Site Traffic Information and Cookies

We use cookies to collect and analyse information on our site's performance and to enable the site to function. Cookies also allow us and our partners to show you relevant ads when you visit our site and other 3rd party websites, including social networks. You can choose to allow all cookies by clicking 'Allow all', or manage them individually by clicking 'Manage cookie preferences', where you will also find more information.

Manage cookie preferences
Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Learn
  3. Castrol FastScan
  4. Essential Care for Multitronic CVTs

Essential Care for Multitronic CVTs

Protect Your Multitronic with Timely Oil Changes

Essential Care for Multitronic CVTs

 

What is a Multitronic CVT?

Multitronic is Audi’s version of the continuously variable transmission (CVT), found in vehicles between 2000 and 2016. Unlike traditional gearboxes, CVTs use conical variators and a chain to deliver seamless power. Multitronic uses wet clutches instead of torque converters, allowing high torque handling, but with a higher risk of internal contamination and heat damage.

Why Regular Oil Changes Are Critical

These transmissions generate high heat and metal particles during operation, especially at the clutches and variators. Without regular oil changes:

  • Contaminants can block the mechatronic unit’s valves
  • Additive breakdown leads to friction and wear
  • Particles can interfere with sensors and cause jerky shifting
  • Transmission life may drop by half

Audi CVTs are particularly vulnerable, early failures are common without proper maintenance.

 

Service Intervals & What to Use

  • Change oil every 60,000 km to avoid expensive repairs
  • Use only CVT-specific oil that meets Audi specs – standard ATF can cause serious damage

 

Recommended oil: Castrol Transmax CVT

  • Meets Audi multitronic requirements
  • Balances clutch friction and wear protection
  • Resists breakdown at high temperatures

Also change the external oil filter during service. The internal filter is only accessible during an overhaul.

Quick Reference: Oil Capacities

First-gen (01J, 0AN):

  • Factory fill: ~7.5L
  • Oil change: ~5L

Second-gen (0AW):

  • Factory fill: ~8L
  • Oil change: ~6–7L

Don’t wait for problems to appear, regular servicing with the correct CVT oil and timely filter replacement can double the lifespan of your Multitronic transmission.