Automatic Transmission Servicing
We have just received the following from ZF (the
Gearbox Manufacturer for most Land Rovers from 2005)
Land Rover recommend the fluid and filter is changed
at 150,000 miles!
Here's what the manufacturer has to say!
"ZF recommends oil and filter changes
after 50,000 to 75,000 miles to ensure optimum
performance."
"Lifetime oil, the car manufacturer
says you don't have to do anything, but that's not
right! Just the car manufacturer says so, not the
transmission manufacturer"
The full document can be found
HERE it also includes some other information
regarding the importance of using the correct and
original fluid.
Below
are pictures of a completely blocked transmission
filter, this car rolled in on a truck with no drive
forward or reverse and drove out!
Did
you know?
Most
manufacturers now consider their Automatic
transmission fluid to be "lifetime oil"
unfortunately the oil still degrades over time and
should be changed.
By
draining and refilling you can leave up-to 70% of
the total fluid
inside the torque converter, Valve body and cooler
lines!?
Here at
Dakar we have a gearbox fluid flushing machine which
changes up-to 98% of the oil within your automatic
transmission.
So if
you are experiencing one or more of the following
problems this may be what you need.
■
Poor
Shifting (shunting into gears)
■
Gear
Slip
■
Torque
Converter Hunting (rpm needle fluctuates whilst
driving at a steady speed)
■
Delay
in engaging gears when the engine is cold
Technical Jargon
Transmission Flushing
There
are many mixed views on various forums and web pages
around Gearbox flushing, these are mostly to do with
"backward flushing" and "pulse flushing", because of
the way these systems work they can dislodge
sediments and other deposits causing damage to
internal components. At Dakar we use a
forward flush system which uses the same pressure
and direction as the Transmission system it is
connected to and therefore is a much safer way to
flush.
Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport
These
vehicles are notoriously hard to change the gearbox
filter which is mounted inside the brittle plastic
sump pan due to a chassis beam that runs across the
bottom of the gearbox. Here at Dakar we stock and
can fit at your discretion a Metal sump upgrade
which aids in the labour costs and is much more
robust for use in this vehicle.
ZF 6
and 8
Speed Automatic Transmission
My
local garage says that 'Dexron VI' is suitable for use in my
gearbox, why do I need to pay for genuine oil?
Suitable
for use, doesn't mean the same...
"Suitable for Use (SFU) = Determined to be suitable
based on engineering judgement supported by test
data such as laboratory or field testing."
The same
specification document also says:
"Multivehicle Synthetic ATF is a high viscosity
formulation and does not meet the viscosity profiles
of these low viscosity specifications"
This
particular gearbox is very sensitive to the fluid
used and for this reason we will ONLY use ZF
Lifeguard6 oil in your car
A
gearbox flush should always be considered as a
maintenance procedure but there have been cases
where the transmission has been diagnosed as faulty
and a good gearbox service has brought the vehicle
back to a driveable state. But every vehicle is
different and we cannot say the total outcome until
the service has been carried out.
For more
information speak to one of our Team,
Please
include your Registration number and approximate
mileage.
Frequently asked Questions:
Q:
Can I wait with the car whilst you carry out my
transmission service?
A:
We don't recommend this as although you are only
charged for a certain amount of time, the
transmission fluid needs to be checked for level in
a certain temperature range and it can take quite a
while to cool, we do however offer a free to use
Courtesy car to all of our customers. If you are
from out of the area we are just 9 Miles from Brands
Hatch Circuit and Bluewater.
Q:
Will this fix my Judder/Surging?
A:
The outcome of a transmission flush is not to be
known until the procedure has been carried out. It
should only ever be seen as a Maintenance procedure.
For more
information speak to one of our Team. |