A4 tranny fluid change
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 920
Likes: 2
From: Rogers, AR, USA
The procedure is to take it to the dealer and tell them to change the fluid and filter. They have a pumping system that will change all the fluid.
If you do it yourself, you'll only get about 1/4 the fluid out by draining the pan and isn't worth the effort. You'll not get any of the old oil out of the converter, valve body, or transmission ports.
If you do it yourself, you'll only get about 1/4 the fluid out by draining the pan and isn't worth the effort. You'll not get any of the old oil out of the converter, valve body, or transmission ports.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 2
From: Keystone, I.T.
Originally Posted by alanh
The procedure is to take it to the dealer and tell them to change the fluid and filter. They have a pumping system that will change all the fluid.
If you do it yourself, you'll only get about 1/4 the fluid out by draining the pan and isn't worth the effort. You'll not get any of the old oil out of the converter, valve body, or transmission ports.
If you do it yourself, you'll only get about 1/4 the fluid out by draining the pan and isn't worth the effort. You'll not get any of the old oil out of the converter, valve body, or transmission ports.
Had mine done at 53,000 miles. New filter and almost 100% new fluid. The dealer I use let me stay with the car and I talked to the mechanic while he worked. It also let me give the underside of the car a good going over while it was on the lift.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Brighton CO
DIY complete fluid change?
I need to do this as well. I'm new to C5's and I was wondering if the DIY here: [URL="https://www.corvetteforum.com/techtips/viewsubtopic.php?SubTopicID=280&TopicID= 2"] would work on the new A4. I'm sure it will be a bigger PITA to crawl under and fill 4 quarts at a time! I've just heard too many horror stories of having the flush done mechanically on higher milage cars with unknown history.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: Granville Ohio
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16'17-'18-'19-'20-21
Originally Posted by Turbosixx
What the procedure on changing the tranny fluid? Fill it 'til it comes out or what? I plan on changing the filter, too.
Look at the C-5 Technical section of this link. I used it for my trans, filter and fluid change.
http://www.idavette.net/techno.htm
Last edited by OhioDave; Aug 24, 2006 at 11:07 AM.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 136
Likes: 2
From: Auburn WA
Originally Posted by Dirty Howie
I got a B&M racing pan which has a drain on the bottom.......I may try the fluid change myself and leave the filter alone.
DH
DH
after taking it to one shop to have it changed, I asked them to put a plug in while they had it apart, 175.00 later after they were done
they told me they wouldn't put the drain plug in because it might leak. 
so I took it home. three months later I took it to a good friend of mine and had the tranny rebuilt in anticipation of nitrous with future plans for twin turbos, low and behold when I asked him to put a drain plug in because the last shop wouldn't he told me it already had one. I got my 175.00 back from the other shop
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: Granville Ohio
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16'17-'18-'19-'20-21
Originally Posted by Dirty Howie
I got a B&M racing pan which has a drain on the bottom.......I may try the fluid change myself and leave the filter alone.
DH
DH
Still was glad I did it my self. I know it has the correct fill.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 2
From: Keystone, I.T.
Originally Posted by Turbosixx
I see what you are saying. How much does the dealer charge for the flush?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Braselton GA
DIY.
It is very easy as I just did it on mine a month ago. One this that the instructions don't tell you is why you have to have the engine running and up to temp when you fill. This is a PITA since the fill plug is about 4 inches away from the exhaust pipe which is VERY HOT. I started filling it up and told the Ms. to turn the engine off because I was melting under the car. WRONG WRONG
as soon as the car shuts off it burps about 1.5 quarts of HOT fluid everywhere. 
Take your time, remove the filter and clean the pan. Replace the fluid and you will have no issues. Just be prepared to get real nasty and very hot.
It is very easy as I just did it on mine a month ago. One this that the instructions don't tell you is why you have to have the engine running and up to temp when you fill. This is a PITA since the fill plug is about 4 inches away from the exhaust pipe which is VERY HOT. I started filling it up and told the Ms. to turn the engine off because I was melting under the car. WRONG WRONG
as soon as the car shuts off it burps about 1.5 quarts of HOT fluid everywhere. Take your time, remove the filter and clean the pan. Replace the fluid and you will have no issues. Just be prepared to get real nasty and very hot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Originally Posted by C5forFun
My C5 came with a drain plug in it.
after taking it to one shop to have it changed, I asked them to put a plug in while they had it apart, 175.00 later after they were done they told me they wouldn't put the drain plug in because it might leak. so I took it home. three months later I took it to a good friend of mine and had the tranny rebuilt in anticipation of nitrous with future plans for twin turbos, low and behold when I asked him to put a drain plug in because the last shop wouldn't he told me it already had one.
I got my 175.00 back from the other shop
after taking it to one shop to have it changed, I asked them to put a plug in while they had it apart, 175.00 later after they were done
they told me they wouldn't put the drain plug in because it might leak. so I took it home. three months later I took it to a good friend of mine and had the tranny rebuilt in anticipation of nitrous with future plans for twin turbos, low and behold when I asked him to put a drain plug in because the last shop wouldn't he told me it already had one. I got my 175.00 back from the other shop
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 136
Likes: 2
From: Auburn WA
Originally Posted by FFR-Z06
Thats not a drain plug, that is where you pump fluid into to fill the tranny.
the fill is in the body of the transmision, above the pan mount.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by C5forFun
then why is it on the bottom of the pan?
the fill is in the body of the transmision, above the pan mount.
the fill is in the body of the transmision, above the pan mount.
DH
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Originally Posted by C5forFun
then why is it on the bottom of the pan?
the fill is in the body of the transmision, above the pan mount.
the fill is in the body of the transmision, above the pan mount.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 13
From: N. County/San Diego
Originally Posted by Dirty Howie
I got a B&M racing pan which has a drain on the bottom.......I may try the fluid change myself and leave the filter alone.
DH
DH
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Braselton GA
I don't understand the fill while hot thing.
Why wouldn't you fill it cold, replace the plug, then start it and bring it up to operating temp and then remove plug and check it?
Why wouldn't you fill it cold, replace the plug, then start it and bring it up to operating temp and then remove plug and check it?
You can only fill 1 quart of fluid in the pan, cold and with the engine off.
When it is on it is pumping fluid from the bottom of the pan, hence will allow you to fill. If it is not at operating temp then you will start to overflow too early and thus be low on fluid which can burn clutches, etc.
Easy job just messy. Don't bother draining the fluid if you are not going to change the filter. That is the main gain, that and cleaning the soot off the bottom of the ban.
Just my .02
-Chris