Where does the transmission fluid go?

[Lee420]

Hi,

I can't seem to find a place to check the level of my automatic transmission fluid or a place to add more. Anyone know where this is on a '98 Passat?

[boschmann]

Officially it must be done with a VW scanner to be sure the fluid is at the proper temp for level checking. Basically there is a small tube going up from what looks like a small drain plug in the bottom of the oil pan. When the fluid is at the right temp you remove the plug and a little fluid will come out (from what was sloshed into the tube while driving) then no more. Unfortunately if it's low this will not tell you, so you will have to remove the lock cap & pull out the plug on the short fill tube at the front of the transmission. Then you add fluid until it comes out the "overflow" tube. It takes a special fluid available at VW and a few independent stores that specialize in imports.

[Lee420]

WOW that is a pain is the @ss! I expect nothing less from VW.

Thanks for the info!

[00Psst]

You should also know that VW specifies that the tranny fluid is lifetime and you shouldn't need to add any to it.

Having said that, I've heard it recommended that changing it out every 100k miles is a good idea.