The gearbox oil, according to Volkswagen specifications, must not be changed every 10,000 km, filling until it overflows must be sufficient. The only thing Volkswagen prescribes is to change the gearbox oil 1000 km after an overhaul, which allows the gearbox to be rinsed and all remaining seal residues and other dirt to be removed after the service.
However, it is necessary to regularly clean the drain plug, it is equipped with a magnet that retains metal debris. Metal particles form during gear shifting, for example, when the clutch is not pushed in correctly, producing a crackling sound.
If you keep the filler cap closed, you will lose less oil than when you unscrew the drain cap, so filling is sufficient.
We advise you not to top up but to change the oil, it is not a high cost and fresh oil is always better than oil that has been there for many years. In this case, unscrew the filler cap completely before draining the oil.
If the drain plug is not unscrewed with the appropriate tool (see options tab) or if you use the Allen key while everything is still under the mud, the drain plug may be damaged. In this case, you will need to replace the drain plug. If the magnet is torn, it can occur if it accidentally falls, the cap must also be replaced.
Useful information from Paruzzi magazine and from our YouTube channel :
Look for more technical articles on the page Paruzzi Magazine