09 Auto 128kw T5 transmisson isn't as smooth :(

[lemmiwinks]

Hey all,

I've got an 09 Auto 128kw LWB T5. Basically the trans isn't as smooth as I'd like it to be. Sometimes when I'm approaching a give way sign and accelerate, it will take a fraction longer to get into gear 1. Only happens when I don't come to a complete stop and take off. ATF and filter was changed recently with penrite dx 6, which didn't really help. Van is just under 80,000km's, engine oil and filter changed every 15,000km's

Has anyone else had this problem? And how did you rectify it?

Thanks,
Matt

[Umai Naa!!]

You may have to check to see if Dex 4 is correct for that transmission.

You may have to revert to genuine oil.

I wonder if it's got adequate fluid in it. They're a pain to fill as you need an adaptor that screws into the pan, and the oil must be gravity fed. From memory, they take somewhere between 3.5 and 4L.

[Tornado T5]

Have you also tried resetting to factory default, scroll down to resetting TCM. Great source of info by Transporter.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/forums/f136/how-do-32769.html#post368688

[95vr6]

You may have to check to see if Dex 4 is correct for that transmission.

You may have to revert to genuine oil.

I wonder if it's got adequate fluid in it. They're a pain to fill as you need an adaptor that screws into the pan, and the oil must be gravity fed. From memory, they take somewhere between 3.5 and 4L.

Dealer told me the Auto is sealed for life, no service required?

[Tornado T5]

Dealer told me the Auto is sealed for life, no service required?

IIRC, that was the thinking early on but not necessarily so now.

[Sunny43.5]

IIRC, that was the thinking early on but not necessarily so now.

Okay before being accused of repeating myself , I would dearly like someone from VW state categorically what time is "Life " and I,ll repeat what I have said before over and over [this is for newcomers ] if the transmission plays up [and they do and they will] VW should shoulder some responsibility as our T5 does not mention on any service pages one single thing in relation to servicing the auto transmission . When our tranny played up and it still does I asked the service dept about servicing , their deadpan face explanation was NO we dont we only replace them $6000 plus . In my opinion thats not good enough , my 2.0 lt T5 work van 170,000kays manual box which gets a huge amount of use around town and highway is still going strong and believe me I am not what you call a friend of clutch and gears working together [you get my meaning ] Well our family T5 128 6 speed auto which is driven by my wife predominantly and myself weekends , has had issues since around 80,000 this is just not good enough , my van $34000 family van $50,000 plus not a good situation when the extra cost gives less service options for a crucial component . Also as a person who has been in the auto industry for over forty years I do not no of any oil that does not deteriorate with time let alone an auto transmission which has to suffer huge strains in use .

[lemmiwinks]

The ATF is actually DX 6. It was changed only because I was experiencing the same issues. It was hand pumped until it was dripping out of the drain hole. Only decided to use this oil as the genuine oil was going to cost $50/L or something ridiculous.
I'll try to reset the TCM and see if it makes an improvement.
I don't believe that the ATF is "filled for life". I believe most, if not all oils will deteriorate from wear and age.
This problem is more noticeable in the morning on the way to work, so maybe the oil hasn't quite warmed up yet..

[Umai Naa!!]

It's all lies.

They have a service interval of 60,000klms. The oil and the filter in the pan are replaced. If you don't do this, the transmission will fail.

[JP-009]

We just had the auto box replaced, and new genuine oil put in.

The previous ****h3ad owner put other oil in it resulting in failure.

I'd rather fork out for genuine oil and force the service, than have to replace the gearbox again.

Just my not so happy experience coming through.

Other than that, we LOVE the multivan

[Tornado T5]

It's all lies.

They have a service interval of 60,000klms. The oil and the filter in the pan are replaced. If you don't do this, the transmission will fail.

Has this been the case from day one for '04-'09 T5's because I would swear my service manual makes no mention of any auto service at all. I will check again.

[Sunny43.5]

I agree Tornado our T5 is one of the first released and there is not a single thing mentioned about servicing the transmission in the owners book or the service book . So come on VW what are we supposed to think that the transmission is not going to be serviced or checked when we go for a regular service . I think that what I read on another forum makes some sense , a lot of manufactureres work on the principal that most of these vans are bought on lease as company cars so when 3 year lease is up they get sold on and the warranty has run out so the next owner then is up for a repair outside of warranty . If it plays up within warranty then VW will replace the whole box as they do not train their mechanics to repair parts any more all they are trained to do is replace whole components as it is a less labour intensive job . I am constantly amazed when I travel around dealerships here in SE Qld the amount of whole engines gearboxes etc you see stored out the back of workshops is horrifying .

[Silver Caravelle]

Correct there is no mention in the manual, which inconsistant when considering that engine oil, brake fluid etc is specified. It was not mentioned in the T4 service manual either.

I will probably do what I have done with every other auto I have owned for years and have an auto service done at about 80,000K. In the end there are no guarantees a service will save the auto, but hopefully will reduce the risk, assuming a service is done under very clean conditions. Also not everything is down to the fluid; plenty of other bits and pieces in an auto that can go wrong.

Cheers,

Scott

[Umai Naa!!]

The service intervals mentioned in the service booklet are not specific to Australia, and never will be. As always, you'll need to check with a dealership for the current service intervals.

A service interval (at 60,000klms) was introduced a few years ago, when Australia was finally recognised by Volkswagen as a 'hot climate region'.

[Tornado T5]

The service intervals mentioned in the service booklet are not specific to Australia, and never will be. As always, you'll need to check with a dealership for the current service intervals.

A service interval (at 60,000klms) was introduced a few years ago, when Australia was finally recognised by Volkswagen as a 'hot climate region'.

Well I'll be blown over...I'm old enough to remember the VW assembly plant in Clayton Vic, so I would assume their local region knowledge would have gone back a long, long way...

[Sunny43.5]

So it has taken VW 60 or so years or however long they have sold cars into Australia to realise that we are a hot climate country . As an expat pom I new the day we landed in Brisbane in April 1960 this place was Stinking Bloody Hot what a crock to say we have only been recognised a few years ago . And I also would like to point out that every owners handbook has a separate section that is specific to Australia in relation to our quirky ADR rules , to use the analagy that the service booklet is not specific to us is wrong . Plus this if we have now been recognised as a"Hot Climate " then VW should have sent a notice to everyone who have a vehicle affected by this change to infrom them that their service details have been ammended , and anyone who has had a failure due to this change should have the grounds to recoup cost for any repair because of this change . If they admit that there should be a service done at 60,000 for the transmission then why haven,t I been told this when I have complained about tranny problems ??????