Is it normal for my Audi S5 4.2 V8 to burn oil, and should I worry about the timing chain?

Short answer: Some oil use is normal on the 4.2 V8, about a quart between changes. A sudden jump usually means a leak. Listen on a cold start: a rattle lasting several seconds points to the timing chain tensioners or guides, which is a big job.

Symptom: Low oil warning between changes, needing to add oil, ticking from the fuel pumps, or a rattle for a few seconds on cold starts.

What to check first

1. Check the oil level (many have no dipstick, so use the car's oil level display).
2. Track how much oil you add and over how many miles.
3. Look for leaks under the car and around the engine.
4. Listen for a rattle on cold starts.
5. Ask when the intake valves were last cleaned of carbon.

Likely causes

1. Normal oil use. These V8s use some oil. Owners top off about a quart between changes.
2. Oil leak. If it's suddenly using much more, look for a leak.
3. Timing chain guides or tensioners. A loud rattle for several seconds on a cold start can mean worn timing chain tensioners or guides.

What it usually costs

Owners in these threads didn't post prices for these repairs.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Yes, if you keep the oil topped up. If it rattles on cold starts, get the chain checked before it gets worse.

DIY or shop?

Topping off oil is DIY. Timing chain work is a big shop job because the engine usually comes out.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists 1 recall(s) for the Audi S5 in these years, and none is for this problem. Recall 15V019000 covers a fuel rail leak on certain 2011-2012 S5 models, which is a different problem. NHTSA's recall lookup returned no data for some model years on 2026-11-05. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 7 keyword-matched complaints for Audi S5 2008–2012 (of 33 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-05; keywords: oil, consum, burn, timing, chain, engine) (NHTSA returned no data for 4 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In I have a 2011 Audi S5 V8 4.2L and I literally just got an oil change like not even three months ago and the light for a new one came on again ? Does it really blow through oil like that? I’ve had the car for 3 years and feel like I’ve never ran through oil like this. on Reddit r/Audi, a 2011 S5 4.2 owner got a low oil warning just months after a change. Owners said the engine does use some oil, about a quart between changes, and one German owner said about 0.2-0.5 liters per 1,000 km is expected. Another said a sudden increase was a leak that wasn't cheap to fix.
• In B8 Audi S5 4.2 V8 on Reddit r/Audi, a shopper asked about the B8 S5 V8. Owners said the timing chain worry is overstated on these engines if oil changes are kept up, but carbon cleaning every 40k-80k miles is nearly certain, and motor mounts, bushings and the thermostat wear at high miles.
• In Audi s5 v8 4.2 on Reddit r/MechanicAdvice, a buyer of a 118k-mile S5 asked about ticking. An owner said the ticking is the high pressure fuel pumps and is normal, and another said to listen on a cold start: a rattle of 3-8 seconds means timing chain tensioners or guides.

Quick tip

Track oil use. Steady use is normal; a sudden increase isn't.

Vehicle focus: Audi S5 (B8) with the 4.2L V8, 2008-2012.

Safety / mechanic note

Running low on oil can ruin the engine. Verify with a mechanic.