Well with 38k miles on the clock, you aren’t anywhere near the maintenance flush. But…..you are over 12 years old now, and condensation will build up in the fluid over time and reduce it’s ability to lubricate properly. If it were my car, I would want to flush the fluid and change the filter for piece of mind. You can probably continue to drive it and not have any immediate issues, but down the road if you keep it long term you might not be happy. I always default to “over maintenance” on a transmission. Most transaxle experts I talk to also state the best thing you can do for a manual gearboxes should have the fluid changed every 2 years. Automatic intervals are usually at the 60k (mile) mark.
Now with that being said. With that little mileage on the car, I would be far more concerned about upgrading the IMS bearing before it blows.
2 Comments
Leave a commentJustin Collin - Melbourne Australia
February 5, 2011 at 12:39 AM
Hi Doc,
Love you blog
I have 1998 996 with 38,000 km on the clock.
Can you please let me know if you recommend changing tiptronic transmision fluid. Some say yes, some say no- what’s your advise.
Regards
Justin
porschedoc
February 6, 2011 at 9:59 AM
Well with 38k miles on the clock, you aren’t anywhere near the maintenance flush. But…..you are over 12 years old now, and condensation will build up in the fluid over time and reduce it’s ability to lubricate properly. If it were my car, I would want to flush the fluid and change the filter for piece of mind. You can probably continue to drive it and not have any immediate issues, but down the road if you keep it long term you might not be happy. I always default to “over maintenance” on a transmission. Most transaxle experts I talk to also state the best thing you can do for a manual gearboxes should have the fluid changed every 2 years. Automatic intervals are usually at the 60k (mile) mark.
Now with that being said. With that little mileage on the car, I would be far more concerned about upgrading the IMS bearing before it blows.