This may be obvious, but how do I check the transmission fluid level on a 2001 New Passat? I assume I need to do this when the engine is warm to get an accurate reading? Thanks.
Your Owner’s Manual should have all the information that you need for this task, as well as a wealth of other information on your car.
Just be prepared for the possibility that this is a “dealer only” procedure. Some newer cars–particularly German cars–no longer have a dipstick for the transmission. Of course, if this is stated as a “dealer-only” procedure, any good independent VW specialist can do this for you.
I’m assuming the transmission has a dipstick? It’s old enough that it probably does; some newer cars don’t have them.
It’s usually a matter of driving the car for a bit to get the trans up to operating temperature, then parking it on a level surface and going through each gear on the shifter one at a time, allowing it to fully engage each time. When you get it back into Park, the dipstick should read in the HOT range.
I should’ve mentioned that I have checked the owner’s manual and the transmission fluid is not mentioned at all, and I cannot find a dipstick when looking under the hood. Perhaps there is none, as you say.
I asked a VW guru friend who has the similar car for his wife.
It requires a VW scanner tool to make sure the auto transmission fluid is at the correct temp. And then a tube at bottom of tranny has to be unbolted and a bit will drip out when at proper level.
Basically he said its a “lifetime” tranny fluid and only checks it at service intervals. He is at 160k on his original fluid.
Thanks for the responses in this thread. Anyone know how many quarts/liters of fluid would be used in a 2001 New Passat (4 cyl sedan) transmission service and how long it should take? I’ve heard different stories on how complicated a job it is.
Given that this is something that (supposedly) only a dealer can do and it’s considered “lifetime” fluid, I’m not sure you’ll find this info anywhere other than a VW factory service manual.
I’m also not sure you should be concerning yourself with having this done. While I don’t believe in the concept of “lifetime” transmission fluid, VW apparently does and has designed this transmission to not be regularly serviced. I’ve never played with one myself, but it may not be a DIY job depending on the setup.
Well, there is a transmission fluid leak. One possible source is the transmission pan gasket, right? If that’s the case, I assume that I might as well have the service done while the gasket is being replaced?