This article details the necessary steps on how to change Audi transmission fluid on 2015-2018 Audi Q3 and 2003-2006 Audi TT models that came equipped with the 6-speed Aisin transmissions. This transmission type is also referenced as the 09G and 09M transmissions, which is the first three letters of the transmissions part number.
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Step-by-Step Audi Transmission Fluid Change Instructions - Aisin 6 Speed
These transmission fluid filter change procedures apply to the Audi Q3 and TT models listed below that also came equipped with 09G and 09M transmissions. Owners that are unsure of what type of transmission they have and what type of transmission fluid they need can see our helpful, What Type of Transmission Fluid (ATF) Does My Audi Take? blog post.
- 2003-2006 Audi TT 1.8T 2WD Transmission Fluid and Filter Change
- 2015-2018 Audi Q3 2.0T Transmission Fluid and Filter Change
What is the Audi transmission fluid change interval for Aisin transmissions?
How often should Aisin Audi Q3 or Audi TT transmission fluid be changed? The recommended service interval for changing the Audi transmission fluid on Aisin transmissions is every 50,000 miles - 60,000 miles. Those with more aggressive driving styles, constant extreme heat, heavy city traffic, trailer pulling, or other severe driving conditions may want to replace the Audi transmission fluid sooner. Changing your 6-speed Audi Aisin transmission fluid is important and helps extend the life of your transmission.
What type of Audi transmission fluid (aka Audi ATF) does the Aisin transmission use?
The Audi 09G and 09M 6-Speed Aisin automatic transmissions that came in the 2003-2006 Audi TT and 2015-2018 Audi Q3 require Audi ATF part number G 055 025 A2.
Owners that are unsure of what type of transmission they have and what type of transmission fluid they need can see our helpful, What Type of Transmission Fluid (ATF) Does My Audi Take blog post.
- Audi OE part number G 055 025 A2 (Eurol ATF 1100 J1D3004-001 or RAVENOL T-IV J1D2108)
What is the Audi transmission fluid fill capacity for 09G 09M transmissions?
- The transmission fluid service fill capacity for the Audi VW Aisin 6-speed is 3.2 liters (3.38 quarts).
- The transmission filter and fluid service fill capacity for the Audi VW Aisin 6-speed is 5 - 6 liters (5.2 - 6.3 quarts).
- The transmission fluid initial dry fill capacity for the Audi VW Aisin 6-speed is 7 liters (7.39 quarts).
- For more fluid capacity information see step 18.
How To Step 1
Place the vehicle level on an approved automotive lift or jack stands using factory lift points and procedures.
How To Step 2
Begin by removing the lower engine splash pan. This is held in place by several T-25 Torx bit screws.
How To Step 3
Locate, loosen, and remove the Audi transmission pan drain plug allowing the Q3 or TT ATF to drain into a suitable waste oil drain pan. This is a 5mm Allen drain plug.
How To Step 4
Once the transmission pan drain plug has been removed you will need to locate the drain plug fluid level insert. This is recessed up inside the transmission pan drain plug port. The drain plug level insert is a 5mm Allen. As you are removing the drain plug level insert you will allow the remaining Q3 or TT ATF to drain from the transmission pan into a suitable waste oil drain pan. Once the fluid has drained, reinstall the drain plug. This will minimize fluid spillage during pan removal and cleaning.
How To Step 5
Remove the transmission pan. This is held in place by 10mm bolts. Begin by loosening all the transmission pan bolts. Once all the bolts are loose, remove all the bolts except two at opposite ends of the transmission pan. Lastly, remove the two bolts left well supporting the pan. In most cases, there will be a small amount of Q3 and TT transmission fluid (aka Audi ATF) still left in the pan. 09G style trans pan has 8 bolts total. The 09M style trans pan has 9 bolts total.
How To Step 6
Remove the Audi transmission filter. This is held in place by three - 10mm bolts. Throughout the era of the Audi 09G and 09M automatic transmissions, several transmission filter styles were used. Slight variations will exist in the filters to what is depicted in the images. However, the steps and procedures in the instruction still apply.
How To Step 7
Remove the old rubber transmission pan gasket from the transmission pan.
How To Step 8
Clean the transmission pan and pan magnets of all dirty Audi Q3 or TT ATF and sediment. The magnets are in the transmission pan. Always note the transmission pan magnet locations and return them to the original location after cleaning. This is best done with lint-free rags, a parts washer, or brake cleaner.
How To Step 9
Clean the Audi transmission pan gasket mating surfaces on both the transmission side and the pan side. Make sure to remove all old gasket material and corrosive buildup. Be careful not to dirty any of the transmission internals and only use lint-free rags.
How To Step 10
The 09G, 09M transmission filter seals to the transmission by a rubber or cork material which could leave buildup. It is good to check for this build-up and clean these gasket mating surfaces to allow for a proper seal of the new Audi Q3 or TT transmission filter. If a good seal is not made, this could cause transmission reliability and longevity problems. Be careful not to dirty any of the transmission internals and use lint-free rags.
How To Step 11
Install the new Audi transmission filter and evenly torque the three – 10mm mounting bolts to 7 ft. lbs.
How To Step 12
On a clean bench top insert the transmission pan gasket spacers into the gasket.
How To Step 13
Install the transmission pan gasket onto the transmission pan, closely aligning the mounting holes.
How To Step 14
Reinstall the Audi Q3 or TT transmission pan with the gasket onto the transmission. Align the transmission pan mounting holes and install the 10mm mount bolts. First, tighten the mounting bolts evenly to a hand tight torque. Next evenly tighten the transmission pan from one side of the transmission pan to the other, torquing the bolts to 7 ft. lbs.
How To Step 15
Reinstall the transmission fluid level insert, using a 5mm Allen into the drain plug port. Leave insert snug and do not over tighten as this is made of plastic.
Aisin Audi Q3 or TT Transmission Fluid Filling Procedure:
How To Step 16
Hand tighten the fill adapter onto the Audi transmission pan. Once the fill adapter is installed, slide the fill hose on as pictured.
How To Step 17
Slide the loose end of the fill hose up in front of the transmission and connect it to the fluid bottles as described in the supplied instructions. Connect the hose to the Audi ATF bottle as described in the supplied instructions.
How To Step 18
With the vehicle in a level and elevated position start filling around 2.5 liters of ATF into the transmission. This can be done by gravity or a pump. A pump is a quicker option.
- With the 2.5 liters of ATF in the vehicle and the fill adapter and hose still attached to the transmission pan. Start the vehicle's engine.
- With the brakes applied, shift/select through all the gears of the transmission while the engine is idling. Allow 3-5 seconds for each gear selection.
- With the transmission back in park and the engine still at idling, continue to gravity feed or pump the remaining 2-3 liters of new ATF into the transmission.
- Once all 5.5 - 6 liters have been pumped into the transmission and the engine is still at idle quickly remove the fill adapter tool, and install the drain plug. Tighten the drain plug enough to minimize a leak.
Why do we supply 6 liters of ATF in this transmission service kit?
We supply 6 liters of ATF for this application to ensure all customers have an adequate amount of ATF on hand for all ATF-changing scenarios.
Typically draining the transmission fluid, lowering the transmission pan, and replacing the transmission filter will allow around 5 - 6 liters to drain from the transmission. The remaining 1 - 2 liters are in the torque converter, transmission cooler lines, and transmission cooler. Some customers allow a longer duration (siting overnight) to pass while changing the transmission filter and ATF. At times this allows another 0.5 - 1 liter to drain from random internal areas of the transmission. Others choose to drain the ATF during excessive transmission temperatures, loosen transmission cooler lines to remove more ATF from the transmission cooler-related areas, and other alternative techniques.
Our kit contains 6 liters of ATF for all average ATF fluid and filter change situations. This provides most customers an adequate amount of ATF while filling and fluid level checking the transmission. We also recommend having an extra liter in case a customer spills and would not typically have enough ATF on hand to complete the service.
Also, many individuals and automotive service facilities choose to drain the ATF into a measuring pan and will only pump the same amount of ATF back into the transmission as was removed. This is not the correct filling process and will yield an incorrect fluid level. We encourage all to use the recommended transmission fluid temperature leveling sequence. Bringing the ATF along with the transmission up to operating temperature together from cold allows for the most accurate ATF level and transmission shifting characteristics.
If you desire a more thorough ATF flush, we recommend driving the vehicle for 5-10 minutes and then performing a 2nd ATF drain, fill, and ATF leveling procedure with another 4 liters of ATF. This should allow the majority of harshly contaminated ATF to be removed from the transmission.
(To allow for a quicker flow of ATF into the transmission you may use ATF pump tool number J91001 as described below.)
Blauparts’ Transmission Fluid Fill Pump Tool Alternative
To allow for a quick flow of Audi ATF into the transmission you can use pump tool number J91001. See our J91001 Instructional Document that shows how to adapt the pump to the Ravenol bottle spout tube. The hand pump base can be adapted directly to the Ravenol bottle tube that pulls out from the Ravenol bottle cap. As the fluid is pumped into the transmission, the bottle will collapse as the fluid is sucked from it. This may not be the prettiest way to pump fluid into the transmission, but it is an adequate and cost-effective way to fill the fluid, rather than having to buy the more expensive and .
How To Step 19
As the engine is at idle plug the Ross-Tech diagnostic software into the OBD2 port and begin to monitor the transmission fluid temperature.
Using the Ross-Tech:
- (1st) Select Control Module
- (2nd) 02-Auto Trans Control Module
- (3rd) Measuring Blocks – 08
- (4th) Group 006.
Display group 006 in field 1 will allow for an accurate ATF temperature reading.
How To Step 20
With the vehicle level, and the engine still at idle. Bring the transmission fluid temperature to warm between 35°C - 45C° (95°F –113°F). During this process and as you wait for the transmission fluid temperature to rise, you can remove the transmission drain plug and transmission fluid should begin to flow out from the fill port level insert. When this happens, the proper ATF fluid level is transitioning to the correct level. The ATF fluid level is correct when the transmission fluid transitions from a consistent stream into its very first drip between the fluid temps of 35°C - 45C° (95°F –113°F).
Side Note: Do not allow the transmission temperature to exceed 45C° (113°F). Reinstall the 14mm hex bit drain plug before the transmission fluid temperature exceeds 45C° (113°F).
Side Note: If no fluid drips from the fill port between the temperatures of 35°C - 45C° (95°F – 113°F), the proper level has not been achieved. Reinstall the 14mm hex bit drain plug, turn off the engine, and allow the transmission to cool to below 30°C (86°F). Repeat the transmission fluid level process per the above-recommended steps 19 - 20. An additional 1 or 2 liters of ATF may be required to re-perform the overflow fluid level check.
It’s also important to note that the above ATF level process must be done quickly before the transmission exceeds 45C° (113°F).
How To Step 21
Reinstall the 5mm Allen drain plug and torque to 12 ft. lbs.
How To Step 22
Once the proper Audi Q3 or TT transmission fluid level has been attained, turn the engine off and exit the Ross-Tech diagnostic software and disconnect the OBD2 plug port.
How To Step 23
If you do not have a Ross-Tech diagnostic software available to you for reading the internal transmission fluid temperature you can use any diagnostic software that can access and read the internal transmission fluid temperature. The most accurate transmission fluid level and temperature reading is achieved using diagnostic software.
However, if you do not have diagnostic software, you may wish to use other options to read the transmission fluid temperature. One alternative is an infrared thermometer - See Image. Typically, an infrared thermometer reads within a 4° to 5° degree difference when compared to diagnostic software which measure the true internal transmission fluid temperature. Thus, an infrared thermometer can be a reliable temperature source when performing the transmission fluid leveling sequence. If an infrared thermometer is used it is best to allow the fluid temperature and level reading to be more towards the low side of the temperature window of 35°C - 45C° (95°F –113°F). For example, a 34°C reading will be closer to a 38-39°C internal fluid temperature reading.
How To Step 24
Re-install the lower engine splash pan with T-25 torx.
How To Step 25
Remove the vehicle from the approved automotive lift or jack stands using factory lift points and procedures.
Shop Available Audi 6-Speed Aisin ATF Change Kits
Why Choose Blauparts for All Your Vehicle Lubrication Needs?
BLAU® transmission fluid change kits use high-quality, synthetic* transmission fluids. Our fluids are sourced from lubricant partners that employ sustainable efforts to improve the environment using a higher level of quality. This in turn can support the conservation of the environment through less transmission fluid changes and waste, optimize vehicle efficiency and performance, improve and maintain fuel economy, reduce exhaust/carbon emissions, and improve performance through reduced coefficient of friction and less driveline rolling resistance.
*For most kits, check the product description.
- Convenient BLAU® ATF change kits include the correct spec, oil quantities, and OEM quality transmission filter for your specific vehicle make and model
- ATFs that meet or exceed your vehicle manufacturer's specific transmission fluid specification requirements
- Better transmission performance, less transmission slip, improved torque, and precise shifting efficiency
- Sustainable ATFs that conserve the environment, improve fuel economy, and reduce exhaust/carbon emissions through improved transmission operation
- Higher quality ATFs allow for longer change intervals and extended service lives, conserving the Earth's resources
- Higher quality ATFs with advanced fluid technologies provide improved lubricating properties for less transmission wear and longer life
- High-performance ATF with better shear load and flow performance properties
- ATFs with better cold temperature pour points and high heat flashpoints providing protection in all conditions
- ATFs with high, stable viscosity index reduces coefficient of friction inside the transmission
- ATFs with high thermal oxidative stability with excellent cooling capacity for better transmission performance and less wear
- ATFs with lower cold temperature pour points and high heat flashpoints provide transmission wear protection in all climate conditions
- Long-life OEM ATF filters for extended fluid change intervals
