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*

anewman wrote: »

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_3

*BigBird* wrote: »

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

Conor wrote: »

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?