Inappropriate fluid may cause damage to your automatic transmission!
When checking the level, the synthetic ATF fluid must be warm. This is achieved by running the engine for 5-10 minutes. The fluid level changes depending on the temperature and filling of the hydraulic lines. When the fluid is cold, the level is too high, and after a long drive - too low.
Apply the handbrake. Set the control lever to position "P" and let the engine idle.
Pull out the dipstick (in the direction of travel on the left in the engine compartment; the dipstick can be identified by the eyelet). It should only be wiped with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick and remove it again. The amount of fluid between the upper and lower marks is 0.3 liters.
The level should be between the marks on the dipstick.
(The information is available on the website: VWmanual.ru)
The fluid is red or red-brown in colour. The red-brown ATF used since 1985 changes colour to black-brown after a short time. This is normal and does not indicate a defect.
If you can smell that the ATF is burnt, this indicates a faulty transmission.
If the fluid level is too low, do not immediately top up the ATF, first check the gearbox: are there any leaks. The necessary sealing work should be entrusted to the service station.
Too high a fluid level may be due to a damaged seal between the automatic transmission and the final drive.
Check the oil level in the final drive (see next chapter).
If there is too little oil, the service station must re-seal the parts and change the ATF fluid.
If the final drive oil level is correct, excess ATF is sucked out of the automatic transmission. Too high an ATF level can cause damage to the transmission.
ATF fluid change
The gearbox oil level check plug (arrow) is located in front of the left axle shaft. It is clearly visible when the left front wheel is removed
Under normal driving conditions, the maintenance schedule calls for ATF replacement every 45,000 km. If the vehicle is driven mainly on short highways, with a trailer or in mountainous terrain, then the ATF should be changed at shorter intervals. To do this, the old ATF is sucked out; the oil pan and mesh filter are cleaned at the same time. This work should be performed by a service station.
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