T5 gearbox oil service

[Low rida]

Hi
Can anyone let me know where the best place is to get my auto gearbox oil changed on a 2.5 tdi around Sydney, central coast or Newcastle?

Preferably a live flush if possible?

Cheers Ian

[Syncrotek]

Not sure about best place - but Wyong Automatics - Sam Rathbone and sons - around the $270 mark from memory,
had done twice in 15,000 ks, no issues.

[Sunny43.5]

If its the T5 with Tiptronic Auto please remember that it has an internal filter if they just change the oil and not the filter they will be refilling your auto with new fluid and it will flush out more debris and mix with the sediment of the old which may lead to blocking the filter which was what destroyed ours !! Lazy dealer did not remove the sump in our case . Have a super New Years everyone .

[Umai Naa!!]

Last one I did cost the customer $340.

That included 5L of oil, new gasket, and pan seal. Takes no more than an hour to do, from start to finish.

[Transporter]

Not sure about best place - but Wyong Automatics - Sam Rathbone and sons - around the $270 mark from memory,
had done twice in 15,000 ks, no issues.

Just be aware when you pay less than usual price, since the original fluid and a new filter cost, prohibits this to be so cheap.
Than you could be better of with the original fluid especially when you've done only 15,000km.

[Sunny43.5]

Yes If I remember rightly the filter is around $45 but the correct fluid is around $50 - $60 a litre and needs around 6 or 7 litres to fill .

[Syncrotek]

Further to earlier reply, I should have mentioned that I quizzed the technicians prior to giving ok,
there was a new filter fitted, complete change of fluid, and they say they have an unequivocal
guarantee from the fluid manufacturer. He was well aware of the shortcomings of these trans,
he also had another T5 on the hoist getting a trans rebuild.
My vehicle has done 150,000 kms, I had no history of the auto trans when I got it at 133,000,
so had it serviced straight away, and again about 12 months later as a scheduled service,
I was present while the job was done and it definitely was not just a top-up, I would imagine
a firm that's been in business for over 40 years would also try to uphold their reputation.
By the way, I have only dealt with them twice, not connected in any way.
The cost was close to $300.00, and it is going ok.

[Transporter]

Further to earlier reply, I should have mentioned that I quizzed the technicians prior to giving ok,
there was a new filter fitted, complete change of fluid, and they say they have an unequivocal
guarantee from the fluid manufacturer. He was well aware of the shortcomings of these trans,
he also had another T5 on the hoist getting a trans rebuild.
My vehicle has done 150,000 kms, I had no history of the auto trans when I got it at 133,000,
so had it serviced straight away, and again about 12 months later as a scheduled service,
I was present while the job was done and it definitely was not just a top-up, I would imagine
a firm that's been in business for over 40 years would also try to uphold their reputation.
By the way, I have only dealt with them twice, not connected in any way.
The cost was close to $300.00, and it is going ok.

When the incorrect AT fluid is used, It always takes time before something goes wrong in the tranny. But, in the case of the T5, any transmission specialist using not approved (correct) fluid, will easily defend their doing by saying that the T5 transmissions are known to fail (being problematic).

What I'm saying is, that it's in the best interest of the T5 owner that he/she would persist that only the approved fluids are used. I'm not trying to discredit your transmission specialist, but I wouldn't gamble or experiment with anyone's vehicle. The saving is not that great anyway, and $100 or $150 difference to customer wouldn't be worth, IMO.

[Sunny43.5]

I agree with Transporter take no shortcuts or the end result could be a catastrophic failure [yes we have had one let go not pretty $10000 to repair }

When the incorrect AT fluid is used, It always takes time before something goes wrong in the tranny. But, in the case of the T5, any transmission specialist using not approved (correct) fluid, will easily defend their doing by saying that the T5 transmissions are known to fail (being problematic).

What I'm saying is, that it's in the best interest of the T5 owner that he/she would persist that only the approved fluids are used. I'm not trying to discredit your transmission specialist, but I wouldn't gamble or experiment with anyone's vehicle. The saving is not that great anyway, and $100 or $150 difference to customer wouldn't be worth, IMO.

[Rebuild]

lowrida, make sure they change the filter

g/box holds 7-7.5L
a static drain and refill takes around 4L
AFAIK, a "live" flush will take around 11-12L, as it takes a while for lines to run clean

Just done another partial change on mine.Filter was actually cleaner than the previous time,magnets had a little junk on them.

[Low rida]

Thanks everyone for the info. I usually do all the servicing myself, Is the filter directly above the sump once you remove it? Do you recommend me doing this or giving it to an auto expert? When I was looking under the bonnet I noticed there is no dipstick so was concerned about ensuring the correct level once oil was changed

[Umai Naa!!]

You need to buy or make adaptors to suit the oil bottle and inspection hole in the bottom of the pan.

The transmission is gravity-filled.

The filter is above the pan.

To drain, you remove the inspection plug, then the level tube which is in the same hole.

To re-fill, you reinstall the level tube, fill the transmission, run the engine to get the transmission oil up to temperature, and let the excess oil drain out, before re-fitting the inspection plug.

[Rebuild]

lowrida,
if you wanna do a partial oil change yourself,
how to change T5 Auto Gearbox Oil - The Brick-yard
BTW, seven bolts on the pan, not six

Genuine VW auto oil spec is G052 025 for my 09K gearbox.
The Penrite DX-VI is no longer recommended, but i have used it for the 2nd change at 137K just now

as Umai says,
I did the above before finding the level tube in the sump pan, so the easier drain is to remove the tube.It is only plastic so make sure your 5mm key is fully seated

[Syncrotek]

A last comment:
So the failures that have occurred with these trans were not caused by "gambling" on VW's part (re Filled for life, and their choice of fluid) ?
When one considers the failure rate of these trans, it would be in one's best interest to seek out a more robust fluid and an actual service procedure, Why would one follow a system that
had approval but has resulted in failures ?
VW have agreed by actually having a service schedule for them now.
Well done doing your own work Low Rida, just take your time and be thorough, save some money, and know it's done right.

[Transporter]

A last comment:
So the failures that have occurred with these trans were not caused by "gambling" on VW's part (re Filled for life, and their choice of fluid) ?

I don't see how this kind of thinking will help you or justifies using the fluid that is not approved?
Hence my saying don't gamble with it.

When one considers the failure rate of these trans, it would be in one's best interest to seek out a more robust fluid and an actual service procedure, Why would one follow a system that
had approval but has resulted in failures ?

There is not such a thing as more robust fluid and if there would be a more suitable fluid then the VAG would be the most reliable source to get the alternative fluid recommended.

VW have agreed by actually having a service schedule for them now.
Well done doing your own work Low Rida, just take your time and be thorough, save some money, and know it's done right.

...and as they keep the same specs, that indicates me that it is the best fluid for this transmission.

I've always been recommending to people; change the fluids more often. Very small percentage listen, mostly people think that all mechanics are just after their money.