Newbie - Audi A8 3.0 TDI Quattro 2007 Gearbox servicing

[driventodespair]

Hi, new to the forum and loads of great info. I have a query with my new toy. I had an older A8 (D2) which had gearbox problems until I changed the gearbox oil and filter (strainer). My newer A8 has a full Audi history yet no gearbox oil changes - the dealers say it doesnt need doing yet Audi UK and the service book says it should be done every 40k (mine has 115k now).

Has anyone had this done during a routine service or are we doing it ourselves? Any advice welcome - I'm in the Bristol Area.

[snapdragon]

West London Audi changed 6 litres of fluid in mine a couple of years ago.
They didn't remove the sump or replace the filter.
The fluid they used was G060162A2 green (ZF lifeguard 8).

More recently, I am researching doing it again with a new filter, and I see that the G060162A2 green fluid requires a TCM software update, on cars that originally shipped with the golden G055162A2 (ZF lifeguard 6) fluid.

When I checked, I do have that update. Not sure it came from the factory like that or was updated when they changed the fluid.

I intend to use Lifeguard 8 and new filter.
Do you have VCDS to check your Autotrans software version?
If you have golden fluid and old software, it may be easier to just stick with the golden fluid (which is Shell ATF M-1375.4).

Here is some further reading...
http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=p...=184&parent=58

[driventodespair]

West London Audi changed 6 litres of fluid in mine a couple of years ago.
They didn't remove the sump or replace the filter.
The fluid they used was G060162A2 green (ZF lifeguard 8).

More recently, I am researching doing it again with a new filter, and I see that the G060162A2 green fluid requires a TCM software update, on cars that originally shipped with the golden G055162A2 (ZF lifeguard 6) fluid.

When I checked, I do have that update. Not sure it came from the factory like that or was updated when they changed the fluid.

I intend to use Lifeguard 8 and new filter.
Do you have VCDS to check your Autotrans software version?
If you have golden fluid and old software, it may be easier to just stick with the golden fluid (which is Shell ATF M-1375.4).

Here is some further reading...
http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=p...=184&parent=58

Thanks very helpful info - I dont have a VCDS? (like Vag-com?) but will read up on the fluids. I assume Audi dealers use the newer type (green) now as standard?

[Micha_elD]

VCDS = Vag Com Diagnostic System, just a newer title.

ZF found that most of the failed gearboxes they looked at had been damaged by someone getting grit into the box whilst changing the oil, or putting in the wrong amount or wrong type of oil. They concluded that changing the oil was more likely to do harm than leaving the old oil in there, so their recommendation changed to tell people not change the oil.

If you can guarantee to do everything perfectly, then you can change the oil, but if there is any risk of causing any of the problems above, just leave things as they are and save some time & money.

[driventodespair]

Regarding Vag-com - which versions work with this model? I have older Vag0com with the USB lead but it wont communicate with this A8.

With the gearbox, good advice. Audi UK called me yesterday and said that these boxes are sealed for life and do not require an oil change.

[snapdragon]

VCDS =
ZF found that most of the failed gearboxes they looked at had been damaged by someone getting grit into the box whilst changing the oil, or putting in the wrong amount or wrong type of oil. They concluded that changing the oil was more likely to do harm than leaving the old oil in there, so their recommendation changed to tell people not change the oil.

Their documentation says the fluid is lifetime fill, but say around 70,000miles is good practice. I changed mine at 120,000miles and it made a positive change to shifting characteristics.


F 5-, 6- and 8-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed partiallysynthetic ATF oils.
Maintenance-free fills are intended for normal operating conditions. Especially driving at very high operatingtemperatures can result in accelerated aging or increased wear of ATF oils. It is recommended, in the event of severe operatingconditions, such as:
- frequent highway driving in top speed range,
- offensive, sporty driving style,
- frequent trailer operation,
being above average, oil purification (oil change) on automatic transmissions is recommended between 80,000 km and 120,000 km, or8 years, depending on the load.
In each case, only released ATF oil may be used for oil changes. And oil changes must be performed in accordance with the relevantspecifications.

[Micha_elD]

Their documentation says the fluid is lifetime fill, but say around 70,000miles is good practice. I changed mine at 120,000miles and it made a positive change to shifting characteristics.


F 5-, 6- and 8-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed partiallysynthetic ATF oils.
Maintenance-free fills are intended for normal operating conditions. Especially driving at very high operatingtemperatures can result in accelerated aging or increased wear of ATF oils. It is recommended, in the event of severe operatingconditions, such as:
- frequent highway driving in top speed range,
- offensive, sporty driving style,
- frequent trailer operation,
being above average, oil purification (oil change) on automatic transmissions is recommended between 80,000 km and 120,000 km, or8 years, depending on the load.
In each case, only released ATF oil may be used for oil changes. And oil changes must be performed in accordance with the relevantspecifications.

That all sounds very reasonable, Audis are generally capable of extremely high mileages, and under some circumstances the car will outlast the gearbox oil. I suppose the key thing is to use the right oil, the right amount, and be extremely careful not to nudge any grit into the box whilst refilling it. I'm at about 55,000 miles, and it will be a few years before I take the risk

[Micha_elD]

Regarding Vag-com - which versions work with this model? I have older Vag0com with the USB lead but it wont communicate with this A8.

You need HEX-USB+CAN for the A8, and need to get a genuine cable, so its a steep investment at around £265, but if you're likely to stay in the VAG family then its a good investment. I've been using mine for about 5 years, and have used it to clear fault codes, set the TV so it blanks the screen at 250mph (it used to do it a 2mph, very inconvenient on the motorway!), adjust the headlamps when going abroad, plus some general hacking around to install new options such as the towbar module.

[driventodespair]

blanks the screen at 250mph (it used to do it a 2mph, very inconvenient on the motorway!).

How fast!

[Micha_elD]

Well, it had to be a number in the range 0-255, and I didn't want to be greedy