Hi Folks

Have just had a major service on my 1.9 TDI ATD by a local and trusty VAG mechanic. I asked for a gearbox oil change as it felt tight and a little difficult to engage first when cold. He said the oil was clear when he changed it which was a good sign and likely it was more of a worn linkage. I drove it the 10 miles home absolutely fine.

Today (2 days later) I rolled off the drive and found it unusually difficult to engage any gear. 2nd gear was extremely tough and even after a few miles to work it didn't feel any looser like it would normally. I had him use Carlube EP75w90 (after searching on here that seemed to be the right spec).

Just wondered if any mechanics could offer a reason as to why gear changes are so difficult. I suppose the obvious would be an oil leak? But have I used the wrong grade oil or can the quality of different manufactures affect it that much? Like I say, the day it was done it drove beautifully. Yet today, 2 days later it's a pig to change gear!

Thanks for any suggestions

I suggest you use VAG gearbox oil. A lot of owners have tried other oils, and whilst some don't have a problem, many end up with a 'notchy' gearchange

I see Carlube do a semi-synthetic and a fully synthetic, which one did you use? My old VW Transporter van had a baulky change when I used normal mineral oil, but was silky smooth with a fully synthetic product of the same viscosity rating.

I used their EP75w90 fully synthetic hypoid gear oil. I assume this is probably OK if you found the fully synthetic OK.

Wonder if there is just a small leak..

Is the VAG oil rebranded (such as Quantum engine oil), if you could point me towards some that would be great... I had a quick look on VWspares but they don't stock any

Edited 20 February, 201214 yr by Dave89

Skoda oil comes in a Skoda bottle not quantum etc. also doesn't declare what grade it is on the bottle or any paperwork.

I always use the genuine stuff, saves hassle.

I find that gear changes can be a little notchy at first, especially if its cold. However once the car is up to temperature its fine.

Might have to have a look for some genuine stuff.

It's always been notchy when cold but this is bad, bad to the point where engaging 2nd is extremely difficult and every other gear feels rough. Popping it back to the mechanic at the weekend to have the linkages checked out and maybe re-greased

I wonder if I should have opted for 75w80 as opposed to 90 but the mechanic reckons it won't make a huge different apart from how it behaves at diff temps