Please be aware, if you have an Audi with a sealed transmission unit, Audi will say it’s lifelong.
 

This means lifelong for the warranty of the gearbox only…

If your car has 40,000+ miles on it or is over 2-3 years, get Audi or an Audi specialist to check the transmission fluid.

I have an Audi A8 LWB and went into Audi for a health check with 113,000 miles yet. Audi did not feel the need to check the transmission fluid 😞

My Audi has now done 150,000, when I spoke to Audi they were only going to change the transmission fluid and not the filter…

that could mean the filter would have contaminated the new transmission fluid 🧐

I went to JMR VW & Audi specialists in Littlehampton West Sussex who did a transmission fluid change and filter to find my fluid was black when it should have been clear, my car thankfully is ok and I can count myself very lucky but this could’ve been avoided if Audi were to include a transmission fluid check when they do their health checks on older cars that you take to them.

my point is if your car has done over 40,000 miles go to a specialist to get the transmission fluid checked or even replaced as it is not a lifelong sealed unit as oil deteriorate over time…

Edited September 4, 2025Sep 4 by Redcap
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We think this is relatively common knowledge now Simon, but many thanks for reinforcing it.

Regards,

Gareth. 

Thanks Simon. There's lots of manufacturers claiming their gearboxes being sealed for life. Another example would be jaguar who use the 8 speed zf box. The same gearbox is used by BMW with a 60k servicing interval. However the issue I've found is finding a garage/mechanic who is willing to service it as they all say it's fine it's sealed for life. Luckily I've not found a mechanic who is willing to do the gearbox oil change. 

Mine did 320,000 miles before the first fluid and filter change, so lifetime fill is plausible. (They call it lifetime fill - they do not say sealed and the sealer service literature also says words to the effect of - change at 60,000 miles 100,000 Km in severe operating conditions such as towing, taxi or hot countries)