4.2LV8AUDI

Wondering if there is anything in particular I should be looking to do. Car is an '03 4.2, has had all the service done. What should I be looking to do now, and in the next 10K?

Also i have seen a lot of mixed thoughts with regards to changing the trans fluid and filter. Is this something I should be looking at as a preventative measure?

Press

changed my trans fluid/filter at 30 and 60k

JLaws

But 50K is a good time to change it.

Jon C

The same tranny was recommended for a 40k service interval at one point IIRC... my trusted tech says 40-50k is OK and that he hears that dealers are even now recommending changes since the "lifetime" ATF, if not changed, will diminish the "lifetime" of your tranny (while still technically being a "lifetime" fluid).

jc

S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

changed along with fluid. Problems arise if you only change the fluid, or have someone do a flush with typical ATF and not the proper hydraulic oil that ZF (tranny manf) requires. You cannot hurt the tranny by changing the fluid unless you underfill it or significantly overfill it, or not change the filter or put in the wrong oil. Do it correctly and you can't possibly hurt the tranny. ZF says to change it, AoA (and not Audi Germany) is the only one saying to not change it. Why? Answer is that the lifetime fluid thing is a marketing driven thing, not engineering driven. No required change = less official maint cost. Total BS.

VW pulled the same crap - owner's manual calls for tranny fluid change, VWoA says it is now lifetime fluid - uhhh, it wasn't a lifetime fluid when it left the factory, but now suddenly has morphed into better fluid? I changed mine DIY (posted about it here in Nov of '05) and it has been great ever since. Do it!!!