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Time based PDK fluid service?

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Old 06-17-2023, 04:26 PM
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mike9186
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Default Time based PDK fluid service?

Hey all,

I have a lightly driven 2018 Macan S with 27k miles. The service manual states the PDK fluid and filter(s) need to be changed at 40k miles or 4 years. My question is do you really need to change the PDK fluid based on time? Does the fluid degrade by just sitting in the transmission?

Thanks forum experts!

Mike B

Old 06-17-2023, 05:07 PM
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Terry Adams
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I never deviate from the Porsche recommended time or miles. If they recommend it, it's because the engineers smarter than me said so.
Cheap insurance if you consider how much it costs to replace a PDK.
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Old 06-18-2023, 06:42 AM
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CarGuyNVA
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Originally Posted by mike9186
Hey all,

I have a lightly driven 2018 Macan S with 27k miles. The service manual states the PDK fluid and filter(s) need to be changed at 40k miles or 4 years. My question is do you really need to change the PDK fluid based on time? Does the fluid degrade by just sitting in the transmission?

Thanks forum experts!

Mike B
Been there, done that. Yes, you need to change it if you’re at the specified time limit, regardless of the miles.
Old 06-20-2023, 07:02 AM
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Tim Cooper
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I would, even at room temperature you get a bit of condensation and the oils change including an aldol like condensation.

Porsche change intervals are long, on my others i typically halve the book interval.
Old 06-21-2023, 01:52 AM
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jmoney99
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This dealer says 6 years / 60,000 miles. Did they change it for the newer models?

https://www.porschemechanicsburg.com...ance-schedule/
Old 06-24-2023, 10:17 PM
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jbx2
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If I was out of warranty, I'd wait till 40k miles. I completed the PDK service at 55k and sent a sample out for analysis. The lab report was great with no issues. I haven't seen enough evidence to prove fluid changes will prevent failures in the PDK.
Old 06-24-2023, 10:57 PM
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Wilder
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Originally Posted by mike9186
Hey all,

I have a lightly driven 2018 Macan S with 27k miles. The service manual states the PDK fluid and filter(s) need to be changed at 40k miles or 4 years. My question is do you really need to change the PDK fluid based on time? Does the fluid degrade by just sitting in the transmission?

Thanks forum experts!

Mike B
PDKs are sensitive to heat and heat degrades oil quality. As you may know, though small, there is a percentage of people that have experienced premature PDK failure. That failure is mostly due to excessive heat. I would service early or on time but under no circumstance would I delay this service beyond the recommended interval.
Old 06-24-2023, 11:01 PM
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Kitc2246
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As part of the service using a PIWIS make sure it includes a PDK recalibration. Most experience smoother shifting afterwards.
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Old 06-24-2023, 11:19 PM
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jbx2
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Do you have quantitative data to support the excessive heat inducing failures? Qualitatively speaking It's probably more important to let the car achieve operating temperature before stressing the driveline. If there are significant failures due to heat I'd believe there would be a transmission fluid cooler option from either Porsche or an independent vendor. I've seen several posts regarding valve body fails that are the result of solenoid failures but not temperature.
Old 06-25-2023, 04:51 PM
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DBH
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Originally Posted by jmoney99
This dealer says 6 years / 60,000 miles. Did they change it for the newer models?

https://www.porschemechanicsburg.com...ance-schedule/
The Porsche Macan Maintenance book says to change the PDK clutch fluid (ATF) and filter every 40,000 miles/4 years.
Who are you going to believe?
Old 06-25-2023, 05:35 PM
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jmoney99
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Originally Posted by DBH
The Porsche Macan Maintenance book says to change the PDK clutch fluid (ATF) and filter every 40,000 miles/4 years.
Who are you going to believe?
Yes the older ones do and I had mine done at the 40k but was wondering if they changed it recently for the 2022/2023 Macans. Looks like a lot of dealers have it stated for 6 years/ 60k miles.
Old 06-25-2023, 08:51 PM
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DBH
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Originally Posted by jmoney99
Yes the older ones do and I had mine done at the 40k but was wondering if they changed it recently for the 2022/2023 Macans. Looks like a lot of dealers have it stated for 6 years/ 60k miles.
Mine is a 2022 GTS. I cannot imagine that they'd change for the 2023 models.

Who besides Mechanicsburg??
Old 06-25-2023, 09:18 PM
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jmoney99
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Porsche Pasadena and Fremont in Cali plus others as well:

https://www.rusnakpasadenaporsche.com/macan-major/


https://www.porschefremont.com/porsc...ance-schedule/

And these are stealerships that love to take your money!


Last edited by jmoney99; 06-25-2023 at 09:19 PM.
Old 06-26-2023, 01:31 PM
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DBH
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Originally Posted by jmoney99
Porsche Pasadena and Fremont in Cali plus others as well:

https://www.rusnakpasadenaporsche.com/macan-major/


https://www.porschefremont.com/porsc...ance-schedule/

And these are stealerships that love to take your money!
Interesting in the fact that they contradict instructions published in Porsches own maintenance manual for model year '22 Macans.
Oh well I'll guess we'll find out when the time comes.



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