raj99

Have you contacted your local audi dealership and simply asked them for your particular VIN which transmission fluid you need?

BTW, it is HIGHLY unlikely that they will have done any transmission fluid change to your car, since most dealerships swear by the line 'it's a LIFETIME fluid'. However, some actually have an ounce of logic and admit that it should be changed. CTC seems to know what they are doing, so they certainly are SMEs (subject matter experts) regarding ZF trannys.

Good luck

eazy211187

ZF pretty much replaced LifeGuard 6+ with LifeGuard 8(in other words discontinued LG6+).

Also you might want to check this out and see if it's still available: http://classifieds.audiworld.com/sho...t/10486/cat/22

dzywicki

I was finally able to call the dealership where the previous owner was taking it for service. The technician said the transmission software was updated, but the fluid was not changed. I asked how much a fluid change was and he said "it's a lifetime fluid". I asked, "if you could change the magical lifetime fluid, how much would it cost" and he said they don't recommend it.

Whatever. I'll go with the Lifeguard 8, like thectsc recommended and not go with the dealers recommendation.

Makes me wonder how many Audis suffer premature transmission failure from the magical lifetime fluid. I guess the same goes for other manufacturer's saying the same thing.

Not sure what the point of the TSB on the transmission was about. That recommended updating the software and then flushing the old fluid out and replacing with the updated fluid.

This would be why I try at least understand what is needed and try to do the work myself.

dzywicki

To add one more data point (not clarity, just data ). I called my local deale and asked for the part # for the ATF and how much a fluid change would cost. He answered as expected that it's lifetime. The part # he gave me is: G060162A2, which equated to Lifeguard 8.

I said that I thought ZF recommended changing every 60k miles and he said that Audi fluid is 100% synthetic and that's why it doesn't need changed. So Audi fluid is not Lifeguard fluid and Lifeguard is not 100% synthetic?

The wisdom on The Google seems to say that the lifetime fluid philosophy is that as the clutch plates wear and thin, the material is absorbed into the fluid and it keeps the clutch plates from slipping. Replacing the fluid will remove the worn material and cause slippage.

I just can't get over $45/liter fluid.

raj99

just get the fluid and be done with it. Yeah it's pricey, but you only do it once every 4-5 years...so amortized over the length of time or mileage, it's not much. Plus you'll have piece of mind.

BTW, mine only took 5 quarts, so all you need to buy is 6 quarts (to be on the safe side).

have fun

Prospeeder

that is such a retarded myth, and has no scientific backing, just a bunch of idiots on forums whos moms dads sisters cousins transmission failed after they changed the fluid so it must be because the fluid, not because it was acting up and ready to die from lack of fluid changed.

And lifetime fluid, i work at a repair shop, its my number one service i get customers to do. 80k fluid is jet black, nasty, trans shifted alittle harsh and delayed. After a change, man, perfect, smooth shifts with no trouble. Definatly change it heres a cheaper source than the dealer.

http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=p...d=193&parent=0

dzywicki

I completely agree that lifetime fluid is a completely myth (I should have clarified that I don't agree with, just summarizing what I found on The Google). At this point, I am definitely going to change all the drivetrain fluids out. I was going to use Lifeguard 8 from thectsc for the transmission.

dzywicki

I am gathering supplies for a complete driveline fluid change and wanted to use the collected wisdom on the transmission filter. Looks like 2 options. Thectsc sells a combined pan/filter for $142. There are other places that sell just the filter for ~$70. Both options need a gasket.
I'm inclined to just get a filter and gasket, but ctsc must sell the combined pan/filter version for a reason. Does the combined make it easier? I've changed plenty of trans filters.

Any thoughts on that?

raj99

I did this a little while back and the only thing I can forsee the need for a new pan is due to damage to the current one on your car. If the current one is structurally sound, I can't imagine any need for a new one. BTW, the pan and filter are independent of one another, therefore buying the whole assembly does not have any advantage over just buying the filter.

For the record, I replaced with ZF8, filter, and gasket only.

hrc4u

i also just went with filter and gasket only.
/H