How often do you change your engine oil?
Discussion
The gearbox situation is a weird one, with contrary opinions.
ZF, whose boxes are used by BMW and Jaguar, and another 3rd party I keep forgetting, advocate 60K miles - and this is with their own fluid.
BMW advocate "lifetime oil" - BMW North America however, advocate 100K miles, then 50K thereafter (similar to long life coolant schedule nowadays).
Jaguar, I believe, are advocating 60K mile intervals, in line with the manufacturer of the box.
Lexus are also "lifetime oil" advocates, but one owner in the US after I advised to change his oil to see if that fixed his symptoms, reported it did, and the original oil came out black.
Before I bought my Lexus, I spoke with JT Automatics in Kent about the cost of putting a Lexus with no reverse gear right - seeing if I could pick up a bit of a bargain.
In the course of being educated on how auto transmissions work, the chap I was speaking to, highlighted the typical mileage they see ailing boxes is around the 80-90K mark, and have long advocated a 40K mile change interval.
Hard to argue against that with 35 years experience in just auto transmissions!
So as mine is nearing 80K, and whilst not all 9L can be replaced (about half is what's suggested will come out) without removing the box and torque converter, then I will be doing it, and documenting it for anecdotal evidence at least.
For the sake of £150 or so, it's a relatively cheap peace of mind exercise/placebo effect.
And in respect of the Club Lexus member referred to, he wasn't the only member to have done his tranny - quite a few other have or will be doing theirs too.
ZF, whose boxes are used by BMW and Jaguar, and another 3rd party I keep forgetting, advocate 60K miles - and this is with their own fluid.
BMW advocate "lifetime oil" - BMW North America however, advocate 100K miles, then 50K thereafter (similar to long life coolant schedule nowadays).
Jaguar, I believe, are advocating 60K mile intervals, in line with the manufacturer of the box.
Lexus are also "lifetime oil" advocates, but one owner in the US after I advised to change his oil to see if that fixed his symptoms, reported it did, and the original oil came out black.
Before I bought my Lexus, I spoke with JT Automatics in Kent about the cost of putting a Lexus with no reverse gear right - seeing if I could pick up a bit of a bargain.
In the course of being educated on how auto transmissions work, the chap I was speaking to, highlighted the typical mileage they see ailing boxes is around the 80-90K mark, and have long advocated a 40K mile change interval.
Hard to argue against that with 35 years experience in just auto transmissions!
So as mine is nearing 80K, and whilst not all 9L can be replaced (about half is what's suggested will come out) without removing the box and torque converter, then I will be doing it, and documenting it for anecdotal evidence at least.
For the sake of £150 or so, it's a relatively cheap peace of mind exercise/placebo effect.
And in respect of the Club Lexus member referred to, he wasn't the only member to have done his tranny - quite a few other have or will be doing theirs too.
Would be interesting to hear "the Oilmans" opinion on gearbox oil changes and selaed for life, I know people who have the Saab I had changed the oil and founf the change to be better, also, putting less oil than from the factory in was recommended.
My thinking is that oil between meshing gears will get battered at a molecular level by being betwen the teeth and from being constantly heated and cooled, fluffed gear changes and running in may introduce metallic particles. I always think that oil used for too long is like chewing gum chewed too long, it looks the same but doesnt do the same job.
My thinking is that oil between meshing gears will get battered at a molecular level by being betwen the teeth and from being constantly heated and cooled, fluffed gear changes and running in may introduce metallic particles. I always think that oil used for too long is like chewing gum chewed too long, it looks the same but doesnt do the same job.
)I personally am not a fan of fill for life oil in gearboxes, but that is just my opinion. I am unsure of what the manufactures stance on fill for life is exactly, I will try to find out. For the main as long as good quality oils of the correct spec are used (for both manual and auto) then the standard service schedule recommended by the manufacturer is fine. One of the reasons it is done is to reduce servicing costs, or potential servicing costs when someone is looking to purchase a new car. There are many many fill for life gearboxes out there without issue.
Things change when the car is used for non original use, such as heavy towing, track work or racing, heavily modified etc will all effect gear oil choice and how often it is changed.
Cheers
Guy.
Things change when the car is used for non original use, such as heavy towing, track work or racing, heavily modified etc will all effect gear oil choice and how often it is changed.
Cheers
Guy.
PJ S said:
The gearbox situation is a weird one, with contrary opinions.
ZF, whose boxes are used by BMW and Jaguar, and another 3rd party I keep forgetting, advocate 60K miles - and this is with their own fluid.
BMW advocate "lifetime oil" - BMW North America however, advocate 100K miles, then 50K thereafter (similar to long life coolant schedule nowadays).
Jaguar, I believe, are advocating 60K mile intervals, in line with the manufacturer of the box.
Lexus are also "lifetime oil" advocates, but one owner in the US after I advised to change his oil to see if that fixed his symptoms, reported it did, and the original oil came out black.
Before I bought my Lexus, I spoke with JT Automatics in Kent about the cost of putting a Lexus with no reverse gear right - seeing if I could pick up a bit of a bargain.
In the course of being educated on how auto transmissions work, the chap I was speaking to, highlighted the typical mileage they see ailing boxes is around the 80-90K mark, and have long advocated a 40K mile change interval.
Hard to argue against that with 35 years experience in just auto transmissions!
So as mine is nearing 80K, and whilst not all 9L can be replaced (about half is what's suggested will come out) without removing the box and torque converter, then I will be doing it, and documenting it for anecdotal evidence at least.
For the sake of £150 or so, it's a relatively cheap peace of mind exercise/placebo effect.
And in respect of the Club Lexus member referred to, he wasn't the only member to have done his tranny - quite a few other have or will be doing theirs too.
I had my gearbox oil changed on my E38 at 115k during an inspection 2 service. The independent specialist does it every inspection 2 service even though not mentioned in the manufacturers guide. I doubt I'll change it again though, unless at about 160k miles I still think I'll be keeping the car until it dies. Going to go over 125k tomorrow. ZF, whose boxes are used by BMW and Jaguar, and another 3rd party I keep forgetting, advocate 60K miles - and this is with their own fluid.
BMW advocate "lifetime oil" - BMW North America however, advocate 100K miles, then 50K thereafter (similar to long life coolant schedule nowadays).
Jaguar, I believe, are advocating 60K mile intervals, in line with the manufacturer of the box.
Lexus are also "lifetime oil" advocates, but one owner in the US after I advised to change his oil to see if that fixed his symptoms, reported it did, and the original oil came out black.
Before I bought my Lexus, I spoke with JT Automatics in Kent about the cost of putting a Lexus with no reverse gear right - seeing if I could pick up a bit of a bargain.
In the course of being educated on how auto transmissions work, the chap I was speaking to, highlighted the typical mileage they see ailing boxes is around the 80-90K mark, and have long advocated a 40K mile change interval.
Hard to argue against that with 35 years experience in just auto transmissions!
So as mine is nearing 80K, and whilst not all 9L can be replaced (about half is what's suggested will come out) without removing the box and torque converter, then I will be doing it, and documenting it for anecdotal evidence at least.
For the sake of £150 or so, it's a relatively cheap peace of mind exercise/placebo effect.
And in respect of the Club Lexus member referred to, he wasn't the only member to have done his tranny - quite a few other have or will be doing theirs too.
When I flushed through the 'box oil on my 125k mile Volvo V70 the difference comparing old/new oil was like a pint of guinness compared to a pint of ribena. Can't be good.
Didn't fix the issue with the box though.
If I were to get another auto in future I would definately factor in a change somewhere around the 80k mark.
Didn't fix the issue with the box though.
If I were to get another auto in future I would definately factor in a change somewhere around the 80k mark.
Edited by dave_s13 on Tuesday 18th September 10:59
Sometimes yes, sometimes there is not juch choice on what can be used, such as diesels fitted with DPF's. However quite often we recommend outside of standard reccomendations, either becuase the application requires it such as track use or being heavily modified, or if the owner just wants something better or different to standard.
Cheers
Guy
Cheers
Guy
Can't comment on engine oil but on discovery 3/4 forum they got info from ZF, the gearbox makers for the auto box.
They recommend fluid changes at 100k/8years for normal driving.
50/70k for motorway driving or regular towing.
This info was found out by one member who is currently on 515,000 miles in his 55 plate example.
So lots of us are now pricing in the 10 litres of fluid, and various bits and pieces that will get changed at the same time.
They recommend fluid changes at 100k/8years for normal driving.
50/70k for motorway driving or regular towing.
This info was found out by one member who is currently on 515,000 miles in his 55 plate example.
So lots of us are now pricing in the 10 litres of fluid, and various bits and pieces that will get changed at the same time.
I think this is where time running rather than distance covered makes more sense. Both my cars get an annual oil change, though neither would do a high distance - generally urban use, interspersed with the occasional blat. I reckon the MX5 does about 5000km/yr and the Forester about 10000km/yr.
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