Changing the oil in your PDK transmission is important to keep your drivetrain smooth. Over time, the oil loses its critical properties, so regular replacement of the oil is essential. The PDK transmission is a combination of a manual and automatic transmission. As a result, the transmission uses both manual transmission oil and automatic transmission fluid (ATF). This is a source of confusion for many Porsche owners because Porsche calls for both a “PDK transmission oil change” and a “PDK clutch oil change”. This article is on the PDK transmission oil, which uses manual transmission fluid. You DO NOT want to put ATF fluid into the wrong part of the transmission.
Changing the PDK transmission oil is not a complicated job and is just like changing out the oil on a normal manual transmission or differential. This is a practical do-it-yourself job as long as you have some experience working on cars, the proper tools, and the ability to lift your vehicle off the ground safely. Before you get started, check out the video from YouTuber, Verus Engineering to get an overview. While this video covers how to change the manual transmission fluid on a 997, the procedure for changing the PDK transmission oil on both the 997 and 991 are very similar. Detailed step-by-step instructions for the PDK can be found below.
Note: The PDK transmission oil and PDK clutch oil services have a lot of overlapping work. So, if you want to save time and money, we recommend you have both services performed at the same time.
- K Tool International Low Profile Jack (3.33 Ton)
- ESCO 10499 Low Profile Flat Top Jack Stands (Pair) (4 required)
- Porsche Polyurethane Jack Pad Frame Protector, 4 Pack (recommended if not using ESCO jack stands)
- Wheel Chocks
- Metric Hex Bit Socket Set, 3mm to 10mm
- 1/4 Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (20-200 in.-lb.)
- 3/8 Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (10-80 ft.-lb.)
- Torx Bit Socket Set, T10-T60
- Mechanic’s Tool Set
- Fluid Transfer Pump Kit
- Oil Drain Pan, 6 Quarts Capacity
- Disposable Gloves
- Safety Glasses
PDK transmission oil capacity: 2.95 liters
Oil drain plug: 26 ft-lbs
Oil fill plug: 26 ft-lbs
Differential oil fill plug: 7.5 ft-lbs
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle and work area.
- Take your car for a short 5 minute drive; this will help warm up your transmission oil to help it drain better without getting your car too hot to work on.
- Put on eye protection and gloves.
- Park your car on a level surface.
- Gather parts and tools.
Step 2: Raise your vehicle off the ground.
- To give yourself enough clearance to work, safely raise your vehicle using a lift or jack and jack stands.
- ENSURE YOUR CAR IS LEVEL! This is essential to ensure the correct fluid level.
- NEVER rely on a jack to keep your car up; use jack stands to safely support your vehicle.
- Also be sure to use wheel chocks to prevent your car from rolling.
- Once your car is on jack stands, give your car a hard shove to make sure it is secure.
- To lift your vehicle on jack stands, check out this helpful video from CarFanatic.
Step 3: Remove the rear underbody panels.
- Remove the two rear underbody panels which are held on by 10mm bolts and T25 screws.
Step 4: Remove the PDK transmission fill plug.
- With the underbody panels off, you will now see the PDK transmission.
- Locate the transmission oil fill bolt, which is located on the passenger side just in front of the rear axle. Thank you to amet from Rennlist for allowing us to use his photo.
- Remove the fill bolt with an 8mm hex socket. If you cannot get the fill bolt off, STOP and do not drain the fluid or you will be unable refill the transmission oil.
- If you can remove it, proceed to the next step.
Step 5: Drain the PDK transmission oil.
- Locate the drain bolt which is located on the bottom of the transmission on the passenger side. Be careful not to confuse it for the PDK clutch oil drain plug, which is on the plastic transmission pan.
- Get a drain pan that can hold at least 3 liters of fluid and place it under the drain bolt.
- Remove the drain bolt using a 8mm hex socket and be sure not to let it fall into the drain pan.
- Allow the transmission fluid to drain for 15 minutes
Step 6: Drain the differential oil.
- The PDK transmission oil supplies both the gear set and differential, so you will need to begin by draining the differential oil.
- Locate the differential oil drain plug on bottom of the transmission on the passenger side. It is located next to the fill plug.
- Break loose the drain plug using a 5mm hex bit socket and ratchet, but don’t remove it yet.
- Position an oil catch pan underneath the transmission and remove the oil drain plug. Make sure to catch it before it falls into the oil catch pan.
- Let the oil drain for 15 minutes.
- Reinstall the oil drain plug and torque it to 7.5 ft-lbs using a torque wrench
Step 7: Add new PDK transmission oil.
- IMPORTANT: Be sure you are using the correct transmission oil. It should be Porsche 75W-90 (linked in the parts section).
- Re-install the drain bolt and torque it to 26 ft-lbs.
- Place a drain pan beneath the fill hole.
- Add ~3 liters of transmission fluid in the fill bolt hole using a fluid transfer pump as shown in the video from BleepinJeep.
- While ensuring your car is level, fill the transmission until oil starts to drip out of the fill hole.
- Note: Do not reuse fluid pump for any other fluids unless you clean everything out thoroughly.
Step 8: Ensure PDK transmission oil is filled to the correct level.
- Start the car and shift the gearbox lever through the R-N-D while pausing for one second at each position.
- Put the gear lever into Park.
- Go back underneath the car and add more fluid until it starts spills out.
- Refit the fill plug and torque it to 26 ft-lbs.
Step 9: Reinstall everything in reverse.
- Ensure there are no fluid leaks.
- Re-install the underbody panels and just hand tighten the fasteners; they don’t need to be torqued much.
- Lower your vehicle back on the ground.
- Clean up your work area and put away your tools. You’re all done!
David says:
Is there a transmission and or PDK clutch fluid filter? Is that why you change the pan?
Jack Harding says:
The PDK Transmission pan does have an integrated filter and that is the reasoning for replacing the pan at the service interval.