Step by Step: Gearbox and Mechatronics Oil change in my VW Vento TSI

The response from SA was “the gear box is a complex and completely sealed unit and VW does not recommend gear and mechatronics oil changes”.

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Mechatronics oil and gear oil change in my Vento TSI

My Vento TSI is around 8 years old and has run around 48K KM. It has been serviced at the ASC yearly as per schedule. During the seventh-year periodic service, I had requested for gear oil change which was displayed in the service chart at the ASC. In addition to gear oil, I also requested them to change Mechatronics oil as well.

To my surprise, the response from SA was “the gear box is a complex and completely sealed unit and VW does not recommend gear and mechatronics oil changes”. I was taken back by the response and showed them the chart, but he insisted that they will not change and is not recommended.

I insisted that both the oils must be changed. SA after discussing with his manager came back that I should sign an undertaking that ASC will not be responsible for aftereffects of the oil changes. I tried to make them understand that oil after a certain period will lose its viscosity and should be changed and told them we also change engine oil because of the same reason. ASC folks were in not mood to listen to me, and I was not willing to sign any undertaking. I took the regular periodic service and got the car back.

VW ASC folks are bunch of jokers, especially the SA’s who do not understand the general properties of any materials used in cars.

I was determined to change both the oils (8 years is a long life for any oil which is moving constantly). Checked YouTube videos, and reached out to BHPians who could help me find a competent FNG who could change both. Reached out to Engineering Exponents (EE) in Bangalore upon recommendation from BHPian Rajeevraj.

Jayant, who is the owner of EE responded promptly on WhatsApp, however, he informed me that he doesn’t have VW oils, but he will use Mobil oils which are of the same grade as VW oils. I was not convinced to use Mobil oils. He was also okay with changing the oils, if I source the VW oils myself.

Checked various youtube videos for the confirmation of the part numbers and ordered them on boodmo.

Part numbers of the VW oils:

• Mechatronics oil - G 004 000 M2
• Gear Oil - G 055 512 A2

Post ordering from boodmo, reached out to BHPian SHIFU via PM, who has used the services of EE, and he suggested checking FNG in Hyderabad rather than going to Bangalore just for the oil changes, he also recommended a VW technician in Hyderabad ASC. I was a bit hesitant to reach out to ASC again for the oil changes.

Once I received the oils from www.boodmo.com, took out my two wheeler and I went to around 6-7 FNG’s in Madhapur, Hyderabad, and one FNG “Gearheads” in Madhapur responded positively and mentioned that they have accomplished the oil changes in TSI engines and showed their insta pics in which they changed the oils for POLO and they also showed me the equipment to inject the oil to the gear box. They mentioned that they use a brand called Miller and informed me that they are much better compared to VW oils. They had a couple of Porsches and Audis on which they were performing the repairs.

I had never heard about the MILLER brand and since I had already procured both the oils, I checked if I could bring VW oils myself, to which they were okay.

Took the oils and my Vento to them the next day to Gearheads and the oils were changed in an hours time.

Below are the oils that I sourced. Check the expiry date of the oils. GB oil life is only 3 years, and Mechatronics oil life is only 5 years. I am not sure how VW and their ASC’s are saying that the DSG gear box is sealed for life and the oils need no replacements. Recommend every DSG gear box owner to change oils at regular intervals.

Below is the photo sequence of the steps.

Step 1: Battery with its casing and Air filter with its casing must be removed first, so that we can see the gearbox.

Step 2: Starter motor(highlighted) must be removed, so that we can see the screw through which we can inject Mechatronics oil.

We need to remove the screw to inject the Mechatronics oil.

Step 3: Remove the GB oil and Mechatronics drain plugs from the bottom of the car.

Allen keys that were used to remove the drain plugs.

Drain plugs upclose

Blackness of the drained Mechatronics oil.

Step 4: Inject GB oil – Many videos suggested that the GB oil capacity is 1700ML. When I mentioned the same to the technician, he insisted that TSI gear box will consume 2000ML and there won’t be any downside putting in a bit more oil. I went ahead with his recommendation.

Step 5: Inject Mechatronics oil. Check the color of Mechatronics oil, which is transparent green flowing into the mechatronics unit.

The injector which pumped the oil was powered by my battery.

Step6: Put back the starter motor, air filter unit and battery, in the same order. 

Post the oil changes, I took for a drive, and the gear changes were indeed smooth (maybe my perception). I am satisfied with the work done and hopefully I have extended the life of my Gearbox and Mechatronics unit.

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