Thread: Auto oil alert

Hi,
Just changed my oil and filter at 223000. First known change. Magnet looked good. Filter dirty as to be expected.
Will do second oil change next week.
Gearbox seems smoother and changes better.....pretty happy.

I used Castrol Tramsmax Z.

I've just had to shell out for a changeover motor and I'm dealing with front drive shaft issues as well, the trans is my next thing on the to sort list. Want to get it serviced and checked before I'm replacing that as well....

Absolutely. The most recent LR service schedule (2006) indicates that if you are using an D2 in arduous service conditions you should change the transmission fluid every 20,000km. The standard interval is 40,000km between fluid changes.

For the transmission arduous service conditions are:

- Extended period of driving in hot conditions above 35ºC
- Driving on rough and/or muddy roads and/or wading
- Towing a trailer or driving in mountainous conditions

Seeing most people apply the arduous service schedule to engine oil changes, it seems sensible to do the same for the transmission.

cheers
Paul

Originally Posted by OffTrack

Absolutely. The most recent LR service schedule (2006) indicates that if you are using an D2 in arduous service conditions you should change the transmission fluid every 20,000km. The standard interval is 40,000km between fluid changes.

For the transmission arduous service conditions are:

- Extended period of driving in hot conditions above 35ºC
- Driving on rough and/or muddy roads and/or wading
- Towing a trailer or driving in mountainous conditions

Seeing most people apply the arduous service schedule to engine oil changes, it seems sensible to do the same for the transmission.

cheers
Paul

Those short intervals for changing trans oil are an eye-opener for me, and I suspect others on here. My driving conditions score 2 out of the 3
criteria you have listed.
Yet another reason to visit this site regularly as a D2 owner, thanks.

Originally Posted by Wasa57

Those short intervals for changing trans oil are an eye-opener for me, and I suspect others on here. My driving conditions score 2 out of the 3
criteria you have listed.
Yet another reason to visit this site regularly as a D2 owner, thanks.

I'd recently had my auto serviced by a local auto trans specialist and the parting words were "see you in a couple of years" so it seems even the experts basically expect 40,000km/2 year intervals.

I guess if you were doing straight tarmac driving in a cool climate there would be little reason to change from 40,000km intervals. But I'd think most Australian owners (or AULRO members at least) could tick off at least one or two of the arduous service conditions for the 20,000km intervals.

cheers
Paul

Every 20,000 - 40,000.... wow. More work to do.

I'm loving these forums, the things you learn ahead of time hopefully before things go epically wrong is extremely valuable.

Hi Paul.

I'd tick off one box for me, maybe two. Items 1 & 2. I have encountered item 3, but infrequently. I always attempt to run the box with the TC locked .... so I'll select 3rd and let it lock, rather than stay in 4th with the TC doing it's heating routine. I'll speed up to get TC lock then drop back to the speed limit where possible. 3rd locked at 60 is nicer to the auto than 4th generating heat.

At 120k I did a filter, and drained/filled the auto about 4 times over 500km. Just used Valvoline DX-3 ATF. For the last 40k it has run like clockwork. It was much nicer to drive than prior to the fluid change. The fluid drained wasn't burnt, but it was a yucky brown ....

At 160k I did the next service. No filter, just drained & refilled (with Transmax Z & Nulon ATF treatment). The oil that was drained was almost the same colour as when it went in .... so for 40k of mixed driving (and having some mechanical sympathy for the auto) I think the distance between changes is OK ... if it was constant heavy towing, then maybe 20k, but using a better ATF (like Transmax Z) should negate shorter changes .... Trans' Z is rated at 100k changes .... not in my ZF

... I'll still go 40k using Z .... then see how that lot looks at the next oil (& filter) change ... at 200k.

... AND it drives/changes soooo much nicer with Transmax Z than the Valvoline DX-3

Hmmm...
I had to fit a reco auto last year at 230000km.
That is despite regular 40000k oil + filter changes and sympathetic driving.
PO did the same at 90000km, but he towed a van.
Local Rover specialist says he does TD5's regularly, 5 cyl vibrations apparently destroy something in the torque converter and the bits get circulated thruout the auto, says the same trans behind a V8 lasts heaps longer.
Guess the diesel fuel savings go into auto replacements.
Cheers,
Terry