Auto gearbox oil change periodicity

[otherclive]

Just out of interest for those of you who tow with a modern torque convertor automatic what does your manufacturer say about gearbox oil change periodicity? Volvo have filled for life gearboxes but if the car is used for towing or taxi duties the gearbox oil should be changed every two years. But this is quite vague as towing covers a multitude of actions. What weight is towed, where do you tow, when do you tow, and how far do you tow. With the modern gearboxes its not just draining a few litres out and topping up, then repeating twice more after 100 miles intervals. Many have to be connected to a specialist rig with the unit run up to operating temperatures and the diagnostic/control software monitoring and controlling the process. This all adds to the costs of our motoring, and so I am curious as to what other makes recommend.

 

[seth1]

Hello Clive share your views totally.I enquired about getting my transmission fluid changed(asin).Seems not an easy job as even when the drain plug is removed a certain amount of fluid is left in places.I was told it would be more like a flush.Not good

 

[Surfer]

Our Jeep is almost due to a major service which involves transmission fluid, axle fluids etc. In additon as it is a 4 x 4 apparently the fluid in the transfer case may need changing although we have never sue the transfer gears.
The Jeep has two service menus depending on conditions and how it is driven. We fall into the middle strangely enough due to a lot of stop start and towing so main service is a bit sooner by 25,000 miles.

 

[Sproket]

Hi Clive .... My Isuzu holds about 9lts of ATF & to drain it I use one of these to syphon it out when warm back up the dipstick tube, I normaly get about 7 to 8 lts out & the top it back up with new oil, I do this every 25,000 miles, the tug has now got over 100,000 miles on as said you will never get it all out, but I have found this works for me & I use the same method on the wifes old discovery 1 auto that has just short of 170,000 miles on the clock, engine oil is changed the same way to get the bulk of it out & then drop the sump plug for any residue... I have even used it to change the brake fluid with the adaptor pipes supplied..... only down side is that you need a compressor to operate it ...

 

[otherclive]

I think a Disco1 is like my Pajero a distinctly " unmodern" gearbox but one that's dead easy to maintain! How's a Jeep transferr box not used? Doesn't it sit in the power train and have rotating elements? The anti corrosive elements of the fluid will deteriorate with time and moisture may also affect fluid over time via the breathers.

 

[emmerson]

My Range Rover classic auto box only gets changed when it looks brown and smells burnt or the box needs attention anyway. . Never had any problems, and I've had autos almost all my driving life.
Bear in mind that when draining the box, you cannot drain the torque convertor, so there will be a mix of old and new oil in the box after you've driven it.The transfer box on some vehicles has its own oil supply.
There is one auto box repairer who doesn't recommend oil and filter changes, as this can disturb old deposits in the box, which can then stick in the valves, causing expensive problems.
In my personal opinion, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
But of course, if its a modern car, it may mean sticking to manufacturers schedules.

 

[Dustydog]

There's usually a filter inthe auto box sump that gets neglected few know about it.
IMO change the tranny oil and filter as prescribed.

 

[Dustydog]

There's usuaslly a filter inthe auto box sump that gets neglected few know about it.
IMO cha the tranny oil and filter as prescribed.

 

[Sproket]

The old Discovery has a gearbox mesh filter that needs changing every 50,000 miles, & the Isuzu just has a large oil strainer with two magnets in the pan to collect any debri, its not a big job to do either .... if you have the ability .... ‹(•¿•)›

 

[CyberCynth]

When I saw this posting title, about auto oil changes, I thought perhaps I should read and learn However, I have to confess I don't know what a modern torque converter is! The Skoda autos are fitted with the same DSG gearboxes as the VWs. Perhaps the clue here is to read the manual!

 

[otherclive]

When I saw this posting title, about auto oil changes, I thought perhaps I should read and learn However, I have to confess I don't know what a modern torque converter is! The Skoda autos are fitted with the same DSG gearboxes as the VWs. Perhaps the clue here is to read the manual!

Cynth,
unfortunately the manual says nothing at all about towing or oil changes! But the Service Log has a few 'chosen' words. It would be interesting to hear from anyone with a Freelander 2 as they use the same gearbox as the Volvos. But there are BMW's and MBs too that have torque convertor boxes fitted. I feel that as the number of speeds (gear ratios) is increasing the sensitivity of the gearbox to towing and oil quality may be reducing, unless you have a RR/D4 or LC. But unlike cars of yesteryear the modern boxes are not that amenable to just draining out a few litres, putting in some fresh fluid then repeating the process a couple of times to ensure adequate dilution of old fluid with new fluid.