How to check transmission fluid on A6

[SKERIS]

Has anyone found out how to check our tranny fluid levels in a A6?

Manual says only a dealer can do it!

Thanks

[GearHeadPeter]

There isn't a tranny dipstick like in many cars. It can only be accessed from below as there is a drain and refill plug. I was watching as they changed my fluid and filter after break in. I had mine changed at the dealer for $149 and that was for synthetic fluid and a new filter.

[hypurone]

Warm the car to operating temp (180-ish) and have gone thru the gears a couple of times, remove the plug in the trans pan and if you have fluid come out, the level is proper. This is not a drain plug as most think, it is there for fluid level checks, that's it. The fill hole is a small plug just above the trans pan about midway...

[CamaroKid300]

How often should we change the Trans Fluid?

[hypurone]

Originally Posted by CamaroKid300

How often should we change the Trans Fluid?

Well, according to GM it's "lifetime" (100k I think) fluid... it is a new high viscosity Dexron VI. No way I would run it for a "lifetime" or 100K. I normally change mine at 30K....

[SKERIS]

Thanks guys...the manual makes it seem very difficult and does not mention whay you guys did.

Gotta love this forum!!!

[NavyDood]

Originally Posted by hypurone

Well, according to GM it's "lifetime" (100k I think) fluid... it is a new high viscosity Dexron VI. No way I would run it for a "lifetime" or 100K. I normally change mine at 30K....

Actuallly it is low viscosity. The Dex6 formulation has the lowest viscosity of any other type of fluid on the market. Dex6 has a 100,000 mile lifespan for normal use, 50,000 mile lifespan for severe use. Some cars actually call for a 150,000 mile lifespan. GM has done tons of research and testing on Dex6. Also, it is a Group III synthetic.

[hypurone]

Originally Posted by NavyDood

Actuallly it is low viscosity. The Dex6 formulation has the lowest viscosity of any other type of fluid on the market.

Perhaps I should have put it this way. While being a somewhat lower viscosity (6.00 vs 7.5 for say Dex III) It maintains a higher viscosity (remains 6.00 consistently) over its lifetime compared to previous fluids.

[silverfox]

I had mine to the dealer just because i didn't trust the performance shops to know about this trans. After a trans tune at a shop i wasn't convinced that the trans was full. So i took it in and they put it on the rack and proceded to do it by the book.(if you have the shop manuals it shows the procedure) So i pretty much knew how it was supposed to go. Run it till 135 degrees trans temp is seen and then shift thru the gears. At that time take out the drain plug and any excess fluid will run out. That is considered full after fluid stops running out the drain plug.

[compuwiz1937]

The fluid has to be between a proper temperature range (can't remember off hand) checked by the scan tool. Then the car is to be lifted level and the plug on the pan removed and the fluid needs to be right at the top of the bung for the plug. There is a special tool that is screwed into the bung and fluid is pumped in through that same hole is the fluid is low or needs to be refilled after a service. That is why the manual says it needs to be done by a dealer.

[NavyDood]

Originally Posted by compuwiz1937

The fluid has to be between a proper temperature range (can't remember off hand) checked by the scan tool. Then the car is to be lifted level and the plug on the pan removed and the fluid needs to be right at the top of the bung for the plug. There is a special tool that is screwed into the bung and fluid is pumped in through that same hole is the fluid is low or needs to be refilled after a service. That is why the manual says it needs to be done by a dealer.

There is a fill hole on the passenger side of the tranny.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120571

[compuwiz1937]

Originally Posted by NavyDood

There is a fill hole on the passenger side of the tranny.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120571

Technically yes, but if you can get to it once the exhaust is hot to get the fluid up to proper temp you're a better man than I. Plus, that guy is already wrong in the fact that he said that plug is the drain plug. Camaro1 in that thread questions the way dude does it as well. What if the transmission was low or overfilled to begin with and you just refill it was "exactly" what came out? Plus, I've never been able to capture every single drop of fluid and I've done quite a few transmission services to all kinds of vehicles. I suppose you could overfill it with that plug on the side with the car cold and then get the fluid up to temp and use the level plug after, but then you risk frothing the fluid and/or the trans puking it out the vent tube. Up to you whether it is worth it to avoid the dealer for whatever reason you may have. A trans service is typically only around $150 (not including a flush). Never been worth it to me to lay on my back and get covered in fluid.