To answer your question:
Yes, you can surely just change the fluid and not do a flush, unless you take the car to a dealer that does the flush by the book and only for Audi - hence an Audi dealership. That way contamination with other type of transmission fluid would be out of question.
I would change it even if I didn;t have any type of shifting problems.
As far as the "lag" on the 2.8, changing the fluid DOES HELP. It helped my 1995 old gal. Your 2001 should give you instant feedback upon the fluid change.

 

[QUOTE=captschippy;1120806]except for extreme circuit driving approx. four times a year where I red line the entire system big time in high heat of the Midwest and push this vehicle to its absolute limits.
So, after 9 years with the original trans fluid, QUOTE]

You really shouldn't have to be told this from anyone if you race the car...
In a word YES.. and not *refresh but the complete change,full flush and filter... and not a jiffy lube job either. Do us a favor and send in a sample for testing.

 

Well, if you are worried about it, do the change. Simple as that. Wont hurt a thing.

In fact, I would do it anyways. 60k miles or 5 years is the recommended MAX change interval by most fluid manufacturers, and even ZF.. As stated before, there is no such thing as 'lifetime' fluid. Even the people who make the Audi coolant (BASF) recommend a 5 year change interval.

Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is on ZF's 'regular' and 'sever duty/commercial' lists, so... I would recommend the Mobil 1.

 

One thing to consider... you have a CVT, not a ZF tiptronic. All I know about the CVT is that it is not the same.

 

^^ You sure gaser? I thought it was a 5 speed..? The recommended fluid for him is G 052 162 A2, a Dextron III type, not special CVT fluid.

 

I maybe wrong, but I thought all FWD cars were CVTs. But I am wrong on a lot of things.

All I am saying is to check the transmission prior to ordering the fluid and etc.

 

Thanks for all the input guys,
However, Molle Audi in Kansas City, Mo. Is adamant that although they will be happy to take my $500.00 to flush and renew the transmission fluid in my A-6?
Audi does not call for any scheduled auto transmission fluid changes for this model. Not ever, period! For the life of the transmission, regardless of years, usage, or mileage. (what ever the hell that is?)
I explained how I use the vehicle, my mileage,and the fact that I occasionally run it to the maximum of the vehicles performance specs on track.
And basically what I got was a "Ya So?"... In other words what they said is, "If it ain't broke? Don't mess with it." But if your really determined to spend your money? Well be happy to take it........Am I just whizzin in the wind here boys? Or should I pursue this further??? Comments gentelman?

 

Take a sample and send it in for analysis..they'll tell you exactly what your running, I wouldn't hesitate especially when you consider the penalty for not taking care of it.

 

They'll also be more than happy to take your $4k when it breaks too...

Whats really funny is that when a ZF tranny is in any other car, the recommended interval ranges from 30k (alpha) to 60k (Saab) to BMW (100k) and 75k for the Powerline commercial duty, which is the highest I found for commercial. So, why does Audi say 'lifetime'? Well, I can guess, but, it does create sales...

 

And probably for the same reason they use a tranny without a dipstick and difficult as hell to change/top off its fluid.