8-Speed Automatic Transmission Assembly for 2016-2018 Audi A6

A quick look at your own vehicle makes sure the right transmission shows up:

• Verify the 3-letter transmission code on the white paper vehicle data sticker in the trunk's spare tire well or maintenance manual is exactly 'QLR'.
• Verify the vehicle is equipped with quattro AWD (check for rear axles, rear differential, and badging).
• Verify the engine is a 2.0L Turbocharged 4-cylinder (8th digit of VIN is G or F).

What the install really takes — plan and budget with confidence:

Special tools this job needs:

• Engine support bar
• Triple-square (XZN) sockets (M10, M12)
• Torx sockets (T30, T40, T55)
• Transmission jack
• Fluid transfer pump with hooked adapter nozzle
• VCDS (VAG-COM), ODIS, or high-end bidirectional scan tool

Budget for these consumables at install:

• Transmission Fluid (ATF) meeting ZF Lifeguard Fluid 8 / Audi Spec G 060 162 A2 (Green)
• Transmission Filter Kit / Oil Pan Assembly (Metal pan uses separate filter 0BK398009A; plastic pan versions require full pan replacement)
• Torque Converter Input Shaft Seal (Front pump seal)
• Axle seals
• New torque-to-yield subframe and transmission mount stretch bolts
• High-pressure transmission cooler line flush

What your vehicle’s computers will need after the swap:

What’s involved: Component Protection (Anti-Theft Immobilizer) Unlock and TCM VIN-Specific Programming

The TCM is integrated into the internal Mechatronic unit and is locked by Audi's Component Protection system. It must be unlocked online using Audi's ODIS tool connected to factory servers (GeKo). Alternatively, the original functional mechatronic unit can be swapped into the replacement transmission, though this may affect warranty terms.

Pro tips for a smooth first start-up — hand them to whoever does the install:

• Torque Converter Seating: Must feel three distinct 'drops' or clicks to fully engage the pump. Failure to seat fully will crush the internal pump gear upon bolting to the engine, destroying the unit.
• Engine Alignment Dowel Pins: Ensure dowel pins are not double-stacked between the engine block and replacement transmission, which causes misalignment and immediate pump/converter failure.
• Fluid Leveling Temperature: Fluid level must be checked with the engine running, car level, and fluid temperature strictly between 30°C and 45°C (or 30°C and 50°C) using a scan tool. Checking with the engine off or at incorrect temperatures leads to severe underfilling.
• Pan Bolt Torquing: Single-use pan bolts must be torqued to low values in a specific sequence to avoid cracking the pan or causing leaks.

Easy to get right once you know them:

• Checking fluid level with the engine off, causing several quarts of fluid to escape and leading to immediate clutch burnout.
• Assuming the transmission is plug-and-play and ignoring the Component Protection system, resulting in the vehicle being immobilized in SAFE mode.
• Reusing torque-to-yield stretch bolts for the subframe and mounts, which can snap or back out.
• Failing to flush the transmission cooler, which recirculates debris from the previous failure directly into the replacement unit's solenoids.
• Ordering a transmission from the same year range without matching the specific 'QLR' 3-letter code, resulting in incorrect gear ratios or software incompatibility.
• Using generic multi-vehicle ATF instead of the specified ZF Lifeguard 8 / G 060 162 A2 fluid.

Not issues with the units on this page — the manufacturer documented these for every transmission of this family, wherever you buy one. Handy for your installer: