ZF Transmission Oil Change - Caution from ZF

[Hugo_za]

I spoke to our local ZF office this week regarding an oil change on the transmission in my 7-series. The technician advised against changing the transmission oil above 100,000 km for no good reason. He said that the viscosity of the oil increases as the components in the transmission wears down. If they change the oil, the viscosity goes back to normal, and this might actually cause the transmission to preform worse than it did (slipping, etc).

He said that they would do several tests on the oil before going ahead with any replacement.

Just thought I would share with y'all.

 

[KarshS]

Yes they test the oil and read the gearbox values before they change.

 

[ChefDJ]

Who did you speak to at ZF?

Have also heard this plenty. Take it there and let Nico do the tests on the oil for you.

 

[sash]

this was mentioned in a previous ZF post. The tests are most important followed by the values they read of the clutch.

My car was on 150000km with no issues and while they gave me the same recommendation initially they did the test and found that the condition of the oil was in very good condition and the adaptation values were good.

They then did the oil service and used lifetime 10 oil.

 

[Blue Shirt]

Thanks for the post.

Here is a similar thread that I wrote about the oil change on my X5's gearbox. ZF successfully changed the oil at 173000km, after testing the oil and reading the adaptation values which should be in spec: E70 X5 gearbox oil change

Today, my car is at 187000km and the box is silky smooth.