Transmission Fluid, Checking, Draining And Filling

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit, 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit, 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit, and 2006 Volkswagen Rabbit. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

It is not possible to check the transmission fluid level by removing the fill plug.

Fig 1: Checking Gear Oil Level

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

Due to the angle of the engine/transmission assembly, the lower edge of the fill hole -arrow 1- is located below the fluid level -arrow 2-.

Fig 2: Identifying Lower Edge Of Filler Hole Is Located Below Oil Level

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

The transmission fluid level can only be checked by draining the transmission fluid completely and then filled again:

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Torque Wrench (5-50 Nm) V.A.G 1331
Hose (approximately 600 mm long, outside diameter 10 mm) with a commercially available funnel.

Preparing

-- Remove the noise insulation. Refer to Description and Operation .

Clean the transmission.

CAUTION:

To drain the transmission fluid, the support pins for the selector forks in transmission must be removed.

To avoid the position of the selector forks changing, for example, by involuntarily operating shift mechanism, the gear shift shaft must be secured.

Secure the gear shift shaft as follows:

Fig 3: Pressing Selector Shaft Down & Turning Right Angle Piece

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Push the gear shift shaft down, in the -direction of arrow 1-.

-- While press the gear shift shaft down, rotate the locking pin -A- in the -direction of arrow 2- upward and simultaneously press it in until it engages in the gear shift shaft.

Draining

Use a clean container with a scale printed on it, that holds at least 3 liters of fluid.

The gear shift shaft rod is secured.

-- Remove the drain plug -arrow 1- and the pivot pin -arrow 2- and drain the transmission fluid.

Fig 4: Identifying Oil Drain Plug & Pivot Pin

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-- Install the pivot pin -arrow 2- with a new O-ring.

-- Install the drain plug -arrow 1-, see -item 17- in TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH HOUSINGS OVERVIEW .

Fig 5: Install Oil Drain Plug

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-- Rotate the locking pin -A- back into its starting position in the -direction of the arrow- so that the gear shift shaft can move freely.

Filling

Add 1.7 liters of fluid to the amount of fluid in the container.

-- Disconnect the connector -arrow- and remove the backup lamp switch -F4-.

Fig 6: Back Up Light Switch

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-- Using a hose (approximately 600 mm long, outside diameter 10 mm) with a commercially available funnel.

-- Insert the hose into the hole for the backup lamp switch (2nd technician required) and fill the transmission fluid.

-- Reinstall the backup lamp switch, see -item 2- in GEAR SHIFT UNIT OVERVIEW , and connect the connector -arrow-.

-- Check the function of the shift mechanism. Refer to FUNCTION .

-- Install the noise insulation. Refer to Description and Operation .