comes on. These older Q5s use the EA888 engine, which has suboptimal piston ring design allowing oil to leak into the combustion chamber and burn off, exceeding the normal consumption standard of 0.5 liters per 1,000 km. If left unaddressed, accelerated wear could lead to costly major repairs. Regular maintenance is crucial—I recommend checking the dipstick weekly or every 1,000 km for early detection. Newer models like post-2020 Q5s have addressed these design issues with significantly reduced consumption. When buying used, prioritize vehicles with complete maintenance records.

My 2017 Audi Q5 has been driven for almost three years now, and it indeed consumes engine oil quite severely—I have to check it every 500 kilometers. After the last long trip, I noticed the oil was nearly depleted and had to quickly top it up with a liter. This issue has caused me significant extra expenses, but I still love its driving feel and responsive steering. From what I know, the EA888 engine's oil separator is prone to failure, leading to high consumption, and many owners complain about it on online forums. Switching to synthetic oil and upgraded parts later helped alleviate the problem somewhat. If you're buying a Q5, it's best to avoid specific model years like the 2014 to 2018 turbocharged versions. Sharing experiences with other owners can be a big help—safety always comes first.

The issue of excessive oil consumption in Audi Q5 was indeed quite common in earlier years, particularly in models from 2010 to 2018. A design flaw in the engine allowed oil to enter the combustion chamber and burn rapidly. Normal oil consumption should be within 0.5 liters per 1,000 kilometers, but exceeding this in actual measurements is a sign of malfunction. Audi later upgraded the system, and the problem has diminished since the 2019 model year. If the oil level drops, engine noise may increase, and carbon buildup can occur. Regular maintenance can prevent worsening of the condition—don't delay it.


