[Jack Bisinger]

I'm into an ATF change on my 2018 Atlas. I've discovered there is only a drain plug. Is there a special "adapter" that is placed in the drain hole;pumped with atf until overflow;removed and then the plug installed? Where can any special tools/adapters needed be purchased? Any steps I have omitted or gotten wrong? Thanks,
Jack

 

[Ricoscoro]

I thought I heard that you are not supposed to do transmission flushes on the Atlas?

 

[KarstGeo]

I thought I heard that you are not supposed to do transmission flushes on the Atlas?

According to the maintenance sched in the manual, 80K tranny fluid change (not a flush).

 

[Jack Bisinger]

Interesting........

so, Vw calls for an ATF change at 40,000 miles but then calls the trans a sealed unit. Scant info. available seems to force owners with maintenance concern to go to the dealership and spend $$$. I think I have an answer to the problem and will post when proven.:smile:smile2:

 

[Ricoscoro]

so, Vw calls for an ATF change at 40,000 miles but then calls the trans a sealed unit. Scant info. available seems to force owners with maintenance concern to go to the dealership and spend $$$. I think I have an answer to the problem and will post when proven.:smile:smile2:

I have not looked at the manual but when I purchased the vehicle I asked my salesperson who then asked the dealer service manager in front of me and they both agreed that the transmission is sealed an you never have to change the transmission fluid. This was after I saw a video about how ridiculous it was to change the oil filter. This is all odd to me after coming from an 18 year "relationship" with my 2000 F150 where I did almost all repairs and maintenance myself!

 

[hfqkhal]

You can change the Trany oil. See this link

 

[KarstGeo]

so, Vw calls for an ATF change at 40,000 miles but then calls the trans a sealed unit. Scant info. available seems to force owners with maintenance concern to go to the dealership and spend $$$. I think I have an answer to the problem and will post when proven.:smile:smile2:

The manual states 80K for auto tranny fluid change...where are you getting 40K? My Golf's DSG is 40K.

 

[Jack Bisinger]

Got 'er done. For other d-i-y ers......
1. trans. pan has a drain/add hole and, within it, a 5mm plastic socket head "level plug"(actually a threaded tube-open at both ends. Level plug installs on top of drain plug inside the pan.
2. To drain the pan- remove both plugs w/ 5 mm allen wrench.
3. Capture the drained fluid in order to accurately determine the amount of new fluid to add.
4.Buy an inexpensive hand operated fluid pump with clear hose.
5. " a 1/8 x 2 1/2 copper nipple
6. saw off one of the threaded ends of the nipple & cut 10m x 1 threads on this end(to match the trans pan threads)
7. Screw the "original threaded end of the nipple into the pump tubing.
8.Get 3 liters of ATF(Pentosin 1 LV) Advance Auto Parts has it.
9. Re-install the "Level Plug"(don't over-tighten)
10.thread the prepared copper tube into the drain hole & pump away.
11. When the proper amount of ATF has been filled-the fluid should flow down the level tube and serve notice.
/or you fill the amount you drained.
12.Be quick in removing the brass tube/ re-install the drain plug.

 

[Rockhard]

I'm into an ATF change on my 2018 Atlas. I've discovered there is only a drain plug. Is there a special "adapter" that is placed in the drain hole;pumped with atf until overflow;removed and then the plug installed? Where can any special tools/adapters needed be purchased? Any steps I have omitted or gotten wrong? Thanks,
Jack

If you take the time to read your manual. It states for trans service on the aisin 8 spd auto trans 50k service. If you also remove the skid plate under the car you will see the tranny pan with bolts that can be removed, also a drain plug that has a plastic drain plug /tube that you will see when you remove outer drain plug. Unscrew plastic drain plug tube and drain out the (3qrt) in pain replace drain tube. Using clear flexible tubing slide over drain tube ,make sure it is snug or use hose clamp raise tube high enough so that fluid will flow back into trans pan. 3 qrts for 3 qrts. For full flush repeat process again but run engine and use gear shift and go through the gears first after each refill. There is also a fill plug on the top of trans by the bell housing and close to fire wall. The only reason I know this is because I looked up Aisin 8 spd trans on line for VW atlas. These transmissions are not sealed contrary to popular belief. Valvoline Max life trans fluid is suitable for VW’s.

 

[KarstGeo]

If you take the time to read your manual. It states for trans service on the aisin 8 spd auto trans 50k service. If you also remove the skid plate under the car you will see the tranny pan with bolts that can be removed, also a drain plug that has a plastic drain plug /tube that you will see when you remove outer drain plug. Unscrew plastic drain plug tube and drain out the (3qrt) in pain replace drain tube. Using clear flexible tubing slide over drain tube ,make sure it is snug or use hose clamp raise tube high enough so that fluid will flow back into trans pan. 3 qrts for 3 qrts. For full flush repeat process again but run engine and use gear shift and go through the gears first after each refill. There is also a fill plug on the top of trans by the bell housing and close to fire wall. The only reason I know this is because I looked up Aisin 8 spd trans on line for VW atlas. These transmissions are not sealed contrary to popular belief. Valvoline Max life trans fluid is suitable for VW’s.

Where is it stated 50K? My 2018 manual shows 80K.

 

[Rockhard]

Where is it stated 50K? My 2018 manual shows 80K.

I have seen what the trans fluid looks like at 60k , it almost black believe me you don’t want to wait that long to flush your trans fluid. The color should be cherry red. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way...

 

[KarstGeo]

I have seen what the trans fluid looks like at 60k , it almost black believe me you don’t want to wait that long to flush your trans fluid. The color should be cherry red. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way...

I don't disagree but the manual doesn't state 50K - an important detail.

 

[Craz1000]

I don't disagree but the manual doesn't state 50K - an important detail.

Ok. From WV's internal system.
It is every 80k, or 60k if vehicle is in a hot climate. In other words most of the US it is 60k.
It is filled through the drain plug. You fill it with the 3L then plug it. With the vehicle running when the fluid is at 35-45 degrees C, you pop the drain plug again and drain the excess. Do not let the fluid go over 45 degrees, you will drain too much. And do not fill it with the 3L then immediately do the drain, you will end up with the incorrect amount of fluid in the transmission. This is the exact same way the DSG's are serviced. ECS sells a pump specifically for this service to make it easier.

 

[RogerThat]

Hi all!

What was a simple oil change for my 2019 ATLAS 3.6L V6 4Motion, turned into a large "project". I found out that I should not rush to change the oil with the kids distracting you, as I accidentally drained the TRANSMISSION FLUID instead of the oil... Still can't believe I did this, I have changed the oil of ALL my cars, including this ATLAS... twice!

Anyways, the drain plug was off for over an hour until I realized the mistake. Any suggestions on what to do? It looks like there is no fill plug for the transmission...

Thanks for your help!

 

[RogerThat]

Update: Called the VW dealer and they recommended towing the car in. To top up the transmission fluid is just $38 (labor) + parts (oil). Not too bad at all!

Thanks!

 

[Chris4789]

Here is a good thread on the changing of transmission fluid and my detailed post #26 on how I did it.
Remember that because of fluid retained in the torque converter, any drain is getting only about 40% of the fluid. Certainly a lot better than not doing it, but not nearly as much as an engine oil change.
Transmission drain & Fill (no filter): #26 https://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...Capacity/page2