DSG Gearbox oil change.

[Tony Jazz]

My Mark 8 GTI has now covered 38,000m. Bought by me new in November 2020. I have had the Front Diff Oil changed at its Oct 2023 service {my request}. Always been a bit OCD with my cars so in the first two years when it did most of its mileage, I had the engine oil and filter changed every six months...yes I know!
 At its last main VW dealer service in Oct 25, I asked when the Gearbox oil should be changed. Reply was "for your model sir, recommended at 80K miles." "Is that solely based on miles not particular year/age?" I replied. "Yes, just the miles."
As said, I'm a bit OCC but that doesn't seem right or does it?
This forum always provides the best, honest answers and has provided me over the last 5 years with better advice than VW ever have.
So, should I  go with what a main dealer says or change the oil?
All advice and comments appreciated.

[Adam T7]

I’ve had mine done every 3 years, irrespective of the low mileage.
Also OCD (oil & filter every 6 months etc)
A DSG fluid change is relatively cheap vs. a new box (just my view)

[Beebopper]

Mines 4 years old, 15k miles. I can’t see it ever having the gearbox oil changed. I might ask them to do it in the next service at 5 years, I’m not as OCD as some but 80k regardless of age seems daft. Also going to get the air con service done at 5years cos I’m fed up of them asking constantly about that too 

[Tony Jazz]

Thanks for the opinions chaps. Will get mine booked in.

[Exonian]

Thanks for the opinions chaps. Will get mine booked in.

For an owner fastidious enough to change the oil every 6 months it’s a good move to get the gearbox oil changed out too. If long term ownership is in mind it’s a wise investment for its fairly modest cost.

[Yusee]

There can only be one answer here- an enthusiast owner asking a bunch of enthusiast owners whether to do an item of service.

If the question had been “ money is tight- it’s either the DSG service or kids’ Christmas presents this year”- that would’ve been an interesting one.

I run 2 cars and 3 bikes for personal use and have developed a bespoke service schedule for each of them.

A couple of things to consider-

1. The manufacturer’s service schedule will almost always lead to “ over servicing “. That’s how they make their money. If they say not needed until 80k, then it isn’t necessary. You’ll just be draining perfectly good oil.
2. Every service carries a risk. The risk of an incompetent or lazy technician making an error- under filling or over filling fluid, putting the wrong stuff in, not securing plugs and bolts etc.


Service schedules are arbitrary. Much of it is unnecessary imo.

Regular oil changes, keep the body and undercarriage clean to prevent rust, change brake fluid at 2 years or so ( because it is hydrophilic).

The rest you can pretty much leave until performance is affected- imho

Oh, and I also run a 2016 Seat Alhambra with DSG box-we’ve put over 100k miles on that car in 8 years- and it still runs beautifully. From memory, I had the DSG oil done every 40k miles ( so forget everything I just said above!!😂)

[Watts]

There can only be one answer here- an enthusiast owner asking a bunch of enthusiast owners whether to do an item of service.

If the question had been “ money is tight- it’s either the DSG service or kids’ Christmas presents this year”- that would’ve been an interesting one.

I run 2 cars and 3 bikes for personal use and have developed a bespoke service schedule for each of them.

A couple of things to consider-

1. The manufacturer’s service schedule will almost always lead to “ over servicing “. That’s how they make their money. If they say not needed until 80k, then it isn’t necessary. You’ll just be draining perfectly good oil.
2. Every service carries a risk. The risk of an incompetent or lazy technician making an error- under filling or over filling fluid, putting the wrong stuff in, not securing plugs and bolts etc.


Service schedules are arbitrary. Much of it is unnecessary imo.

Regular oil changes, keep the body and undercarriage clean to prevent rust, change brake fluid at 2 years or so ( because it is hydrophilic).

The rest you can pretty much leave until performance is affected- imho

Oh, and I also run a 2016 Seat Alhambra with DSG box-we’ve put over 100k miles on that car in 8 years- and it still runs beautifully. From memory, I had the DSG oil done every 40k miles ( so forget everything I just said above!!😂)

I think the older DSG boxes were recommended at 40k intervals. I do agree to most of what you've said but, manufacturers do under service schedule too, some gearboxes are said to be sealed for life which has to be nonsense. Also the multitronic box in my old A4 was about 80-90k for an oil change but mine broke at 70k+, the specialist I had it repaired by said the oil was well past it's best by 80k and recommended 30-40k intervals.

[Yusee]

@Watts- interesting.

Yes, i think the old DSG boxes had a 40k schedule- which seems reasonable.

The only instance i can think where manufacturers “ under service “ is the long life service schedule, which I believe was an attempt to attract fleet buyers.

[Exonian]

There can only be one answer here- an enthusiast owner asking a bunch of enthusiast owners whether to do an item of service.

If the question had been “ money is tight- it’s either the DSG service or kids’ Christmas presents this year”- that would’ve been an interesting one.

An easy one that, the car gets the oil done and the kids get a home made space-rocket from the emptied oil bottle.
Next question please. 

[skippy]

I asked my local VW independent garage the same question, as at my current mileage I wont get to 80K until the year 2046! 

They recommended to have a DSG oil change at 40K for very low mileage vehicles as per the recommendation for the older 6 speed DSG's.