gearbox oil change.does it need doing.who does it and how much.

roberto · #1 16th November 2015, 02:02 PM

my A8 3.0tdi has done 38,000 miles and had 7 engine oil changes
its now almost 8 years old
do i need the gearbox oil and filter doing ?
audi say (sealed for life)
A8 owners say otherwise
help ? any sugestions

oldnick · #2 16th November 2015, 03:55 PM

without a doubt ...it's a no brainer for what it costs
my car was also a low annual mileage , at 80K it need a new transmission because the oil had never been changed

and not by the audi agent ...the ZF specialists do it exactly by the book

there are one or 2 independents who can be trusted , but it depends where you are ...one of our members here went from n.ireland to glasgow to get the job done properly !

Delboy · #3 16th November 2015, 04:30 PM

Do it, oil oxidises just sitting doing nothing and if your cars sitting around not doing much miles its just as important if not more.

David's8 · #4 16th November 2015, 05:43 PM

Have a look at the D2 transmission sticky where there is a statement, attributed to ZF regarding 5HP and 6HP boxes. I think that the advice would go for all autoboxes though. See extract below - note the "however"... and the 62k/8yr recommendation for change:

"It has come to our attention there is confusion in the field regarding service intervals and fluid recommendations for ZF 5HP and 6HP applications. ZF has promoted lifetime service for many 5HP and 6HP factory filled transmissions. Lifetime is not clearly defined and each OEM manufacture has there own philosophy. ZF stands behind lifetime recommendation where listed in the vehicle operator’s manual. ZF engineered and tested our fluids to retain its characteristics through normal lifetime operating conditions. However, a spirited driving style, special environmental considerations and other individual driving factors may place higher than normal loads on transmission fluids. To assure proper operation it is advisable to perform a drain and fill at 100,000km/62,000 miles or eight years.

roberto · #5 16th November 2015, 07:09 PM

seems i need to get it done then..
she only gets used 2-3 times a month now..
bet i havent done 2000 miles in the last year..
i need to search locally but if i have to travel to get a proper job done i will..

does anybody have an idea of cost ?

tc4332 · #6 16th November 2015, 07:27 PM

After the experience we have suffered with our work A8 3.0 TDI 2008 I would emphasize that transmission filter and oil changes are mandatory.
BUT not by the garage down the road, not even a stealership, or the indie that says he is ex Audi and knows all about it. Trust me they do not.
They do not know about all the different filters and that you need the correct one for your particular gearbox, and the details changed with every manufacturing batch. As for the actual process of changing the oil, do not believe that you just drain it and then refill it. That way you will probably drop two litres and then only get three litres back in. In a nutshell that is what happened to ours when our local "expert" serviced it and the end result, a replacement gearbox needed.
We do have a person on the forum who is very knowledgeable in this area, in fact all things Audi, and I do recommend him fully.
Any queries try Daviesbike.
It might mean a trip to Swindon but honestly well worth it.