How do you check the trans fluid on a 2001 beetle?

Question

my check engine light came on so i took it to autozone. the diagnostic said the trans fluid could possibly be low and there's nothing in the owners manual about the trans. power steering fluid is the same. i'm an idiot when it comes to cars and i really dont wanna have to take it in if i dont have to. my friend is good with cars and he's not sure where to find it either. please help me!!!

Answer 1

The reason only main dealers should perform this operation is that the atf has to be over 80 degrees celcius to obtain a true level reading. you should be able to check it yourself, you will need to give the car a good run, putting plenty of load on the gearbox. (ie. rapid accelerations, uphill etc) as this will heat the fluid to the desired temperature range. then get under the gearbox, and there should be a 5mm hex key bolt in the gearbox sump. remove the plug, if oil comes out then the transmission is over full. if no fluid comes out then you will need to top it up. this is accomplished by removing a black and red blanking plug where the dipstick should be. just top up the fluid till it drips out of the level hole. Please note: The vehicle must he level to obtain the correct level.  The vehicle must be idling in park or neutral to allow fluid flywheel to be full.

Answer 2

There is no possible way for you to check the fluid, you will ahve to take your car to the dealership and they can help you out. It has a closed case so it has to be done by someone with the appropriate tools.

Answer 3

You can go to a mechanic because if you have a leak there is no easy way of filling it up, and there is no dip stick to check the fluid level.

the dealership is a scam.

Answer 4

Don't know your can in particular,but there is a dipstick on the engine to pull out that usually will say transmission across the handle.. It has an obvious level indicator on the end. You need to check this on a warm, running car and the color should be a semi-clear red.If it is dark it is burnt and needs to be replaced.You add the fluid through the dipstick's hole. You can do this if your car is an automatic tranny...

Checking the transmission fluid in your Volkswagen isn't as simple as it used to be. To check the transmission fluid level requires your vehicle to be on a lift that it can be set level on. With the engine running and transmission warm, a plug has to be removed from the bottom of the transmission pan. This plug is at the base of a short stand-pipe (tube) inside the transmission oil pan. With the plug removed a small amount of oil should spill out (what is trapped in the stand-pipe) and if the fluid is at the correct it will continue to drip. If that is the case the transmission fluid is at the correct level. If all that comes out is what is trapped in the stand-pipe then the fluid level could be low. To add fluid to the transmission requires removal of the fill plug that is located on the front left upper corner by the oil pan. Oil is added at that point until oil starts running out or dripping from the stand-pipe. When replacing the fill plug you also need a replacement lock for the plug from Volkswagen. Many of today's vehicles are equipped with sealed transmissions that require specialized procedures, equipment and parts to check the transmission fluid level. It's just not as simple as it used to be.

Answer 5

You can only have a VW person check it. Some car places can check it, put call first. Alot of places wont like sears or tire places. The car has to be raised up and then they check it underneath. When i had mine checked (98 Jetta), he said it was $30 per bottle. I went to a local guy (Guy Roberts VW Repair) in Newton, NC.You may can call him and he can tell you how or where to take it. Monday thru Friday 9 - 5pm 828-465-1750

Answer 6

it requires a special tool, to check or add fluid, that your general mechanic is unlikely to have unless there are a lot of vw's locally coming to him so your best bet is going to be the dealer, unfortunately while low fluid may be the first check of the diagnostic for the code you had, unless you have seen evidence of a leak it is more likely that there is going to be a larger problem

Answer 7

The Beetle has a closed transmission case.  You'll have to take it to a dealer.  Also, you can't put any ordinary transmission fluid in it.  It has to be a specific kind made just for Volkswagens.

EDIT TO ADD:

When I had to my VW in for the same problem, it was around $100, but I had the transmission fluid completely replaced instead of topped off.  This was at the dealership.