Transmission fluid change
#1
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Transmission fluid change
I was at my mechanic the other day having one of my shocks swapped out, and I told my mechanic how I wanted to have the trans fluid changed to try and smooth things out a little bit. I've been getting jerky shifts when the engine is cold, stuff like that.
My car has 188,000km (110,000 miles), and my mechanic said that a fluid change could go either way: it could get things moving a bit better, or it could disrupt the balance between piston wear and built up dirt in the transmission and cause too much fluid flow and make things worse.
He said if the car had fewer kms (around 120,000km) it wouldn't be an issue, but at this age it's kind of a toss up of how things will go.
Has anyone else heard this reasoning? The way he explained it it made sense, and I tend to trust him, but if anyone here knows better I'd like to know. I haven't read anything before about this idea.
If what he says is true I'm more inclined to just leave it alone.
My car has 188,000km (110,000 miles), and my mechanic said that a fluid change could go either way: it could get things moving a bit better, or it could disrupt the balance between piston wear and built up dirt in the transmission and cause too much fluid flow and make things worse.
He said if the car had fewer kms (around 120,000km) it wouldn't be an issue, but at this age it's kind of a toss up of how things will go.
Has anyone else heard this reasoning? The way he explained it it made sense, and I tend to trust him, but if anyone here knows better I'd like to know. I haven't read anything before about this idea.
If what he says is true I'm more inclined to just leave it alone.
#2
I've heard that before all to often and it doesn't make any sense. Dirt is not holding the tranny together.
I think that idea comes from people who don't change the fluid until the tranny starts to act up. Then they change the fluid hoping it will fix it, but the tranny dies a short time later. The fluid change had nothing to do with it and the tranny was just already dying before the change so it would have died regardless.
Change the fluid/filter since your already overdue. Make sure he knows to use the correct German fluid and a VAG-Com to set the fluid level.
I think that idea comes from people who don't change the fluid until the tranny starts to act up. Then they change the fluid hoping it will fix it, but the tranny dies a short time later. The fluid change had nothing to do with it and the tranny was just already dying before the change so it would have died regardless.
Change the fluid/filter since your already overdue. Make sure he knows to use the correct German fluid and a VAG-Com to set the fluid level.
#3
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Makes sense to me, as parts wear margins grow, spaces between components get larger, rubber and plastic shrink, metal wears.... and the debris accumulates. Change your fluid and you change your newly formed and adapted tolerances. I agree with the Indy. You definitely need to have the level checked. Your symptoms sound like you may be low on fluid
#4
AudiWorld Member
jerky shifts
I was at my mechanic the other day having one of my shocks swapped out, and I told my mechanic how I wanted to have the trans fluid changed to try and smooth things out a little bit. I've been getting jerky shifts when the engine is cold, stuff like that.
My car has 188,000km (110,000 miles), and my mechanic said that a fluid change could go either way: it could get things moving a bit better, or it could disrupt the balance between piston wear and built up dirt in the transmission and cause too much fluid flow and make things worse.
He said if the car had fewer kms (around 120,000km) it wouldn't be an issue, but at this age it's kind of a toss up of how things will go.
Has anyone else heard this reasoning? The way he explained it it made sense, and I tend to trust him, but if anyone here knows better I'd like to know. I haven't read anything before about this idea.
If what he says is true I'm more inclined to just leave it alone.
My car has 188,000km (110,000 miles), and my mechanic said that a fluid change could go either way: it could get things moving a bit better, or it could disrupt the balance between piston wear and built up dirt in the transmission and cause too much fluid flow and make things worse.
He said if the car had fewer kms (around 120,000km) it wouldn't be an issue, but at this age it's kind of a toss up of how things will go.
Has anyone else heard this reasoning? The way he explained it it made sense, and I tend to trust him, but if anyone here knows better I'd like to know. I haven't read anything before about this idea.
If what he says is true I'm more inclined to just leave it alone.
#5
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Makes sense to me, as parts wear margins grow, spaces between components get larger, rubber and plastic shrink, metal wears.... and the debris accumulates. Change your fluid and you change your newly formed and adapted tolerances. I agree with the Indy. You definitely need to have the level checked. Your symptoms sound like you may be low on fluid
Thanks for the help.
#6
Audiworld Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Harstad, Norway
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I´ve seen this discussion on other forums as well, and most mechanics i´ve spoken to have told me to do the service.
If the tranny is allready trashed, it won´t help. -But if filter is clogged, and that causes issues, changing oil definently will do the fix.
Doing this service in a few days myself, got 146000km on the clock.
ZF says the Hp24- series Tiptronics needs serviceing every 60k km.
I don´t really have that much rough shifting, but hope to get better concience
If the tranny is allready trashed, it won´t help. -But if filter is clogged, and that causes issues, changing oil definently will do the fix.
Doing this service in a few days myself, got 146000km on the clock.
ZF says the Hp24- series Tiptronics needs serviceing every 60k km.
I don´t really have that much rough shifting, but hope to get better concience
#7
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's involved in checking the fluid level? Is it something I could do myself? I found one guy online who said to just remove the fill plug and stick your finger in. If you feel fluid, it's fine. If not, it's not.
That seems a bit too simple to me and I know temperature plays a big part in fluid level. If I can just put a scan tool on and check my temp before checking level that would be good, and would provide me an excuse for getting some diagnostic software.
That seems a bit too simple to me and I know temperature plays a big part in fluid level. If I can just put a scan tool on and check my temp before checking level that would be good, and would provide me an excuse for getting some diagnostic software.
Trending Topics
#8
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Hawthorn Woods, Illinois USA
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
What's involved in checking the fluid level? Is it something I could do myself? I found one guy online who said to just remove the fill plug and stick your finger in. If you feel fluid, it's fine. If not, it's not.
That seems a bit too simple to me and I know temperature plays a big part in fluid level. If I can just put a scan tool on and check my temp before checking level that would be good, and would provide me an excuse for getting some diagnostic software.
That seems a bit too simple to me and I know temperature plays a big part in fluid level. If I can just put a scan tool on and check my temp before checking level that would be good, and would provide me an excuse for getting some diagnostic software.
DO NOT REMOVE THE FILL PLUG unless the engine is running. When the transmission fluid is at 40 C fluid will begin to spill out as the fluid expands from the heat. Replace the plug immediately.
Read this:
http://www.audiction.com/audi-mainte...-fluid-change/
Last edited by Mr. Timewise; 09-24-2011 at 08:37 AM.
#9
Audiworld Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Harstad, Norway
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Changing tip fluid on my 03 2,7 in a few days. -One thing i´m wondering:
I have a ramp setup that sets the car in level up in the air, on it´s wheels.
Is it important that the wheels are airborne, or can i do this as i´ve planned?
I have a ramp setup that sets the car in level up in the air, on it´s wheels.
Is it important that the wheels are airborne, or can i do this as i´ve planned?
#10
Doesn't matter. Wheels on ground or in the air as long as it is level. I run mine up on four ramps and put suspension in level 4 for plenty of room underneath when changing.