Replacing transmission fluid, manual gearbox

[Black9]

Never seen this mentioned on the forum!? Shouldn't this be done at least once a year? I used AMSOIL MTF on my old Type R, guess this would be ok on the 5 too? How easy is it to replace and is it a "sealed for life" like BMW?

[Tfsi_Mike]

Never seen this mentioned on the forum!? Shouldn't this be done at least once a year? I used AMSOIL MTF on my old Type R, guess this would be ok on the 5 too? How easy is it to replace and is it a "sealed for life" like BMW?

I think GazbutS3 has done his recently 

[s3dubbin]

I was posting on this topic  a couple of weeks ago. It has been mentioned once or twice. Its an easy job, easier than engine oil and not sealed for life. Stevie

[Black9]

Easier than engine oil? Is the drainage hole and fill-up plug on the gearbox, beside each other?

[Black9]

What oil do people usually use, VW specific?

[stealthwolf]

How often should this be done? Any idea of costs involved? It's not something I'd attempt myself.

[MPS]

How often should this be done? Any idea of costs involved? It's not something I'd attempt myself.

+1, This is definitely a topic that you hardly ever hear about, especially regarding the 'sealed for life' part. I can't say I've ever read anywhere in the manual saying it should be changed though so I assumed it was sealed for life.  

Slightly worrying when someone on here changed their gearbox oil a few weeks back and said they found bits of metal in the oil!    

[Nasir]

How often should this be done? Any idea of costs involved? It's not something I'd attempt myself.

+1, This is definitely a topic that you hardly ever hear about, especially regarding the 'sealed for life' part. I can't say I've ever read anywhere in the manual saying it should be changed though so I assumed it was sealed for life.  

Slightly worrying when someone on here changed their gearbox oil a few weeks back and said they found bits of metal in the oil!    

That would be from the break in period, quite normal I suppose.

[Black9]

Someone finding pieces of metal in the oil is not good, especially as VW don't mention replacement once as the same with most manufacturers

[Tfsi_Mike]

Shame there aren't magnetic drain plugs same as the ecs sump plug

[vRSAlex]

Easy to drain, but a pain to fill unless you have a pump.

I use the millers competition oil in my box and all the ones that come in for a change.

[Tfsi_Mike]

Easy to drain, but a pain to fill unless you have a pump.

I use the millers competition oil in my box and all the ones that come in for a change.

What sort of mileage should it be done?  What do you charge Alex?

[vRSAlex]

For piece of mind I would change the oil every 40k ish. Most of the cars on here get driven fairly hard and on track. The upgrade to the Millers oil can help smooth out changes and will prolong the life of the box.

The oil change would be around £60 plus vat.

[Tfsi_Mike]

For piece of mind I would change the oil every 40k ish. Most of the cars on here get driven fairly hard and on track. The upgrade to the Millers oil can help smooth out changes and will prolong the life of the box.

The oil change would be around £60 plus vat.

Wouldve been done when the clutch was done, will use the millers on the next clutch swap, thanks

[lee_]

You'll also need a special tool to pull the fill and drain plugs, IIRC a Sealey M16 security spline tool does the job (about £6 on eBay).