Trans Fluid Change Rumor?

[Eh-Fore]

So I recently bought the kit for the Trans Fluid from the link below:

http://www.blauparts.com/audi/audi_f...nsmissionfluid

Nothing really wrong with the car, the shifting could be a little smoother. I just have 70,000 and thought it would to be good to do it.

Like 4 of my buddies are mechanics and when I told them they said it was a bad idea and that trans problems usually start happening when you do change the filter and fluid.

Is there any truth to this? They are making me second guess it.

BTW, I gotta Tip.

[audipotential]

So I recently bought the kit for the Trans Fluid from the link below:

http://www.blauparts.com/audi/audi_f...nsmissionfluid

Nothing really wrong with the car, the shifting could be a little smoother. I just have 70,000 and thought it would to be good to do it.

Like 4 of my buddies are mechanics and when I told them they said it was a bad idea and that trans problems usually start happening when you do change the filter and fluid.

Is there any truth to this? They are making me second guess it.

BTW, I gotta Tip.

uhhh Filter?

[Eh-Fore]

uhhh Filter?

Not too sure what you mean by that but the kit includes the following:

Kit includes German Filter Components: Automatic Transmission Filter, Filter to Valve Body Gasket, Oil Pan Gasket, Oil Pan Drain Plug Gasket, Oil Pan Fill Plug Gasket, Extra Oil Drain Pan Mounting Hardware, 5 Liters of OEM Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) Mfg By Pentosin of Germany

[JohnnyG]

"The final steps and procedures for topping off the Audi automatic transmission fluid level will vary depending on Audi model and year. It is critical to obtain the proper Audi automatic transmission fluid level to prevent Audi transmission shifting problems especially with tiptronic transmissions" -from your link

A flush is ok as you won't be changing all of your fluid... are you planning to do this yourself? The filter and cleaning the pan and magnets is a good idea but sealing the pan and following the proper filling procedure is the most important thing, it is best done @ your dealer.

[Eh-Fore]

"The final steps and procedures for topping off the Audi automatic transmission fluid level will vary depending on Audi model and year. It is critical to obtain the proper Audi automatic transmission fluid level to prevent Audi transmission shifting problems especially with tiptronic transmissions" -from your link

A flush is ok as you won't be changing all of your fluid... are you planning to do this yourself? The filter and cleaning the pan and magnets is a good idea but sealing the pan and following the proper filling procedure is the most important thing, it is best done @ your dealer.

I was debating doing it myself but I think you just talked me out of it. I already bought the kit so maybe the dealer can use that. By saying "won't be changing all of your fluid" are you saying that only use some of the new fluid so that the change from old to new all at once won't shock the trans? I heard one of the guys say that the change shocks the trans....can't vouch for his knowledge tho...lol

[Eh-Fore]

Good call though, JohnnyG...thanks.

[n7plus1]

I was debating doing it myself but I think you just talked me out of it. I already bought the kit so maybe the dealer can use that. By saying "won't be changing all of your fluid" are you saying that only use some of the new fluid so that the change from old to new all at once won't shock the trans? I heard one of the guys say that the change shocks the trans....can't vouch for his knowledge tho...lol

yes, the dealer can use the parts you got..

[n7plus1]

uhhh Filter?

yes, automatic transmissions have filters...

[jrau13]

This has been stated time and again that it is a good idea to change your trans filter and fluid on out tip cars. Im looking to do mine soon as well.

[K1200GT]

Dude tell your mechanic buddies to relax! That's an old wifes tale based on old cars with varnished trans fluid. Audi uses synthetic fluid. I've changed my trans fluid and filter twice using the blau parts kit/pump. Don't be afraid of "sealing the pan and following the proper filling procedure", It's easy to do and my trans shifts great now!

[quattro2003]

Yeah, i believe that the thought of your trans shitting the bed if you change the fluid after a certain milage is false. I do transmission flushes on a lot of higher milage vehicles at my work and the customers don't experience any problems. My buddy and I did one on his truck with 90k and he loved how smooth is shifted afterwards.

[eg6siR]

its not necessarily gonna kill the transmission but the new transmission fluid can eat up the old seals in the transmission and cause bad shifting, it wont happen right away though.... its best to change the fluid in most cars at about 40k, but some of the more high friction fluid like we use in our auto trannies can last a little longer like 60k or so... changing the fluid regularly is fine, just dont go 150k on original fluid then change it for new and expect not to have problems... transmission fluid has high detergent qualities in it so it will clean stuff out quick, at 150 there will be gunk from old fluid clogging up lots of things, so when you change the fluid the old fluid drains from the valve body leaving gunk behind, then you put in the new fluid with all the detergents and cleaning properties and it dislodges all the gunk and it will clog a valve in your valve body and then you have no more shifts... a good thing to do every now and then is a tranny cooler flush.

[My OOOO My]

I did mine recently, using that exact kit the OP bought. No problems what so ever. However, I went a step further with my tranny fluid change and used SeaFoam Trans Tune as a pre-flush.

here's my link ---> http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196303

[JohnnyG]

Dude tell your mechanic buddies to relax! That's an old wifes tale based on old cars with varnished trans fluid. Audi uses synthetic fluid. I've changed my trans fluid and filter twice using the blau parts kit/pump. Don't be afraid of "sealing the pan and following the proper filling procedure", It's easy to do and my trans shifts great now!

you can do it yourself but audi recommends a certain temp @ which you fill the box at. its around 35 celsius. The reason being thermal expansion. So if OP has a vagcom he can get the temp specs for his box and check the temp while filling...... also I only use a gravity filler so I dunno if that is what u guys use. The sealing part was only included 'cause I've seen some less than desirable attempts and you don't want your new fluid slowly changing itself. It is easy if you have all the specs and follow the proper procedure but if you are unsure there are professionals that can handle the task.

[Eh-Fore]

Thanks for all your input guys. Going to do it, but I think I am going to have an audi dealer do it.

[ICEBIRGSLIM]

i have about 126k on the car and was thininking about doing it but now am a lil worried that my car will sh!t the bed if i do it .... what exactly happens if you've waited to long? aside from it effing up can anybody give me an idea or examples?

btw i have a 01 tip a4 1.8t

[SlappyB6]

Really the only time you should worry about a trans flush harming your transmission is if you are already having transmission problems. I work for a dealership network that services Chevy, Nissan, Toyota, Infiniti, and Hyundai and they all recommend a trans flush every 30k miles. There is a difference between a drain and refill and a flush. A drain and refill only changes about 40% of the fluid, where an actual flush changes 95%+, and also chemically cleans the transmission's internal parts.

Unless you are already having tranny problems, you should be fine. Just like everyone else said, follow the directions, and make sure you seal everything properly and fill the fluid as instructed.

[drmarcj]

The "you'll wreck your tranny" thing is bunk. People think it's so based on people trying to fix a busted autobox by changing the fluid, and a while later the autobox dies anyway. The flush didn't cause the problem, it just didn't fix it either (surprise surprise). The idea that the fluid is "lifetime" is bunk. The idea that dealers will do a better job is bunk (many dealers will say it's lifetime and won't do a flush).

Good reading:
http://www.taligentx.com/passat/maintenance/atfchange/

[Rau]

good thing i read this thread. i bought my car with 76k on the clock, and now its at 117k, time to change!

[Trev]

Dont worry about it, its an easy job. Just did mine the other week with the same kit.

You will need vag com to pull up the transmission temp tho. When you fill her back up with the fresh fluid make sure the car is level ( i put a level with a magnet on the bottom of the trans fluid pan). Fill it up until it starts pouring out the filler hole, put the plug in and start the car. Monitor the trans temp and when it hits 30-35* shut it off and double check the fluid level.

If you have any more Q's just pm me, its seriously not that hard.