The VW AL450 8-speed automatic transmission has been assembled by the German concern since 2011 and is installed on rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive versions of the popular VW Amarok pickup truck. This automatic transmission is essentially just one of the varieties of the well-known ZF 8HP45 automatic transmission.
AL-8 family: AL450, AL550, AL551, AL552, AL951, AL952, AL1000.
Specifications
| Production years | since 2011 |
| Type | automatic transmission |
| Number of gears | 8 |
| Type of drive | all wheel / rear |
| Engine volume, l | up to 2.0 |
| Torque output, Nm | up to 450 |
| Recommended oil | G 060 162 A2 |
| Oil capacity, liter | 8.8 |
| Replacing the oil | every 60,000 km |
| Replacing the filter | every 60,000 km |
| Gearbox lifespan, km | ~300 000 |
| Weight, kg | 78 |
Gear ratios Volkswagen AL450
Using the example of a VW Amarok 2015 with a 2.0 TDI engine:
| Main | 3.700 |
| 1st | 4.714 |
| 2nd | 3.143 |
| 3rd | 2.106 |
| 4th | 1.667 |
| 5th | 1.285 |
| 6th | 1.000 |
| 7th | 0.839 |
| 8th | 0.667 |
| Reverse | 3.317 |
The transmission was installed on:
- Volkswagen Amarok 1 (2H) since 2011.
Disadvantages of the VW AL450 gearbox
- This is a reliable and durable automatic transmission; breakdowns occur only at high mileage.
- During active driving, the torque converter locking clutch quickly wears out.
- This dirt gets into the valve body solenoids and shocks appear when switching.
- Worn clutch leads to vibrations that break the oil pump bearing.
- Oil leaks along the sump and electrical connector gasket are also common.
