Which automatic gearboxes cannot be flushed? Automated manuals, dry DSG and e-CVT

Not every automatic is the same. On one gearbox a flush is useful maintenance, on another it does not help at all. This article explains which gearboxes we flush and which we do not, why that is, and how you can find out which gearbox your car has.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 7 November 2026

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Our team speaks English, on the phone too. Have your registration number (kenteken) ready and tell us what you notice. We tell you what we check first, what that costs and when you can bring the car. Open Monday to Friday 8.00 to 17.30, Saturday 9.00 to 15.00.

The short answer

A flush only helps on an automatic in which the fluid itself does the work, such as an automatic with a torque converter (including the ZF 6HP and 8HP, Mercedes 7G- and 9G-Tronic, Aisin and EAT8).

Autobedrijf Willemsbrug does not flush an automated manual gearbox such as the Dualogic, Easytronic or Comfort-Matic, a dry DSG (DQ200), a dry Ford Powershift (DPS6), the dry Renault EDC or the e-CVT of a full hybrid, because complaints on these gearboxes usually come from the clutch, the actuator or the electronics.

On a CVT and a wet DSG we change the fluid as prescribed instead of flushing. A diagnosis with fault code reading and a test drive is possible on every gearbox.

Why can’t every automatic gearbox be flushed?

Not every automatic can be flushed, because not every automatic works in the same way. During a flush (also called a powerflush) we connect a flushing machine to the fluid circuit of the gearbox. The machine removes the old fluid and adds new fluid at the same time. This replaces a larger share of the old fluid than draining alone.

That makes sense on an automatic with a torque converter, a fluid coupling between the engine and the gearbox. In this type of gearbox the fluid transmits the power, operates the clutches inside the gearbox and cools it. Ageing fluid can then cause shifting complaints.

On other gearboxes the fluid is not the cause of most complaints. According to the ANWB (the Dutch motoring organisation), an automated manual gearbox is a manual gearbox in which a computer and hydraulics take over the clutch and the gear changes. Complaints there usually come from the clutch, the actuator or a sensor. Fresh fluid does not solve that.

A flush is maintenance, not a repair. Even on a gearbox that we do flush, it does not fix internal wear, leaks or electronic faults. That is why we start with an intake, a test drive and, where possible, reading the fault memory.

Which gearboxes do we flush and which do we not?

We flush automatics with a torque converter. On a CVT and a wet DSG we change the fluid as prescribed. We do not flush automated manual gearboxes, the dry DSG, the dry Powershift, the dry Renault EDC or the e-CVT of a full hybrid. The table shows what we do for each type of gearbox.

Type of gearbox Examples Flush? What we do
Automatic with torque converter ExamplesZF 6HP and 8HP, Mercedes 5G-, 7G- and 9G-Tronic, Aisin, EAT6 and EAT8, Volvo Geartronic Flush?Yes, if it makes sense What we doIntake, test drive and fault code reading, then a flush with the flushing machine. We replace the filter and the seal if the gearbox has a replaceable filter and this is part of the agreed job
CVT with push belt or chain ExamplesModels from makes including Nissan, Suzuki, Subaru and Toyota without hybrid drive Flush?No, not a powerflush What we doCVT fluid change as prescribed by the manufacturer
Wet DSG ExamplesDQ250, DQ381, DQ500 Flush?No, not on the flushing machine What we doFluid and filter change according to the service schedule
Dual clutch: wet Powershift and wet Renault EDC ExamplesWet Powershift (MPS6) in Ford models including the Mondeo, Kuga, S-Max and Galaxy and in Volvo models, and the seven-speed wet Renault EDC Flush?No What we doFluid change according to the service schedule of your model, after a diagnosis
Automated manual gearbox ExamplesDualogic (Fiat), Easytronic (Opel), Comfort-Matic (Fiat Ducato) Flush?No What we doDiagnosis: fault code reading, test drive, checking the clutch and the actuator
Dry DSG ExamplesDQ200 (seven speeds) Flush?No What we doDiagnosis: fault code reading and test drive
Dry Ford Powershift ExamplesDPS6 in models including the Fiesta and Focus with petrol engine Flush?No What we doDiagnosis. We tell you in advance what is needed and what it costs
Dry Renault EDC ExamplesSix-speed EDC with dry dual clutch, in models including the Clio, Captur and Mégane Flush?No What we doDiagnosis. We tell you in advance what is needed and what it costs
e-CVT of a full hybrid ExamplesModels including Toyota and Lexus Flush?No What we doMaintenance according to the manufacturer’s schedule, diagnosis if there are complaints

Overview by Autobedrijf Willemsbrug. Which gearbox your car has depends on the model, engine and year. We look it up using your registration number.

How we flush an automatic with a torque converter is explained on our page about automatic gearbox flushing in Rotterdam.

Why doesn’t a flush help an automated manual such as Dualogic, Easytronic or Comfort-Matic?

A flush does not help an automated manual, because at its core it is a manual gearbox. It is also called a robotised manual gearbox.

There is no torque converter, and the oil in the gearbox only lubricates the gears and the bearings. A computer and an electric or hydraulic actuator take over the clutch and the gear changes for you.

  • Dualogic: the automated manual in cars including the Fiat 500. What can go wrong with this gearbox is explained in our article on the Fiat 500 automatic (Dualogic).
  • Easytronic: the automated manual gearbox from Opel.
  • Comfort-Matic: according to Fiat Professional, a robotised gearbox for the Ducato, available from January 2008. It is a conventional manual gearbox in which an electronically controlled actuator takes over the gear changes. An older motorhome built on a Ducato may also have this gearbox.

According to the ANWB, a robotised manual gearbox briefly interrupts the drive during each gear change. That can feel like a brief hesitation, and it is typical of this kind of gearbox.

Complaints such as slipping, harsh shifting or a gearbox that will not engage a gear usually come from a worn clutch, the actuator, a sensor or a clutch engagement point that needs to be relearned.

What we do: we read the gearbox fault memory, take the car for a test drive and check the clutch and the actuator. If the clutch is worn, you can read more on our page about clutch replacement. We tell you in advance whether your gearbox needs to be relearned after a repair.

Why don’t we flush a dry DSG (DQ200) or a dry Powershift (DPS6)?

We do not flush a dry DSG or a dry Powershift, because the clutches in these gearboxes do not run in oil. According to Volkswagen, the DSG gearboxes for lower torque (the turning force of the engine) have two dry clutches, and the gearboxes for higher torque have wet clutches that run in oil.

For the dry seven-speed DQ200, the manufacturer does not require an oil change, according to the German car magazine auto motor und sport. Complaints such as jerking when pulling away or hesitation when changing gear usually come from the clutch or the control system on this gearbox. You can read more in our article on recognising DSG problems.

The wet DSG is different. According to auto motor und sport, an oil change is recommended every 60,000 km for the DQ250 and every 120,000 km for the DQ381. On a wet DSG we change the oil and the filter according to the service schedule. We do not connect a DSG to the flushing machine.

The dry Powershift is fitted to models including the Fiesta and Focus with a petrol engine. Here too, the clutches do not run in oil. Complaints such as judder when pulling away usually come from the clutch or the control system on this gearbox.

Fresh oil in the gearbox does not fix that. The difference between the wet and the dry Powershift is explained in our article on Ford Powershift problems.

Can the e-CVT of a hybrid be flushed?

No, we do not flush the e-CVT of a full hybrid. An e-CVT is not a standard CVT with a push belt.

According to the ANWB, hybrids from makes including Toyota and Lexus use a CVT with a planetary gear set, which works differently from a standard CVT. The electric motors and the combustion engine work together through that gear set.

Maintenance on this drivetrain follows the manufacturer’s schedule. We look up the requirement for your model using your registration number. If there are complaints, our mechanics read the system’s fault memory. They hold the GMTO certificate (the Dutch qualification for working on high-voltage systems) for work on hybrid and electric cars.

Note: not every hybrid has an e-CVT. Many plug-in hybrids have an automatic with a torque converter or a DSG with an electric motor added. On those gearboxes a fluid change as prescribed is possible. How that works is explained in our article on the automatic gearbox of a hybrid or plug-in hybrid.

What happens with a standard CVT?

On a standard CVT we change the fluid as prescribed by the manufacturer, instead of doing a powerflush. According to the ANWB, a CVT has no fixed gears but a continuously variable ratio between the lowest and the highest setting. It needs its own CVT fluid.

How we change the fluid of a CVT and for which makes is explained on our page about CVT flushing and fluid changes.

How do you know which automatic gearbox your car has?

The quickest way is your registration number. The gearbox type is not shown on the Dutch registration certificate, but with the registration number we look up the gearbox type and the requirements for your version. You can also check a few things yourself:

  • Owner’s manual and service schedule: these often mention the name of the gearbox, such as DSG, Dualogic, Powershift or CVT.
  • How the car drives: an automated manual briefly interrupts the drive when it changes gear. A CVT has no fixed gears. A DSG changes gear very quickly.
  • Type plate on the gearbox: the mechanic reads the type plate when the car is on the lift.
  • Call us: phone +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number and we will tell you which gearbox it is and what we can do.

What do we do if your gearbox can be flushed?

Even if your gearbox can be flushed, we start with an intake, a test drive and, where possible, reading the fault memory. We only flush if it makes sense. This is how it works in our workshop:

  1. We use fluid with the specification set for your gearbox.
  2. If the gearbox has a replaceable filter and this is part of the agreed job, we replace the filter and the seal.
  3. We check the fluid level with the car level and at the specified temperature, following the gearbox manufacturer’s procedure.
  4. After the work, we take the car for a final test drive.
  5. We dispose of the old fluid in line with the environmental rules for garages.

Our own cautious advice is to have an automatic with a torque converter flushed or its fluid changed every 60,000 to 80,000 kilometres, and to have the fluid of a CVT changed. That is not a factory requirement.

Gearbox manufacturer ZF describes its automatics as filled for life, but advises a fluid change after 150,000 km, and earlier in case of high temperatures, heavy loads or an unknown history.

You get a quote in advance based on your registration number. We only carry out extra work with your approval. The car is usually ready the same day, if there is space in our schedule. We call you when it is ready. Automatic gearbox flushes and fluid changes are also possible on Saturdays, by appointment (9.00 to 15.00).

Frequently asked questions

Can a Dualogic gearbox be flushed?

No. The Dualogic is a manual gearbox in which a computer and hydraulics take over the clutch and the gear changes. Complaints usually come from the clutch, the actuator or a sensor. A diagnosis with fault code reading shows where the problem is.

Can a DSG be flushed?

No, not with a flushing machine. On a wet DSG, such as the DQ250 and DQ381, we change the oil and the filter according to the service schedule. For the dry DQ200 the manufacturer does not require an oil change.

How do I know whether my DSG is dry or wet?

That depends on the gearbox type, which in turn depends on the engine and the year. According to Volkswagen, gearboxes for lower torque have dry clutches and gearboxes for higher torque have wet clutches. Call us with your registration number and we will look it up.

Can a Renault EDC be flushed?

No. We do not flush the six-speed dry EDC, because complaints there usually come from the clutches or the mechatronic unit. A diagnosis is possible. On the seven-speed wet EDC we change the fluid according to the service schedule of your model. We look up which EDC your car has using your registration number.

Is an automated manual the same as an automatic?

No. For you as the driver it works without a clutch pedal, like an automatic. Technically it is a manual gearbox with automatic operation. That is why it needs different maintenance from an automatic with a torque converter.

My hybrid does not have an e-CVT. Can that gearbox be flushed?

No, on a hybrid we change the fluid instead of flushing. If your hybrid has an automatic with a torque converter or a wet DSG, we change the fluid as prescribed by the manufacturer, after a check of your registration number. For other hybrid gearboxes, such as the multi-mode gearbox of the Renault E-Tech, we follow the manufacturer’s requirements.

Call us with your registration number.

What does a diagnosis cost for a gearbox that cannot be flushed?

You get a quote in advance based on your registration number. After the diagnosis we tell you what is needed and what it costs. We only carry out extra work with your approval.

Should an automated manual or a dry DSG be flushed?

No. We do not flush these gearboxes, because a flush does not help them. For every gearbox, the fluid and the method must match what the car maker or the gearbox manufacturer prescribes. If you are not sure, call us first with your registration number.

Not sure which gearbox your car has?

Call us with your registration number on +31 10 479 00 00. We tell you which gearbox it is and whether a flush makes sense, and you get a quote in advance.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

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