A4 B5 2.8 auto - transmission fluid brands, specs, sources, quantity

[vtraudt]

I am installing a new/used transmission in my 96 A4 2.8 quattro auto.
What trans fluid is recommended?
Brand
Specs
Sources
Quantity

I am sure it is not "any".

Ditto: anything special needed for the radiator (coolant)?

[FNK]

Try the search button, this subject has been discussed thoroughly,
Such as this one;
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ning?p=5431408

[vtraudt]

Thanks for the link.
I am surprised not to find simply what AUDI USA recommends (they are responsible for the warranty for example).This should be the basis.
And then discussions like "I have been using grape juice and acetone mix with great results" can be added as personal opinions.

Pentosin ATF1 is obviously out of questions for normal US customers (its cheap stuff, but here in the US they charge as if it were pure gold).

And in addition, any discussion should be trans specific, since I read somewhere that the tiptronic has entirely different fluid requirements (and certainly the variable speed trans CVT).

[FNK]

I read somewhere that the tiptronic has entirely different fluid requirements (and certainly the variable speed trans CVT).

CVT and DSG transmission use a different fluid.

As a replacement oil, I filled mine whit Mobil 1 ATF until next summer where I will change the seals.

Here is another very usefull link for equivalent ATF oils
http://www.taligentx.com/passat/maintenance/atfchange/

In the end, new oil is vastly superior to used Pentosin oil.
Each of them have seal conditionner, etc...

I feel safe whit Mobil 1, it's supposed to be top of the line oils.

[walky_talky20]

I use only Pentosin ATF1. I get it for a little under $15 per quart. It takes just under 4 quarts. You don't change it often, so it's worth it for me to put in the correct stuff.

[vtraudt]

"I feel safe whit Mobil 1, it's supposed to be top of the line oils. "

I assume Mobil 1 Synthetic (not sure if they make other, but likely).

[FNK]

If you compare Spec to Spec,

Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF

Viscosity, cSt (ASTM D445)
@ 40 ºC 36.3
@ 100 ºC 7.4
Viscosity Index 176
Brookfield Viscosity, cP (ASTM D2983)
@ -40º C 10.040
Pour Point, ºC (ASTM D97) -51
Flash Point, ºC (ASTM D92) 220
Density @15.6 ºC g/ml (ASTM D4052) 0.846
Color Red

Pentosin ATF1 Spec:

Unit Result
Appearance bright and clear visual
Density at 15 °C kg/m³ 850
Kinematic Viscosity at 100 °C mm²/s 7,6
Kinematic Viscosity at 40 °C mm²/s 38,0
Viscosity Index 171
Dynamic Viscosity at -40 °C mPa*s 14000
Pour Point °C -51
Taper roller bearing test,
shear loss (20h) % 9,6
Taper roller bearing test,
viscosity after shear mm²/s 6,8
FZG wear test A/8.3/90
// A/16.6/90 failure load stage > 12 // >12


Esso LT-71141 (the expensive VW OEM fluid) spec:
http://www.taligentx.com/passa...s.pdf

Viscosity @ 100ºC: 7.3 cSt (kinematic)
Viscosity @ 40ºC: 37 cSt (kinematic)
Viscosity @ -40ºC: 18,000 cP (dynamic)
Viscosity index: 168
density @ 15ºC: 853 kg/cubic meter
Flash Point: 215ºC
Pour Point: -54ºC
Volatility @ 200ºC: 5%
Foaming tendencies: S1= 10/0
S2= 30/0
S3= 0/0
FZG gear test = failed at stage 12 (of a possible 24)

[vtraudt]

Here is an ad from Germany for the Pentosil ATF1. Note that it is marketed as Dexron III. Sells for the same price as other no name ATFs (not that no name ATF and any oil costs a lot more in Germany than in the US. Pentosil is sold for $7/liter like other no names).

From other forums:
"If you want to go ahead and try a new fluid, use Redline D4. It has the most solid track record here. Rough guess is maybe a combined 200,000 miles (?). M1 seems to work fine, but it's not got many miles on it."

"Febi Bilstein / Pentosin (insert generic brand here) that can be looked up via the VW OEM part number all are merely repackaged bottles of EssoLT 71141 which is the OEM fluid."
"According to my very recent email from ZF, the OEM Esso juice is the ONLY fluid the transmission manufacturer recommends"

For the ZF 4HP/5HP, for example, Ravenol is also used:
Ravenol ATF 5/4 HP Fluid:
Dieses moderne vollsynthetische Getriebeöl ist durch eine spezielle Additivierung
auf moderne 4 und 5 Gang ZF Getriebe abgestimmt und gewährleistet eine einwandfreie
Funktion Ihres Automatikgetriebes. Geeignet für ZF Serie 4 HP Getriebe
(4HP20, 4HP22, 4HP24) für 5 HP Getriebe (5HP18, 5HP19, 5HP24, 5HP30)

Pentosin ATF 1
Dexron III - Automatikgetriebeöl
vom Erstausrüster Pentosin!

- Made in Germany -
Dexron III Getriebeöl entspricht:
VW TL 521 62
BMW Oil No. 83229407807
Citroen Oil No. Z 000 169756
Jaguar Oil No. JLM 20238
Mercedes Benz Oil No. A 0019892203
Peugeot Oil No. Z 000169756
Porsche Oil No. 999.917.547.00

[FNK]

Excellent information!
If ZF choses to only list Esso oil as the ONLY viable solution, it is most likely only for warranty, as this restrict everyone from trying everything and then be pissed at ZF transmission. This create bad press for ZF, even if it's not their fault.

As for me, I will not pay 15$/L.

Since I filled mine with M1, the trans feel more responsive and there is less gear hunt between gear change.
As oil thin over time, it become less viscous and internal oil losses become more important, so the newer oil feel quite nice.

In the end, the choice is yours.

Google Mobil 1 Syntec ATF and many people use it without a problem in various cars, ranging from Chinese cars, to Landrovers to Germans...

[vtraudt]

What is that "M1"? Is it insider lingo for Mobil 1?

[FNK]

Yes, M1 stand for Mobil 1,

more finds;
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=180663

This quite conclude what I already believed!

[discontained]

For my 2001.5 A4 1.8t Quattro Tiptronic I have kinda put myself in a testing process (was planning on swapping to manual in spring time) to try out the Royal Purple ATF . So far about 2,500 miles and its shifting better, and thermal temps are down.

Max ATF is recommended in vehicles requiring any of these automatic transmission fluids:

* Allison: C-4, TES-295, TES-389
* Audi G-052-025-A2
* BMW: LA2634, LT71141
* Chrysler: ATF+, ATF+2, ATF+3, ATF+4
* Chrysler ATF+2 Type 7176
* Ford: MERCON, MERCON V
* GM 9986195
* GM: DEXRON, DEXRON-II, DEXRON-IID, DEXRON-IIIG, DEXRON-IIIH
* Honda ATF-Z1 (except in CVT's)
* Hyundai: SP-II, SP-III
* JWS 3309
* Kia: SP-II, SP-III
* MAN 339F
* Mercedes Benz 236.x
* Mitsubishi Diamond: SP-II, SP-III
* Nissan: Matic-D, Matic-J, Matic-K
* Subaru ATF-HP
* Toyota: Type T, T-III, T-IV
* Voith: 55.6335.3x (G607), H55.6336.3x (G1363)
* Volvo: 97340 (Construction Equipment), 4-6 Speed AT
* VW TL52162
* ZF: TE-ML 14B, TE-ML 16L, TE-ML 17C

[FNK]

and thermal temps are down.

Didn't though about this one, but yes. Since my oil change, I too saw a cooler operating temperature. Then again, a more fresh/viscous fluid helped quite a bit there!

[Spanky387]

01V Transaxle must not be in emergency running mode. Engine should be at idle in PARK. Transmission fluid temperature must be 86° to 113° F (30° to 45° C). Open the screw plug on the bottom of the trans. Level is correct if a small amount of fluid flows from the hole. Add fluid up and through the plug A. Do not dislodge filler guard cap up inside of fill hole with filling tool.


Automatic Transmission Fluid Type Unit Fluid
01V AE

Automatic Transmission Fluid Total Capacity Liters Quarts
9.0 9.5


Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity Unit Trans Type Liters Quarts Quantity Refers To Notes
01V Transaxle 2.6 2.8 Initial Refill After Service C20
C20: Capacity does not include final drive. Vehicle is not equipped W/ a TRANS dipstick, special tools and procedures are required.