cuper steve
Ready to race!
- Location
- SF South Bay Area
Thanks to Bernard at DubClinic (Sunnyvale, CA) for answering all my questions and sharing his insight on all things VW/Audi. If you’re in the SF South Bay Area, I wouldn’t hesitate to use his shop for any aftermarket or factory needs.
The VW manual has this semi-complicated method for replacing your DSG transmission fluid.
#1 - remove the cover
#2 - back out the “thumb stick”
#3 - let all the fluid drain out
#4 - let the transmission cool
#5 - screw the “thumb stick” back in
#6 - pump 6 quarts of transmission fluid through the “thumb stick” and close the valve to the pump
#7 - start the car and monitor the transmission fluid temp
#8 - when transmission fluid temp hits 40 degC, remove the valve/pump and let the excess drain out (engine still running)
#9 - when its done draining, re-install the cover.
“Fluid Cover Removed”
“Thumb Stick”
“DSG Valve Pump with
The “thumb stick” serves as the level set for how much transmission fluid needs to be in the system and then any excess will simply run over the top and flow out. In other past platforms, they found it the hard way that things were too low and simply installed a longer thumb stick to establish a larger amount of fluid.
The DSG fluid is suppose to be good for 40K miles and I’m replacing it all at 6800 miles to remove any variables.
Another option, instead of draining all the fluid (which costs about $140 for 6 quarts), you can pump a new quart in and drain out the excess. You don’t want to overfill too much, it could result in more “load” having your transmission swimming in fluid. But when you have too little, it could also result in overheated transmission code.
I can only speak for my car … but one of my biggest annoyance IS/WAS when you coast to a stop/light and the transmission downshifts, there was an audible clunk that can be felt. It was more pronounce in S mode vs. D mode and was inconsistent … happening at most stops but not all. I was told by numerous, well-intentioned people that this is what the VW DSGs do. This being my first VW and having experienced the early (crappy) E46 M3 DCTs thought that the “lower end” DSG was something I learned to live with.
I can happily say that the audible clunk and the very “un-smooth” downshifts are completely gone. I spent over an hour, driving local streets trying to find as many stop signs as possible to test it out … its so smooth and silent. It has changed my view of this car and I’m liking it even more than before.
Its not too hard to do on your own, but you'll have to either rig something to connect the pump to the "thumb stick" or you'll have to hold it while someone works the pump to push the fluid into the transmission.
Just thought I would share and hopefully it helps someone out.
The VW manual has this semi-complicated method for replacing your DSG transmission fluid.
#1 - remove the cover
#2 - back out the “thumb stick”
#3 - let all the fluid drain out
#4 - let the transmission cool
#5 - screw the “thumb stick” back in
#6 - pump 6 quarts of transmission fluid through the “thumb stick” and close the valve to the pump
#7 - start the car and monitor the transmission fluid temp
#8 - when transmission fluid temp hits 40 degC, remove the valve/pump and let the excess drain out (engine still running)
#9 - when its done draining, re-install the cover.
“Fluid Cover Removed”
“Thumb Stick”
“DSG Valve Pump with
The “thumb stick” serves as the level set for how much transmission fluid needs to be in the system and then any excess will simply run over the top and flow out. In other past platforms, they found it the hard way that things were too low and simply installed a longer thumb stick to establish a larger amount of fluid.
The DSG fluid is suppose to be good for 40K miles and I’m replacing it all at 6800 miles to remove any variables.
Another option, instead of draining all the fluid (which costs about $140 for 6 quarts), you can pump a new quart in and drain out the excess. You don’t want to overfill too much, it could result in more “load” having your transmission swimming in fluid. But when you have too little, it could also result in overheated transmission code.
I can only speak for my car … but one of my biggest annoyance IS/WAS when you coast to a stop/light and the transmission downshifts, there was an audible clunk that can be felt. It was more pronounce in S mode vs. D mode and was inconsistent … happening at most stops but not all. I was told by numerous, well-intentioned people that this is what the VW DSGs do. This being my first VW and having experienced the early (crappy) E46 M3 DCTs thought that the “lower end” DSG was something I learned to live with.
I can happily say that the audible clunk and the very “un-smooth” downshifts are completely gone. I spent over an hour, driving local streets trying to find as many stop signs as possible to test it out … its so smooth and silent. It has changed my view of this car and I’m liking it even more than before.
Its not too hard to do on your own, but you'll have to either rig something to connect the pump to the "thumb stick" or you'll have to hold it while someone works the pump to push the fluid into the transmission.
Just thought I would share and hopefully it helps someone out.
