A6 gearbox oil

[MV8]

Hi Gents.

Newbie here so please treat with care

I am the happy new owner of a lovely Audi A6 with 120k miles. For the milege you wouldnt believe the condition of it.

I want to give it a full on service though, and was wondering if its advisable to change the gearbox oil?

If so, which oil do i use?

Any advice on changing the gearbox oil would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

[adamss24]

For the gearbox oil go to dealer as dammage will occur with wrong stuff. I also found that the genuine oil makes the changes a bit smoother but the oil i have taken off the gearbox in me a6 was not dirty at all at 130k...

[Peter D]

Welcome to the forum. You would be well advise to always quote your year, model, engine and gearbox code when posting. There are iether on the inside page of the service book or on the ID label in the spare wheel bay. Regards Peter

[MV8]

Thanks Adam.

Welcome to the forum. You would be well advise to always quote your year, model, engine and gearbox code when posting. There are iether on the inside page of the service book or on the ID label in the spare wheel bay. Regards Peter

Yes sorry silly me!

Its 1999 A6 1.8T SE, TIPTRONIC.

Could someone also please advise me on a seperate issue. WEhen on the motorway, i noticed that the temp gauge would drop slighty, then go back to normal, and again drop slightly.

Anyone know the possible cause for this, as i am taking it into a full service soon and would like to get whatever is advised changed.

[MikkiJayne]

For the gearbox oil go to dealer as dammage will occur with wrong stuff.

Definitely! Putting aftermarket oil in these gearboxes will kill them! They also need a special tool to fill them properly so you either need a dealer or a specialist independent to do the job. Oil from the dealer will be about £100 or so.

120K is a good time to change the oil. Personally I'd do it with every cam belt change, ie every 60K as this will prolong the life of the box as much as possible.

While the oil is being changed it is also wise to change the filter block (aka 'strainer' inside the gearbox. This is about £30 plus the gearbox sump gasket, and should only add an hour or so to the job.

Bear in mind most Audi dealers will look at you funny when you ask them to change the gearbox oil and filter, and will insist it is sealed for life. You just have to get them to humour you and do it anyway I doubt any of them will turn down work these days anyway!

No idea on the temp thing sorry! Could be a sensor, or a dodgy thermostat? Both are easy to change on the 1.8T.

Good luck, Mikki

[MV8]

Thanks Mikki.

[lonky]

It's not a difficult job to change the oil on the box, if you follow the correct instructions.

You do need to plug into the car's ECU with a pc running VAG-COM

I change mine every 30,000 miles, and it changes like a dream.

don't use dextron II , III or IV as the box will have a fit.

either buy the oil from Audi, or as I do, from Esso.


Only tools you need are a large allen key, a bent piece of copper pipe, a priming bulb, and some tubing.

if your interested I can send you the instructions.

[MV8]

if your interested I can send you the instructions.

That would be great mate.. Thank you.

[lonky]

you need to send me your e-mail address, as too large to publish.

correct Oil for the tiptronic is Esso E-ATF LT 71141

or check out this link, it is basically the same as what you have in your A6

http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...servicing.html

[MV8]

Cheers Lonky. Very insightful.

Suggests on that link to let the tranmission cool down for a whole day..

Still it would be worth it i am sure.