Transmission Fluid Level, Checking: Notes

Special tools and workshop equipment required 

• Refer to TOOLS FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE 

Test Conditions

• Do not start the engine if there is little or no transmission fluid in the transmission due to repair work or a severe loss of transmission fluid.
• In this case, prefill the transmission with transmission fluid.
• Transmission not in emergency operation mode.
• Move the vehicle onto a 4-column shop hoist or over a work pit so it is completely level.
• The selector level is in "P".
• The parking brake button is pressed to activate the electro-mechanical parking brake.
• Noise insulation removed. Refer to NOISE INSULATION, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
• Suction hose(s) of an exhaust extracting system that is switched on is/are connected.
• Engine running at idle.
• The A/C system and the heater are off.
• Vehicle Diagnostic Tester is connected.
• Transmission fluid temperature: 35 ° to 45 °C (95 ° to 113 °F).

Transmission Fluid Temperature, Reading:

• The transmission fluid level changes with the transmission fluid temperature: too low of a transmission fluid temperature leads to overfilling, and too high of a transmission fluid temperature leads to underfilling.
• Both overfilling and underfilling impair the function of the transmission.

-- Read the transmission fluid temperature using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester in Guided Functions  , Checking fluid level  .

Transmission Fluid Level, Checking

-- Press the brake pedal and hold it down.

-- With the brake pressed, shift through all selector lever positions "P, R, N, D/S" at idle, retaining each position for at least 3 seconds.

-- Place the :SMN372500  underneath.

-- When a transmission fluid temperature of 35 °C (95 °F) is reached, remove the drain and check plug -1-.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

• The collected transmission fluid runs out of the overflow pipe -arrow 2-.
  Fig 1: Identifying Overflow Pipe And Plug

  Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC
• Some transmission fluid will always leak out when opening the drain and check plug -arrow 1-, regardless of the transmission fluid level.

-- Check if the overflow pipe is securely fastened in the transmission.

-- Allow the excess transmission fluid to drain.

• If the overflow pipe is not secured correctly, the transmission fluid level cannot be properly determined.
• If some transmission fluid still leaks out at a transmission fluid temperature between 35 ° and 45 °C (95 ° and 113 °F) (due to additional warming), the transmission fluid level is OK.
• Every 30 seconds a small wave of fluid comes out of the overflow pipe, regardless of the height of the fluid level (cause: cooling fluid impulse to clutch.) This wave does not mean that the fluid level is sufficient and therefore must not be taken into account when determining the fluid level.
• Do not reuse transmission fluid that was drained.

-- If the transmission fluid level is OK, perform the final procedures. Refer to Final Procedures .

Transmission Fluid, Filling

-- If no transmission fluid flows out at the opening for drain and check plug -arrow 1- between 35 ° and 45 °C (95 ° and 113 °F), fill the transmission fluid as follows.

-- Shake the container before opening.

-- Attach the transmission fluid container to the :VAS6262A  .

-- Install the :VAS6262A  into the opening for the drain and check plug -arrow 1- hand-tight.

-- Hold the container with the :VAS6262A  as high as possible over the transmission and fill the transmission with transmission fluid.

-- To check if the transmission is sufficiently filled, disconnect the quick-release coupling on :VAS6262A  at regular intervals and seal the hose with a finger or a clean plug.

• The collected transmission fluid runs out of the overflow pipe -arrow 2-.
• Some transmission fluid always leaks out at the opening for the drain and check plug -arrow 1-, regardless of the transmission fluid level.
• Every 30 seconds a small wave of fluid comes out of the overflow pipe, regardless of the height of the fluid level (cause: cooling fluid impulse to clutch.) This wave does not mean that the fluid level is sufficient and therefore must not be taken into account when determining the fluid level.
• Do not reuse transmission fluid that was drained.

• If some transmission fluid still leaks out at a transmission fluid temperature between 35 ° and 45 °C (95 ° and 113 °F) (due to additional warming), the transmission fluid level is OK.

-- If the transmission fluid level is OK, perform the final procedures. Refer to Final Procedures .