CVT ATF Oil - Where to buy?

[GBag]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forum so please advise if I'm asking this in the wrong place!

I live in the UK and have just purchased a 2014 A5 B8 multi... I was initially very worried while researching this box, but have managed to settle my nerves learning that in the newer models the horror stories of this box seem to be non-existent - providing the car has been looked after.

The car only has 17k on the clock, but as the transmission fluid hasn't been changed in 5 years the first thing I'm going to do is change the fluid and also replace the external filter.

My question is, where on earth do I buy OEM ATF fluid from! I've looked everywhere and can only find 'genuine' G052 180 on eBay - No chance do I trust putting this stuff in my new baby!

This could be a really stupid question, but I would be really grateful if someone could point me in the right direction as I cannot find anything.

P.S. please don't tell me I need to take it to Audi - I'd rather put Valvoline/Similar in her before paying through my teeth for an Audi Tech to more than likely do a worse job than I would! Which raises another question, do I really need to put OEM fluid in?

Thank you.

Glen

[findalex]

LiquiMoly is very reputable and they make a CVT fluid for you: https://products.liqui-moly.com/top-tec-atf-1400-1.html

Since they're a German company, you'll probably find it on Amazon EU or other major part suppliers.

[GBag]

Thanks for the link!

Do you know if there is any problem with putting aftermarket CVT fluid in this transmission or are all the threads I've looked at saying it MUST be OEM fluid scaremongers?

In my mind ATF is ATF no matter what name is on the bottle. Any words of wisdom?

[findalex]

Just make sure you use a quality product that meets the OEM specification. Liqui Moly has a great reputation, and the one I found meets the G 052 180 spec you need. Since they're usually 1/2 or 1/3 the price of geuine VW, you can change the fluids more frequently and make the transmission lasts longer. ATF degrade over time due to heat, containmination, and oxidation just like motor oil. The fresher the fluid, the better the protection.

Case in point, my ZF 8HP transmission ATF is "lifetime no change" according to Audi, but ZF who makes the transmission says it the designed lifetime is 100 KM or 60K miles. Audi's warranty ends at 50K miles.

I have owned and maintained VW/Audi cars for 20 years and never had any problems with fluids that meet the appropriate specs. I've used Rowe, Pentosin, Febi, Lucas, Valvoline in multiple transmissions and they have all worked perfectly in these supposedly finicky German transmissions.

[Overbias]

This thread is the best source of knowledge for this discussion:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...-differential)

I know its RS specific but there are a ton of great links and insights on the oils, why they are used and which to pick. Yes there are aftermarket fluids for some, ATF, Ape, others and I are using Motul. MTF is proprietary and you have to get that from the dealer (unless I have that round the wrong way which is totally possible, rather here than in my car though ;-) )

Enjoy, its a long thread but full of great info.

[findalex]

Oh yeah, definitely change the differential fluids too. Depending on how the CVT + quattro is setup, you may need to change the front, center, and rear differentials.

Some front wheel drive cars have transmissions that share ATF and differential fluid. On my Tiptronic + quattro, they are all separate ATF+front+center+rear. I'm not too familiar with the CVT (multitronic) setup. It may be different from the Tiptronic (torque converter) and the S-Tronic (dual clutch) in the previous link.