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All this talk about automatic transmissions got me to thinking about
the fluids in our transmissions and the fact that there are some
maintenance tidbits about them that some of you might want to know.
I don't think any of this has any particular relavance to the AT
question going around right now.
Automatic transmissions:
The AT uses an ATF meeting the Dexron standard. Check the level with
the engine running and the AT in P or N after shifting into all the
gears. Fill through the dipstick hole and be very careful not to
introduce dirt or lint from the rag that you use to wipe the
dipstick.
When replaceing the ATF you need to drop the pan and at least check
the screen; clean if necessary. Some years have a drain plug, some
don't.
The final drive (differential) is in a separate chamber and is
separately lubricated. Many final drives die because the owners
don't know that there is another level to check. The final drive is
lubricated with GL-5 gear oil. 80W-90 is a good choice.
The the final drive fill hole is just above and ahead of the
right hand output shaft, and the drain plug is on the bottom. Both
require a 17 mm "Allen" wrench. The gear lube should be just up to
the bottom of the fill hole.
Manual transmission.
The manual transmission has a single fill hole on the front left side
and 1 (early) or 2 (late) drain holes. Both require the usual 17 mm
Allen wrench.
The MT uses GL-4 gear oil,and 80W-90 is again a good choice. Note
that the AT final drive and the MT use different grades of gear oil.
As in the AT final drive, fill 'til the fluid just starts to come out
of the fill hole.
I have no experience with the synthetic gear oils.
Jim
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Melissa Kepner Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org jadney@vwtype3.org
Laura Kepner-Adney
Madison, Wisconsin
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