Volkswagen Atlas Transmission Fluid Replacement DIY (2018-2021 VW MQB Atlas, Arteon, Tiguan)

►Replacing your transmission fluid and filter is the best way to ensure it stays trouble-free throughout your ownership. The fluid will lose some of its hydraulic and protective properties through thousands of miles of use, increasing strain on every other internal component. Eventually, solenoids can clog, and bands can slip, leaving you without a functioning transmission. VW specifies an 80,000-mile interval for the fluid, but we, and most independent shops, believe that a 50,000-mile interval is far more beneficial.

Replacing the transmission fluid on the MQB-chassis Volkswagens is fairly similar to most modern automatics. That means that the drain and fill have to take place while the transmission is at a certain temperature. It's a little involved and needs to be done properly, so we're here to show you how.

In this video, FCP Euro's Professional DIYer, Mike Hidalgo, replaces the transmission fluid and filter on an MQB Volkswagen Atlas.

Shop the parts used in this video:
Volkswagen Atlas MQB Transmission Service Kit:

Transmission Filter O-Ring:

00:00 - Intro
01:53 - Tools Needed
02:59 - Checking Fluid Temperature
04:20 - Fluid Drain
06:50 - Transmission Pan Gasket Replacement
10:56 - Transmission Fluid Filter Replacement
15:50 - Fluid Fill
18:44 - Checking the Level
21:17 - Wrap-up

This video applies to the following vehicles:
Atlas & Atlas Cross Sport
Position: Front
2018 Volkswagen Atlas
2019 Volkswagen Atlas
2020 Volkswagen Atlas
2021 Volkswagen Atlas

Get free parts from FCP Euro:

Follow FCP Euro on:

[juniorbanda]

The belly pan has 3 T45 bolts that are in the center of the pan, and about 12 or so T25 bolts around the perimeter of the belly pan

[AlienCatcher]

Awesome video! For anyone thinking of doing this make sure you’re prepared that it’s only this simple if you have zero rust… if you’re in the North East and the car is older than 3-4 years old you will be snapping rusted bolts.
1) make sure you’re ready and prepared at the possibility you’ll be extracting anything exposed to the outside and make sure you’re comfortable with extracting broken screws/bolts (4 of my 9 10mm snapped and were totally caked on, as well as the drain plug)
2) build yourself a cheap fluid transfer pump using a Home Depot HDX garden sprayer and save yourself money (a shutoff valve and a couple M10 brass fittings is all you need.
3) Get as level as possible. Luckily my driveway slant worked perfectly with the car facing down on ramps up front.

[ajitnatt]

glad you measure everything you drain out and give torque specs. showing proper diy's

[Obaol]

OMFG....literally type this up in the search bar ONE hour after you posted it. Pure serendipidity. Your brake and oil change video have come in so clutch for me..Thank you Mike and FCP Euro

[grantlingley]

Love these videos! Concise and complete with practical considerations too! This is a really great service above and beyond the sale of parts and accessories! Thanks so much! A fan from Canada!

[karstgeo]

Great DIY thank you. Will be doing our 2018 for the first time shortly, 65K so it's time. Will be getting filter etc. from FCP, fluid will be my go-to Valvoline Maxlife. I plan on doing a 3x drain/fill to get as much old fluid out/new fluid in.

[Nickjaegertree]

Amazingly helpful! Thank you fcp! Hate the music though, wicked annoying but I'll work with it

[richardklosinski]

Thanks for the service videos. Just in time for my Atlas.

[stevem]

An alternative to disconnecting the pump hose - just leave it connected and use the shutoff valve, then get it up to temperature and disconnect the hose. Let the excess run out or add more as necessary.

[deecee]

Do you have a video for a 2022 Passat transmission change?

[CH-mkol]

Greetings from Northern Virginia! Is the vehicle demonstrated a front wheel drive only? My 2018 SEL w/4 motion just hit 60K and wondering if these instructions will apply to my vehicle. Thanks guys....PS I performed an oil change following your video and it went off without a hitch, thank you!

[cazadorpr]

When you go thru the gears are the wheels moving? Or are they not moving and ebrake still on? Asking because I was thinking of doing this job on 4 ramps and no real lift.

[DansWorld_]

I don’t have a scanner that gives transmission temps, but I have a thermometer gun can I use that to get the temperature of the transmission pan or that wouldn’t be accurate to do?

[UCTrumpet]

I have a 2021 Tiguan SE with the same transmission. Are the transmission fluid temperatures for this service the same for my car or different. I am confident in doing this service but have seen conflicting temperature ranges for the Tiguan and want to confirm. Thanks!

[charleshines]

Is it me or does that 29934 really what the Volkswagen dealer sells but with Volkswagen branding on it? There are some posts that suggest that the Febi fluid may be one of the better ones.

[uafanyu]

The filter kit not come with the o ring?

[anthonygianfrancesco]

I keep rewinding to 17:18 LMAO its not gonna fill it up in two seconds 😂

[adamleininger]

Wouldn't this also apply to AWD 2022 and 2023 Atlas models? Curious why this is limited to the 18-21 model years.

[HoZooe]

Will these steps work on a 2019 volks wagon Tiguan se?..

[jordansinclair]

Does the yellow/green drain pipe need to be left in after the job is completed? I didn't notice you remove it and wasn't sure