2008 Octavia Auto gearbox oil change

[WA Euro]

quick question.

anyone had their automatic gearbox oil changed *NOT DSG* ????

Some say the service interval is 60k

Can anyone confirm this and tell me how much it cost them?

cheers

[K1W1]

I thought that most modern auto gearboxes where essentially sealed for life.

[WA Euro]

I am inclined to agree with you there. I am trying to settle a local debate. A dealer who shall remain nameless is saying that the auto trans requires new oil, filter and pan gaskets at 4 years/60k.

I am trying to figure out if they are just trying to upsell or whether it is new protocol or whether it is old protocol that has thus far not been followed?

I am keen to know owner's experiences with this issue.

thanks for your input

[Diesel_vert]

The company's previous position is that the ATF does not need changing for the life of the gearbox, so some dealers are hesitant in changing it, unless the customer absolutely insisted.

I thought that most modern auto gearboxes where essentially sealed for life.

They're not literally sealed, you can actually extract the ATF without dismantling the gearbox. They just claim you don't need to drain and replace the ATF ("filled for life", "lifetime fill", etc).

To this end, the 09G transmission has an ATF inspection plug and overfill tube. Earlier models (vehicles up to 05/2006) had a filler tube.

I am inclined to agree with you there. I am trying to settle a local debate. A dealer who shall remain nameless is saying that the auto trans requires new oil, filter and pan gaskets at 4 years/60k.

I am trying to figure out if they are just trying to upsell or whether it is new protocol or whether it is old protocol that has thus far not been followed?

I am keen to know owner's experiences with this issue.

thanks for your input

Having said that, VW recommend the ATF be changed every 60 000 km/4 years for vehicles operating in regions that VW classify as "hot countries".

Guess which country recently joined that list? Yep, Australia - and not before time I might add.

It is my opinion and belief that regular ATF changes help provide a long and trouble-free operation of the gearbox (provided there are no terminal problems with it!), so I recommend getting it done.


My beef is that VW (or Skoda) will charge an extortionate amount of money for the ATF (which isn't that special IMO) which can make it an unnecessarily expensive exercise @ $50 per litre. You need about 3 - 4 litres for a drain + refill.

If it were me, I would go to the trouble of obtaining some Mobil ATF 3309 (which I argue is what's actually in those VAG branded bottles, in a separate thread) from the Mobil distributor in your state (Statewide Oil Distributors for WA residents).

[brad]

I'd change it. Sealed for life means "sealed until we can't get any type of claim against us".

For reference, Subaru is 100,000km change intervals on the gearbox & differentials & the fluid is putrid by then. 50,000km intervals are much better.
Keep in mind that you only change half at each change as 4L is left in the torque convertor.

[K1W1]

They're not literally sealed, you can actually extract the ATF without dismantling the gearbox.

Yes I knew that. What I meant is that they don't have the traditional dip stick or filler spout.

[Transporter]

The Automatic Transmission needs oil and filter every 60,000km, that's what the owner's manual says on the page 8.