Ok after hours of searching online, talking to Audi locally, Talking to JHM, etc… i need advice. I’m sure this question has been answered a billion times and i cannot apologize enough for not finding it myself and looking like an idiot for asking this simple question.
I just simply want to do the transmission service on my 2005.5 S4 Tip. I have ran into a few websites stating a TSB for the fluid. I called Audi. They said it takes the updated green fluid, but they do not show anything in their system as to if my car has had the TSB update (not even sure if the TSB is a real deal, but anyways) Audi wants $338.10 for 7 liters of fluid, $111.24 for the filter, and $63.80 for the gasket. (Labor done by me.) you have got to be kidding me. So!.. i did my reasearch and everybody and their mom sells a service kit for my car, not bad pricing either.
My big dilemma is the fluid. JHM recommends Redline D4 over the D6 fluid. Both my local parts house AND Redline recommend the D6 over the D4. JHM said they would not put that into the transmission until it has been extensively tested and shown to have no ill effects compared to the D4. My local parts house actually recommends the Pentosin ATF 1. Audi recommends the OEM fluid, but it is $48.30 a liter compared to the Pentosin which i can pick up for 40 bucks a gallon (5 Liters) at my local shop (i have a $20 coupon from buying my radiator there). I’m pretty competent and can do the service myself with VCDS, a pump and some ibuprofen. (not my first time doing it)
All im looking for is the kind of fluid to use. I don’t want to have my transmission go out after doing the service due to wrong fluid. Way too expensive to replace/rebuild the tranny.
I’m not really interested in “if it should be done or if it is infact a lifetime unit.” its getting done either way. I’m approaching the 100k mark and am anal about maintenance on my vehicles.
My question is this: What fluid is best to use in the transmission?
Redline D4
Redline D6 (supposed to be a thinner, more stable version of the D4 with higher boiling/flashing point)
Pentosin ATF 1
OEM
I know people prefer to use OEM fluids but i’m not going to spend 50 bucks a liter for the fluid, so its really down to the options i have listed (among others if anyone has a recommendation)
