DSG fluid change solved issues!

[wack0]

How is this possible? I had every symptom of a failing mech unit: harsh 2-1 downshift, jerky takeoffs, sweeping RPM's in certain gears, and occasional banging/thuds. I was starting to budget for a new mech unit, and I decided to have the fluid/filter changed by a local Indy last week. Since then, it feels like a different car. None of the problems that I was experiencing before are there. I called the shop to see if they did a DSG re-adaptation, but the claim they did not.

Some background:

2010 DSG S4 purchased last October with 108k
APR Stage 2 with TCU tune (TCU tune did not improve any DSG issues I was having)

I guess it's possible the fluid was never changed by the previous owner, but I have a hard time accepting that such a simple thing could resolve so many problems. Am I crazy? Hopefully this isn't temporary...

[Race Shooter]

I hope it holds out for you.

But yes, it is possible it fixed the issues. I know of someone that had a similar issue with his Porsche PDK transmission. Before tearing it apart, they changed fluids and filters and it did the same thing and fixed all his issues.

Who knows why, but sometimes just being dirty or filters not letting fluid flow freely or whatever can cause some issues.

I probably wouldnt blow the mech unit fund just yet, but hopefully it solved your issues and you're good to go.

[k9lovr]

108K with no fluid change when it was supposed to be changed a few times by then yikes...You would be amazed how much better a trans can feel with fresh fluid in it...hope it continues to work well for you

[Vanimal]

I find it hard to believe there wasn't at least one at 35k. Doesn't the factory warranty cover the first one?

I've been looking at a few B8.5 B8 S4 to move to possibly as a successor to my 2010 B8 S5. I'd like to be around the $30-$35k CPO range possibly. But surely I'm not touching it unless it shows the fluid wasn't changed at 35k. I wouldn't have a problem coming out of pocket 7-$800 to do it again at 75k.

I wonder for those getting higher miles now from 2010 & 2011's is the next recommended change after 75k. I assume every 40k-ish?


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[The Fat Kid]

I find it hard to believe there wasn't at least one at 35k. Doesn't the factory warranty cover the first one?

I've been looking at a few B8.5 B8 S4 to move to possibly as a successor to my 2010 B8 S5. I'd like to be around the $30-$35k CPO range possibly. But surely I'm not touching it unless it shows the fluid wasn't changed at 35k. I wouldn't have a problem coming out of pocket 7-$800 to do it again at 75k.

I wonder for those getting higher miles now from 2010 & 2011's is the next recommended change after 75k. I assume every 40k-ish?


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It is only covered if you buy Audi Care.

OP - Some of the new Golf R's have been delivered with too little transmission fluid in the DSG and they displayed similar symptoms; there is a chance that your transmission was serviced at the correct intervals, but was just low on fluid.

[Vanimal]

It is only covered if you buy Audi Care.

OP - Some of the new Golf R's have been delivered with too little transmission fluid in the DSG and they displayed similar symptoms; there is a chance that your transmission was serviced at the correct intervals, but was just low on fluid.

Ah ok good to know, that is the first thing i check when i look at the car fax which is usually provided for free most times via Auto trader on a CPO etc. I would still call to confirm though lol.

[Westija]

I remember a Wheeler Dealer episode when they bought a Boxster with auto transmission issues and a fluid and filter change fuxed it. TV show? Perhaps, but maybe not.

[Westija]

[QUOTE=Westija;11688963]I remember a Wheeler Dealer episode when they bought a Boxster with auto transmission issues and a fluid and filter change fixed it. TV show? Perhaps, but maybe not.[/Q

[JKrups06]

When is the dsg fluid suppose to be changed? I'm 500 miles away from 70k miles majority highway miles but I don't think my dsg fluid has been changed once. I bought it used at 36k miles

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[blackfunk]

At 35k and the second at 75k I believe.

[SR7D1]

Glad I stumbled upon this. I bought mine used with 37K, now I am at 50K. I looked up the service schedule the other day to see what happens at the 55K and noticed DSG service @ 75K, and 35K? Yikes, checked my carfax and see no record of any service after 25K?

Crap. So here I am at 50K with no DSG service being done. I have read a few DSG how DIY's and it does not look bad if I can access a lift, but making that fill tool seems like a real PITA. Funds are a little tight right now and I have no VAG-COM for reading the trans temp? All that whining out of the way...

https://www.europaparts.com/dsg-tran...5-7-speed.html

Do I change the fluid and external filter? (myself) $105 + $13

Do I change the fluid and both filters? (myself) $255

Do I pay the shop to change the fluid and external filter? ($350)

Thoughts?

[BlownOne]

Glad to hear your issues cleared up after service op.

I would change both filters and use oem fluid Sr.

[jygesq]

have a audi specialized shop do it. Not worth the hassle to save $100 .

[The Fat Kid]

Glad I stumbled upon this. I bought mine used with 37K, now I am at 50K. I looked up the service schedule the other day to see what happens at the 55K and noticed DSG service @ 75K, and 35K? Yikes, checked my carfax and see no record of any service after 25K?

Crap. So here I am at 50K with no DSG service being done. I have read a few DSG how DIY's and it does not look bad if I can access a lift, but making that fill tool seems like a real PITA. Funds are a little tight right now and I have no VAG-COM for reading the trans temp? All that whining out of the way...

Do I change the fluid and external filter? (myself) $105 + $13

Do I change the fluid and both filters? (myself) $255

Do I pay the shop to change the fluid and external filter? ($350)

Thoughts?

Is it an indie VW/Audi shop? I would NOT go to a generic mechanic for the DSG.

The bottom line: You will potentially have a five-figure repair bill if you screw up the service.

[SR7D1]

have a audi specialized shop do it. Not worth the hassle to save $100 .

Well, it's a $225 savings.

- - - Updated - - -

Is it an indie VW/Audi shop? I would NOT go to a generic mechanic for the DSG.

The bottom line: You will potentially have a five-figure repair bill if you screw up the service.

That is an German car specialist, they do really good work.

[jygesq]

$350 - 255 = $95

[SR7D1]

$350 - 255 = $95

Do I change the fluid and external filter? (myself) $105 + $13

Do I change the fluid and both filters? (myself) $255

Do I pay the shop to change the fluid and external filter? ($350)

$350 is the external filter only. So if I did it myself it's $118. I did not get a quote from the shop for both filters.

[jygesq]

I am pretty much sure dealer does not replace any internal filter, they do not drop the pan, I thought I remember from posts on this board it is not necessary. I am not sure whether later DSG version 2 has two filters, maybe only one

[mdeneso]

I did a DSG service around 120k miles and I would say it definitely smoothed out the transmission. I wasn't experiencing the symptoms you were, but it did smooth out the shifting a little on my car.


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[SR7D1]

I am pretty much sure dealer does not replace any internal filter, they do not drop the pan, I thought I remember from posts on this board it is not necessary. I am not sure whether later DSG version 2 has two filters, maybe only one

So I just called the dealership and they verified this. They change the fluid and external filter @ 35K and 75K. They also quoted me $800!

So has there been a change in the DSG/Tiptronic transmissions from the B8 to the B8.5?

[jygesq]

yes b8.5 uses version 2 of the DSG . Possibly the newer version has fixed the problems of the older version. There have still been some reports of DSG failures in 2015 S4s. I think 2 cases have been posted about. Not sure if a real fix or just the later cars have fewer miles so no problems reported yet.

[jygesq]

yes b8.5 uses version 2 of the DSG . Possibly the newer version has fixed the problems of the older version. There have still been some reports of DSG failures in 2015 S4s. I think 2 cases have been posted about. Not sure if a real fix or just the later cars have fewer miles so no problems reported yet.

[SR7D1]

Where is the external filter located?

[mrmomo313]

Give it 2000 miles and report back. Changing fluid can slightly prolong the inevitable mech unit failure. Hate to be the negative one lol but your symptoms sure sound like an ailing mech unit. Hopefully it's not though!

[grovlet]

So I just called the dealership and they verified this. They change the fluid and external filter @ 35K and 75K. They also quoted me $800!

So has there been a change in the DSG/Tiptronic transmissions from the B8 to the B8.5?

There was indeed a DSG change for 8.5s as noted - but that's the dealer going rate for fluid change regardless of DSG Version..... Find an independent/performance Audi specialist - It will be cheaper - most are about 1/2 that! But FYI - it does require very specific fluid that is the expense - so it's not going to be much less than $350 (fluid/filter(s) + Labor)

[wack0]

Give it 2000 miles and report back. Changing fluid can slightly prolong the inevitable mech unit failure. Hate to be the negative one lol but your symptoms sure sound like an ailing mech unit. Hopefully it's not though!

aww dang :(

[SR7D1]

There was indeed a DSG change for 8.5s as noted - but that's the dealer going rate for fluid change regardless of DSG Version..... Find an independent/performance Audi specialist - It will be cheaper - most are about 1/2 that! But FYI - it does require very specific fluid that is the expense - so it's not going to be much less than $350 (fluid/filter(s) + Labor)

Thanks, I got the fluid and filter already, but where is the filter located? I can't find anything online or YouTube?

[RudyH]

I agree with the service making the DCT feel better.

Also, when I get an oil change, same thing, it feels like the engine is alive again (ya that can go a different way too).

[tkeifer1]

How is this possible? I had every symptom of a failing mech unit: harsh 2-1 downshift, jerky takeoffs, sweeping RPM's in certain gears, and occasional banging/thuds. I was starting to budget for a new mech unit, and I decided to have the fluid/filter changed by a local Indy last week. Since then, it feels like a different car. None of the problems that I was experiencing before are there. I called the shop to see if they did a DSG re-adaptation, but the claim they did not.

Some background:

2010 DSG S4 purchased last October with 108k
APR Stage 2 with TCU tune (TCU tune did not improve any DSG issues I was having)

I guess it's possible the fluid was never changed by the previous owner, but I have a hard time accepting that such a simple thing could resolve so many problems. Am I crazy? Hopefully this isn't temporary...

Hi, just curious, I know this was 4 years ago.... did you DSG issues come back after you posted this in 2016? My S5 had the "gear selector" code pop-up occasionally and I just got the full service done and it feels great for now. Let me know... thanks! Ted