Tiptronic fluid change - yes or no

[MikeK]

My 2002 S6 is coming up for its 100K service. I know Audi says the fluid is permanent, but I've read posts about changing the fluid both for and against. I'm leaning towards changing it, but I'd like to get some advice from the experts on this forum.
Tiptronic fluid change - yes or no?
I'd appreciate any advice you may have to offer.

Thanks in advance,
MikeK in San Diego

[Sinisteraudia6]

The guys who really know their $h*t on this forum suggest filter and fluid change every 30,000 and I've done tons of research on the matter...for your very reason.

[FrankA6]

I've done mine twice with a new filter and car has 111k on it.

[ben916]

Mike,

Ben from SoCalEuro 2011 at Qualcomm stadium with the group of 3 RS6 (Riccardo's 6speed RS6, Dennis, Mine), Tony's S6 avant there and Chris' stage 3 A6 (just to jog your memory)

Well pick your poison on this topic but here it goes:
Audi states the ATF is permanent on the transmission, I call bollocks to that... but your mileage give me, and I am sure others, pause.
It is well documented on "another site" that when the tippy transmission fluid it changed at high mileage, and assuming it has never been changed, you are in for either a transmission failure or a torque converter failure shortly there after.... not always the case...

I changed mine at 36k at a shop that had no clue on how to changed it but it was local and this was before Pure MS was in San Diego. After about 14k miles, shifting was acting up and holding high revs and there was a mystery leak, I took it to Mike/Tony at PureMS. Shifting much better...

Do you have odd shifting or something that would make you want to change it out?

I just do mine at 20k miles as preventative maint to the "achilles heel" of the RS6..

[MikeK]

Ben,
Good to hear from you the SoCalEuro event was fun.
Unfortunately it is my wifes daily driver, I just get to blow the carbon off the valves on weekends. I was thinking preventative maintenance, but now that you mention it, every once and awhile it does not want to up-shift. A sign of trouble???

[blmlozz]

speaking generally about ATF fluid changes-- I've performed several 100K+ changes with a DIY flush and filter change without negative effects. What you shouldn't do-is machine flushing with additives and heated fluid. These are the best way to clean and service the trans-- when done early. otherwise it's like liquid dynamite.

with ~ 6K so far on the avant after her fluid fill and filter change (most of it just sort of drained out and I put it back in rather than flushing it) she shifts buttery smooth and except for some weird 3-4 shifting that it had before-- has no slipage WOT.

[Scotty@Advanced]

Not only should you change the fluid, you should do a flush...

Flush procedures
Drain fluid
Fill to spec
Drive for 1-2 days.
Drain fluid
Replace filter/clean pan
Fill to spec.

After this change every 25-30,000 miles with a filter change every 50,000.

The number one cause of trans failures is shit in the fluid that causes seals to harden. Some people will say don't change it as it will cause problems, if this is the case it means your trans was on it's way out to begin with.

If you need the parts and fluid I have those at pretty good prices.

[dannyn424]

FWIW ....changed stock fluid with amsoil at 60k by the dealer and stock tranny started leaking a little after..........

[dave_graham]

Not only should you change the fluid, you should do a flush...

Flush procedures
Drain fluid
Fill to spec
Drive for 1-2 days.
Drain fluid
Replace filter/clean pan
Fill to spec.

After this change every 25-30,000 miles with a filter change every 50,000.

The number one cause of trans failures is shit in the fluid that causes seals to harden. Some people will say don't change it as it will cause problems, if this is the case it means your trans was on it's way out to begin with.

If you need the parts and fluid I have those at pretty good prices.

+1 on this. just did mine prior to TC replacement.

d

[nagooyen]

Not an expert by any means, but will share my personal experience. I've only had my S6 for 2 weeks, but I had a leaky rear tranny seal so I took it in for service. This week in fact. The car used to have an occasional random "hiccup" when downshifting. It was subtle, but noticeable...I thought it was just they way this particular car shifted. (Been driving stick for over 10 years)

Anyhow, they flushed, replaced the seal, and refilled. The car shifts way smoother. I'm not sure about the interval, but will consider changing it more often than 100K intervals.

Good luck...

[A62TURBO]

After about 2.5 years of owning my A6 I did a fluid flush, and new filter, drove it for about 20k miles after that without any issues. Now it's a 6 speed so I can't add anymore input