Audi Multitronic (CVT) gearbox

Engine / equipment

Multitronic continuously variable gearbox (01J and successors) in front-wheel-drive Audis: A4 B6/B7/B8, A5 8T and A6 C5/C6/C7

Period mentioned

2000–2014

Symptoms

Judder or vibration when pulling away (especially uphill), a slipping feeling at low revs, jerky acceleration and limp mode with limited speed; sometimes a burning smell.

Possible cause described

Known failures of the variator chain and pulleys, the hydraulic and electronic control unit and the clutch pack. Audi issued service bulletins, and forums report failures even with the recommended fluid changes, although poor maintenance speeds them up.

Check for the garage

Read the gearbox codes with Audi-compatible equipment, check the fluid change history and, at a specialist, judge whether fluid and a clutch adaptation are enough or the control unit or variator needs repair. With limp mode or a burning smell, stop driving.

Cost cited in the source

A UK specialist says a judder checked early usually costs a few hundred pounds, while ignoring it can end in a full rebuild.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database