Moonlightblue

I'm thinking that for preventative reasons, I should do an automatic transmission fluid change as I'm about to reach 65k miles. My local indie shop said they can do it, but they don't have an evacuator. Is it just as effective, or nearly as effective to do it without one?

visionguru

My guess: your indie shop never actually did a DSG service.
Check this video out. Not sure when/where an evacuator is needed or required.

Moonlightblue

Well, I haven't had it done, yet. That video makes it seem pretty easy. Not sure why the indie shop wants to charge me $500 for doing that, and the dealer quite a bit more. That video was of a GTI. So, the procedure for changing that fluid is pretty identical for the Q5?

AudiOmega

I have a TDI, I assume you have the same ZF trans. If so, replacing the filter is a PITA. Transmission filters need love too.

Bob Petruska

Guys, the video is for a DSG trans. The majority of the Q5's in the US have ZF transmissions. Moonlightblue you have a ZF transmission. The ZF requires that the fluid level be measured at a particular temperature.

MurrayA4

Yeah the "GTI" procedure is not relevant to the ZF8 in our cars and shouldn't really be here.The ZF filter is in the sump and requires removal of the tranny pan.Not horrendous but not a simple cartridge filter.
And as Bob stated the fluid refill procedure is somewhat temperature dependant.It's not an old Powerglide.You have to get the fluid level right and your transmission will remain pretty much bulletproof.

visionguru

Bob, thanks. So, basically the procedure is like in this video?

Looks like an evacuator is still not needed, unless it's a "flush". On my Honda, Honda factory service manual specifically discourages "flush" machines, and recommends 3x drain/refill as "flush".
I've done ATF "flush" on my Honda multiple times. At 150K miles, I decided to replace the original ATF filter: the filter looked no different from new.

Bob Petruska

Yes...….