Don't listen to dealer, change it.

 

What if its a used (new to me) 2011 TDI, that has no record of Transmission service... I'm getting some slippage or lag from 3-4 and the incredibly seldom knock/jolt(??) when in 8th around 2k rpm, roughly 65-80mph

 

I agree with seafarer28. Have a transmission service done.This should include dropping the pan/new filter/new o-ring/new pan gasket/pan magnets cleaned/refill fluid as per VW specs. If they can do a 2017 than they should be able to do yours. Don't expect it to be cheap, but it's worth it.
Read up on it in the link below.

Link >>>> https://www.blauparts.com/blog/how-to-change-vw-touareg-transmission-fluid-8-speed.html

 

Care to explain why?

TonyB

 

If you have been getting transmission flushes for the duration of the life of the vehicle that would be one thing, but if that transmission has 80,000 miles or 100,000 miles on it and it's never had a flush before, it's very likely that a flush would start messing with the internals and causing damage. Whereas simply replacing the fluid won't put any real pressure or stress on the systems and cause any real breakdown

 

I can't really understand how that would be the case but of course I don't know.
I have done a couple of flushes on two of my previous 7L Touaregs at around 100K kms each and had no issues in the past, nor was any expected, its just a fluid replacement after all (of course pan gasket and mesh filter are all replaced).
I am planning on doing the same in my current one in the next few months at which time it should have done 110K kms/65K miles.
What I prefer to do is buy 20 litres of compatible OEM spec ATF fluid and run two thirds trough the transmission and then fill transmission with remainder and seal it all up, by doing it that way I'm pretty sure that the fluid normally sitting in the torque converter gets replaced as well, that's my theory anyway.

TonyB

 

100k kms is around 62k miles, so that seems like safe mileage for a flush from what I gather

 

I agree with you and this is what was explained to me by a very seasoned transmission service tech.

You agree with it, yet you have no idea how an automatic transmission works, top work.

I can't really understand how that would be the case but of course I don't know.
I have done a couple of flushes on two of my previous 7L Touaregs at around 100K kms each and had no issues in the past, nor was any expected, its just a fluid replacement after all (of course pan gasket and mesh filter are all replaced).
I am planning on doing the same in my current one in the next few months at which time it should have done 110K kms/65K miles.
What I prefer to do is buy 20 litres of compatible OEM spec ATF fluid and run two thirds trough the transmission and then fill transmission with remainder and seal it all up, by doing it that way I'm pretty sure that the fluid normally sitting in the torque converter gets replaced as well, that's my theory anyway.

TonyB

You are correct Tony, people who say "don't change the trans fluid if it's high kms and has never been done" or "don't do a flush if it's never been done before", don't understand how an automatic transmissions works.

 

You agree with it, yet you have no idea how an automatic transmission works, top work.

Here we go again.
Is it at all possible for you to disagree with someone without being condescending or coming off as superiorly arrogant?? It just goes a long way to keeping this forum civil.

 

I read "gear oil" from the original poster. But then I see there's talk of transmission fluid.

DO the gear oil change in the differentials. Use full synthetics, it's only around 1 quart per diff.. It is really one of the least expensive oils to change, and not difficult. Difficulty score 2 of 10. Follow correct procedures, and ALWAYS remove the fill port plug first. If it's seized or stuck, get that sorted before draining fluid!

Also my opinion is to DO the transmission fluid and filter change too. The synthetics are great fluids, but they are LONG LIFE in most circumstances, they ARE NOT LIFETIME.

 

I think you've missed the part about seasoned expert specialist..... 😂

 

It was a very seasoned transmission service tech. If you're going to dis someone at least get the wording right.

 

This has been done to death in many threads by people ranging from knowledgeable to no idea what. No longer politically correct but there must be a surplus of "Old Wives" out there to support some views. I'm not going to wade in on what is right and wrong but I offer this for the Aisin AW TR-60SN/09D, that is the old six speed unit. Generally it seems VW say that unit is filled for life. Porsche use the same transmission and their maintenance schedule says at 240,000 Km (160,000 miles) change the transmission oil and ATF filter. Two views on one topic from the horses mouth.
Is the heart of this argument really the philosophical approach various companies take to vehicle life. I received an email yesterday from Audi announcing the Q4 e-tron. Big announcement is the battery is warranted for 8 years or 160,000 KM (the life of the car as is stated). The message for older car lovers is that old EV's are not likely to be a sight on our roads in the future.

 

So if you differ in opinion about an auto's 'lifetime' is (my vehicles range from 11 to 35yrs), you might approach maintenance in a different way than even what the manufacturer recommends. Am I reading you correctly, mate?

 

On a forum aimed at helping users get correct information and advice, facts and correct information take precedence over fuzzy feelings and such.
When I need help to fix my ride, I get more joy out of getting help vs being told I'm awesome!

 

Hard to read exactly what you mean. If it is that would I disregard the manufacturers maintenance schedule and either service the item or service it more frequently to extend it's life, then yes. My vehicles range from 1963 to 2010 so I have some maintenance experience and life prolongation skills. When I did my apprenticeship, an abiding lesson learnt was the boss's instruction that when you didn't have a spare part, "make a bastard" and we did. Exactly to spec. Not a skill around today.

Manufacturers are marketing a vehicle life range, i.e. Audi with the Q4 etron at 8 years / 160,000 Km. At that point will any owner spring for a complete new battery pack in an older car?. Bit like saying to us older folk that you need a new engine every 160,000 Km. Maintenance won't help a battery pack life that much, might shorten it but not lengthen it.

Seems VW are also suggesting that your transmission needs no maintenance for the life of the car whereas other users of that same transmission are told to maintain it. That seems to me that VW are setting a life limit on their badged product. Yep, the knowledgeable amongst us will do a fluid and filter change but there is a whole world out there who are not particularly knowledgeable in these days of dumbing down.

So, in essence, all I am doing is drawing attention to how various manufacturers see the lifespan of the vehicles they sell, using an example that has been under robust discussion. My views on the topic aren't really germaine.

 

Planned Obsolescence. I find this whole idea insulting as a consumer, and a member of the human community. But I'm no business man. I'd rather adapt/reuse then utilize resources for new (except in toothbrushes an toliet paper).