Haldex Four Wheel Drive Oil & Filter Change

If your VAG Group vehicle has four wheel drive then the drive to the rear wheels is likely through a Haldex coupling (depending on your exact model). It will require regular oil and filter changes, just like your engine does.

The Haldex oil should be replaced every 20,000 miles and the filter replaced [or internal strainer removed and cleaned if no filter is fitted] every 40,000 miles.

The Haldex coupling is a very sophisticated piece of engineering that 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 from 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 will damage other parts and affect performance.

Dirty oil can overheat the coupling or cause the clutches to burn out or burn our 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.

Haldex Final Drive Differential – This  is the mechanical system which provides the drive to the two rear wheels. This uses a lubricating gear oil which according to the owner’s manual is a lifetime fluid. Many of our customers however choose to replace this oil between 50,000 and 75,000 miles as a matter of preventative maintenance.

Generation 1 Haldex Oil and Filter Service 
- Haldex Generation 1 is seen on the Audi TT MK1, S3 8L, Bora 4motion, and Golf MK4 4motion as well as a few other models.

Generation 2 Haldex Oil and Filter Service
- Haldex Generation 2 is seen on the Golf MK5 R32, Pre-Facelift A3/S3 8P Quattro and a few other models

Generation 4 Haldex Oil Service
- Haldex Generation 4 is seen on the MK6 Golf, Facelift A3/S3 8P Quattro, TT-RS, Volkswagen Tiguan and a few other models

Generation 4 Haldex Oil plus optional Filter Service (recommended)
- Haldex Generation 4 is seen on the MK6 Golf, Facelift A3/S3 8P Quattro, TT-RS, Volkswagen Tiguan and a few other models

Generation 5 Haldex Oil Change and Pump Strainer Clean
- Haldex Generation 5 is seen on the MK7 Golf, A3/S3 8V and a few other models

Haldex 'VAQ' Front Differential Haldex Oil Change and Pump Strainer Clean
- Haldex Front Differential is seen on the Front Wheel Drive Mk7 Golf GTI Performance Pack and Clubsport as well as the Leon Mk3 Cupra