2018+ S3 DSG service under Audi Care?

[XMetal]

Did anyone with a 2018+ S3 able to get their DSG serviced under Audi Care at 40k? Was at the dealer today for my 40k Audi Care service and wanted to confirmed that the car was going to get the DSG fluid/filter changed. SA and Tech indicated that the 2018+ S3 have this service done at 80k! Sure enough, I went and dug up the maintenance schedule for 2018 and confirmed what the SA and Tech said - see attached. Did some more digging and found that pre 2018 (2017 and earlier) S3 maintenance schedule have DSG fluid/filter change at 40k. So what did they changed in the 7spd DSG that's able to extend the fluid/filter service interval vs. the 6spd?

2018AudiCare_DSG_Fluid_S3.jpg

[MetalMan]

Wet vs dry clutches? (I don't know, just taking a guess)

[XMetal]

Something seems off. If you look at the TTS the DSG maintenance schedule, which have the exact drive train as the S3, it called for 40k service intervals?

[soulflyer]

You are correct, no DSG service for 2018 and younger S3 under Audicare. I had the same experience when I did my 60,000 km service (Canada)... turns out that the 2018 S3 DSG, DQ381 (7 gears) needs a change only every 120,000 km. Which more or less fits your schedule in miles...

[Chaoscreature]

If enough people are getting AudiCare, it is probably a business decision NOT an engineering decision.

Audi knows that the probability of failure due to not changing the oil @ 40,000 miles is very low, and once you are out of warranty it's not their problem any more. In the meantime they pocket $$ for AudiCare maintenance work that doesn't need to be done. I purchased AudiCare for my 2018 A3 because the cost of the DSG oil/filter, fuel filter, spark plugs etc. made it worth it in the end.

If I had an S3 and this work wasn't covered I would do it myself, or you can find an indie shop if you don't have the proper tools and a garage.

[MikTip]

What DSG is in the 2018+? 7-speed? DQ 381?

The DQ381 is of the "newest" design DSG.

Pre 2018 have DQ250 6-speeds...

The 4-wheel drive version is a DQ381-7A.

DQ381 improvements:

1) The drive shaft and differential adopt low-friction bearings to reduce friction loss;

2) Use low-friction oil seals to reduce friction loss;

3) Equipped with an electronic oil pump to support shutting down the engine when coasting;

4) Use low-viscosity ATF to reduce the friction loss of the gear pair;

5) Horizontal pressure oil filter;

6) With front drive and four-wheel drive configuration options;

7) uses a smaller gear module, less transmission noise, and higher comfort;

8) upgrades the TCU software version to optimize the safety of control functions.

Double pump system

In the hydraulic system, an electric auxiliary oil pump connected to the CAN bus can be added, which can realize the following functions through valve adjustment: 1. Support pressure hydraulic circuit, used to compress the clutch and manipulate the shift mechanism; 2. ATF can also be used To the low-pressure circuit, it is used for the lubrication and heat dissipation of shafts, gears and clutches K1\K2; the addition of an electric auxiliary oil pump makes the transmission operation not affected by the engine speed, and the electric oil pump can continue to be a component during start-stop work and coasting mode Fuel supply, and can also improve the responsiveness of clutch re-engagement when the engine restarts.

Electric oil pump V475

The electric auxiliary hydraulic pump V475 is composed of a double center pump and a motor. The pump is powered by a 4-pin plug. Its main function is: in intelligent start and stop conditions Provide ATF for clutch K1 and K2, provide ATF for clutch cooling, provide ATF for hydraulic switching system during coasting, and provide ATF for gear pair and shaft lubrication.

If Audi says change oil at 80,000...then they have good reasons.

[XMetal]

What DSG is in the 2018+? 7-speed? DQ 381?

The DQ381 is of the "newest" design DSG.

Pre 2018 have DQ250 6-speeds...

The 4-wheel drive version is a DQ381-7A.

DQ381 improvements:

1) The drive shaft and differential adopt low-friction bearings to reduce friction loss;

2) Use low-friction oil seals to reduce friction loss;

3) Equipped with an electronic oil pump to support shutting down the engine when coasting;

4) Use low-viscosity ATF to reduce the friction loss of the gear pair;

5) Horizontal pressure oil filter;

6) With front drive and four-wheel drive configuration options;

7) uses a smaller gear module, less transmission noise, and higher comfort;

8) upgrades the TCU software version to optimize the safety of control functions.

Double pump system

In the hydraulic system, an electric auxiliary oil pump connected to the CAN bus can be added, which can realize the following functions through valve adjustment: 1. Support pressure hydraulic circuit, used to compress the clutch and manipulate the shift mechanism; 2. ATF can also be used To the low-pressure circuit, it is used for the lubrication and heat dissipation of shafts, gears and clutches K1\K2; the addition of an electric auxiliary oil pump makes the transmission operation not affected by the engine speed, and the electric oil pump can continue to be a component during start-stop work and coasting mode Fuel supply, and can also improve the responsiveness of clutch re-engagement when the engine restarts.

Electric oil pump V475

The electric auxiliary hydraulic pump V475 is composed of a double center pump and a motor. The pump is powered by a 4-pin plug. Its main function is: in intelligent start and stop conditions Provide ATF for clutch K1 and K2, provide ATF for clutch cooling, provide ATF for hydraulic switching system during coasting, and provide ATF for gear pair and shaft lubrication.

If Audi says change oil at 80,000...then they have good reasons.

Thanks for digging up that info - much appreciated!

Just did some more "interweb" search and found that the Golf R with the 7speed DSG also gets 80k miles transmission fluid change. At least that confirmed it wasn't just a typo/error on Audi's part. But the mystery still remains as why the TTS with the same DSG get 40k miles fluid change while the S3 and Golf R do away with 80k change?

[XMetal]

Found this great video on 7spd DSG service, which also helped explain why there's no filter changed specified...because "lifetime" filter!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE13N5kYDsk

[Dubfound]

I'm on my third Audi S3. Have had a 2015, 2016, and now a 2018. All have been CPO and I bought Audicare on them all and put about 70-80k miles on the first two. I do a lot of driving for work and it's my work car. I was shocked when my current 2018 went in for the 35k service about year and half ago and they said the transmission flush is at 80k. I thought the service writer was new and didn't know what he was talking about until he showed me the service info on his screen. He was even surprised. BTW the newer 7 speed transmission is much better compared to the older 6 speed. Feels Much smoother, faster and the extra gear is better for the Highway.