ZF tiptronic fluid change - shift through the gears
Discussion
I have a question about correct procedure when doing a drain and refill on a ZF auto box, specifically the one fitted to my 2007 Audi Allroad 3.2FSI.
The refill procedure has you part filling with fluid (ZF Lifeguard 6), then ”shift through the gears” and finally, while monitoring gearbox temperature with VCDS, top up and wait until a specific temperature is reached and only a tiny trickle emerges from the fill hole, then the change is complete.
Maybe this is obvious to some, but what does ”shift through the gears” really mean in this context? Is it enough to move the tiptronic selector from P to R to N to D, maybe also to S for fun?
Or is ”shift through the gears” requiring that you move the lever into the manual shift position and go all the way from 1, 2, 3, etc to 6?
My car will be on ramps, as that’s the only way I can get both ends up high enough to get fully under the car, so the wheels cannot spin. I’m not sure you can even get to the higher gears if the wheels cannot spin?
I’m just confused about the whole thing I suppose!
The refill procedure has you part filling with fluid (ZF Lifeguard 6), then ”shift through the gears” and finally, while monitoring gearbox temperature with VCDS, top up and wait until a specific temperature is reached and only a tiny trickle emerges from the fill hole, then the change is complete.
Maybe this is obvious to some, but what does ”shift through the gears” really mean in this context? Is it enough to move the tiptronic selector from P to R to N to D, maybe also to S for fun?
Or is ”shift through the gears” requiring that you move the lever into the manual shift position and go all the way from 1, 2, 3, etc to 6?
My car will be on ramps, as that’s the only way I can get both ends up high enough to get fully under the car, so the wheels cannot spin. I’m not sure you can even get to the higher gears if the wheels cannot spin?
I’m just confused about the whole thing I suppose!
Here's the procedure from the Range Rover L322 manual which has the same box but a different torque capacity (ZF 6HP26 instead of your 6HP19).
If you don't have a diag tool that can read the transmission oil temperature you can use an IR thermometer on the oil pan, or even a dip thermometer through the fill hole as a guide.
If you don't have a diag tool that can read the transmission oil temperature you can use an IR thermometer on the oil pan, or even a dip thermometer through the fill hole as a guide.
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - 4.2L SC V8 - AJV8 - Transmission Fluid Level Check
General Procedures
• WARNINGS:
Observe due care when draining transmission fluid as the fluid can be very hot.
Observe due care when working near a hot exhaust system.
CAUTION: The gearbox fluid level must only be checked when the temperature of the fluid is between 30
degrees and 50 degrees. The fluid level obtained will be incorrect if the reading is outside this temperature
range.
1. The following steps must be observed before starting the
transmission fluid level check and top-up.
The vehicle must be on a horizontal ramp.
The parking brake must be applied.
The wheels must be chocked.
2. CAUTION: Make sure the transmission
fluid temperature is below 30 degrees before
starting the fluid level check.
Connect T4 to the on-board diagnostic
connector to monitor the transmission fluid
temperature.
3. Start the engine. Move the selector lever from 'P'
through all gear positions, pausing in each gear position
for 2-3 seconds and return to the 'P' position.
4. WARNING: Do not work on or under a vehicle
supported only by a jack. Always support the vehicle on
safety stands.
Raise and support the vehicle.
5. Place a container under the transmission.
6. WARNINGS:
Observe due care when draining
transmission fluid as the fluid can be very hot.
Observe due care when working near a hot
exhaust system.
CAUTION: The gearbox fluid level must only
be checked when the temperature of the fluid is
between 30 degrees and 50 degrees. The fluid
level obtained will be incorrect if the reading is
outside this temperature range.
Remove the transmission fluid filler/level plug.
Clean the area around the filler/level plug.
Remove and discard the sealing washer.
7. If no fluid loss is apparent when the filler/level plug is
removed, with the engine at idle, continue to fill the
transmission until a small thread of oil runs from oil
filler/level hole.
8. Install the transmission fluid filler/level plug and tighten
to 35 Nm (26 lb.ft).
Install a new sealing washer.
Remove the container.
9. Disconnect T4 from the vehicle.
natterjak said:
I have a question about correct procedure when doing a drain and refill on a ZF auto box, specifically the one fitted to my 2007 Audi Allroad 3.2FSI.
The refill procedure has you part filling with fluid (ZF Lifeguard 6), then shift through the gears and finally, while monitoring gearbox temperature with VCDS, top up and wait until a specific temperature is reached and only a tiny trickle emerges from the fill hole, then the change is complete.
Maybe this is obvious to some, but what does shift through the gears really mean in this context? Is it enough to move the tiptronic selector from P to R to N to D, maybe also to S for fun?
Or is shift through the gears requiring that you move the lever into the manual shift position and go all the way from 1, 2, 3, etc to 6?
My car will be on ramps, as that s the only way I can get both ends up high enough to get fully under the car, so the wheels cannot spin. I m not sure you can even get to the higher gears if the wheels cannot spin?
I m just confused about the whole thing I suppose!
Different box, but same idea.The refill procedure has you part filling with fluid (ZF Lifeguard 6), then shift through the gears and finally, while monitoring gearbox temperature with VCDS, top up and wait until a specific temperature is reached and only a tiny trickle emerges from the fill hole, then the change is complete.
Maybe this is obvious to some, but what does shift through the gears really mean in this context? Is it enough to move the tiptronic selector from P to R to N to D, maybe also to S for fun?
Or is shift through the gears requiring that you move the lever into the manual shift position and go all the way from 1, 2, 3, etc to 6?
My car will be on ramps, as that s the only way I can get both ends up high enough to get fully under the car, so the wheels cannot spin. I m not sure you can even get to the higher gears if the wheels cannot spin?
I m just confused about the whole thing I suppose!
The car needs to be in the air, you need to engage every gear manually to ensure any fluids can get to the relevant control parts of the box relating to each and every gear.
So start in neutral, then into 1st, let it "drive" for a little there, then 2nd, 3rd, etc etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI4RgsPQU-0
Thanks guys for your responses, but that’s two conflicting answers. One wheels chocked and through the gearshift selector positions PRND, the other wheels spinning and through gears 1-6. You can see why I’m confused!
Thinking about it logically, I suppose ZF would not choose to design their box in a way that workshops had to get the car wheels spun up at high speed every time a fluid change or level check was to be performed. It feels a little dangerous.
I’m tempted to give more weight to the Range Rover procedure than the YT video, but I’m still unclear, so what do I know ?
Thinking about it logically, I suppose ZF would not choose to design their box in a way that workshops had to get the car wheels spun up at high speed every time a fluid change or level check was to be performed. It feels a little dangerous.
I’m tempted to give more weight to the Range Rover procedure than the YT video, but I’m still unclear, so what do I know ?
natterjak said:
Thanks guys for your responses, but that s two conflicting answers. One wheels chocked and through the gearshift selector positions PRND, the other wheels spinning and through gears 1-6. You can see why I m confused!
Thinking about it logically, I suppose ZF would not choose to design their box in a way that workshops had to get the car wheels spun up at high speed every time a fluid change or level check was to be performed. It feels a little dangerous.
I m tempted to give more weight to the Range Rover procedure than the YT video, but I m still unclear, so what do I know ?
It is not high speed and it is totally safe if the vehicle is supported correctly. It is totally normal.Thinking about it logically, I suppose ZF would not choose to design their box in a way that workshops had to get the car wheels spun up at high speed every time a fluid change or level check was to be performed. It feels a little dangerous.
I m tempted to give more weight to the Range Rover procedure than the YT video, but I m still unclear, so what do I know ?
tommobot said:
With the ZF8, you need to go through all of the gears to get the fluid through the solenoids.
Find a way to wizz off all of the wheels and gently idle it through all of the gears up and back down..
Ok thanks, maybe that is the right way then. It’s a challenge at home in the garage to do this, maybe I need to stop being so tightfisted and take it to a garage, although to be honest I never trust them to do things properly either. Find a way to wizz off all of the wheels and gently idle it through all of the gears up and back down..
I do have 4 jack stands, just don’t really feel safe getting under the car while relying on all of them to not slip, etc plus the height when on jackstands is a bit lacking. My ramps are higher.
Ah well, I’ll solve it somehow.
_Rodders_ said:
Not sure I trust your logic.
They told everyone they were sealed for life but the asterisk with the bit where it said for the life of the gearbox not the life of the car must have been in white font.
FWIW I put mine in the air and ran through the gears manually.
I’ve never known ZF to say that, in fact I’ve seen trade show presentations of their guys stressing the importance of fluid changes every 80k miles. They told everyone they were sealed for life but the asterisk with the bit where it said for the life of the gearbox not the life of the car must have been in white font.
FWIW I put mine in the air and ran through the gears manually.
Audi and BMW definitely used to describe the ZF boxes fitted to their cars as ”sealed for life”, but then they probably are happy for people to buy a new car after 100k miles.
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