PDK service

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Mar 29, 2017 | 08:47 AM
  #1  
Crossed 40k. Anyone have the PDK transmission oil changed and if so, how much?

Weird that in Macan recommends 40k oil change and in my 911 not rec until 120k. But there is no PDK clutch oil service in the Macan.
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Mar 29, 2017 | 11:06 PM
  #2  
Don't have my Macan yet, but I did have the PDK serviced in my Cayman, where the intervals are 60K on the clutch part, and 120K miles on the the gearbox part. My car was high mileage - it was the first my dealer had ever done, even though (thanks to PO) it did not get done until 80K. I'm talking about the clutch part, of course.

I don't remember the cost - around $400 maybe. It requires a computer hookup to operate some internal valves in order to drain and/or fill it.

I know the Macan PDK is sourced differently. Does it have a single oil system, not two?
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Mar 30, 2017 | 03:07 AM
  #3  
I'm not sure. The Macan maintenacne nevers talks about clutch fluid. So I'm not sure if Porsche just decided not to change the clutch fluid anymore or whether there are more than one type of PDK. I'm involved in a discussion on the 997 forum as I try to sort all this out because I am getting the fluid on my 997's PDK serviced. For example they never mention the final drive oil on the 997 but 16yrs or 160K miles for the final drive on the PDK.
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Mar 30, 2017 | 08:12 AM
  #4  
It certainly seems sophisticated to use different oils for the different requirements of wet clutches and gears, and also to keep clutch wear particles away from the gears. With just one lubrication system, the service interval would logically be less than either separately - perhaps that explains the Macan's 40K service.

In other discussions I've read about this, motorcycle guys have provided the best insight since they usually have wet clutches.
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Mar 30, 2017 | 10:40 AM
  #5  
Quote: It certainly seems sophisticated to use different oils for the different requirements....
I had many 60's and 70's mini's as a teenager. It always freaked me out that the transmission below shared the same oil bath as the engine above.
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Mar 30, 2017 | 02:14 PM
  #6  
Quote: It certainly seems sophisticated to use different oils for the different requirements of wet clutches and gears, and also to keep clutch wear particles away from the gears. With just one lubrication system, the service interval would logically be less than either separately - perhaps that explains the Macan's 40K service.
This sounds likely to me since the Macan's design began with the Audi Q5. Two-thirds of the parts are different, but one that is common to both vehicles is the transmission housing. The gearbox guts on the Macan are Porsche PDK, but it wouldn't surprise me if simplifying the lubrication system was required to make everything fit.
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Mar 31, 2017 | 12:44 PM
  #7  
The following is from the 2015 Porsche Service Information/ Technik Introduction for Macan, Macan S, Macan Turbo, page 104: "Transmission Type DL501-7A" When I google that it describes the Audi S-Tronic DSG transmission. I conclude that my Macan PDK is a Porsche adaptation of the Audi dual clutch 7-speed DSG as found in my Audi S4 and other Audis. At about 70K on my S4 I had mechatronic-electronics trouble. I hope the Porsche version is less problematic. I had the DSG serviced at two normal intervals on the Audi S4 and, yes, there are two separate fluids used. A gear lube for the gears and diff and an ATF type fluid for the wet clutches. I'm assuming the Macan PDK is similar.
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Apr 1, 2017 | 04:38 PM
  #8  
I talked to my service manager when I scheduled the set I e for the 997 and for the Macan. He said the Macan has a dual clutch transmission but not really a "PDK" and it is a VW unit
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Apr 1, 2017 | 06:28 PM
  #9  
The real genius behind Porsche's DCTs (= PDK) is in the computer programming. That's what die-hard manual transmission reviewers are talking about when they admit it works amazingly well. That's what I'm talking about when I describe the system in my Cayman! The source of the hardware (probably out-sourced anyway) isn't so important. I suspect that Porsche engineers tinkered with the specifications.
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Apr 4, 2017 | 09:44 PM
  #10  
It would not surprise me if the PDK in a Macan is different or at least differently programmed than the PDKs in the 911s or Cayman/Boxsters. The shifts might feel quick in a Macan until you drive the sports cars. I find the shifting in the PDK in our Macan GTS rather slow and hesitant to downshift to first when coming to a stop unless you come to a complete stop or have sport mode turned on. Not so with our 991 turbo, which has instant shifting and even in normal mode readily downshifts to first even when you're still rolling a bit. This is true whether in manual or auto mode. Do other Macan owners have the same experience?
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Apr 5, 2017 | 12:13 AM
  #11  
I have the opposite experience. The PDK in the Macan shifts quick and seedless. The PDK in my 997.2 seems sluggish in comparison. As a matter of fact the automatic in the Cayenne loaner feels quicker than my 997. I was told I need to whet the sports package installed in the 997.
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Apr 5, 2017 | 08:28 AM
  #12  
Quote: I have the opposite experience. The PDK in the Macan shifts quick and seedless. The PDK in my 997.2 seems sluggish in comparison. As a matter of fact the automatic in the Cayenne loaner feels quicker than my 997. I was told I need to whet the sports package installed in the 997.
My 2009 987.2 CS did not have the Sports Chronos option, which at the time meant no Sport mode buttons. I found the quick shift into 7th so annoying that I had the Sport mode buttons added (the buttons are cheap, you don't get the silly clock, but the software charge is around $1000 after negotiation).

http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/9X7SM.html ($1195 for Cayman S PDK, but dealer installation/activation is required)

Do it, even if it means raiding your children's college funds.
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Apr 5, 2017 | 08:33 PM
  #13  
I just had the 40k service done. PDK portion was around $1100-1200, total 40k service was $1800
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Apr 5, 2017 | 09:37 PM
  #14  
Wonder why the price variation. $695 for the PDK service on the Macan
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Apr 8, 2017 | 03:12 PM
  #15  
Quote: Wonder why the price variation. $695 for the PDK service on the Macan
Price differs based on location, dealership, etc. I bet the dealerships around your area have different prices. I know mine across Northeast states.
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