Hows it going. I just bought my audi a4 about 3 months ago after wanting one for about 6 years. I have an 05 1.8t with 38,000 miles. It has the cvt transmission wish it was a manuel but i got such a good deal on it. Im haveing no problems with the tranny but everything i read what can i do to prevent problems. I called the dealer closest one 2 hours away and asked about the cvt fluid change at 40,000 and he said i dont have to do that. Any opinion on that would be great? Thanks

 

Get a second opinion at another dealer. Everyone recommends you change the fluid at 40k intervals.

The most common problem with your year CVT is the TCM (transmission control module) which is mounted on the transmission that goes into 'Limp' Mode (fail/safe mode) because of faulty sensors, heat, etc etc. Unfortunately I don't think there is a way to prevent that from happening. If your TCM malfunctions, it costs $1500-$2500 to replace (including tranny fluid change). I'm already on my third TCM.....

 

Wow dude 3rd? Scary. Has audi covered any of that. How many miles do you have. Thanks for the reply

 

My car is a 2004 1.8T CVT. First one went out around 12k, the second one went out around 40k and I just replaced one at 96k. My car was out of warranty but I called Audi of America and told them that this is the third time I've replaced it. They worked with the dealer (the place where I bought my car) and I got a 30% discount so I paid $1063 out the door which includes tranny fluid change, gasket, bolts, etc. The full price would have been around $1600. I've heard some dealers charging as much as $2500.

According to one of the mods on this forum, starting from 2004 and up, the CVT transmission had a revision that uses a stronger more reliable 4 puck clutch pack (or something like that) that dissapates heat better so it's more reliable. Knock on wood, that this is true. From the posts I've read about the whole CVT tranmission needing to be replaced, it seems like most of the cars are 2002-2003. If the whole CVT needed to be replaced, it wouldn't be worth it since it probably costs more than the car's worth.

In short, I would get a second opinion about changing the CVT fluid.

 

Dealer is a dipshit. The Audi's factory service manual states every 40k. OP if the car is still running well trade it in. Get one without a CVT. Ask me how I know...actually don't I am so fvcken sick of talking about that Gdam CVT transmission.

 

dumb question probably, but how do I tell if my 2003 A4 avant 1.8T auto (slap shift) is a CVT or not? Just by how it shifts gears or is there another sign?