Informative Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3MSaW-9BGk&

Today, I changed my automatic transmisson, power steering, brake, and coolant fluids. I wanted took a picture of my car's automatic transmission fluid because it had never been changed, and it is surpposedly a "lifetime fluid". I had previously gone to the dealership, but they insisted that it was not to be changed, and that if I wanted to change it, they'd sell me the fluid for $60 per litre! I went ahead and purchased the fluid online, and had my local mechanic replace it. So here is what the old fluid looked like(oh,and it smelled like burn't coke too):



Odometer.jpg?t=1256961111

Please replace your fluids! The transmission now is silky smooth! My steering, braking, and engine temps are also an equal WOW! I got all my fully synthetic OEM fluids from: www.rmeuropean.com

 

I think thats what led to the demise of my toque converter, don't go by the manual, change your fluid every 50k and save yourself $2,800!

 

Oh ya.. there's no such thing as 'lifetime'.. Its synthetic now, but Audi said that about the blended crap back in the day too...

 

Holy $hi^ .... even mine @ 153,000 miles didn't look like that

 

It looks perfect to me

 

I think yours was changed at some time, chefro. The original was suposed to be amber colored.

 

Thankfuly I changed the ATF and the differentials at 35K in my 05 4.2

 

I doubt it was done previously, as the filter was the original (had 1995 stamp on it). There's nothing about a tranny servicing in the maintenance records from the previous owner, who bought it brand new.
I have a stack of records, although some years are missing.
If it was done, then it was either done outside of a shop, or it was done without a filter change (less likely).

 

If its a ZF transmission, then the original lifeguard fluid should be light brown, or amber as the previous poster said.

 

Mine was that color at 115K, I'm going to do it again soon because Audi messed up my pan gasket and it's seeping.-looooosers

I can't believe you put that bottle of fluid on your paint! Make sure you soap that area good.