DSG and S tronic oil service at the right interval

Which gearboxes does this service cover?

This page covers the oil service for these Volkswagen Group gearboxes:

• DQ200 (0AM): a seven-speed dry-clutch DSG, in use since 2007 in models such as the Audi A1 and A3, SEAT Ibiza and Leon, Škoda Fabia and Octavia, and Volkswagen Golf and Polo.
• DQ250: a six-speed DSG.
• DQ381 and DQ500: seven-speed DSG gearboxes.
• DL501 (0B5): the S tronic fitted to models such as the A4 from 2008 to 2013, the A6 from 2011 to 2014, and the A5, A7, Q5, S4, S5 and RS5.
• DL382: an S tronic gearbox.

If you are not sure which gearbox your car has, put the registration in the enquiry form and we will check.

How often does the gearbox oil need changing?

Volkswagen Group’s guidance for the motor trade lists:

• DQ200: no oil interval
• DQ250: 40,000 miles, fluid and filter
• DQ381: 80,000 miles, fluid
• DQ500: 40,000 miles, fluid
• DL382: 40,000 miles, fluid
• DL501: 40,000 miles, fluid and filter

The same guidance says to confirm the interval for each vehicle. Audi UK’s own schedule says S tronic oil is generally changed before each 38,000-mile interval, and that models vary. So your car’s own schedule decides. Send us the registration and mileage and we will tell you whether the service is due.

Does a seven-speed DSG need an oil service?

Not every seven-speed DSG is the same. The DQ200 has no maker oil interval, so an oil change on it is not part of the maker’s schedule. The seven-speed DQ381 and DQ500 do have a listed interval.

Which fluid goes in?

Fluid that meets the VW specification listed for your gearbox. We confirm the gearbox from the car before we drain anything, and refill with the fluid listed for it.

What does the service involve?

We:

• confirm which gearbox the car has
• drain the old fluid and change the filter where one is listed
• refill with fluid that meets the VW specification for the gearbox
• set the fluid level by the procedure for that gearbox

After the service we check for leaks and road test the car where appropriate.

How long does it take?

It depends on the gearbox and on what the checks find. When you book, we give you a written price and a promised update time.

What if the gearbox already has a fault?

An oil service is maintenance, not a repair. If the gearbox judders, jerks, shows a warning or will not select gears, we read the gearbox fault memory first. See our pages on DSG gearbox problems and Audi S tronic problems.

Is there a recall to check?

DVSA lists recalls R/2009/110 (Volkswagen), R/2009/111 (SEAT), R/2009/112 (Audi A3 and TT) and R/2009/124 (Škoda) for some DSG cars built from September 2008 to August 2009, where the clutch could open with loss of drive.

Whether a recall applies depends on the individual car, so check your registration on gov.uk. Recall work is done by the manufacturer’s network, not by us.