Is a transmission fluid change necessary?

[*BigBird*]

Hello everyone. My OH has had a letter from Audi telling him his car is due a Quattro transmission fluid change (he drives a 6 year old S3). The letter very helpfully doesn’t tell him how much this costs but, knowing Audi, we're guessing it's not cheap! Is it worth getting this done? His car seems fine - what difference would new transmission fluid make? Will it be bad for the car if he doesn't get it changed? Any help would be much appreciated.

[jonathon]

it will make your gear box last longer so yes get it done

[anewman]

You can shop around, perhaps look for an independent VAG specialist.

Be thankful it's only every 6 years, mine needs it doing every 2 years, although it is a relatively easy job in my case which I will try to do myself when it's two years are up.

Don't skimp on servicing or your car will end up costing a lot more to own.

[zeon999]

As the others have already said unless you fancy paying for a new gearbox prematurely then yeah get it changed cost of oil change compared to new gearbox, mmmm I wonder which I would prefer.

With oit being a Quattro transmission its even more important as there are even more parts that can go wrong, more parts that wear and more parts letting off small flakes of metal which if left floating round cuases wear quicker.

[fas3robinj]

Bigbird, just shop around and get it done in a local garage (or anywhere cheap). It shouldn't be a big deal to change the fluid. I wouldn't expect it to cost any more than an ordinary oil change.

[anewman]

New gearbox approx £2,500 excluding fitting and labour

[*BigBird*]

New gearbox approx £2,500 excluding fitting and labour

:eek: Ouch! Even assuming Audi dealer prices, the fluid change can only be a fraction of that!! I'll tell him to stop being such a tight*rse and get it done! Cheers everyone.

[daveyjp]

Join Audi Advantage which is for owners of older Audis. It gives you discount off labour and parts at main dealers and is free to join.

[Conor]

Hello everyone. My OH has had a letter from Audi telling him his car is due a Quattro transmission fluid change (he drives a 6 year old S3). The letter very helpfully doesn’t tell him how much this costs but, knowing Audi, we're guessing it's not cheap! Is it worth getting this done? His car seems fine - what difference would new transmission fluid make? Will it be bad for the car if he doesn't get it changed? Any help would be much appreciated.

Of course it needs changing. It's subject to stress and contamination just the same as an engine is.

Would you never do an oil change on the engine?

By all means don't change it but in a few months/years don't whinge when there's no drive if it's an auto or you find that you can't select 1st or reverse gear if it's a manual.

[Pew Pew Pew Lasers!]

I have changed the transmission oil on my engine. It isn't a big job, not really any more work than an engine oil change.

Yes, get it done. It can be the difference between the gearbox (and torque converter if yours is a traditional auto) lasting 100,000 miles and 250,000 miles.

Don't use anybody but a dealer or a VW/Audi specialist. A backstreet outfit may use the wrong transmission oil, some manufacturers use special additives in the oil that are designed for the transmission - backstreet outfits will not know this.

The labour should be about 1 hour, 2 hours tops. Fluid on mine (Mercedes) was about £60 in total, add another tenner for the filter and any gaskets.

If you're really interested, you should ask them to analyse the old fluid and see what metals it contains - that can be a valuable indicator as to any future issues you may encounter. Some transmissions contain a pan magnet which can help with this.

[jeannieblue]

Of course it needs changing. It's subject to stress and contamination just the same as an engine is.

Would you never do an oil change on the engine?

By all means don't change it but in a few months/years don't whinge when there's no drive if it's an auto or you find that you can't select 1st or reverse gear if it's a manual.

Basically, all you've said above is agreeing with everyone else and that the trans oil should be done. Its a shame that you have to give your views in such a cutting way all the time.

What is your problem?

[jeannieblue]

I have changed the transmission oil on my engine. It isn't a big job, not really any more work than an engine oil change.

Yes, get it done. It can be the difference between the gearbox (and torque converter if yours is a traditional auto) lasting 100,000 miles and 250,000 miles.

Don't use anybody but a dealer or a VW/Audi specialist. A backstreet outfit may use the wrong transmission oil, some manufacturers use special additives in the oil that are designed for the transmission - backstreet outfits will not know this.

The labour should be about 1 hour, 2 hours tops. Fluid on mine (Mercedes) was about £60 in total, add another tenner for the filter and any gaskets.

If you're really interested, you should ask them to analyse the old fluid and see what metals it contains - that can be a valuable indicator as to any future issues you may encounter. Some transmissions contain a pan magnet which can help with this.

You don't need to spend tons out on a specialist - a good garage will ensure the correct oil is put in. And 2 hours is far far too long to do this job. 1 hour tops.

[anewman]

You don't need to spend tons out on a specialist - a good garage will ensure the correct oil is put in. And 2 hours is far far too long to do this job. 1 hour tops.

Would take me more than 2 hours but then again I'm not a qualified mechanic or anything :D

[goldspanners]

I have changed the transmission oil on my engine.

transmission oil in your engine? you should have put it in your transmission.

[jeannieblue]

Would take me more than 2 hours but then again I'm not a qualified mechanic or anything :D

It really doesn't take that long, if it is incorporated, say in a full service, then you are looking at 2-3 hours for the whole job, maximum.

Some Mercedes are a pain if the gearbox is sealed - as in the so called 'for life' oils, which really should be changed and not left 'for life' - you do need a special dipstick - but they are obtainable if you know how to get them - they don't like selling them to other garages, as you can imagine. :D

[jeannieblue]

And BMW's can be a pain too............. but nothing is impossible when you know how!

[tomstickland]

Change it. Old oil is a crime and the transmission will suffer from it.

[Conor]

Basically, all you've said above is agreeing with everyone else and that the trans oil should be done. Its a shame that you have to give your views in such a cutting way all the time.

What is your problem?

More like what's yours? Don't you have a spine or something? Do words hurt you, you poor spineless politically correct sap?

It's simple. I'm sick to death of people posting asking about things that, if they actually took more than a second to think about it, common sense would tell them what the answer was.

It's called SCHOOL OF THE BLOODY OBVIOUS. Are people so incapable fo working things out for themselves anymore?

[anewman]

It's called SCHOOL OF THE BLOODY OBVIOUS. Are people so incapable fo working things out for themselves anymore?

So this means people have to be treated to the School of Conor? :rolleyes:

[jeannieblue]

More like what's yours? Don't you have a spine or something? Do words hurt you, you poor spineless politically correct sap?

It's simple. I'm sick to death of people posting asking about things that, if they actually took more than a second to think about it, common sense would tell them what the answer was.

It's called SCHOOL OF THE BLOODY OBVIOUS. Are people so incapable fo working things out for themselves anymore?

You are a condescending ignorant arrogant twerp. If these so called mindless questions annoy you, why on earth do you come on these forums?

Your attitude stinks young man. Go and get yourself some manners and do all of us a favour.


Fortunately, the only person looking stupid here, is you.

[thescouselander]

Of course it needs changing. It's subject to stress and contamination just the same as an engine is.

Would you never do an oil change on the engine?

By all means don't change it but in a few months/years don't whinge when there's no drive if it's an auto or you find that you can't select 1st or reverse gear if it's a manual.

Not quite true! Engine oil is subject to blow-by gasses that get past the piston rings during combustion, this introduces a lot of nasty contamination to the engine oil. The same thing doesn't happen with the transmission oil so it lasts a lot longer.

Notwithstanding that, its an easy diy job to change the transmission oil so if the maintenance schedule calls for it you might as well do it yourself if you can. If not, most other garages should be able to manage it and may cost less than Audi.

[fas3robinj]

Conor dude - your out of order!!!! There's no need to be rude. We're all here to learn from each other.

[goldspanners]

Conor dude - your out of order!!!! There's no need to be rude. We're all here to learn from each other.

thats where your wrong,conor knows everything! ;)

[jeannieblue]

thats where your wrong,conor knows everything! ;)

Bless him....

Bet he doesn't come back to this thread - that has been pointed out to me several times now, especially if he is found to be wrong about something!:D

[Pew Pew Pew Lasers!]

You don't need to spend tons out on a specialist - a good garage will ensure the correct oil is put in. And 2 hours is far far too long to do this job. 1 hour tops.

The key there is 'a good garage'. Not all garages are good. Not all cars use Dexron fluids.

For the sake of £50 or so its worth taking it to a specialist who will ensure that the correct fluids are used.

And 2 hours is certainly not too long, it depends what gearbox there is (manual, auto, CVT, etc) and how the cooling system works. 1 hour may be fine with this car but I don't know so I'm making a conservative estimate.

[jeannieblue]

The key there is 'a good garage'. Not all garages are good. Not all cars use Dexron fluids.

For the sake of £50 or so its worth taking it to a specialist who will ensure that the correct fluids are used.

And 2 hours is certainly not too long, it depends what gearbox there is (manual, auto, CVT, etc) and how the cooling system works. 1 hour may be fine with this car but I don't know so I'm making a conservative estimate.

I guess if you're worried about the trans oil, you could always buy it from stealership and get garage to change it for you.

We never have a problem if customers want to supply own parts etc. Its their choice. Or get garage to get it in. We stock most - but the long life oils used by BMW and the like, we order in from the stealerships. Its not a problem.

[tomstickland]

More like what's yours? Don't you have a spine or something? Do words hurt you, you poor spineless politically correct sap?
Liking good manners is not political correctness.

[jeannieblue]

Liking good manners is not political correctness.
He'll not be back................ :rotfl:

Someone posed a lorry driving question - he's on that one! :D

[Pew Pew Pew Lasers!]

I guess if you're worried about the trans oil, you could always buy it from stealership and get garage to change it for you.

We never have a problem if customers want to supply own parts etc. Its their choice. Or get garage to get it in. We stock most - but the long life oils used by BMW and the like, we order in from the stealerships. Its not a problem.

Not for yourself but you obviously run a ship-shape company. Not all garages are as conscientious.

[johnnybegoode]

Quattro transmission fluid is not the gearbox oil, it's the fluid in the Haldex multi-plate clutch system in the rear axle that controls the 4WD system. The S3 has a manual gearbox only (it's not available as an auto) and therefore does not have a routine gearbox oil change.

If you don't have it done, it won't directly affect the gearbox at all, but may affect the Haldex unit - and they're also not cheap to replace if they go wrong - think over £1000 for the part alone.

It's a routine job that an Audi main dealer will do for about £120-150 and takes about an hour. You might also need a filter change, which adds another £30-odd, depending on the mileage and the specific type of Haldex unit. All this info is in the service book.

Best of luck