Automatic transmission fluid

[AutoRacer100]

Do we need to change the transmission fluid of our B8s? Some people says never, some says every 50k miles. So what is the right answer? I didn't find anything related to this topic in owners manual.

[oascom]

yes. im changing mine soon. at 50k miles.

[AutoRacer100]

Where do I check for transmission fluid level? There is no dip stick for it.

Are you going back to the dealer for changing the fluid?

[oascom]

There is no dipstick... I'm gonna change it by myself

[allstock]

There is no dipstick... I'm gonna change it by myself

I'm pretty sure you're gonna need your vag cable and follow proper gear cycling during the process if you're tip. Fluid temp is important. I drive a b7 so I cant be more exact. You should really check the service manual if you don't get anything precise. Not to get off topic, but I can't believe b8s still have oil burning issues.

[A4 Centaur]

BG makes a conditioner and fluid which I have documented on my build thread.

Works darn good, but is very time consuming. There is another OP who has done it at home with good results as well.

I did filter and fluid at 303 Motorsports. Flawless service, top notch support.

[oascom]

I got all the tools and vagcom. There is nice diy.

[Liquid Smoke]

i had an Audi mechanic i know tell me that doesnt even need to be touched unless you have transmission problems, otherwise when you flush it and all that it actually creates more problems if not done perfectly right? but yea i dont plan to touch mine, every mechanic i've asked has told me that. i think fluid changes are much more common on manual transmissions, but on automatics i've heard to leave those alone.

[jawqn87]

I had mine changed at 80000 miles and the shifting got a lot smoother. I had the dealership do it but supplied the fluid. It took the dealership about 3 hours to do the drain and refill, though they were quite busy. I was going to attempt this as a DIY but didn't have access to a lift that would have made it easier. Also, the fluid temperature has to be at at specific temperature, I think it is 35 C.

Note: I did not get a flush, I simply asked for a drain and fill. A drain and refill should not knock the contaminants loose like a flush would.

[oascom]

Drain and fill is fine. Flush not.

[A4 Centaur]

If I was doing a higher mileage or car that sees the track a lot, I would do the filter as well. Dropping the pan after draining seems quite rational considering the effort involved just to get the fluid up to temp and out.

[Fburg A4]

Yeah, termperature is important. The range I read said it should overflow at 35C to 40C to be at the correct level. There is some discussion about it in the "Who has changed automatic trans fluid ..." thread on here, particularly on the last few pages.

[skis4hire]

Experience with ZF transmissions on higher-mileage B5s shows that the fluid does break down and is not a lifetime fluid unless your perspective is just the warranty period.
It's been shown that a drain and fill (you change about 3/4 of the fluid that way) is a good idea, at least every 75,000 miles, I would say 50,000 if you want to be really nice to the car.
While you're in there you may as well change the filter. A few extra screws and minimal expense, especially considering the cost of the ATF fluid itself.

Granted, you could never touch it and be fine out to 80 or 100k miles.
I take a long view - a car like a B8 A4 can easily be driven for 12-15 years and 200,000 miles with proper maintenance its whole life. Probably not by the original or perhaps even the second owner.
If you maintain the car now with this long mindset it will keep the car running like new - and will keep it out of the junkyard which is good for the planet and good for whoever is enjoying your car at 180,000 miles :)

While you're at it don't forget your differential fluid (oil)
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...l-Fluid-Change

[bluetori]

I'm thinking of doing this my Avant has just over 91k on it and in the recent weeks just occasionally shifts a tad bit rougher. So I continually think I need to do this.

[AutoRacer100]

I guess the best shop to do this job is an Audi dealer when DIY is not an option?

[TimNGobbles]

I guess the best shop to do this job is an Audi dealer when DIY is not an option?

Or a good independant Audi mechanic (look in the regional forum section for recommendations). I think most audi dealers will give you the "its not a recommended service. the fluid is lifetime" line of crap.

[AutoRacer100]

Or a good independant Audi mechanic (look in the regional forum section for recommendations). I think most audi dealers will give you the "its not a recommended service. the fluid is lifetime" line of crap.

Yeah, probably true. But they want to make money also.

[canada911]

My 8 speed tiptronic (B8 A4) has 60k miles on, I guess I should think of draining-filling the ATF and changing the filter? I am looking at the ECS tuning kits, Should I go for the VAICO ATF they propose in one of their kit (370$) or the OEM ATF in their other kit (500$) witch is 35% higher in cost? Thanks!

[SDF1]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...omatic-Quattro

[r6_11b8]

its really up to you youre going to get a lot of mixed answers...ive heard both that you should change it and the same amount say you shouldnt change it unless you have problems with it

[SDF1]

its really up to you youre going to get a lot of mixed answers...ive heard both that you should change it and the same amount say you shouldnt change it unless you have problems with it

I got an answer from ZF. They recommend you change the filter and clean the pan between 100,000-120,000kms (62,500-75,000miles) and only replace the fluid that is gone from the pan but not do a complete flush. If your over 120,000km (75,000miles) they recommend you leave it as is.

[Gunnark100]

Yes its really up to you and how much you care of the car, not a one oil has lifetime warranty and you can check if there is soft update available for your car gearbox, its good to do all in one. Our local forum guys have been happy after dynamic oilchange,but they all had slight problems before with gear changes.

[S4'ed]

I change fluid and filter every 30,000 miles. I would not go beyond 50,000 miles without a change. Only use factory ATF, and no additives. Changing it is cheap insurance for these transmissions......neglect them and they are an expensive time-bomb waiting to go off!

[canada911]

Excellen, then I guess I should now officially plan to change the oil. And with factory/OEM oil (for 33% diff I dont want to take any risk). Do you guys believe this would void my Audi extended (2 years dealership) warranty) ?

[SDF1]

Check your PM.

ONLY go for the official ZF fluid because you will not drain all your original fluid. So you don't want to mix two different fluids in there. ZF Transmissions are very picky.

[gdawg'05a4]

These guys seem to have the best LifeGuard 8 prices http://www.thectsc.com/products/zf-l...er-193-58.html

[maquino]

I got an answer from ZF. They recommend you change the filter and clean the pan between 100,000-120,000kms (62,500-75,000miles) and only replace the fluid that is gone from the pan but not do a complete flush. If your over 120,000km (75,000miles) they recommend you leave it as is.

This is super confusing. So if I’m at 117k miles and never changed it, ZF says I shouldn’t change it? But you should change it at 75k miles?