Haldex four-wheel drive oil and filter changes. The forgotten oil change.

If your VAG Group vehicle has four-wheel drive it’s likely the real wheels are driven through a Haldex coupling located alongside the differential, depending on your exact model. Whatever the model, it will require regular oil and filter changes; just like your engine.

Haldex oil should be replaced every 20,000 miles and the filter should be replaced every 40,000 miles.

Later vehicles without the additional (removable & replaced) filter will periodically require the main Haldex pump removed to clean the internal filter (see images).  Failure to carry out this simple removal, clean & refit procedure could end up with expensive Haldex repairs

UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS TOO LATE FOR THIS CUSTOMER!

ON THE LEFT YOU SEE THE OLD THICK, BLACK HALDEX OIL COMPLETE WITH METAL FILINGS. ON THE RIGHT IS HOW IT SHOULD LOOK..

The Haldex Coupling is a very sophisticated piece of engineering, and it needs to be looked after with regular oil changes.

The coupling is a submerged, multi-plate, wet clutch system that engages upon slip and transfers power to the rear final drive. The Haldex Coupling is a separate component to the rear final drive but is directly attached to it. The system is computer-controlled with very fine engineering tolerances. If the Haldex oil is dirty, it can damage other components and affect performance.

Dirty oil can overheat the coupling or cause the clutches to burn out. It can also burn out the Haldex Pump and will lead to loss of rear drive and eventual failure.

The Haldex pump pre-charges the oil inside the Haldex assembly to allow the coupling to engage faster. This part is prone to failure on higher mileage cars, or if regular maintenance in not performed. If your pump is faulty, you may experience loss of engine power to the rear wheels due to the pump becoming contaminated with old fluid and no longer activating.

The Haldex 4WD system is currently used in the following vehicle models:

• Audi A3 Quattro
• Audi S3
• Audi Q3
• Audi TT Quattro
• SEAT León 4
• SEAT Altea Freetrack 4
• SEAT Alhambra 4
• Skoda Octavia 4×4
• Skoda Superb 4×4
• Skoda Yeti 4×4 (Haldex Fourth Gen)
• Skoda Yeti Outdoor 4×4 (Haldex Fifth Gen)
• VW Golf R
• VW Bora 4motion
• VW New Beetle RSi
• VW Passat 4motion B6 Platform
• VW CC 4motion
• VW Sharan 4motion
• VW Tiguan
• VW Golf IV 4motion
• VW Multivan 4motion
• VW Caddy 4motion
• VW Transporter 4motion

Book your Haldex oil & filter change today.