A6 transmission sluggish when cold (Full Version)

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A6 transmission sluggish when cold

  

toesmack -> A6 transmission sluggish when cold (4/14/2005 11:10:03 AM)

My wifes A6 will not shift up from first when cold. Car must run for about 5 minutes first, then shifts fine. Cold being anything below 40 deg F and it is stored in the garage![&:] I am told by Lithia Audi of Reno NV that this is a normal condition for the 99 A6. I don't buy this, been in this business too long. Anybody got any ideas? Figured fluid and filter change couldn't hurt. 55K on clock, and doubt trans. fluid is anything but original fill. Also need fluid type if anyone knows. Have a hard time paying AUDI $15 a Qt for theirs.

  
rs -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (4/14/2005 11:33:44 AM)

im pretty sure any car that is running cold and u try to drive it will do that. u have to let it idle and let the oil and everything warm up. ur beating the hell outta ur engine driving it cold. i hope ur not ripping it when its cold [sm=gears.gif]

toesmack -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (4/18/2005 11:45:31 AM)

I am not talking ice cold, I mean if stored inside at 50 - 55 degrees, it will not shift out of first gear inless run a full 4 to 5 minutes before driving. I have driven hundreds of different cars and overhauled dozens of automatics from Chevy 3 speed to Caterpillar 10 speed, never having had a unit as balky as this. We even had FORD (ack!!) pick-ups in ANTARCTICA, that did not require this kind of warm up at 35deg below zero [sm=yikesomg.gif] Anybody got one (99 A6) that does this? This thing gonna drive me to drink![sm=icon_guiness.gif]

JAGUAR -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (4/30/2005 2:19:45 PM)

I ALSO QUESTIONED MY FIRST UPSHIFT ON COLD MORNINGS BACK IN "97". AS THE MILES ADDED UP IT BECAME LESS NOTICABLE AND NOW @ OVER 100K I DON'T THINK IT DID IT MUCH EVEN ON THE COLDEST DAYS THIS PAST WINTER. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE INDICATIVE OF FUTURE TRANNY PROBLEMS BUT THIS IS APPARENTLY NOT THE CASE. FUGETABOUTIT

SeaWolf -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (4/30/2005 2:29:15 PM)

Hello. I'm not sure if my mom's A6 is a '99 or a '00, but it has the same problem. Well, it's not really a huge problem. You just can't race out of your driveway :-P

toesmack -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (5/5/2005 10:31:05 AM)

Well, good to hear[:)] Got a tranny filter kit, and picking up fluid today for a filter and fluid change. Will keep you posted. Thanks for the info![;)]

Lyrad576 -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (5/5/2005 4:34:10 PM)

My 01 A6 does the same thing. Ive assumed it was the norm. Im sure you have nothing to worry about. No car enjoys the first few minutes of startup/rolling, my last car which was a manual tranny would be cumbersome when shifting after a cold start. After it was warmed up for awhile it had no problem at all, so I remembered to warm up for a few before moving. Your just getting alot of parts that have been sitting a while to start to move again quickly which is usually rough at first. Good luck!

sailor1313 -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (5/6/2005 6:04:23 PM)

My '96 A6 doesn't like to shift much when it's cold. 1st to second works up to 3rd and 4th take a couple of minutes then it's all fine

jmess5 -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (5/7/2005 9:04:21 AM)

I make my wife wait until the rpm's drop to around 900, before taking off.
It seems to shift just fine after the engine/trans warms up and kicks down.
This seems to happen whenever the car is cold, regardless of the outside temperature.
I suspect just another Audi characteristic!
Besides, w/the 2.7T, you should ALWAYS let the turbos warm up before launching.

DKLandry -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (5/24/2005 9:52:41 PM)

My 99 A6 shift the best when its cold. Nice and smoth, when it warms o feel a shudder through 1st and 2nd. Par for the course i guess.

toesmack -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (6/14/2005 2:26:41 AM)

Well, fluid and filter did the trick. Drained the dirty, black factory fill which AUDI said did not need to be changed measured almost exactly 5L. Refill took 5.4L of AUDI O.E.M. brand fluid, after cleaning pan, and replacing filter with new. Audi service finally devulged that temp of trans needed to be 37deg C which is 98.6F. Fluid check is done with engine running, and trans at temp. No fancy analizer needed, just an infared temp gauge. Fill trans level to top of large access plug recessed in bottom of pan. This is actually a tube that rises about 1.75" from pan bottom to determine level. Trans. must be shifted (engine running) in each gear for a few seconds to refill all passages and clutch paks. Final level check is made in PARK with engine running. Once level has been achived, reinstall plug BEFORE SHUTTING OFF ENGINE! Otherwise lots of your new, very expensive fluid will be flowing into your armpit. [sm=badidea.gif] Vehicle must be level, a hoist is a nice item to have in your shop, otherwise 4 good jackstands will do. As the fluid will need to be pumped into trans from the bottom, you will find a small lube pump at most autoparts outlets for under $10 and a short chunk of 5/16" copper tube bent to a hook, to be an indespensible part of this equation.
Transmission now behaves properly at all temps and speeds. Smoother shifts when warm and when cold.[:)]
Now THAT should be a charateristic of this fine machine.
BTW That shudder in First and Second on yours (DKLandry) means clutches are slipping. Do not let that continue. Early death of that expensive gearbox WILL BE the result. Try the oil change. Do it yourself for about $140.00 with filter kit off the internet, and fluid from AUDI. Cheap insurance.

danellis -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (6/14/2005 11:50:55 AM)

[sm=smiley25.gif]

What is the web address of the filler kit?

Thanks,

toesmack -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (6/29/2005 11:10:22 PM)

Go to www.GermanAutoParts.com or direct to the trans page at http://www.germanautoparts.com/main.php?make=Audi&selmodel=A6&maingroup=Transmission
Super service, and quality kit. Kit was about $40. Use a large drain pan when pulling trans pan, as not all fluid will run out of drain plug. Patience is a virtue as fluid will continue to drip from valve body and internals for several hours. Let it drip until done. More old fluid out, the better. Lemme know how it goes.

dan908 -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (7/4/2005 3:38:47 AM)

I really don't know that the fluid change solved it all that much, I have seen this post a hundred times on here. Maybe not as extreme as not coming out of first gear, but everyone complains of weird shifts in the cold. I change my trans fluid as recommended, and have never gotten rid of the cold shift problem. Some say it is a emissions trick to raise engine temp. If you run up the RPMs though it will shift. I have a 97, Every morning in the winter it holds second gear all the way to school (bad for my fuel economy) and everytime I change the fluids it is clean (no metal no burning no fluid lost etc) just a fact of life. And I come from mild winters. I think we got below 50 for a week here in California and that was because of the El Nino rain. Hey my tranny is hitting 170000 miles so I really don't think it is a big deal.

toesmack -> RE: A6 transmission sluggish when cold (7/22/2005 9:51:00 PM)

Normally no big deal, but it drove me crazy. I've built too many trannys to accept it the way it was. Fluid was BURNT and black, and nasty. Changed it during the cold weather and drove like a different vehicle. Still running the way I think it should. The emission theory sounds plausable though. Little ol' lady drove this one til the wife got it, so don't think it got abused. At least now I am satisfied with tranny function. Good to hear 170K is not a problem. Thanks for the input!

  

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