Transmission Fluid

[audicarnut]

I was planning on changing my transmission fluid, but I'm not sure what I am going to put in it. I have an 01 s4 tiptronic. I want to put a synthetic fluid in, any suggestions (brand/type/weight)?

[curlyfrieS4]

I surely would like to know aswell

[MacDaddy]

if you flush out all the fluid you can use Mercon/dextron 3. the audi fluid is essentially the same stuff only semi synthetic and with an additive to make it not backward computable if its mixed.

if thats a little too daring for you, you can use valvoline maxlife ATF, its compatible with the audi fluid and substantially cheaper than OEM.

just make sure you replace the filter too, the new fluid can end up picking up old friction material the old saturated fluid could not and plug the filter with it. Some people recommend against changing the transmission fluid if the fluid has been in the transmission for a long time (such as the case in a B5 s4 tip) but changing the filter can avoid any issues.

[S4_NE]

from what I was told and have learned OEM fluid is the one to use, but others have had sucess with other brands like mentioned above, the Shop that rebuilt my trans told me to fill it with OEM stuff. Also replace teh filter as well when ever you change the fluid.
fo rexample blauparts.com sell a kit

[audicarnut]

Is there a pump that is necessary for putting the new transmission fluid in?

[chrisbostonusmc]

if you flush out all the fluid you can use Mercon/dextron 3. the audi fluid is essentially the same stuff only semi synthetic and with an additive to make it not backward computable if its mixed.

if thats a little too daring for you, you can use valvoline maxlife ATF, its compatible with the audi fluid and substantially cheaper than OEM.

just make sure you replace the filter too, the new fluid can end up picking up old friction material the old saturated fluid could not and plug the filter with it. Some people recommend against changing the transmission fluid if the fluid has been in the transmission for a long time (such as the case in a B5 s4 tip) but changing the filter can avoid any issues.

I did this on a BMW step-tronic and replaced the filter as well and the tranny shit the bed 10k after

[veggiemonster]

if you change it regularly 20-30k then you do not have to worry.

if you do not there is so much friction material from the clutch packs in the fluid thats the only reason that your auto works still, so if you have no idea if its ever been changed, check it to see if you can tell if its brown colored. if it is dont change it cus it will happen as stated above by: chrisbostonusmc

[MacDaddy]

I did this on a BMW step-tronic and replaced the filter as well and the tranny shit the bed 10k after

if a transmission is fucked, all the AT fluid in the world can't save it.

[dannyn424]

don't change it best advice your gonna get........

[Caddy7]

What effect would the wrong ATF level cause?