Transmissionary position

SS from Dover wrote to you about problems starting her VW Polo automatic. I have the same problem with my Octavia 2.0TDI DSG (I also have to shift the gear selector in and out of "P" a few times before the electronic switches will allow the starter motor to engage). I called my Skoda main agent who services my car and they said that a transmission oil change (about £160 for the Octavia) would solve the problem.

In a normal service cycle the transmission oil is changed every four years but apparently this fault has happened a few times with VAG DSGs before the four-year service comes up (my Octavia is three and a half years old). I haven't taken my car over to get the oil changed yet so I cannot say for certain that this will remedy the problem but thought you might be interested to hear what I have been told. I will write to you once I have had the oil changed to tell you if the problem was cured.

Asked on 22 April 2011 by JS, Salisbury

Answered by Honest John
Where a car is fitted with a DSG, not only does the transmission fluid need to be changed every few years, but also the microfilter, a job often neglected that has led to a lot of DSG and S tronic failures.
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