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Audi A4 B7: How to Change Automatic Transmission Fluid

Audi may consider the automatic transmission fluid in your A4 to be good for the life of the car, but that only means it is good for the lifetime of the warranty. It does need to be changed occasionally in order to keep the transmission as well as torque converter working properly and shifting smooth.

By Bassem Girgis - March 30, 2016

This article applies to the Audi A4 (2005-2009).

The transmission fluid change, according to Audi, is not listed as a normal piece of periodic maintenance; however, as you start racking up the mileage on your Audi A4, it is simply a smart investment. Reputable shops recommend changing it between 30k and 60k miles, and the maker of the transmission (which is not Audi but ZF) recommends you change it by 80k miles. You will need to purchase a fluid pump to pump the fluid into your transmission to fill it back up. So if you're ready to replace your tranny fluid, glove up and read on.

Audi A4 B7: How to Change Automatic Transmission Fluid

Materials Needed

  • Drain pan
  • Jack and jack stands (four jack stands)
  • 10mm hex socket
  • 16mm triple square drive
  • Fluid pan
  • 6-9 quarts of the proper transmission fluid

The A4 came with either a conventional automatic transmission in the Quattro equipped cars, or a CVT automatic in the front wheel drive cars. The oil change is similar with both, but the amount and type of fluid will differ, so be certain to use the correct type. The location of the drain and fill plugs differs as well, but both are under the car in roughly the same area.

Step 1 – Raise and secure car

Raise the car using your jack, then secure it with jack stands. You will need to secure it on four jack stands to keep it leveled, which will allow all the fluid to drain. The front jack points are directly behind the front wheels, and the rear ones are directly in front of the rear wheels. The jack stand points are right next to the jack points.

Jack points
Figure 1. Jack points.

Step 2 – Drain old fluid

Place your drain pan underneath the drain and the fill plug. You will need to remove both the fill and drain plugs to drain the fluid completely. Let the fluid rain until it's completely empty.

  • Drain plug=blue, fill plug=red on tiptronic automatic
    Figure 2. Drain plug (blue arrow) and fill plug (red) on tiptronic automatic.
  • FWD cars came with a CVT transmission, with the drain and fill plugs right next to each other
    Figure 3. FWD cars came with a CVT transmission, with the drain and fill plugs right next to each other.

Step 3 – Fill transmission with fluid

Close the drain plug and tighten it, then start pumping fluid in through the fill hole. The only way to know when the tranny is full is when fluid leaks out of the fill hole. When it's full, tighten the fill hole back up start the car, and while your foot is on the brake, shift the car into reverse, neutral and drive for 10 seconds per gear, but don't drive the car yet. Put the shifter back into park and shut the motor off, then pull the fill plug and add fluid again until it drips out. Tighten the plug and you should be done for at least another 50k miles.

Figure 4. Fill transmission with fluid.

Featured Video: Transmission Fluid Change

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