So I recently purchased a 2005 Range Rover HSE. I was looking into swapping all the fluids. I checked the manual and it says the transmission fluid is good for life. I feel like changing it is a better option. It just hit 76k miles over the weekend. I will be doing a lot of towing with it next summer. Short tows as the boat ramp is 1.5 miles from the house. So those of you that swap your transmission fluid how often do you do it? Do you go somewhere like Midas, Big O tires or what? I have heard the dealership won't even do it because supposedly it is good for the lifetime of the vehicle. I just can't see how leaving the same fluid in it for life is better than swapping it every 30k miles or yearly. Thoughts? Also if you have done a transmission fluid swap on your RR is it easy? I guess I am asking if there is a drain bolt of if removing the pan is a must.

 

It has been awhile since I checked, I'm pretty sure you need to use Dexron IV transmission fluid (If I'm wrong hopefully one of the experts will correct me). It really is stupid that LR decided to say the transmission is serviced for life. My Jag has virtually the same transmission with the exception of a different torque converter and gear ratios. It requires a flush every 30k miles, even Discos, RR Classics and P38s all need the fluid flushed every 30k. If yours hasn't had a flush yet, it is well overdue. Many will eventually blow their transmissions after hitting anywhere from 75 to 100k miles. I can't answer your dealership question, I do all most of my work myself. I've always been very cautious of Midas, Big O, and the like when it comes to doing service to my vehicles. Big O bled my brakes in the RR 3 times and still did not get it right. Here is the procedure for doing the flush, along with replacing the filter: Transmission Filter Service for RR III . If you do not want to do it yourself. I would find a local Rover shop and have them do it.

 

Thanks LR Scott. I thought it was crazy to say it was good for life too. The manual says it is filled with:

Main gearbox
Filled for life. Esso LT71141.

No idea if I should use Esso again or if something like Mobile 1 synthetic is okay. Thoughts?

 

No mobile one is not for the transmission.

Actually at my dealer we would do a BG transmission flush. the fluid we use is around a hundred bucks for all sixteen quarts and the machine is hooked up thru the tranmission system and it pumps all the fluid and gets all the old fluid in under an hour. No need to change gaskets or filters.

its not cheap but the esso fluid for a simple filter flush is two times more and it only changes a bit of the fluid.

its roughly 300 to 450 depending on the dealer.

and we changed them quite a bit to get rid of lots of issues.

 

Might be able to find that Esso fluid in places other than the dealer....

saw this on another board for source for Esso fluid Sweet source for ESSO LT71141 ATF Fluid - $10.34 vs. $25.00/liter - Xoutpost.com

Suspect that while it may not be a stock item at auto parts stores, many good sized towns have a distributor, and they may sell to enthusiasts in case quantity. As an example, I have a Shell distributor where I buy gallon cans of some sort of hydraulic fluid normally used in aviation landing gear, I use it in hydraulic steering system for boats. Being near the Gulfstream factory helps.

 

Rovin4life I meant this Mobil 1

http://www.amazon.com/Mobil-Syntheti...0114404&sr=8-1

Still I think I am going to ask the dealer if they will do it or take it to the local land rover specialist shop. I'd rather pay a little more and know it is done right.

 

At 80k if it has never been changed before; you probably don’t want to do a power flush, terrible stories about power flushing high mileage trannys. You probably just want to drain the pan and replace the fluid and filter. True; you will not be able to replace all 16 quarts at once, but if you follow it up with 30k mile changes you will be better off. JMHO

 

transmission fluid is actually a detergent and does not need to be serviced its not dexron its a special mineral oil based fluid. so with that being said think about it this way why do you wanna change the fluid out? cause it looks dirty? well if its dirty and black its probably burnt wich means transmission failure. once again its a detergent (cleaning agent)

 

I drain and fill my trannies every other oil change. It is not necessary I'm sure, but all 3 cars shift silky smooth. It is up to you if you want to do a complete flush or not. The fluid needs to be changed in either case...

Socalrover, are you suggesting Bruzzia does not change their fluid?!

 

What type of rover do you have? And yes im actually recommending him not to change it. These trannys went out due to over heating . If you want it to last.change your coolant more than anything. Like I said this is a detergent if its starta getting dirty or smells a little burnt then yoh have problems.