The Audi A5 2.0 TFSI is a popular choice among car enthusiasts, but it frequently struggles with excessive oil consumption. This issue is often caused by faulty oil control rings and piston rings in the EA888 engine family, especially in models from 2008 onwards with more than 80,000 kilometres on the clock. The result is that oil burns internally without you noticing a visible leak. What does this mean for your car, and how do you tackle it?
Why does the Audi A5 2.0 TFSI consume so much oil?
The high oil consumption in the Audi A5 with the 2.0 TFSI engine originates from the engine’s construction itself. The EA888 engine family, which is used in various Audi and Volkswagen models, is known for issues with piston rings and oil control rings. These components are responsible for scraping oil off the cylinder walls and preventing oil from entering the combustion chamber.
When these rings become worn or faulty, oil can creep up past the pistons and burn during the combustion process. This explains why you don’t see an external leak, even though the oil level drops. For some cars, this can be as much as 1 litre of oil per 1,000 kilometres, and in extreme cases, even up to 3 litres per 1,000 kilometres.
In addition to the piston rings, other factors also contribute to increased oil consumption:
- Faulty turbos that allow oil to pass through
- Issues with the crankcase ventilation
- Worn oil pumps
- Incorrect oil or overly long maintenance intervals
‘ Frequent short trips and cold starts exacerbate the wear, whereas regular longer journeys where the engine reaches its operating temperature can actually help. ’
Which models are affected by this problem?
The oil consumption issue mainly manifests in Audi A5 2.0 TFSI models built from 2008 onwards. This first generation of the EA888 engine appears to be more sensitive to this issue than later variants. The 1.8 TFSI engine, which shares the same technical basis, also displays similar complaints.
The problem usually becomes visible after the car has passed 80,000 kilometres, although some owners report symptoms earlier. Much depends on the maintenance history and the way the car has been used. Frequent short trips and cold starts exacerbate the wear, whereas regular longer journeys where the engine reaches its operating temperature can actually help.
How do you measure oil consumption in your A5?
To determine if your Audi A5 actually has increased oil consumption, it is best to measure it systematically. Start by checking the oil level when the engine is cold and on level ground. Note the mileage and top up to the maximum level if necessary.
Follow these steps for a reliable measurement:
- Check the oil level every 1,000 kilometres and note how much you need to add
- Keep this up for at least 5,000 kilometres for a representative picture
- Be aware of driving conditions: motorway kilometres consume oil differently than city traffic
- Simultaneously, check for blue smoke from the exhaust, which indicates oil burning
If you have to add more than 1 litre of oil per 2,000 kilometres, the consumption is a cause for concern. Some specialists still consider 1 litre per 5,000 kilometres to be acceptable, but structurally higher consumption requires further investigation.
Is this normal for older models?
Many Audi owners wonder whether increased oil consumption in an older engine is simply part of the car’s age. The answer is nuanced. While it is normal for an engine with higher mileage to consume slightly more oil due to natural wear, the consumption figures in the 2.0 TFSI are often disproportionate.
A healthy engine should consume minimal amounts of oil, but should hardly need topping up between maintenance intervals. However, for the A5 2.0 TFSI, owners report consumption levels far above this standard, even in relatively young examples with 100,000 kilometres. This points to a design vulnerability rather than normal wear.
The problem is exacerbated because burnt oil doesn’t just disappear; it can also contaminate the catalytic converter. This leads to additional damage and higher repair costs in the long run.
Solutions to the oil consumption problem
If you determine that your Audi A5 is consuming too much oil, there are several possible solutions. The most thorough approach is replacing the piston rings and oil control rings. This requires dismantling the engine, which is a costly repair that can easily run into several thousand euros.
Have the car fully diagnosed first. A specialist can determine if other components such as the turbo, crankcase ventilation or oil pumps are contributing to the problem. In some cases, replacing these parts is enough to reduce consumption.
Preventive measures and maintenance
Even if you are not experiencing problems now, you can act preventively to reduce the risk of high oil consumption:
- Always use engine oil according to the correct VW/Audi specification
- Change the oil earlier than the maximum maintenance intervals prescribe
- Check the oil level regularly, especially before long trips
- Warm up the engine properly before putting it under heavy load
- Have issues with the turbo or crankcase ventilation repaired immediately
Some owners experiment with thicker oil to reduce consumption, but this is not a structural solution. The engine design is intended for a specific oil viscosity, and deviating from this can cause other problems without addressing the underlying cause.
Risks of ignoring burnt oil
It can be tempting to simply top up the oil regularly and keep driving, but this carries risks. Burnt oil puts a strain on the catalytic converter and can damage it over time. A faulty catalytic converter is expensive to replace and can also lead to MOT failure.
Furthermore, structural oil consumption indicates internal engine wear that worsens the longer you wait. In extreme cases, this can lead to serious engine damage or even total engine failure. Owners on forums share stories about engines that eventually give up after long periods of ignoring high oil consumption.
Pay attention to warning signs such as blue smoke from the exhaust, loss of power or irregular engine running. These symptoms indicate that the problem is worsening and immediate action is required.
Practical tips for A5 owners
As the owner of an Audi A5 2.0 TFSI, you can stay ahead of problems with a few practical habits. Check the oil level briefly via the display or dipstick every time you refuel. Keep a small bottle of spare oil in the boot, especially for longer journeys.
Document your oil consumption carefully if you suspect there is a problem. This not only helps with diagnosis but can also be useful in discussions with dealers or garages regarding warranty or goodwill. Some owners have had success filing complaints with the importer when the problem manifests early.
Are you buying a used A5 2.0 TFSI? Have it checked thoroughly by a specialist first. Ask about the oil consumption in the past and check whether previous repairs to the engine or turbo have been carried out. A car with a full maintenance history and proven low oil consumption is a safer choice than one without documentation.
On the Carnews website, you will find much more information about common problems with different car brands and practical maintenance tips. Discover more articles about Audi models and learn how to proactively prevent and resolve issues.
Frequently asked questions
The Audi A5 2.0 TFSI is known for increased oil consumption because certain engine series (including the EA888) have structurally sensitive piston and oil control rings, which causes oil to be burnt along the cylinder walls. In addition, issues with the turbo, crankcase ventilation, and oil pump can further increase internal oil consumption without visible leaks. Poor or long-delayed maintenance and incorrect oil specifications exacerbate this wear. As a result, oil consumption of 1 litre per 1,000–2,000 km or more occurs in some examples, and consequential damage, such as contaminated catalytic converters, can also arise.
Important causes include wear or a design issue with the piston rings/oil control rings, causing more oil to enter the combustion chamber along the cylinder wall. Issues with the turbo (bearings and seals) and crankcase ventilation/breather can also cause extra oil consumption. Furthermore, a worn or suboptimal oil pump can contribute to unfavourable lubrication and consumption. Finally, a combination of long maintenance intervals and potentially incorrect oil specifications plays a role in accelerated internal wear.
Watch out for an oil light that comes on more often than normal and check if the oil level drops noticeably between services (for example, more than about 1 litre per 2,000 km). If you notice a burnt-oil smell more frequently, blue smoke from the exhaust when accelerating or idling for long periods, that may also indicate oil burning. Keep an eye on whether the engine runs irregularly, has less pulling power, or produces more smoke during a cold start. Regularly check the oil level with the dipstick, especially before long trips, to detect anomalies early.
Effective structural solutions are often replacing the pistons and (oil) control rings with the modified set that Audi released later, sometimes in combination with honing the cylinder walls. Additionally, thoroughly checking and, if necessary, renewing the crankcase ventilation/PCV valve and checking or replacing a worn turbo that is leaking oil helps. Using the prescribed VW/Audi oil specification and shorter change intervals can limit consumption, but does not solve severe internal wear. In practice, it turns out that only after drastic internal engine adjustments does the oil consumption in problem engines truly decrease substantially and permanently.
Prolonged high oil consumption can lead to accelerated wear of pistons, piston rings, and cylinder walls, causing the engine to lose its compression and deliver less power. In addition, burnt oil can contaminate the catalytic converter and other emission components, requiring expensive repairs or replacement. Ultimately, untreated oil consumption can lead to serious engine damage or even engine seizure if the oil level becomes too low.
There are alternative oil viscosities (for example, a slightly thicker oil for a warm engine, such as 5W-40 instead of 5W-30) that in some cases can slightly limit oil consumption, but you should only deviate if this falls within the specifications allowed by Audi/VW. More importantly, the oil must always comply with the correct VW/Audi specification (e.g. VW 504.00/507.00, depending on the engine and year of manufacture) and you should adhere to shorter change intervals than the maximum long-life intervals. Non-original or overly thin oil, or oil without the correct VW approval, can actually increase oil consumption or accelerate problems. Always have the engine technically checked in the event of noticeably high consumption; simply switching to a different oil is rarely a structural solution in those cases.
