The importance of servicing your DSG / S Tronic Gearbox
Posted by Awesome on 31st Dec 2019
If you have a vehicle equipped with a DSG or S Tronic gearbox, it is vitally important to keep it maintained and to use the correct equipment and fluids. In this article we talk a little bit about what you should and shouldn't do with your DSG or S Tronic gearbox and how to get the best out of it at all times.
There are a number of different DSG / S Tronic gearboxes available.
Transverse:
| Name | Orientation | Ratios | Max. torque (Nm) | Clutch type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DQ200 | Transversal | 7 | 250 | Dry |
| DQ250 | Transversal | 6 | 400 | Wet |
|
DQ380 |
Transversal | 7 | 380 | Wet |
| DQ381 | Transversal | 7 | 420-430 | Wet |
| DQ400e | Transversal | 6 | 400 | Wet |
| DQ500 | Transversal | 7 | 600 | Wet |
| DQ511 | Transversal | 10 | 550 | Wet |
And Longitudinal:
| DL382 | Longitudinal | 7 | 500 | Wet |
| DL501 | Longitudinal | 7 | 600 | Wet |
The majority of these transmissions as you can see are wet clutch types. For engines with torque over 250nm (sic) the gearbox features two "wet" multi-plate clutches in an oil bath. A shared oil circulation system serves to grease the gears, cool the dual clutch and maintain the hydraulic shift position. Another reason that good maintenance of the gearbox is key in keeping everything in top condition.
The important bits.
Onto the important parts. How often does your DSG or S Tronic gearbox need servicing? Depending on the vehicle model, it is recommended that an oil and filter service is carried out every 40 thousand miles. Some gearboxes only require oil, and some models even have a sealed-for-life gearbox which needs no maintenance (we know, right?).
At Awesome we are able service your DSG gearbox utilising original parts, full details and pricing here.
But what if you are tuned?
Depending on what vehicle model you have, along with what gearbox and what tune (APR Stage 1, Stage 2 etc) will depend on what we recommend.
If you have a Stage 1 APR for a MK7 Golf R that has the 7 Speed DSG DQ381 we would recommend halving the service time from 40k.
Driveability Upgrades
Some owners find their gearbox shifting at sporadic intervals, especially down the gears, software is available to upgrade the control of the gearboxes in the form of DSG remaps and we have more details of the benefits of remapping your gearbox here.