In this update to Project Practical Performance, I'm going to cover how you can start off ownership of a used vehicle on the right foot with a PPI service and a proper initial maintenance service. I'm a firm believer that performing proper initial maintenance on a used car leads to a longer lifespan with fewer headaches during ownership. This is especially true if you are planning on installing any performance modifications that could potentially add stress to your vehicle.
PPI: What It Is, and Why You Need One
One of the many services that we offer at NGP is a PPI. This stands for either a Pre-Purchase Inspection or a Post-Purchase Inspection. During a PPI, we go over a vehicle from roof to tires and let you know of any problem areas or service needs that we find. If you're a performance enthusiast, getting a PPI is especially important because some modifications and performance upgrades can quickly exacerbate existing issues.
To make sure that it was ready for all of the upgrades and modifications I have planned, and to ensure that everything is working properly, Project Practical Performance received a PPI service immediately after it was purchased. While I have a lot of experience working with Audis, I decided that it was best to leave this in the hands of an Audi master tech with over 35 years of experience working on them. He thoroughly examined the Allroad and gave me his diagnosis.
Fortunately, the only items that needed to be addressed were a worn out rear wiper blade and intake valve carbon buildup. I already anticipated it wouldn't need a lot of service work because the previous owner of this Allroad methodically took it in for every single item on Audi's maintenance schedule. For those shopping for a used Audi or VW, I cannot stress enough how important it is to look at the previous maintenance of the vehicle before making your purchase.
Proper Maintenance is Key
Many people often incorrectly assume that they can get away with avoiding certain services with their German vehicle. These are often the same people that improperly label German cars as being unreliable. Its unfortunate, but most modern German vehicles aren't built like a 1990s Honda Civic. With many German vehicles, you can't get away with simply doing only oil changes for hundreds of thousands of miles and expect things to keep running properly. Instead, following the factory maintenance schedule is key to keeping it running as the German engineers intended.
The B9 A4 Allroad is no different, with several items to be serviced in its maintenance schedule. While the dealership I purchased this Allroad from had performed an oil change on it, they're a Honda dealership
LIQUI MOLY Platinum Oil Change Service
To make sure that my engine is in good shape before I start adding power, I opted to perform a Platinum LIQUI MOLY oil change service. This service involves performing a full engine flush, oil and filter change, friction additive, and a fuel system treatment.
At NGP, we offer several different tiers of LIQUI MOLY oil change services. If you're interested learning more about the different tiers of LIQUI MOLY oil change services that we offer at our two professional service centers, please check out the complete guide here. Below you'll find a breakdown of everything I'm doing during the platinum service.
I'm starting off with the LIQUI MOLY Pro-Line Engine Flush service first. This flush cleans out the oil passages and removes any build-up or lacquer that may inhibit oil from moving through the engine smoothly. Performing this flush means I have a good starting point for my oil changes going forward because any old oil or build-up that was present has been completely cleaned out. It also helps prevents corrosion on the exposed metal surfaces of the engine. Using it is easy: just add it the existing oil, let the engine idle for about 10 minutes and then drain it.
Next up, for the actual oil change service, I'm using LIQUI MOLY's tried and true Leichlauf 5w40 oil. I have been a huge fan of this oil for well over a decade. It's never let me down and I always get consistent results whenever I send a sample in to Blackstone Labs for testing. For the filter, I'm going with a MANN filter, though I am also a fan of Hengst and Mahle filters as well. I'll also be replacing the drain plug with a new genuine Audi/VW version.
For the friction additive, I chose to go with LIQUI MOLY Cera Tec to ensure that the engine components move as smoothly as possible. Cera Tec does this by reducing friction and wear thanks to its ceramic compounds that withstand extremely high chemical and thermal loads. This prevents direct metal-to-metal contact, which can increase the engine service life as a result. This low-friction effect also helps to reduce fuel consumption since the engine doesn't have to work as hard. The benefits of Cera Tec last a long time, so I generally recommend using it once a year, or roughly every 20k miles.
Finally, I'm going to use the LIQUI MOLY Pro-Line Gasoline System Cleaner to clean out the fuel system. This additive purges any build-up and deposits present in the fuel system. This is especially beneficial in Gen 3 TSI engines as they do not have a replaceable fuel filter. I typically recommend adding this to your fuel at each oil change interval to ensure the fuel system stays completely clean and in good working order.
Doing all of this at the first oil change service goes a long way towards making sure that the engine in this Allroad lasts for many years and miles to come.
Professional Service Or DIY, NGP Has You Covered
If you're in the DMV area and you would like to have a professional service shop perform your oil change service, we have you covered with our two locations in either Northern Maryland or Northern Virginia. As mentioned above, we provide several tiers of LIQUI MOLY oil change services to suit your specific needs.
If you're the DIY type (or simply not local to one of our shops), we also have LIQUI MOLY oil change kits for just about every major Audi or VW engine available. These kits are available with or without the additives and cleaners that I used in my own service.
Coming Up Next
In the next update to Project Practical Performance, I cover the decarbonization service that our technician recommended during the PPI so that we can make sure its ready for some fun upgrades.