With P270C the controller reports that clutch or brake C has run hotter than its permitted limit. Typical triggers are long slip phases: creeping in heavy traffic, holding the car on a slope with the throttle, or a trailer launch. If the situation keeps recurring under normal driving, the element itself may be slipping because apply pressure is low or its linings are worn, and the fluid should be checked for level, smell and debris. There is no public maker documentation for P270C; which element carries letter C must be taken from the gearbox's own clutch chart. Audi documents the same protective idea under its own codes for the S tronic of the S4/S5 (2010-2012), where a fault in the clutch cooling oil valve can appear together with the clutch temperature entries. Sibling codes P270A to P270F differ only in the element.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.
Symptoms
- Warning in the cluster with reduced power
- Gear using element C avoided or held only briefly
- Hot, darkened fluid
Most likely causes
- Creeping or holding on a grade with the throttle instead of the brake
- Element C slipping from low apply pressure or worn plates
- Faulty clutch cooling oil valve or restricted cooler (where fitted)
- Low fluid level
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: hard
- It can trigger limp mode.
What each character of P270C means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 2: Generic code: same on every make
- 7: Transmission
- 0C: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P270C?
Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.
What causes code P270C?
The most common causes are: creeping or holding on a grade with the throttle instead of the brake; element C slipping from low apply pressure or worn plates; faulty clutch cooling oil valve or restricted cooler (where fitted).
Related codes
- P270ATransmission Friction Element A Temperature Too High
- P270BTransmission Friction Element B Temperature Too High
- P270DTransmission Friction Element D Temperature Too High
- P270ETransmission Friction Element E Temperature Too High
- P270FTransmission Friction Element F Temperature Too High
- P2702Transmission Friction Element C Apply Time Range/Performance
Sources
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.