How often do you change your ATF?

[Tenesmus]

As per the book? More or less often?

[Jim Jamieson]

If you've purchased the car second hand treat it as though the auto box has never had a change so I would change it for peace of mind.
It's not difficult to do but the auto fluid is expensive.

[SCP440]

I have a friend who rebuilds auto boxes and his view on oil changes is depends on how it is used.

A car used on motorways and long distances probably every 48 to 60k is sensible as oil is cheaper than a box. On the other hand a car used around city and town mostly it is probably better to think about doing it every 24 to 30k. Look at the colour of the fluid, if it is clean and has no bits floating around in it you are probably OK.

It is shocking when you go to his workshop to see the condition of some auto gearboxes, he had one recently that actually looked like somebody had just put a pile of cogs and components in a casing and hoped for the best.

[rustymotor]

Did I read some place the Rover does not have a filter for the ATF?

Keeping it clean and fresh makes a huge difference to the life of the box I'm told.

[alanaslan]

Originally Posted by Tenesmus

As per the book? More or less often?

The 75 has a Jatco box on the automatics. These boxes are good to go 70,000 between fluid changes, but please use quality Jatco fluid, the synthetic type is the best. Drain the box refill to level. Then take the car for a short run making sure the box goes up and down through all the gears a few times. Then drain the box again and refill to level. This will allow you to get about 85% of the ATF changed. You will never get it all. You will need 10 litres of fluid to do this. To just drain and refill you only get 55 to 60% of the fluid changed. Hence the need to take the car for a run in between and to make sure the box goes up and down through every gear half a dozen times before the second drain and refill.
Sorry it is not cheep depending on where you get hour ATF you will be looking at sixty to one hundred and twenty pounds.
Remember what you pay for a bottle of quality engine oil. When you look at it that way it is quite cheep 6 litres of Mobile one will set you back 60 pounds and you should have changed that at least five times to every auto box drain. Cheep at half the price.
Alan


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[Tenesmus]

I have no intention of doing it myself! I have a MG/Rover garage a few miles away to do it. I fancy it's a bit jerky at times so thinking of an oil change, last one was two years (it was black) and about 13,000 miles ago, it's now on 105,000.

Is it likely to be something else? Eg someone engaging reverse while still moving forward, and vice versa (grrr)?

[rustymotor]

Originally Posted by Tenesmus

I have no intention of doing it myself! I have a MG/Rover garage a few miles away to do it. I fancy it's a bit jerky at times so thinking of an oil change, last one was two years (it was black) and about 13,000 miles ago, it's now on 105,000.

Is it likely to be something else? Eg someone engaging reverse while still moving forward, and vice versa (grrr)?

My other half is brilliant at the quick auto gear change , and sits forever stopped with the car in drive and foot on brake..

Keep asking her if she is saving up to have the auto box reconditioned!

[Leachim]

Originally Posted by Tenesmus

As per the book? More or less often?

I'm wondering what 'by the book' means. My handbook/maintenance book for the car makes no mention of oïl changes for the automatic gearbox that I can see, but does talk of cambelt, coolant and brake fluid changes.

What is the authority for saying it should be done, and at what interval?

My V6 2.5 auto (therefore with a jatco box) has done 100,000 miles and what history I have shows no change of the gearbox oïl. Should I think of changing it (there's so much else to do on the car!)?

Sounds like a lot of garages might not be up to doing the job properly...

[SD1too]

Originally Posted by Leachim

What is the authority for saying it should be done, and at what interval?

It's listed on the Maintenance Check Sheet RCL0314ENG & RCL0566(3)ENG 9/2004 Michael, to be performed every 60,000 miles or 4 years.

Simon

[Forestgreen]

And having just had mine done after exactly 4 years and 30,000 miles of mainly city driving I can report that the fluid that came out looked like drinking chocolate! Gear changes have certainly smoothed out since the change.