On the Superb (diesel if it makes a difference), how does the auto box hold up to high miles?

 

Is there only one type of auto box on them? Tiptronic isnt it? 

 

I assume they are "sealed for life" like all the other vag boxes, has anyone serviced/changed the oil in the auto box? 

 

Lastly, any signs to look out for when test driving a auto? 

 

Thanks boys and girls! 

Only two types of "auto" exists on Skoda. DSG or Tiptronic. Different codes with slight differences but all very much the same.

 

They are meant to be sealed for life with no recomended service interval.

 

It is a DIY-able job. Think they hold a fair ammount of oil but most stays in the torque converter so unless you want to remove the engine/gearbox to get to this then you will probably only need a few litres.

 

Things to look out for are any fluid leaks, make sure it shifts through all gears smoothly, setting off should be butter smooth, check kickdown works, make sure no flashing gear selector lights, check the shift lock disengages ok when you press the brake. Have you got VCDS? If so might be worth giving it a scan to check for any lurking problems.

 

Obviously you are going to look at a Superb so the big problem could be water leaks... make sure none of the ECUs are wet!

 

Phil

Oh the Superbs are a bit leaky then? Around the bonnet I assume? I've got access to vagcom so thats all good. 

Around the windsreeen/bulkhead which is where a lot of the electrics happen to be.

 

Phil

Ah ok! I'll be sure to have a poke about around there. Having looked about there seem to be plenty with 150,000 miles + on them so the boxes must be fairly solid. 

 

Cheers for the replies Phil! 

The Mk 1 Superb uses a slush pump torque converter auto box, the DSG transmission optionally fitted to the Mk 2 is completely different. DSG transmissions are made only for transverse installations.

 

The torque converter autos are unreliable because the high low-speed torque of the diesel engines wrecks them. A further source of unreliablity is rain water ingress into the transmission controller which is mounted on the floor (brilliant design). The first sign of a mechanically failing auto box is a reluctance to engage reverse, followed by "flaring" between upshifts. Finally a torque converter warning code will be set.

 

Unless you really need an auto (in which case buy something else) these are best avoided. The 5 speed manual box is reliable.

 

rotodiesel.

Edited 7 January, 201412 yr by rotodiesel

Oh, I've just been doing a bit of hunting through the previous threads, someone was saying how their gearbox specialist was saying how the zf box in the superb was a better one to go for! Hummmmm

I hope you don't mean you want to buy an autobox Superb with 150K+ miles on it? That i wouldn't do. 

I would say don't do it unless you know the history includes the ZF recommended 60K interval changes, or the car is dirt cheap.

 

The guy at the auto specialist was saying if you wanted an auto of this vintage the 5 speed ZF is "the one to have" but a bit of a Hobson's choice really.  DSG wasn't available, so the other comparison is the 6 and 7 speed "mutitronic" Audi units (also ZF) which are very unreliable.

 

On mine the failure was initially manifest as a slight slipping in reverse once, leading to reverse "jumping" so bad that it was basically unusable (safely).  There is also often an overly harsh change from first to reverse.  At no point did I get to throwing a fault code.  Rebuild is expensive and mine wasn't right first time - harsh shift from 2-1 - but put right by the garage.

 

If you insist you want to find a few hills to reverse up to check for any slipping.

Edited 7 January, 201412 yr by jimbof

Hummmm ok guys. I wasnt planning on one with that many miles, near 100k maybe. 

 

cheers for the replies

Hummmm ok guys. I wasnt planning on one with that many miles, near 100k maybe.

cheers for the replies

Mine bit the dust at 98k, there is a post from a few years back of only 70k or so same failure. BMW have the same reverse gear failure with this box. Probably one of those times a warranty might be worth something...

The majority of the warranty companies I've looked at that are any good seem to have a 100k cap. Never mind, would have looked cool having a Fabia, Octavia and Superb on the driveway too lol. 

"sealed for life" is probably where the problem is.

They seem to fail somewhere between 120 and 150k miles.

Any knowledgeable VW person/mechanic will tell you 40-70k oil/filter change intervals are recommended for long life.

I had mine done at Skoda dealership at 74k.  Box has been fine.  Planning next one at 150k, together with a list of things, water pump, stat, belts, tensioners, etc, and then hopefully the car/engine/tranny will make it to 200k.

"sealed for life" is probably where the problem is.

They seem to fail somewhere between 120 and 150k miles.

Any knowledgeable VW person/mechanic will tell you 40-70k oil/filter change intervals are recommended for long life.

I had mine done at Skoda dealership at 74k.  Box has been fine.  Planning next one at 150k, together with a list of things, water pump, stat, belts, tensioners, etc, and then hopefully the car/engine/tranny will make it to 200k.

 

Yup. It's the same with the manual boxes. There are a lot of cases of notchy gear changes etc and a oil change usually cures it.

 

The DSG has a 40k oil change schedule so it is surprising that they say the tiptronic is sealed for life and requires no change whatsoever.

 

Phil

Even more surprising when the gearbox manufacturer themselves say 60K.

BMW were at it too - even putting a "sealed for life" sticker on the gearbox itself.

Such BS - just trying to make the car cheaper to run for a typical fleet hire period.

Even more surprising when the gearbox manufacturer themselves say 60K.

BMW were at it too - even putting a "sealed for life" sticker on the gearbox itself.

Such BS - just trying to make the car cheaper to run for a typical fleet hire period.

 

That's very naughty.

 

They should then be liable for failures in my eyes!

 

Phil

Big corporations = Big often stupid decisions.

But you could argue that they make more money on a new or recon tranny than on selling you a £20 filter and 6 litters of oil!

When you think about it, if metal surfaces are kept away from metal surfaces, due to an effective lubricant, then things should last forever… degradation of oil is therefore the killer.

Think I better do mine, the box is a bit lazy when cold and will increase revs slightly during upchanges, also can't seem to make it's mind up between about 1500 to 2000 rpm, but I guess that is the torque peak in there somewhere.

BMW were at it too - even putting a "sealed for life" sticker on the gearbox itself.

 

Its technically true, if it doesn't need changing within the warranty period (age/mileage).

Sorry I disagree strongly - I don't expect any appliance to only live to the end of the warranty...  and UK law in the form of Sale of Goods Act would agree.

 

They are being really dishonest here - the manufacturers of the gearbox are very clear this should be serviced to ensure a long service life.  

I don't say I agree with it, I think the cars here should get the same warranties they offer in America, but it is certainly a factor in it.

For anyone interested, the ZF information on the service intervals for the gearbox is here:

http://www.zf.com/media/media/document/brands_3/service_information/sitematrix~1/transmission/cars_4/englisch_3/modelluebergreifend_1/ZP_SI_Oelwechselkit_EN.pdf