Originally Posted by LexusLSguy

Not sure if this applies to the Audi but Lexus owners were finding that if you pulled your car up on front ramps vs being level you are able to get 2 - 3 more quarts out on a drain. I assume many just measure the amount drained and refill the same amount.

Originally Posted by MP4.2+6.0

Drain was in front of pan on D3 (six speed) so harder w/ ramp idea. You also need it really level for the fill and moving it w/ fluid out doesn't fly. The biggest areas that I found in the drain difference pan on vs. pan removed were: 1. A recess in pan where the filter fits, which tilting won't change much. 2. Fluid that hangs up above filter, and only drains very slowly if you don't pull it--more so w/ the pan recess. Best practice is a filter pull anyway, though more hassle and you don't repeat it w/ sequential drains.

Originally Posted by Ritz

Yep, the car needs to be level and the fluid at operating temperature (use your VAG) to accurately divine the correct fluid level.

I'm a firm believer in the drain/refill method and do it 3 times over the course of about a week. And I do that approximately every 60k miles. Probably overkill, but it makes me happy.

Best,

Originally Posted by LexusLSguy

So you don't drop the pan to do the filter? I would think one would want this done.

Originally Posted by Jack88

I don't go past 100k miles on anything without a transmission service, much sooner in higher performing applications. By the time you notice an issue, it's too late. On the A8, I figured every 75k miles, but if ZF recommends it sooner, that may be on the outer limit of what you should do. A 125k miles is just plain late, by a long shot, Baloo. I'd schedule that right now, if I were you.

Originally Posted by MP4.2+6.0

Yes, did it on my D3 A8 W12. Did it on my 2000 C5 A6 4.2. ZF--the tranny maker, actually did yused to have a service interval for even what they call "normal" service. But in middle of the life of my C5--and with no change to tranny or fluid, they revised position to say only needed for severe service.

From Audi's perspective it is just lifetime. Here's what that means, direct from the mouth of Fritz (the lying service meister too busy doktoring TDI's): When vee say lifetime, vee stand entirely behind zat. Just like vee do about our clean... That is, zee fluid will last exactly the lifetime of the transmission, and not one kilometer more or less. Vee guaranty it, just like so many other things vee realized to label lifetime. Presto, zehr gut marketing genius. Helps us on our make believe carbon accounting by the way too--no lie. Just trust us. Any questions, just send a note to my assistant, the Sarge, Sergeant Schultz. He vill take care of you, real good.

Less tongue in cheek, here is what ZF says these days:
They used to quote a range of 60-100K kilometers and be more specific with a reference to severe conditions--which they botched the translation of and used to label "offensive driving." I actually also own the one Audi with a ZF 8 speed that still does have a survice interval--every 35K miles on a Q5 Hybrid. There is no torque converter and fluid gets even more of a workout apparently. Having had it done (covered by AudiCare), dealer seems to basically just pull plug and do a quick single cycle drain--meaning maybe half come out on any one drain.

Finally, having drained the D3 W12 a few times, it actually doesn't drain nearly as dirty looking as older trannies used to. From talking to some ZF types, they note that with the elimination of lead as a permitted material, various internals of trannies that used to rely on it as an inherent lubricant in bearing/load parts no longer can. That lead and softer bearing material was probably part of what you would see in older fluid drains. That basically then means steel on steel in any newer design where RoHS compliance comes in. The lubricant quality becomes that much more crucial, especially if it is in a controlled bleed (rate) component as you can find in a modern tranny.

Originally Posted by LexusLSguy

The reason I brought up this subject is to shed light on a very deceptive practice auto manufacturers take because they want the vehicle to appear as maintenance free as possible to the detriment of longevity. To the detriment of our pocketbooks who desire a vehicle to last as long as possible. In the 2004 - 2006 Lexus LS430 with the "sealed" transmission / "lifetime" fluid which is a good example as there are a lot of high mileage vehicles around. Those who serviced their transmissions are getting 250+ miles without problems. Those who did not are having to replace the transmission often around 150k miles.

I noticed the first couple of shifts this pretty cold morning on my new to me 14 were not as smooth as I think they should be. This is a sign that the transmission should be servied. Dropping the pan and replacing filter is definitely more expensive then just a drain and refill. Not sure which route I want to take. Considering it about $350 in parts I'm thinking labor would be close for the same. Transmission fluid is rather expensive for this car. I may go the drain and refill route for now and do the filter around 100k miles.

Originally Posted by Baloo588

I tried to get all my independent shops to service my transmission but they decline and says its lifetime. I am at 125k miles without issues so I am not going to mess with it.