It's that time for me to change the tranny fluid on my '97 A4. I can tell the fluid color is beginning to look discolored and plan on changing ALL the tranny fluid. I thought I read that the A4 (with torque converter) takes 21 quarts...is this correct?

I'll also be installing a tranny oil cooler.

Here's what I'm planning:
-- Install the oil cooler
-- put 21 quarts of tranny fluid in a container and insert the tranny "feeder tube" into it.
-- insert the tranny "oil output tube" into another container to catch the old oil.
-- remove the pan and install a new gasket.
-- close the pan up and run the engine with tranny in Neutral
-- when the clean oil container empties, I should have effectively replaced ALL the old tranny fluid...including what's in the torque converter. Right?

Here are my questions:
-- What is the best type & brand of tranny fluid? I drive it a little hard.
-- Is there a really good shift kit or something I can easily install--basically screw it on--that will make the A4 shift better and reduce 1/4 mile times? I've had a shift kit on a TH350, on an older Buick Regal and man did it shift hard (though fun). I wonder if this hard shifting will wear down the rest of the drivetrain more quickly.

 

My repair manual says 10 pts.

You'll also want to replace the tranny oil filter while you are at it. Look into Royal Purple or B&M Trick Shift tranny oil.

 

I personally use Amsoil synthetic in all my transmissions, and I swear by it.