Transmission Fluid Level, Checking: Notes

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Procedure

Test Conditions

Transmission not in emergency operation mode.
Move the vehicle onto a four-column workshop hoist or over a work pit so it is completely level.
Selector lever in "P".
The parking brake button is pulled to activate the electro-mechanical parking brake.
Suction hoses from an exhaust extracting system are connected.
Engine running at idle.
The A/C system and the heater are off.

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.
An incorrect transmission fluid filling impairs the transmission function.
The transmission fluid temperature must not be higher than 30 °C (86 °F)when starting the procedure. Let the transmission cool down if necessary.
Test temperature: 35 to 45 °C (95 to 113 °F).

-- Connect the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester -arrow- and identify the vehicle in Guided Functions .

-- Select DSG Transmission .

-- Select Check Fluid Level .

Specified value at beginning of test: not higher than 30 °C (86 °F), otherwise let the transmission cool down.

Transmission Fluid Level, Checking

-- Remove the noise insulation. Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .

CAUTION:

Risk of injury to the eyes and hands by escaping oil.

-- Place the Used Oil Collection and Extraction Unit:SMN372500 under the transmission.

The engine is idling and the selector lever is in "P".

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the check plug -arrow-.

The collected transmission fluid runs out of the overflow pipe -arrow 2-.

Fig 1: Identifying Overflow Pipe And Plug
Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.
Some gear oil always leaks out when opening the inspection plug -arrow 1-, regardless of the gear oil level.

CAUTION:

There are different versions of the overflow pipe.

Transmission damage can result from over or under filling.

Check which overflow pipe is installed.

Transmission with beige overflow pipe:

CAUTION:

Transmission damage due to overfilling.

The correct oil level lays under the level of the overflow pipe.

For this reason the unscrew the overflow pipe two turns for checking and the correct adjustment of the oil level.

-- Check the overflow pipe is seated correctly.

-- Loosen the overflow pipe two turns.

Transmission with red overflow pipe:

-- Removal to check the fluid level is not necessary.

Continuation for all:

If some transmission fluid still leaks out at a transmission fluid temperature between 35 and 45 °C (95 to 113 °F) (due to additional warming), the transmission fluid level is OK.
Regardless of the gear oil level, a small wave of fluid comes out of the overflow tube every 30 seconds due to the multi-plate clutch cooling oil pulse. This procedure is irrelevant for checking the transmission fluid level.
Leaked gear oil must not be reused.

-- If necessary, add transmission fluid. Refer to Transmission Fluid, Filling .

-- If the transmission fluid level is OK, tighten the overflow pipe and then perform a measurement. Refer to Final Procedures .