S-tronic Gearbox Service - The Definitive Answer

S3_Mitch

S3_Mitch

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Hi All,

As per the title, I would like to create a thread containing all the information needed to make sense of the servicing requirements for the B8's S-tronic gearbox. Many threads exist on the matter which I have spent the last few days reading, unfortunately this has lead to confusion due mainly to the different terms used when describing oil changes (S-tronic oil, DSG oil, ATF, gear oil etc.). I will list what I have learnt from reading some of the existing threads and if any of the following is incorrect please someone correct me so this post can become useful.

The S-tronic gearbox utilises two different types of fluid both of which should be changed at regular intervals despite what Audi may currently say or have stated in the past.

1. ATF oil system - Used in the part of the gearbox that houses the Mechatronic unit and dual clutch.

What should be replaced: 7ltrs of fluid and two filters. Sump removal and cleaning, also an internal strainer I believe should be replaced along with all the gaskets/seals required to complete the job. (Is there anything else?)

This is an important service seeing as the Mechatronic unit (the B8's Achilles heel) is bathed in this fluid. This fluid is guaranteed to become contaminated due to wear particles introduced by the wearing clutches at the very least.

Recommended servicing interval: Every 35k miles, 20k or less if tuned (?)

I believe (1) is the standard S-tronic service that Audi offer (though I am not sure they remove the sump and replace everything?)

2. Gear oil system - Manual gearbox, transfer case (centre differential) and front axle drive.

What should be replaced: Approx. 4-5ltrs of hypoid gear oil, simple drain and replace.

Recommended servicing interval: Audi say lifetime, every 40k-50k miles at least but why not change at the same time as (1).

In addition, the rear differential oil should also be changed in line with the gear oil.

I appreciated this information is in other threads, but hopefully this thread should clear it up for me at least as I plan to get these services done soon and need to know exactly what to ask for when getting quotes.

If someone more knowledgeable could reply and confirm what I have stated, or correct it... in any case it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Fixed price servicing
S-Tronic Transmission Oil & Filter change 0" class="ng-binding ng-scope" style="box-sizing: border-box;">- £225
s-tronic.jpg


S tronic oil and filter check
Your S tronic gearbox is a very sophisticated piece of engineering that needs to be looked after with regular oil changes. The smooth 2-clutch system is computer controlled with very fine engineering tolerances. If the gearbox oil is dirty, it will damage other parts and affect performance.

Dirty oil can overheat the gearbox or cause the clutches to burn out. This will lead to poor gear selection, loss of drive and transmission failure. The oil should be replaced every 38,000 miles.

Depending on your vehicle, the filter may need to be changed as well. All the gearbox automatic transmission fluid (ATF) oil needs to be replaced.

What happens when Audi perform an oil check
During an oil check, we check the gearbox and look for any leaks. We drain the gearbox completely and replace the oil filter before filling it with high-quality gearbox oil that meets Audi standards.
 
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Thanks, that confirms the standard service Audi provide and that they do not remove the sump and replace the internal filter/strainer under normal circumstances. Useful to know for anyone, like myself who wants to get the whole lot done for peace of mind.
 
I'm based in East Sussex, I plan to use "The Automatic Gearbox Centre" in Brighton/Hove. I already spoke to them on the phone and explained what I wanted doing... They have experience with these cars and seem really friendly and reputable.

I just need to get a parts list sent over to them so I can specify exactly what I want replaced as it is above and beyond the norm (e.g. replacing sump bolts). Not sure exactly what parts to replace yet so I will do more research then add the list to the original post

I did phone MRC to get it done there, but from what they said its approx. £500 just for the 's-tronic' service. Whereas the indie I spoke to is much closer to me and cheaper.

That's for the link by the way scotty, I have been looking for that thread. I remember reading it recently..
 
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That's a lot from MRC given Audi themselves do it for £225 as @Cerbera9 notes above. Keep us posted. Be good to hear the outcome.
 
S tronic oil and filter check
Click to expand...
Your S tronic gearbox is a very sophisticated piece of engineering that needs to be looked after with regular oil changes. The smooth 2-clutch system is computer controlled with very fine engineering tolerances. If the gearbox oil is dirty, it will damage other parts and affect performance.

Dirty oil can overheat the gearbox or cause the clutches to burn out. This will lead to poor gear selection, loss of drive and transmission failure. The oil should be replaced every 38,000 miles.

Depending on your vehicle, the filter may need to be changed as well. All the gearbox automatic transmission fluid (ATF) oil needs to be replaced.
Click to expand...

How do you know which gearboxes, do or do not have filters that need changing?
 
It can get confusing , especially reading forums advice

I’ve done a fair bit of reading , and asking Audi and Indy’s and I was recently corrected to my my initial understanding .. gained on forums

The first version A4 S-tronic apparently was sealed for life.
Then I have been told by Audi technicians 2nd and 3rd gen 2009 onwards have one external filter cartridge that requires replacing , with the ATF oil change evety 38k .
The sump doesn’t get removed during this service.

It does for the multitronic ZF boxes though , and there’s an internal filter strainer in those and new sump seal required.
Which is where I and others get confused.

However I recently got a new sump and sump seal on my S-tronic 2nd gen , with full ATF oil change at an Indy . And there was a big difference in the smoothness of it compared to the previous standard s-tronic service at Audi.
I asked them about that and was told that replacing sump , got all the crud out that doesn’t come out with the standard oil / filter change.
I did post about this a few weeks ago.
My advice now , if your S-tronic is jerky or clunky or Rev slips out sometimes then try that it should help.

One thing I’m not clear on is the second type of oil O.P. mentions, where this is -diff? And Audi don’t say anything about that in service details / requirements.
If there is another oil type / reservoir then no doubt a change would be beneficial , but it doesn’t appear to be Audi’s service requirements.
Can anyone clarify with Audi docs etc?

Audi s-tronic service is £225 standard cost , and from my experience Indy’s quote a bit more , saying the oil is expensive.
 
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I'm finding this a fascinating thread, but I fear the title was a bit optimistic. :)
 
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If anyone is interested in the read below is a link to the details about the DSG DL501

https://www.audizine.com/forum/show...peed-dual-clutch-gearbox-0B5-S-tronic-(DL501)

Also, below is the Service manual for DL501 2009-2010. Page 29 in this talks about the gearbox and it's construct (including highlighting the revisions made to it.

https://procarmanuals.com/wp-conten...P-990193-New-technology-2009-2010-.pdf?x42064

Also, the cooling filter was removed from later Gens, i.e. Gen1.5 and G2 boxes whereas Gen 1 had it (oh, and @Dippy has confirmed this to be case as well )
 
Klickflip said:
However I recently got a new sump and sump seal on my S-tronic 2nd gen , with full ATF oil change at an Indy . And there was a big difference in the smoothness of it compared to the previous standard s-tronic service at Audi.
I asked them about that and was told that replacing sump , got all the crud out that doesn’t come out with the standard oil / filter change.
I did post about this a few weeks ago.
My advice now , if your S-tronic is jerky or clunky or Rev slips out sometimes then try that it should help.
Click to expand...

My mate a driftbridge has just given me a list of part numbers and retail cost to change the sump on mine if I wanted to do it:

Sump - 0B5 321 361 C £147.06 inc vat retail
Seal - 0B5 321 371 E £25.70 inc vat
7 litres of oil - G052 529 A2 £20.87 per litre (£146.09)

Total £318.85! (plus labour)

Having looked at the sump, if it's not damaged, I think i'd just ask for it (and the magnet apparently built in) to be cleaned up as it's just a tray, nothing fancy:

699661_x800.webp


Plus the oil can be had for as little at £9 a litre if you shop around, poss cheaper, haven't done a thorough search.

https://motornuts.co.uk/millers-millermatic-atf-dct-dsg-fully-synthetic

I reckon an hours labour might cover it????

So for £200 all in I might ask for this on my next service.
 
Klickflip said:
The first version A4 S-tronic apparently was sealed for life.
Then I have been told by Audi technicians 2nd and 3rd gen 2009 onwards have one external filter cartridge that requires replacing , with the ATF oil change evety 38k .
Click to expand...
Nearly. The first version in 2009 had 2 filters which were classed as lifetime. This was changed in 2011 when the in-line one was deleted and the cartridge one became a service item. Apparently right from the start Audi had planned the delete, but deferred it to the first revision of the design.
 
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Go to one of the many ramp hire places and know you did it properly.

Would be great to do it as a meet, group discount.

Even start a club day for every year to service a bunch of cars.
 
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Dippy said:
Nearly. The first version in 2009 had 2 filters which were classed as lifetime. This was changed in 2011 when the in-line one was deleted and the cartridge one became a service item. Apparently right from the start Audi had planned the delete, but deferred it to the first revision of the design.
Click to expand...

So are you saying on the early one's there is a potential that a filter or filters could be changed, even though Audi say it's sealed for life? If so are these even available to buy?
 
Cars booked in 8th of March @The Automatic Gearbox Centre. Sent them a long list of parts I wanted replaced, essentially full S-tronic service, gear oil change and rear diff oil change.

I will update with parts and prices once it is done. Provisional quote is £400 +VAT though I suspect that may rise when they get part prices. Mine is a 2009 so has the two filters.
 
Russboy said:
So are you saying on the early one's there is a potential that a filter or filters could be changed, even though Audi say it's sealed for life? If so are these even available to buy?
Click to expand...
Yes. Audi dealers tend to refuse to change the filters because they are non-service items. The solution is to go to an indie who will be happy to oblige.
 
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Dippy said:
Yes. Audi dealers tend to refuse to change the filters because they are non-service items. The solution is to go to an indie who will be happy to oblige.
Click to expand...

Nice, thanks. Will ask my mate at main dealer tomorrow if he can source the parts, he did say it's sealed for life but will just ask if there are any filters in there he has part numbers on.
 
Internal filter/strainer (0B5325429E)

Thats the internal filter for the early ones I believe.

Cooling filter (0B5325330A)
Cooling filter o-ring (WHT005499A)

That should be the external filter that would be replaced during a normal service.
 
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S3_Mitch said:
Hi All,

As per the title, I would like to create a thread containing all the information needed to make sense of the servicing requirements for the B8's S-tronic gearbox. Many threads exist on the matter which I have spent the last few days reading, unfortunately this has lead to confusion due mainly to the different terms used when describing oil changes (S-tronic oil, DSG oil, ATF, gear oil etc.). I will list what I have learnt from reading some of the existing threads and if any of the following is incorrect please someone correct me so this post can become useful.

The S-tronic gearbox utilises two different types of fluid both of which should be changed at regular intervals despite what Audi may currently say or have stated in the past.

1. ATF oil system - Used in the part of the gearbox that houses the Mechatronic unit and dual clutch.

What should be replaced: 7ltrs of fluid and two filters. Sump removal and cleaning, also an internal strainer I believe should be replaced along with all the gaskets/seals required to complete the job. (Is there anything else?)

This is an important service seeing as the Mechatronic unit (the B8's Achilles heel) is bathed in this fluid. This fluid is guaranteed to become contaminated due to wear particles introduced by the wearing clutches at the very least.

Recommended servicing interval: Every 35k miles, 20k or less if tuned (?)

I believe (1) is the standard S-tronic service that Audi offer (though I am not sure they remove the sump and replace everything?)

2. Gear oil system - Manual gearbox, transfer case (centre differential) and front axle drive.

What should be replaced: Approx. 4-5ltrs of hypoid gear oil, simple drain and replace.

Recommended servicing interval: Audi say lifetime, every 40k-50k miles at least but why not change at the same time as (1).

In addition, the rear differential oil should also be changed in line with the gear oil.

I appreciated this information is in other threads, but hopefully this thread should clear it up for me at least as I plan to get these services done soon and need to know exactly what to ask for when getting quotes.

If someone more knowledgeable could reply and confirm what I have stated, or correct it... in any case it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I'm new to this thread (and the site). Have an A3 SLine Stronic blah, blah. I have just had my 38K gearbox service. I was charged £195 by an Audi 'specialist', who whilst listing oil and filter on the invoice did not list the price of each item. I'm seriously wondering whether they're taking the urine. It's an oil/filter change at the end of the day.
 
Adrian Williams said:
I'm new to this thread (and the site). Have an A3 SLine Stronic blah, blah. I have just had my 38K gearbox service. I was charged £195 by an Audi 'specialist', who whilst listing oil and filter on the invoice did not list the price of each item. I'm seriously wondering whether they're taking the urine. It's an oil/filter change at the end of the day.
Click to expand...
Do you even know the cost of DSG oil and how much is needed?
 
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Just for some perspective, it ended up costing me £600 for a full service.

Sump removal (new gasket + bolts)
Filter and strainer
Atf change
+Manual transmission oil change
+Rear diff oil change

Most of that cost is parts, the oils are particularly expensive.
 
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Sub £200 is perfectly reasonable.

Parts, with big discount as brother in law works at local car parts place:

£62.40 - 7 litres of gearbox oil

Discount from a mate at Audi parts

£10.70 - 2 x sump plugs and washers

Labour

£90 - 1 hr Inc VAT (local Audi independent specialist)

So £163.10 all in.
 
Hi all, i recently bought a 2010 s4 avant, when i looked it up on audi.co.uk it comes up as stronic v2?

Anyone know if these have the external filter or not? Or what version 2 means?

Thanks.
 
2010 will not have an external filter.

Should have the 0B5 box, same as mine.
 
Just to be clear, Audi main Agents ONLY change the external filter if you have one as part of a S-Tronic gearbox service, They do NOT change the internal filter inside the sump pan, they will if you ask and pay for the internal filter to be done, but as I say, NOT as part of their regular gearbox service plan. My A7 7 speed S-Tronic was done twice by the Main stealers, neither time did they change the internal filter. The only guys I would trust now with "Anything" gearbox related is MILTA Technology Bristol, I'll get shot down for this, but in my ( and many many others) opinion they know more about these gearboxes than any Main agent !
 
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