mariojr323

Ok, i have a 2001 Audi A4 2.8L Quattro, automatic, and ive been looking for a place that can check/fill my transmission fluid but nobody i call can do it. I called Audi of Downtown LA and the mechanic on the phone said he doesnt recommend changing and/or putting new transmission fluid because it can cause the gears to grind, thereby having to replace the whole transmission. He said that the fluid is suppose to last for the LIFE of the car, and that i can add/change the fluid but there is a possibility that the transmission will mess up altogether.
Can somebody help me out on this, i'm almost 100% sure that is not true. I've never heard of any cars transmission fluid never needing a change or fill of anything, then again im no mechanic. Can someone help me clarify this for me?

clancy

Nope, it will last the life of the trans. Just like motor oil will last the life of the motor. Lots of o,d threads both here and on the C5 forum on this subject. Do a search.

mariojr323

I figured, thanks.

eatlas

whoa, motor oil should be changed every 5k

not the entire life of the motor.

clancy

It is like saying the car will last the life of a tank of fuel. Once the fuel is gone, no more driving. If the car last the life of the trans fluid then when the fluid craps out so does the trans. When the oil craps out so does the motor. Most people change the oil BEFORE it dies.

So, when Audi says the fluid lasts for life, the real meaning is when the fluid dies so does the trans. Change the fluid to extend the life of the trans.....

eatlas

^

I've also heard:

manual trans: change every ~90k
automatic trans: if it's not actin' up, don't bother changing fluid (only change fluid if it's acting up)

clancy

automatic trans: if it's not actin' up, don't bother changing fluid (only change fluid if it's acting up)

Asking for trouble, unless you do not keep car.

eatlas

Basically just change the tranny fluid if you feel like / think it needs changing.