[otto_kretschmer]

Hi Folks,

I'm posting this here because of the volume of eyeballs here is greater than the VW groups.

I have a 2011 VW TDI Sportswagon with the 6 speed manual transmission.

I finally changed the tranny oil at 200k miles. It was a little dark and burnt but still felt like gear oil should feel. I replaced it with Redline MTL.

The car has 250k miles now and the transmission has a hard time going into 1st.

When I come to a stop light, I put the car into neutral and wait for the green light. When the light turns green the tranny won't go directly into 1st. I have to shift down (pull the stick down) into 2nd and then push up into 1st.

This is more of an annoyance than anything else.

I'm considering changing the oil now to a different fluid. VW calls out their own spec gear oil for this transmission and its pricey. I forget how much but it was significant; maybe $60 a liter/quart

Some people use a GM spec oil for their transfer cases, Pennzoil Synchromesh. This oil is available at the usual places like Autozone for around $7/quart

Anyone here can shine a light on my problem?

thanks