KevinGary

Just checked ZF website and they suggest a service interval of 80,000 km or 50,000 miles for the current transmissions.

newa6er

Stop drinking the kool-aid, if you think that your auto ZF gearbox does not need fluid changes because it's a lifetime fluid in a sealed system you are wrong. My last car was a BMW with "lifetime fluid" in a ZF box. It started slipping and so I checked the fluid and it was burnt. Checked online and plenty of other owners had the same issue. I went to the dealer and asked what BMW had to say, they suggested I trade the car in at well below book value.

itsasecret

You had an issue which caused your fluid to burn which is a reason to change the fluid. Under normal conditions the fluid does not need to be changed. Burnt fluid is not a normal condition.

itsasecret

sealed system you are wrong.

They have drain and fill plugs it is not a sealed system. There are procedures on draining and filling.

balla4lyfe4421

so is it determined that we should change the fluids? and it should cost about 500-800 to perform this work? and should be done every 50,000 miles?

itsasecret

Are you having any issues with shifting or performance? If not leave it alone the fluid is expensive and does not need to be changed if there are no issues. Here is the service chart for a 2006 A6 4.2. It only says check for leaks no replacement. If you are having no issue with the transmission dont change the fluid.

MY 2006 Maintenance Intervals - USA

Notet Every two years regardless of mileage: Brake fluid - Replace fluid (all vehicles).
t Every two years regardless of mileage: Cloth top - Check function and rollover protection of with cloth top down (Audi A4 Cabriolet only)
Service at every 5,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function; add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure
l Rotate tires.
Service at 15,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function and add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure. Check renewal date of tire repair set (where applicable).
l Engine on-board diagnostics - Check fault memory
l Battery - Check electrolyte level and add if necessary.
l Cooling system - Check coolant level and add coolant if necessary.
l Engine compartment - Check for leaks
l Exhaust system - Check for damage and leaks.
l Automatic transmission and final drive - Check for leaks.
l Manual transmission and final drive - Check for leaks.
l Underbody - Check for damage and leaks
l Drive shafts - Check boots.
l Spherical head couplings for tailgate gas springs: Retighten with 21 Nm (A3, A4 Avant (up to VIN WAU8E7A125000,), A6 Avant only).
l Front and rear axles - Check for excessive play. Check dust seals on ball joints and tie rod ends.
l Doors - Lubricate door check straps (TT, A4 Cabriolet, and A8 only).
l Rear lid hinges - lubricate (A8 only)
l Lights - Check all lights. Check headlight adjustment (TT, A4 Cabriolet, and A8 only).
l Dust and pollen filter - Replace filter.
l Snow screen for air cleaner - Clean (A4 and A6 only).
l Road test - Check braking, kick-down, steering, electrical, heating and ventilation systems, air conditioning, shift lock operation, and power accessories.
l Sunroof: Clean guide rails and lubricate with grease spray
l Haldex clutch - Change oil (TT only)
Service at 25,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function; add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure
Service at 35,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function and add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure. Check renewal date of tire repair set (where applicable).
l Engine on-board diagnostics - Check fault memory
l Battery - Check electrolyte level and add if necessary.
l Cooling system - Check coolant level and add coolant if necessary.
l Engine compartment - Check for leaks
l Exhaust system - Check for damage and leaks.
l Automatic transmission and final drive - Check for leaks.
l Manual transmission and final drive - Check for leaks.
l Underbody - Check for damage and leaks
l Drive shafts - Check boots.
l Spherical head couplings for tailgate gas springs: Retighten with 21 Nm (A3, A4 Avant (up to VIN WAU8E7A125000,), A6 Avant only).
l Front and rear axles - Check for excessive play. Check dust seals on ball joints and tie rod ends.
l Doors - Lubricate door check straps
l Rear lid hinges - Lubricate (A8 only)
l Lights - Check all lights. Check headlight adjustment.
l Dust and pollen filter - Replace filter.
l Snow screen for air cleaner - Clean (A4 and A6 only).
l Road test - Check braking, kick-down, steering, electrical, heating and ventilation systems, air conditioning, shift lock operation, and power accessories.
l Sunroof - Clean guide rails and lubricate with grease spray
l Haldex clutch - Change oil (A3 and TT only)
l Haldex clutch - Change filter (TT only)
l Spark plugs - Replace at 35,000 miles or 3 years, whichever occurs first. Thereafter every 40,000 miles or three years, whichever occurs first. (1.8T, 3.0L, 3.2L VR6, and 6.0L engines only)
l Air cleaner - Clean the housing and replace filter element (TT and A8 6.0L only).
l Continuously Variable Transmission (multitronic) - Change ATF.
l Power steering fluid - Check fluid level. Add if necessary.
l DSG (direct shift gearbox) - Change oil and replace filter element (TT and A3 only)
l Ribbed V-belt - Check condition (A8 6.0L only)
l Front sunroof drains (where applicable) - Open sunroof to check front water drain and clean if necessary.
l Plenum panel - Remove cover for plenum panel to check water drains and clean if necessary. (A4, A4 Avant, A4 Cabriolet, S4, S4 Cabriolet, A6, A6 Avant and A8
Service at 45,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function; add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure
Service at 55,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function and add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure. Check renewal date of tire repair set (where applicable).
l Engine on-board diagnostics - Check fault memory
l Battery - Check electrolyte level and add if necessary.
l Cooling system - Check coolant level and add coolant if necessary.
l Engine compartment - Check for leaks
l Exhaust system - Check for damage and leaks.
l Automatic transmission and final drive - Check for leaks.
l Manual transmission and final drive - Check for leaks.
l Underbody - Check for damage and leaks
l Drive shafts - Check boots.
l Spherical head couplings for tailgate gas springs: Retighten with 21 Nm (A3, A4 Avant (up to VIN WAU8E7A125000,), A6 Avant only).
l Front and rear axles - Check for excessive play. Check dust seals on ball joints and tie rod ends.
l Doors - Lubricate door check straps (TT, A4 Cabriolet, and A8 only).
l Rear lid hinges - lubricate (A8 only)
l Lights - Check all lights. Check headlight adjustment (TT, A4 Cabriolet, and A8 only).
l Dust and pollen filter - Replace filter.
l Snow screen for air cleaner - Clean (A4 and A6 only).
l Road test - Check braking, kick-down, steering, electrical, heating and ventilation systems, air conditioning, shift lock operation, and power accessories.
l Sunroof - Clean guide rails and lubricate with grease spray
l Haldex clutch - Change oil (TT only)
l Spark plugs - Replace at 55,000 miles or 6 years, whichever occurs first. Thereafter every 60,000 miles or 6 years, whichever occurs first. (except 1.8T, 3.0L, 3.2L VR6, and 6.0L engines)
l Air cleaner - Clean the housing and replace filter element (A3, A4, A6, and A8 4.2L only)
Service at 65,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function; add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure
Service at 75,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function and add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure. Check renewal date of tire repair set (where applicable).
l Engine on-board diagnostics - Check fault memory
l Battery - Check electrolyte level and add if necessary.
l Cooling system - Check coolant level and add coolant if necessary.
l Engine compartment - Check for leaks
l Exhaust system - Check for damage and leaks.
l Automatic transmission and final drive - Check for leaks.
l Manual transmission and final drive - Check for leaks.
l Underbody - Check for damage and leaks
l Drive shafts - Check boots.
l Spherical head couplings for tailgate gas springs: Retighten with 21 Nm (A3, A4 Avant (up to VIN WAU8E7A125000,), A6 Avant only).
l Front and rear axles - Check for excessive play. Check dust seals on ball joints and tie rod ends.
l Doors - Lubricate door check straps
l Rear lid hinges - lubricate (A8 only)
l Lights - Check all lights. Check headlight adjustment.
l Dust and pollen filter - Replace filter.
l Snow screen for air cleaner - Clean (A4 and A6 only).
l Road test - Check braking, kick-down, steering, electrical, heating and ventilation systems, air conditioning, shift lock operation, and power accessories.
l Sunroof: clean guide rails and lubricate with grease spray
l Haldex clutch - Change oil (A3 and TT only)
l Haldex clutch - Change filter (TT only)
l Spark plugs - Replace (1.8T, 3.0L, 3.2L VR6, and 6.0L engines only)
l Air cleaner - Clean the housing and replace filter element (TT and A8 6.0L only).
l Continuously Variable Transmission (multitronic) - Change ATF.
l Power steering fluid - Check fluid level. Add if necessary.
l DSG (direct shift gearbox) - Change oil and replace filter element (TT and A3 only)
l Ribbed V-belt - Check condition (A8 6.0L only)
l Ribbed V-belt - Replace (except 2.0T FSI, 3.0L, and 3.2L)
l Ribbed V-belt - Check condition (2.0T FSI, 3.0L, and 3.2L engines only)
l Timing belt - Replace (1.8T, 3.0L, and A8 4.2L only)
l Front sunroof drains (where applicable) - Open sunroof to check front water drain and clean if necessary.
l Plenum panel - Remove cover for plenum panel to check water drains and clean if necessary. (A4, A4 Avant, A4 Cabriolet, S4, S4 Cabriolet, A6, A6 Avant and A8
Service at 85,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function; add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure
Service at 95,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function and add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure. Check renewal date of tire repair set (where applicable).
l Engine on-board diagnostics - Check fault memory
l Battery - Check electrolyte level and add if necessary.
l Cooling system - Check coolant level and add coolant if necessary.
l Engine compartment - Check for leaks
l Exhaust system - Check for damage and leaks.
l Automatic transmission and final drive - Check for leaks.
l Manual transmission and final drive - Check for leaks.
l Underbody - Check for damage and leaks
l Drive shafts - Check boots.
l Spherical head couplings for tailgate gas springs: Retighten with 21 Nm (A3, A4 Avant (up to VIN WAU8E7A125000,), A6 Avant only).
l Front and rear axles - Check for excessive play. Check dust seals on ball joints and tie rod ends.
l Doors - Lubricate door check straps (TT, A4 Cabriolet, and A8 only).
l Rear lid hinges - lubricate (A8 only)
l Lights - Check all lights. Check headlight adjustment (TT, A4 Cabriolet, and A8 only).
l Dust and pollen filter - Replace filter.
l Snow screen for air cleaner - Clean (A4 and A6 only).
l Road test - Check braking, kick-down, steering, electrical, heating and ventilation systems, air conditioning, shift lock operation, and power accessories.
l Sunroof - Clean guide rails and lubricate with grease spray
l Haldex clutch - Change oil (TT only)
Service at 105,000 miles or 1 Year after Last Service
l Engine Oil / Oil Filter - Change oil and replace filter.
l Service reminder indicator display - Reset display.
l Brake system - Check for damage and leaks, thickness of pads, and brake fluid level.
l Windshield wiper and washer / Headlight washer - Check adjustment and function; add fluid if necessary.
l Wiper arm pivot points - Lubricate
l Tires and spare wheel - Check for wear and damage. Check tire pressure
Timing Belt Replacement at 110,000 miles
l Timing belt - Replace (2.0T FSI engine only)
l Timing belt tensioning system, dampening pulleys, and idler pulleys - Check condition and replace if necessary (2.0T FSI engine only

balla4lyfe4421

No Problems... Well only minor problem is it shifts a lil hard in and out of 1st gear but it barley ever uses 1st gear, I believe that is how Audi designed things. It has done this since I purchased the car at 75,000 miles. It now has 150,000 miles. But other than that I figured i should change it as maintenance. However it is a rip off and if i can do with out I'd rather save the $$


On another note my car had the timing chain go at 90,000 they rebuilt everything warranty covered the repair over $8,000. When Audi took the transmission apart from the engine to do the repairs necessary, do they have to drain the transmission fluids? Always has been a question of mine but never asked anyone. If they did drain and put new fluid in around 90,000 miles during the repair I would feel a better about not changing the fluid now.

KevinGary

Audi claims the Atf lasts forever. Does anyone really believe that anything lasts forever? Nuclear waste does not even last forever. The manufacturer of the transmission, ZF, posts on its own website that the so called lifetime is 50,000 miles. If you search the forum you will find that everyone who has changed the ATF has noticed a significant improvement.

itsasecret

You know the old saying if it aint broke dont fix it. That applies here. Is there anything wrong with changing the ATF in an ZF gearbox? If you do it properly, No. Technically you need to do a shift adaptation after replacement because you have changed the coefficient of friction of the ATF. Which has the possibility of causisng shift issues until it has relearned quick fill adaptations, pulse adaptations, and slip adaptations. I can go in to greater detail of what each of those adaptations are if you like.

itsasecret

First off you have an 09E or an 09L transmission which should of had an update of software and change of fluid from gold to blue or green. When they did the timing chains they had to disconnect the transmission cooler lines that requires the system to be topped up.