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Audi Q5: How to Check and Change Automatic Transmission Fluid

Checking and replacing the transmission fluid is critically important to keeping the transmission healthy. Audi may claim the transmission fluid is a lifetime fill, but they mean the life of the warranty, not the life of the car.

By Bassem Girgis - May 6, 2016

This article applies to the Audi Q5 (2009-2016).

The transmission is one of the most important and complex components in your Audi Q5. Although you don't need to replace the transmission fluid often, it does need to be replaced occasionally if you plan on driving your Audi more than 100,000 miles. Most newer Audis don't have a transmission dipstick, so if you are under the hood looking for one, don't waste your time. This guide will show you how you can check the automatic transmission fluid, and when your mileage gets high or your fluid looks dark, how you can replace it yourself in the Audi Q5.

Audi Q5: How to Check and Change Transmission Automatic Transmission Fluid

Materials Needed

  • Jack and jack stands
  • T27 torx bit
  • Drain pan
  • Fluid pump
  • Transmission fluid

Step 1 – Raise the car

Raise the car and secure it on jack stands. Make sure you keep it as level as possible, so you get the proper amount of fluid in it. You will need to raise both the front and the rear, then secure the car with four jack stands. See the article How to Jack Up Your Car for more information.

Figure 1. Raise and secure the car.

Step 2 – Check transmission fluid

To check the transmission fluid, remove the fill plug on the transmission pan, then put your finger in it. The fluid should be right there, and if you can't feel any fluid, then you're low. The fluid on your finger will give you an indication of its condition based on its color and texture.

Remove fill plug (red) to check fluid, small plug (blue) is drain
Figure 2. Remove the fill plug (red) to check fluid, and the small plug (blue) is the drain.

Step 3 – Drain transmission fluid

Place the drain pan under the transmission, then remove the drain plug (blue arrow in Figure 2). Make sure you do so with the fill plug removed, to vent it. Wait until the fluid has completely drained from the transmission.

Figure 3. Let transmission fluid drain.

Step 4 – Fill transmission with fluid

Use your fluid pump to pump fresh fluid into the fill hole of the transmission. Make sure the drain plug is closed, then pump the fluid until it overflows from the fill hole. Tighten the fill plug and clean the area.

Since only 1/2 to 1/3 of the fluid drains from the pan, some people prefer to change the transmission fluid two or three times within the space of a few miles of driving. This gets a majority of the old fluid out of the transmission.

Figure 4. Pump fluid until it overflows.

Pro Tip

It is important to use the correct fluid for your Audi transmission if you want it to shift properly and not self-destruct. No matter if you have the 6-speed or 8-speed automatic, be sure the fluid meets the G 060 162 A2 standard, like Ravenol 8HP, the ZF or Audi OEM fluid.

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