Audi A3 Rough Shifting: Gearbox Oil May Be Key Fix

Had a similar issue with my 2014 Audi A4. As someone with moderate car repair experience, I recognized the symptoms immediately, rough shifting and gear grinding between changes. Initially thought a transfer case oil change might solve it, but the problem turned out to be more serious. The workshop diagnosed defective gears in the transfer case after running diagnostics. They showed me the metal shavings in the old gear oil, which was a clear sign of internal wear. The complete repair, including new gear oil and fixing the defective components, cost me 330 Euro. The repair solved all shifting issues and the transmission has been smooth since then. Would definitely recommend having this checked soon, as continuing to drive with these symptoms can lead to more extensive transmission damage. To better assist: What transmission fluid are you currently using? Have you noticed any unusual sounds during gear changes? Is there any difference in symptoms between cold and warm operation? Do you have access to transmission diagnostic codes? This issue needs proper diagnosis, transfer case oil wear can sometimes mask bigger problems, as was the case with my vehicle.

Just got my car serviced at 76793 KM, and I can confirm the gear oil issues started showing up gradually over the last few months. The mechanic found significant oil leakage around the transfer case seals and noticed mechanical wear on several components when inspecting the transmission. After seeing metal particles in the old gear oil, I understand why the shifting got progressively worse. Would appreciate input on whether I should get a second opinion before proceeding with a complete transmission overhaul, since the quoted repair cost is 1200 Euro. The diagnostic codes show P0730 and P0735, pointing to gear ratio issues and potentially worn transmission components rather than just degraded oil. Has anyone faced similar transmission fault codes with an actual fix costing less?

Having gone through an almost identical situation with my A4, I can relate to your concerns about the repair costs. While my initial repair was cheaper, I actually ended up needing additional work later because I delayed addressing some of the warning signs. The presence of metal particles in the gear oil combined with those specific transmission codes is a clear indicator of internal wear, similar to what I experienced. The leaking transfer case seals are likely allowing contamination to enter, accelerating the wear process. When my transfer case showed metal debris, I initially considered just changing the gear oil and seals. However, this approach only masked the underlying gear wear issues temporarily. The complete repair ended up costing more because I waited. 1200 Euro for a full transmission overhaul actually sounds reasonable considering: The confirmed mechanical wear, Required replacement of worn components, New transfer case oil and seals, Labor costs for transmission work Based on my experience, getting a second opinion is always smart, but dont wait too long. The gear wear will continue to worsen, potentially leading to complete transmission failure. The metal particles in your transfer fluid are essentially your transmission wearing itself out with each drive. Looking back, I would have saved money by addressing all issues at once rather than trying partial fixes.

Thanks for sharing that level of detail about your transmission diagnosis. The P0730 and P0735 codes along with metal in the transfer fluid definitely point toward internal wear rather than just degraded oil. After researching similar cases, the 1200 Euro quote seems in line with what others paid for comparable transmission work. Still, getting a second professional opinion makes sense given the cost. Several forum members mentioned finding shops that did the work for 800-1000 Euro, though repair costs can vary. My concern now is whether I should continue driving it while getting other quotes. The metal particles in the gear oil worry me since that indicates active wear. The transfer case oil leaks around the seals probably mean contamination is getting in and making things worse. Think I'll get one more quote this week but won't delay much longer. The transmission shifting keeps getting rougher and that grinding sound during gear changes is more frequent. Better to fix it now than risk total failure and even costlier repairs. At least I know what I'm dealing with based on the shared experiences here. Would appreciate any recommendations for quality transfer case oil brands to request for the repair. Want to make sure they use the right fluid when they do the work.