Will new Tranny fluid fix this...
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Will new Tranny fluid fix this...
My wife (an excellent driver) has started driving my new-to-me 2000 A6 Avant 2.8Q (49k miles).
I love the car, but my wife has noticed a couple of items she dislikes. After considering her thoughts, I'd have to agree... here goes:
1. In comparison to her 99 Volvo S70, the throttle response is definitely less positive, especially when traveling between 10 and 35 mph. Once cruising above 40, the Audi is much nicer. The Audi is almost always in 4th or 5th, when it should be in 3rd or 4th...then when the car finally decides the driver is serious about accelerating, the tranny/engine combo usually has to overreact to get up to desired speed.
Don't get me wrong, the Audi is faster, but it takes a while for it to make up it's mind to be faster...
2. the Audi "gearhunts" on downshifts. When accelerating out of a corner, the car has trouble deciding which gear it wants to be in (it's usually in 4th, when it should be in 3rd)...then when it downshifts to 3rd, it's not as smooth as the older and higher-mileage Volvo...The Audi tranny is not "bad" - in that it doesn't bump or clank - but it's noticeable and the fact that it's not as nice as a Volvo, does bother. The Volvo is as smooth as butter in this situation...
Would a tranny fluid/filter flush/replacement help with either of these issues?
Thanks in advance.
L.
I love the car, but my wife has noticed a couple of items she dislikes. After considering her thoughts, I'd have to agree... here goes:
1. In comparison to her 99 Volvo S70, the throttle response is definitely less positive, especially when traveling between 10 and 35 mph. Once cruising above 40, the Audi is much nicer. The Audi is almost always in 4th or 5th, when it should be in 3rd or 4th...then when the car finally decides the driver is serious about accelerating, the tranny/engine combo usually has to overreact to get up to desired speed.
Don't get me wrong, the Audi is faster, but it takes a while for it to make up it's mind to be faster...
2. the Audi "gearhunts" on downshifts. When accelerating out of a corner, the car has trouble deciding which gear it wants to be in (it's usually in 4th, when it should be in 3rd)...then when it downshifts to 3rd, it's not as smooth as the older and higher-mileage Volvo...The Audi tranny is not "bad" - in that it doesn't bump or clank - but it's noticeable and the fact that it's not as nice as a Volvo, does bother. The Volvo is as smooth as butter in this situation...
Would a tranny fluid/filter flush/replacement help with either of these issues?
Thanks in advance.
L.
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Tranny flush at 50k is always a good idea, but . . . . to fix the problems you describe
a tranny software recoding is what you want.
There is much information in Stoney's links or you can search for "00032".
Essentially the recode makes the adaptive tranny stay agressive and if you do the 00032 code, it'll also hold 1st gear until redline in tip mode.
I opted for 00012 which gives you the sport performance w/o the 1st gear to redline in tip. You need a VAG (or cooperative dealer/shop) to do this.
There is much information in Stoney's links or you can search for "00032".
Essentially the recode makes the adaptive tranny stay agressive and if you do the 00032 code, it'll also hold 1st gear until redline in tip mode.
I opted for 00012 which gives you the sport performance w/o the 1st gear to redline in tip. You need a VAG (or cooperative dealer/shop) to do this.
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Its a 2.8, thats what they do.
Not sure if the tip recode will make a difference on a 2.8
Dont get me wrong, I love the A6 (all models) but even I, sold my 2.8 because it was lacking in the performance dept.
Dont get me wrong, I love the A6 (all models) but even I, sold my 2.8 because it was lacking in the performance dept.
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Re: If that's the case, this sucks...
How can it be that a stock Volvo S70 (family cruiser extraodrinare) that: is older, has more mileage, and a weak 5 cylinder engine, has so much better shifting characteristics than the supposedly much more "drive-able" Audi?
Again, it's not that the Audi has less performance on tap....like I said, the Audi IS faster...it's that the Audi is noticeably poorer in executing basic functions like shifting and "gear hunting." That seems like a rather large downside for an Audi...
L.
Again, it's not that the Audi has less performance on tap....like I said, the Audi IS faster...it's that the Audi is noticeably poorer in executing basic functions like shifting and "gear hunting." That seems like a rather large downside for an Audi...
L.
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Yes it does, and it still bothers me..the tranny has a mind of it own.
I wish it would downshift earlier and hold in a gear longer when you give it more gas.
Its not a very intuitive piece of equipment, despite the fact that its supposed to be adaptive.
And when I'm in Tiptronic mode...it shift nearly a full second after I click...
My 92 Camry shifts better with the ECT button down.
Its not a very intuitive piece of equipment, despite the fact that its supposed to be adaptive.
And when I'm in Tiptronic mode...it shift nearly a full second after I click...
My 92 Camry shifts better with the ECT button down.
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From: Chino CA
Engine/tranny characteristics
I came from a Saab 9-3 4sp auto before I had my A6. yes, the Audi requires different tactics due to it's lack of torque, but mine doesn't do the hunting you describe either, and it is not recoded. I usually drive it in tip mode 90% of the time, and it is much less noticeable. It's just a different performance curve to adjust to, but certainly far superior than any similar US car I have driven.
The answer to your question is, perhaps you would be one of those that would benefit from a fluid filter change.
The answer to your question is, perhaps you would be one of those that would benefit from a fluid filter change.
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I'll do the fluid/filter first....and post a full write-up
A couple of things:
1. I'm something of a mechanical dunce, but I can change my oil, so I figure I'll try the tranny fluid/filter change...That is, once my FAA-certified airplane mechanic father-in-law arrives for the Holidays!!
2. Anyone in the greater DC area have a VAG-com I could utilize for the recode?
3. HBL Audi (Tyson's Corner), from appearances of the service area waiting room alone, looks like it's too expensive to have them do anything but warranty work for me. Sheesh, they've got more leather furniture in that place...
1. I'm something of a mechanical dunce, but I can change my oil, so I figure I'll try the tranny fluid/filter change...That is, once my FAA-certified airplane mechanic father-in-law arrives for the Holidays!!
2. Anyone in the greater DC area have a VAG-com I could utilize for the recode?
3. HBL Audi (Tyson's Corner), from appearances of the service area waiting room alone, looks like it's too expensive to have them do anything but warranty work for me. Sheesh, they've got more leather furniture in that place...
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Info on Vag locator and Fluid change procedure
Stoney's links contain the link to the VAG tool locator which I have also listed below.
There is also a link to the uber transmission fluid change writeup by Paul W.
FYI, you'll need the vag for the fluid change as well since you need to bring it up to exactly the right temperature while filling to get the fluid level just right. The car must sit overnight to cool down before starting the job.
Also FYI, 4 rhino ramps help to get the car high enough and level to do this job easier and ECS Tuning has good prices on the filter, pan gasket and fluid.
Stoney's links:
http://sonolithics.com/files/a6_links.html<ul><li><a href="http://www.steve-hall.com/cgi-bin/VAG-Locator.pl">Vag Locator</a></li></ul>
There is also a link to the uber transmission fluid change writeup by Paul W.
FYI, you'll need the vag for the fluid change as well since you need to bring it up to exactly the right temperature while filling to get the fluid level just right. The car must sit overnight to cool down before starting the job.
Also FYI, 4 rhino ramps help to get the car high enough and level to do this job easier and ECS Tuning has good prices on the filter, pan gasket and fluid.
Stoney's links:
http://sonolithics.com/files/a6_links.html<ul><li><a href="http://www.steve-hall.com/cgi-bin/VAG-Locator.pl">Vag Locator</a></li></ul>