Transmisson?

I have a '99 and she is making a high piched noise when I go about 40-50mph and only in 4th or 5th gear, only when on the gas...could it be the transmission fluid is low? I know its supposed to be a lifetime fluid, but is that really true? I dont want to have to spend a million bucks on a new transmission. And just to have to fluid checked and replaced around here is 90 bucks! Any Help? Thanks!

It doesn't sound to me like a tranny issue - typically you'd get the noise in all gears and typically you'd feel a clunk if it were low fluid.

This is going to sound really obvious, but if you're only going 40-50 and you're in 4th and 5th gear, your rpms are fairly low so your engine will make less noise making it easier to hear any additional noises. I wonder if its not happening at other times but you're just not hearing it. Can you pinpoint a bit more where the noise is coming from - ie. behind the firewall, from the wheel wells, from under the car?

A high pitched noise at higher speeds sounds like it might be wind noise, and it might be something like air catching the belly pan if it wasn't re-attached properly after an oil change (very common).

Other than the noise, do you "feel" any differences? Its tough to diagnose without having it in front of me, but if you can provide more detail, that might help.

Lifetime fluid is a scam.... If you have more than 100K miles get it changed (75W-90 Synthetic). It's simple to check, there is a fill/full level plug on the side of the unit.

First thing, the car has 83K on it. And it has a turbo.

I dont think its a wind noise. Becuase it only makes it when it i am on the accelerator. Could it be something with the fuel lines? Injectors? Some say it sound like gears grinding? Anyone know what that sounds like?

Also could it be something with the tires? Is there something (yeah give a girl a break) that moves in the suspension/tires only when you push on the gas.

I kinda figured lifetime fluid was a scam. I was told it was VERY difficult in my car to do it, once you take it off you need to buy a new seal, and it needs to be a specific temp and all that. So we have not attempted ourselves.
Any Help?

That's for an automatic, very difficult. The manual is comparatively simple.

i could almost guarantee that it's the turbo. i have an 06 turbo passat, and it's a f###ing low rider. i went over some train tracks and split the intake for the turbo. now it makes a noise that's a high pitched whine, it's basically taking in air from the crack in it, that makes it whistle. so i'd put my money on your turbo. i decided not to fix it, i don't care about the turbo, and it'll cost me over a grand to fix it. i can live with it. plus, i'm very unhappy with the new vw's. i'll be handing it back when the lease is up.