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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,

Contact   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.