2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval

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Sun 14 Jul 2013 16:01
2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval - Braunschweig

Does anyone know if there is a set interval for changing the gearbox oil?

I've had the car from new and it has just over 129000 miles on the clock. The gearbox oil has never been changed as far as I know. I'm not having any problems, I was just wondering as other engine fluids have a set renewal interval.

There's no reference to any interval in the handbook or the Haynes manual.

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Sun 14 Jul 2013 23:05
2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval - cws

VW claim their gearboxes are 'sealed for life' and NEVER require a fluid change. I take that with a pinch of salt and would get the fluid changed ASAP. All oil breaks down over time, and changing it is a simple job. Just ensure you get the correct grade of oil.

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Mon 15 Jul 2013 01:01
2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval - Cyd

Many gearboxes are now "filled for life". But bear in mind that the "life" of a car in the OEMs eyes is usually about 120k to 150k miles. Also, very few OEMs fill their gearboxes with the very best fully synthetic transmision fluid. It only has to last the duration of their testing, remember!!!

I've just filled my Saabs gearbox with Redline MTL, a popular oil for this box and Scooby boxes. It probably isn't necessary to use something like this in the box of a 1.2 Polo.

Check out the Opie Oils website for the correct grade. I'd suggest changing at 30-50k normally. In your case I'd repeat change after 5k. Change when the box is nice and warm.

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Mon 15 Jul 2013 02:18
2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval - Braunschweig
Thank you both :-)
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Mon 15 Jul 2013 20:02
2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval - cws

I'd personally go to VW and buy the original grade oil - VW have changed the oil grades various times (as far as I know), so you can at least be certain then you're putting the right oil in. The wrong grade oil may result in poor shifting gears at best..........

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Tue 16 Jul 2013 01:04
2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval - Braunschweig
I read online on some specialist Volkswagen forums to only change the oil if there are any problems with shifting, as it can be difficult to get the oil level right.

If it still feels smooth, it should be alright to leave it shouldn't it after all?
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Tue 16 Jul 2013 12:42
2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval - Sprice

I was looking at Car Mechanics magazine in Smiths a few days ago and they covered this very issue in a Polo.

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Sat 11 Apr 2015 13:29
2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval - Jeremy H
The Car Mechanics is July 2013, back issues are available. With the Spanish-built Polo in question oil analysis revealed that a slightly off-standard oil had been used and there was significant debris in the oil. This is a very particular oil, available from VW, also Comma MVMTF. Do Not Use general gear oil !
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Wed 17 Jul 2013 10:22
2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval - TeeCee
If it still feels smooth, it should be alright to leave it shouldn't it after all?

If you're happy with 10 year planned obsolescence, yes.

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Wed 17 Jul 2013 10:33
2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 (9N) - Manual Gearbox Oil Change Interval - Collos25

Thats rubbish if you are refering to the gearbox, Oil in a standard manual gearbox will outlive the car by tenfold years.

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