Are there any recommendations for ATF...

[joshm]

Hi,

As title suggests, I was wondering if there are any alternatives to Porsche's own ATF when topping up/changing the 'tip box? I'm sure that many brands make good-enough stuff, I'm just not sure which to go for - e.g. does it need to be Dexron stuff? Oh, and I'm in the UK so if there are recommendations for fluid that I can buy here then so much the better!

Cheers, JoshM

[Loren]

In his DIY (here) Izzy used Pennzoil Multi-Vehicle ATF.

You might PM him and see if he still recommends it.

[joshm]

Thanks for the swift reply. I came across that DIY myself (which is what spurred me into some sort of action!) but I don't think Pennzoil is readily available in the UK...

Edited January 8, 2007 by joshm

[Jinster]

Hi,

As title suggests, I was wondering if there are any alternatives to Porsche's own ATF when topping up/changing the 'tip box? I'm sure that many brands make good-enough stuff, I'm just not sure which to go for - e.g. does it need to be Dexron stuff? Oh, and I'm in the UK so if there are recommendations for fluid that I can buy here then so much the better!

Cheers, JoshM

Don't use the Dexron AT4 or whatever ATF you get at the supermarket. They are completely different to the ones used in the Porsche.

Proper Porsche labelled ATF cost heaps. They sell them in single units of 1L as well as larger volumes - and the larger volume cost more than if you were to buy individual 1L bottles combined! Ridiculous.

Porsche uses the same ATF as some Audi and VW, since they use the same ATX units built by ZF (5HP19FL). These cars share this transmission:

1996–2001 Audi A4 2.8 V6

1996–2003 Porsche Boxster 986 2.5L 6 Cyl

1997–2003 Audi A4 1.8T

1997–1999 Audi A8 3.7 V8

1998–2001 Audi A6 2.8 V6

1998–2003 VW Passat GLS 1.8T

1998–2003 VW Passat GLS V6 2.8L

1998–2003 VW Passat GLX V6 2.8L

1999–2003 Porsche Boxster S 986 3.2L

2003– VW Passat GL 1.8T

So, you can rock up to a VW or Audi dealer and ask to buy their transmission fluid. It's a lot cheaper. I think from memory, it cost $24AUD for 1L of Audi ATF here in Australia. Prices in US may be different, obviously.

P.S: The part number for the Audi ATF and Porsche ATF are different. But it's the same fluid since it goes into the same transmission. So don't be put off by it.

[joshm]

Hi,

As title suggests, I was wondering if there are any alternatives to Porsche's own ATF when topping up/changing the 'tip box? I'm sure that many brands make good-enough stuff, I'm just not sure which to go for - e.g. does it need to be Dexron stuff? Oh, and I'm in the UK so if there are recommendations for fluid that I can buy here then so much the better!

Cheers, JoshM

Don't use the Dexron AT4 or whatever ATF you get at the supermarket. They are completely different to the ones used in the Porsche.

Proper Porsche labelled ATF cost heaps. They sell them in single units of 1L as well as larger volumes - and the larger volume cost more than if you were to buy individual 1L bottles combined! Ridiculous.

Porsche uses the same ATF as some Audi and VW, since they use the same ATX units built by ZF (5HP19FL). These cars share this transmission:

1996–2001 Audi A4 2.8 V6

1996–2003 Porsche Boxster 986 2.5L 6 Cyl

1997–2003 Audi A4 1.8T

1997–1999 Audi A8 3.7 V8

1998–2001 Audi A6 2.8 V6

1998–2003 VW Passat GLS 1.8T

1998–2003 VW Passat GLS V6 2.8L

1998–2003 VW Passat GLX V6 2.8L

1999–2003 Porsche Boxster S 986 3.2L

2003– VW Passat GL 1.8T

So, you can rock up to a VW or Audi dealer and ask to buy their transmission fluid. It's a lot cheaper. I think from memory, it cost $24AUD for 1L of Audi ATF here in Australia. Prices in US may be different, obviously.

P.S: The part number for the Audi ATF and Porsche ATF are different. But it's the same fluid since it goes into the same transmission. So don't be put off by it.

Great stuff - thanks very much. I wonder if Seat and Skoda also use the same stuff, in which case I'll bet it's even cheaper if bought from one of those dealers instead of VW/Audi..? At any rate, I have found a number of useful pages on the web (e.g. )http://www.taligentx.com/passat/maintenance/atfchange) about the 'box and suitable fluids. So thanks again...

Edited January 9, 2007 by joshm