Q5 Transmission ID & servicing?
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2024
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From: PNW
Q5 Transmission ID & servicing?
Hi all. 2015 Q5 TDI w/ about 60k miles. My transmission seems to be slipping a bit, I called Audi service to get fluid/filter and they said it is a lifetime non serviceable transmission. Doing research it sounds like it should be serviced regardless of what Audi says. I cannot figure out what my transmission is though to buy a service kit to do it myself! VIN decoder just says "8" for transmission type. My build sticker has the transmission type code as " NPR QDA". Searching online I can't figure out what NPR QDA transmission is.
Anyone shed light on it for me? Also, should I service the transmission myself?
Thanks!
Anyone shed light on it for me? Also, should I service the transmission myself?
Thanks!
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 42
Hi all. 2015 Q5 TDI w/ about 60k miles. My transmission seems to be slipping a bit, I called Audi service to get fluid/filter and they said it is a lifetime non serviceable transmission. Doing research it sounds like it should be serviced regardless of what Audi says. I cannot figure out what my transmission is though to buy a service kit to do it myself! VIN decoder just says "8" for transmission type. My build sticker has the transmission type code as " NPR QDA". Searching online I can't figure out what NPR QDA transmission is.
Anyone shed light on it for me? Also, should I service the transmission myself?
Thanks!
Anyone shed light on it for me? Also, should I service the transmission myself?
Thanks!
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 8
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From: PNW
Thanks, I looked at both and they recommend the service kit for a ZF8 transmission. I also contacted Audi help and they said my transmission type is AL551-8Q which is the ZF8 transmission. So now I need to decide...if Audi won't service it should I service it myself or should I have Audi run diagnostics on it to log my complaint but then just drive it? I have another 10k miles under the extended powertrain warranty.
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From: Georgia
On the vehicle identification sticker, the four character code on the left is the engine. On the right are the rear diff (if quattro) / transmission codes. So
NPR = type 0BC open rear diff with 43:13 ratio used with V6 engine and ZF8 transmission
QDA = type 0BK first gen 8-speed ZF 8HP55A transmission
So the ZF8 transmission. Audi will say lifetime fill. ZF will say do the fluid drain/fill and filter replace every 50k-75k miles, or something like that. And at least every 8 years. There's great floods amount of info on the ZF ATF process. The correct fluid for that is Lifeguard 8.
NPR = type 0BC open rear diff with 43:13 ratio used with V6 engine and ZF8 transmission
QDA = type 0BK first gen 8-speed ZF 8HP55A transmission
So the ZF8 transmission. Audi will say lifetime fill. ZF will say do the fluid drain/fill and filter replace every 50k-75k miles, or something like that. And at least every 8 years. There's great floods amount of info on the ZF ATF process. The correct fluid for that is Lifeguard 8.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 769
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Thanks, I looked at both and they recommend the service kit for a ZF8 transmission. I also contacted Audi help and they said my transmission type is AL551-8Q which is the ZF8 transmission. So now I need to decide...if Audi won't service it should I service it myself or should I have Audi run diagnostics on it to log my complaint but then just drive it? I have another 10k miles under the extended powertrain warranty.
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From: PNW
You also might consider changing to center transfer case fluid at the same time as the X-brace needs to be removed to replace that. It is not the same fluid as the front and rear differentials. Also, you will need Vag to read the fluid temp in the transmission to ensure the correct amount of fluid to replaced. Kits normally contain 8 qts of fluid but only 6 are used.
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...rential-Change
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...rential-Change
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2024
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From: PNW
Alright, to follow up, I ordered all the parts and fluid and just finished a full service:
-engine oil & filter
-transmission oil & filter
-front diff
-center diff
-rear diff
-& rotated the tires
I used all factory fluid. Trans only took 5 liters, I wonder if I should check it again in a few days? Front diff 1 liter, center diff just under 1 liter, rear diff 1 liter (fluid in rear looked new still but front and center definitely looked used).
I feel accomplished but it kinda sucked if I'm being honest. A lift would've been a huge help. I did everything on jackstands and it took me 8 hours start to finish. The link you sent WhatnxtQ5TDI was a big help. The info out on the web is sufficient, the only thing I would mention is to do the front diff before reinstalling the X-brace as the drain plug is right above it and it will make a mess.
Thanks everyone for the pointers, I appreciate it! Time for a drink!
-engine oil & filter
-transmission oil & filter
-front diff
-center diff
-rear diff
-& rotated the tires
I used all factory fluid. Trans only took 5 liters, I wonder if I should check it again in a few days? Front diff 1 liter, center diff just under 1 liter, rear diff 1 liter (fluid in rear looked new still but front and center definitely looked used).
I feel accomplished but it kinda sucked if I'm being honest. A lift would've been a huge help. I did everything on jackstands and it took me 8 hours start to finish. The link you sent WhatnxtQ5TDI was a big help. The info out on the web is sufficient, the only thing I would mention is to do the front diff before reinstalling the X-brace as the drain plug is right above it and it will make a mess.
Thanks everyone for the pointers, I appreciate it! Time for a drink!