oil/transmission fluid

I am a new owner of a 2001.5 vw passat. I have made minor repairs myself in the last couple of months. I proceeded to change the oil by draining it from what I thought to be the oil plug at the bottom of the car which takes a star ratchet. I then added the 4 and 3/4 qts of new oil. I checked the dip stick and it read 2 inches above normal level. I am wondering if I drained the oil or transmission fluid. The color of the drainage was the color of dark oil/ not redish like transmission fluid. Any help with this would be appreciated. I am having a difficult time finding the plug to drain the oil. Could some one assist me with this one. Where is the fill location for the transmission fluid? :banghead:

I am a new owner of a 2001.5 vw passat. I have made minor repairs myself in the last couple of months. I haven't owned a vw before and am very excited with my purchase. I try to do the repairs I feel comfortable with ie,.. oil, air filter etc.
I proceeded to change the oil by draining it from the plug at the bottom of the car which takes a star ratchet. I then added the 4 and 3/4 qts of new oil. I checked the dip stick and it read 2 inches above normal level. I am wondering if I drained the oil or transmission fluid. The color of the drainage was the color of dark oil/ not redish like transmission fluid. Any help with this would be appreciated. Thanks!

I want to add that I don't have extravagant equipment; to change the oil I jacked up the passanger side, took off the front tire and reached under. would having the car on its tilt cause less oil to drain out and cause this overage. Thanks

Join the club - yes you have drained the transmission fluid - hard to replace if its an auto with triptronic - also the grading on the oils arent out there to see - check with youre friendly VW dealer for the specs or buy some of the VW Branded Oil at 3 times the price of what it would be normally badged at - filling is another problem - a clean hose with a small diameter tube inserted thru the main hose so the air can escape - insert hose into sump hole about 2 inches up - more if u can - then att funnel to other in above th eengine heihght and fill - when u have the right capacity quickly replace plug and pray.

Join the club - yes you have drained the transmission fluid - hard to replace if its an auto with triptronic - also the grading on the oils arent out there to see - check with youre friendly VW dealer for the specs or buy some of the VW Branded Oil at 3 times the price of what it would be normally badged at - filling is another problem - a clean hose with a small diameter tube inserted thru the main hose so the air can escape - insert hose into sump hole about 2 inches up - more if u can - then att funnel to other in above th eengine heihght and fill - when u have the right capacity quickly replace plug and pray.


This happened to you too huh! I appreciate your help with this. I do have the auto/triptronic. My concern now is locating the fill hole for the trans fluid to go in, and I am alittle unsure of the filling instructions with the hoses. Also, unsure of trans fluid capacity. Also where in the heck do you find the oil drain plug?

When you said use a clean hose with a small diameter tube inserted thru the main hose could you explain a bit further,..Thanks

Join the club - yes you have drained the transmission fluid - hard to replace if its an auto with triptronic - also the grading on the oils arent out there to see - check with youre friendly VW dealer for the specs or buy some of the VW Branded Oil at 3 times the price of what it would be normally badged at - filling is another problem - a clean hose with a small diameter tube inserted thru the main hose so the air can escape - insert hose into sump hole about 2 inches up - more if u can - then att funnel to other in above th eengine heihght and fill - when u have the right capacity quickly replace plug and pray.

I think I understand one hose in sump hole for filling and a smaller one in the sump hole for air to pass out while filling? Describe the appearance of the sump plug.

I think I understand one hose in sump hole for filling and a smaller one in the sump hole for air to pass out while filling? Describe the appearance of the sump plug.

There is no 'filling' point for the auto transmission - its only access is where you drained the fluid ie the allen key plug - the engine oil sump plug is located to wards the front of the engine hidden by the h/d plastic cowling - the capacity of the transmission oil is around 4.75lts - not sure of the conversion to US measures - Like I say contact your dealer, it may be that you could have to have the level re checked by them after you do it - they have the whizz bang stuff that does it.

There is no 'filling' point for the auto transmission - its only access is where you drained the fluid ie the allen key plug - the engine oil sump plug is located to wards the front of the engine hidden by the h/d plastic cowling - the capacity of the transmission oil is around 4.75lts - not sure of the conversion to US measures - Like I say contact your dealer, it may be that you could have to have the level re checked by them after you do it - they have the whizz bang stuff that does it.

Should the exterior diameter hose be the size of the plug opening at the bottom of the car. I then run a smaller hose in the center of the larger hose and fill at above engine level. What is the trick to pulling out the hose and getting the plug back in with out loosing some of the fluid. Do you intentionally over fill with the expectation of loosing a pint or two.
You used the term allen key is that the same as a star shaped. I used a t50 socket with a star pattern. I will be taking it to the dealer to have them check my handy work out! :aus: Thanks for your help How is your weather in Australia? I am in the midwestUSA and we are 88 and sunny,
We are all just very shocked at the hurricane damage to one of our oldest cities. This is a very tragic occurrence. My car problems are mild in comparison. I really appreciate you help with all of it. Thank You

Should the exterior diameter hose be the size of the plug opening at the bottom of the car. I then run a smaller hose in the center of the larger hose and fill at above engine level. What is the trick to pulling out the hose and getting the plug back in with out loosing some of the fluid. Do you intentionally over fill with the expectation of loosing a pint or two.
You used the term allen key is that the same as a star shaped. I used a t50 socket with a star pattern. I will be taking it to the dealer to have them check my handy work out! :aus: Thanks for your help How is your weather in Australia? I am in the midwestUSA and we are 88 and sunny,
We are all just very shocked at the hurricane damage to one of our oldest cities. This is a very tragic occurrence. My car problems are mild in comparison. I really appreciate you help with all of it. Thank You

I may have given u a bum stear - the oil capacity is 4lts - and the volkswagen number for it is - JO52162A2 - costs $30/lt approx - so $120.

Ive been told by a VW Mechanic that he is sure there is a filling point at the back of the transmission housing - he seems to recall doing one a while ago, but wont swear to it.

Weather here is great, spring has sprung - mid west USA - I live on the South Pacific Coast - of New South Wales - about 200klms south of Sydney.

Dont feel to bad about the wrong drain plug - the 'local' (100+ klms from me) said they do about 2 a week from backyard mechanics doing the exact same thing.

I may have given u a bum stear - the oil capacity is 4lts - and the volkswagen number for it is - JO52162A2 - costs $30/lt approx - so $120.

Ive been told by a VW Mechanic that he is sure there is a filling point at the back of the transmission housing - he seems to recall doing one a while ago, but wont swear to it.

Weather here is great, spring has sprung - mid west USA - I live on the South Pacific Coast - of New South Wales - about 200klms south of Sydney.

Dont feel to bad about the wrong drain plug - the 'local' (100+ klms from me) said they do about 2 a week from backyard mechanics doing the exact same thing.


Just wanted to let you know I have embarrassing found the oil drain plug after remembering it had a heater attachment,....right in the front of the car,..huh? would a never guessed that one. It almost bit me. I only have to get the new transmission fluid in the car. I have the hoses and I am waiting for a family member to drop a floor jack and stands by and I can get back to work. We have a Holiday called Labor Day today,..But its supposed to be a day you take off of work and honor those that work in physical labor trades. I spent 17 years as a painter prior to my current position. I know the labor well. Today though I should be drinking a beer by the t.v. set. Thanks again for all your help.

If you try and fill it with the front off the ground you will not fill it to the proper level. The transmission fluid must be at 35-40deg C to know if it is at the correct level. Its better to overfill it a little than underfill it. THe car must be level. It you only pulled the drain plug you drained maybe 1-2qts of fluid.

If you try and fill it with the front off the ground you will not fill it to the proper level. The transmission fluid must be at 35-40deg C to know if it is at the correct level. Its better to overfill it a little than underfill it. THe car must be level. It you only pulled the drain plug you drained maybe 1-2qts of fluid.

I appreciate your help. I had a towing company put it on their flatbed and took it to the dealership. I felt that it was something I better not mess with myself. I am back on the road,...lesson learned!!! Again, Thanks for the help!

why is it such an act of god to work on these cars for backyard mechanics? nissans are rediculously easy for me to work on, even the new ones. why does vw make it so hard? i know the dealerships make TONS of money on the service, but why is it such a problem to replace transmission fluid or even friggin oil? bmw has a similar oil filter, and guess what, IT'S UNDER THE HOOD. you open up the hood, and the oil filter is right there, no f#$@ing special tools needed. when my lease is up, vw can have their car back. and their $300 transmission job.

why is it such an act of god to work on these cars for backyard mechanics? nissans are rediculously easy for me to work on, even the new ones. why does vw make it so hard? i know the dealerships make TONS of money on the service, but why is it such a problem to replace transmission fluid or even friggin oil? bmw has a similar oil filter, and guess what, IT'S UNDER THE HOOD. you open up the hood, and the oil filter is right there, no f#$@ing special tools needed. when my lease is up, vw can have their car back. and their $300 transmission job.

I have sold the POS - Volkswagen will never cross my garage floor again.