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Old 28th March 2023, 02:30   #61
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

Quote:
Originally Posted by Indian2003 View Post
As a general rule, every 6 ° C (20 ° F) average increase in operating temperatures above 80 ° C will shorten life. of the transmission fluid to half. For example 91 ° C (195 ° F) the life of the fluid is reduced to 80,000 km. At 105 ° C (220 ° F) - it is the most common temperature in many transmissions - the ATF only works for 40,000 km and so on the protection mileage is reduced.
I have read this exact same text in many websites, maybe this is copy pasted from the same source.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vigsom View Post
Maybe this explains the guidelines set by Suzuki for automatic transmission fluid change interval under different driving conditions ( replacement at 1,65,000km under normal driving and 30,000km under severe driving). The ATF here is JWS3309 spec (Mobil ATF3309, Suzuki ATF3317) and one can extend this to Toyota T-IV too
Does your user manual not say anything about time-based ATF change? My Maruti user manual recommends the same specification fluids but a change interval of 1,65,000km or 11 years, whichever comes earlier.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vishy76 View Post
JATCO on the other hand (which is a Nissan spinoff) was known to make weak CVTs that failed quite early. Their GBs are nothing to write home about.
I think that includes their TC AT boxes used in Maruti's too?

Quote:
Originally Posted by shankar.balan View Post
First source 6 litres of JWS3309 ATF fluid from BMW.
Mobil ATF 3309 should work here too, even Toyota T-IV.


I am very surprised that some manufacturers set a time-based ATF change interval while some others do not, even when they are using the same specification ATF.

If for example ATF change interval is recommended at 1,65,000km under normal driving conditions, does it really mean that if someone takes 15 years to hit the target kilometers that original ATF will last 15 years?

Things I learnt from my online research:

1. There are additives in ATF, to promote anti corrosion, anti-foaming etc. These additives go bad after a certain time. Thus "time" based ATF change is important. However as pointed out above, there are huge discrepancies in time-based ATF change recommendation between manufacturers, including "no change" recommendations.

2. Bright colored ATF does not necessarily mean the ATF is doing its job "perfectly". It means it has not degraded enough to overheat the AT yet.

Hoping someone here can throw further light on these 2 points.
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Old 29th March 2023, 00:18   #62
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

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Originally Posted by yogiii View Post
Finally got my ATF changed for Hyundai Verna 1.6 Diesel 6 Speed AT at Hyundai. Called up and asked specifically for ATF change, they obliged and asked to bring the car next day, Rama Hyundai, Okhla, Delhi.

Cost per liter was ₹1,992 on the cans, they brought 7 of them and all of them were used completely.

Attachment 2411315

The old oil was not in good condition, car has run 61,000kms mostly in Delhi NCR traffic, when they drain the ATF you can see the plug, it is magnetic and has metal shavings stuck to it. They were not a lot but were there stuck to the plug.

Attachment 2411316

The change in gear shifts after ATF change was immediate, shifts are quicker, smoother and gearbox doesn't feel lethargic like it was feeling before.

Labor for ATF change is also expensive around ₹3-4,000.

I would advise others to also get it done basis the condition of your gearbox, the service center would never ask you to change it, I think on the manual also it is written as "Inspect" at 100,000kms.
KIA is selling SP-4 ATF from GS Caltex brand, costs 1k per litre, comes in 2.5L cans, selling at 2.5k INR
Costs half of the OE KIA/HYUNDAI SP-4 ATF which sells at 2k per litre
ATF Can label says, it's KIA recommended, made in South Korea, imported in bulk & repacked in India
Anyone heard of this brand
Caltex was an old lubricants brand from the license Raj days in India
Label says this is a JV between CS Energy group South Korea & Chevron USA

This info is from VST KIA, Bangalore
Since it's a lifetime oil as per manual, Most KIA dealers don't stock transmission fluid as it's not a fast moving item
Images of the ATF can attached
Attached Thumbnails
Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img20230325115207.jpg  

Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img20230325115212.jpg  

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Old 22nd May 2023, 20:17   #63
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

Hi Folks,
What's the transmission fluid change interval for Nissan Magnite CVT? Is anyone here aware of when this CVT fluid needs changing? I can't find anything related to the maintenance schedule for the CVT in Magnite. I'm considering the purchase and wanted to know every single bit about what I'm getting myself into (including potential AFT replacements).
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Old 22nd May 2023, 22:11   #64
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

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Originally Posted by vamsi.vadrevu View Post
What's the transmission fluid change interval for Nissan Magnite CVT?
I haven't seen the maintenance schedule for a Nissan but CVT fluid on Honda is recommended to be changed every 40,000km. I hope this serves as a good guideline.
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Old 30th May 2023, 19:16   #65
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

In all ATF change interval discussions, milage based intervals are suggested. But what about time (year) based ATF change interval suggestions?

For example: If a car takes 15 years to reach 40000kms, does it mean that the ATF is good to be used for those 15 years? (Assuming high temperature driven oxidation does not happen in these 15 years and the ATF is still red in color).

I think it would boil down to how long (in terms of years) the additives in the mix (friction modifiers, anti-foaming agents etc) last to a satisfactory level of performance.
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Old 19th November 2023, 14:43   #66
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

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Originally Posted by yogiii View Post
Labor for ATF change is also expensive around ₹3-4,000.

I would advise others to also get it done basis the condition of your gearbox, the service center would never ask you to change it, I think on the manual also it is written as "Inspect" at 100,000kms.

Did they change in the filter in auto gear oil sump as well?
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Old 20th November 2023, 10:33   #67
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

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Originally Posted by rayjaycleoful View Post
Did they change in the filter in auto gear oil sump as well?
No filter was changed, I don't think they would even keep one in stock unless specifically ordered in advance.
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Old 23rd November 2023, 09:43   #68
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

Hi All,

Can anyone assist me with a SVC/garage who will help me with ATF replacement of my 4 year old XUV 500 auto (currently run 33000Kms in mixed driving conditions), for bangalore location.

I have checked with both India Garage and other SVCs, who do not appear to have the technical ability to carry out the same.

The service folks go on the line "Its sealed for life and replacing might cause issues.." . Since this is something i would like to carry out as preventive maintenance, any leads on garages carrying out the same will be helpful.

Regards

Last edited by octy9833 : 23rd November 2023 at 09:45.
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Old 3rd December 2023, 18:44   #69
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

My Mini Cooper S R56 has now clocked ~64500 kms.
I ve done around 31000 of these myself over the last 4 years and Im hoping to do another 2000-3000 kms in the next 3-4 months. My driving is a mix of city and highway and hill driving. And indeed Ive enjoyed the paddle shifters and manual mode and sports mode a lot.

We all know that our Indian Operating Conditions and Start-Stop Traffic and all are very hard on our cars. The Cooper S R56 uses an Aisin Warner 6 Speed TC AT Gearbox and this definitely needs to be cared for periodically.

Therefore, in the first half of 2024 I intend to perform the ATF change again - this will be the second time Im doing it, after the vehicle has come into my hands. To this end, I plan to order some of the essential Child Parts such as Transmission Filter and Gasket and all from the US. And I note that the essential Red JWS3309 ATF Fluid is available on Amazon India thank heavens. It is an import from Germany - Mannol brand. And is available at Rs 899 for a litre. Contrasting with BMW India charging around Rs 3714/- per litre which is what I paid in 2020!

I was in Europe on two separate visits recently. On my second visit last week I was staying in a Conference Hotel right next door to an Exotic Car Garage/ dealer group’s premises which included BMW and Mini Showrooms and Servicing too. So I wandered in and asked them about spares. They politely gave me all the info I wanted.

They indeed sell child parts for the Mini - ATF Transmission Filters and Gaskets and magnets and all that as a kit. They even had stock of the part number I wanted. Genuine BMW/ MINI and that lovely JWS3309 Juice too. However, this being EU, the price for the Filter and Gasket set was around 190EUR. As compared with 25-35 USD in America for equivalent Bosch or Febi Bilstein OES Parts. So they said I should buy from the US.

By contrast, BMW India still insist that these are ‘Lifetime Fluids’ and their concept of ‘lifetime’ has been articulated to me verbally in 2020, as being 4 years! When I told the EU chaps this, they actually commisserated with me about the India BMW’s oddball attitude.

Upon reading up on the internet it is a known fact that changing the ATF is a good idea, perhaps once every 50K miles. Saying this, I personally feel that considering the Indian Operating conditions, it is better to do this at more frequent intervals. Say once every 5 years / 36000-40000kms of running. That is why my decision towards the first half of 2024.

The Mini Cooper S R56 takes in about 6.5 litres of ATF. It is better to buy 7 litres. And when one drains and extracts the fluid, not all of it comes out (only about 4-4.5 litres comes out) because there is quite a lot sitting inside the AT Transmission Housing itself, maybe 2 or 2.5 litres. This necessitates that one has to do the ATF Flush two times. Do it for the first time. This will flush and change about 4.5 litres. Run the car for some 3000-4000 kms. Go back and drain around 2 litres and refill from your leftover stock. It is a fiddly job. But with patience it can be accomplished. Im sure my little Mini will heave a sigh of relief and even bless me afterwards.

So here are the parts I will buy and do this job by and by. I will as usual report back with pics once done.
Attached Thumbnails
Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img_3334.png  

Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img_3335.png  

Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img_3336.png  

Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img_3337.png  

Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img_3339.png  

Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img_3340.png  

Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img_3342.png  

Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img_3343.png  

Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img_3344.png  

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Old 17th January 2024, 01:24   #70
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

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Originally Posted by GSMINC View Post
KIA is selling SP-4 ATF from GS Caltex brand, costs 1k per litre, comes in 2.5L cans, selling at 2.5k INR
Costs half of the OE KIA/HYUNDAI SP-4 ATF which sells at 2k per litre
ATF Can label says, it's KIA recommended, made in South Korea, imported in bulk & repacked in India
Anyone heard of this brand
Caltex was an old lubricants brand from the license Raj days in India
Label says this is a JV between CS Energy group South Korea & Chevron USA

This info is from VST KIA, Bangalore
Since it's a lifetime oil as per manual, Most KIA dealers don't stock transmission fluid as it's not a fast moving item
Images of the ATF can attached

Is there a filter/gasket/O-ring/Oil strainer in this TC Gear box, would prefer to change along with the ATF fluid, KIA technicians have no idea about it, even while changing just the ATF fluid, they thought I'm a moron to do it unnecessarily
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Old 17th January 2024, 06:42   #71
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

My Hexa is at 150k km, and has just had its second ATF change. The first one was carried out at 1.1L km. The transmission had been slipping and lagging, and fuel efficiency had taken a hit. Car would barely show double digit economy figures. Post oil change, the behaviour of the transmission is back to normal. The oil cooler was also opened up, cleaned and fixed. I just completed a 1400km trip with full load of 6pax + luggage. The car delivered an indicated 14.7kmpl overall at consistent three digit speeds, and a little over 13kmpl by tankful to tankful method. This is as good as it gets with Hexa.

So much for a supposedly sealed for life gearbox. ATF replacement being done periodically is an absolute must. Ideally in 40-50k km in tough Indian conditions. Anyone who says otherwise is trying to scam you.

Hexa ATF cooler
Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-6b2ca725bd4f4ddc816c08e75423918c.jpeg

Trip stats
Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")-img_5627.jpeg

Last edited by Shreyans_Jain : 17th January 2024 at 06:44.
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Old 17th January 2024, 08:21   #72
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

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Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain View Post
My Hexa is at 150k km, and has just had its second ATF change. The first one was carried out at 1.1L km. The transmission had been slipping and lagging, and fuel efficiency had taken a hit. Car would barely show double digit economy figures. Post oil change, the behaviour of the transmission is back to normal. The oil cooler was also opened up, cleaned and fixed.
Did you find the transmission slipping and low fuel efficiency near the 150k km mark? Did you replace the oil cooler at the first oil change interval?
Also curious to know how was the oil cooler cleaned? If it can be done proactively should help in prolonging it's life.
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Old 17th January 2024, 08:35   #73
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

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Originally Posted by damodar View Post
Did you find the transmission slipping and low fuel efficiency near the 150k km mark? Did you replace the oil cooler at the first oil change interval?
Also curious to know how was the oil cooler cleaned? If it can be done proactively should help in prolonging it's life.
As mentioned, transmission had been slipping and slurring. Lazy slush box type behaviour, far cry from the usually tight and lag free Hexa drive.

Same behaviour was seen post 1L km mark, which lead to the ATF change at that time. Back then also, FE had improved by a solid 30%, just like now.

8 liters of ATF was required.

This is the first time the ATF oil cooler has been opened up. The idea was the replace it, but the part was not available at TASS or in the market. Hence, we were forced to clean it up and put it back. Ideally, oil cooler should be changed along with the oil.

Last edited by Shreyans_Jain : 17th January 2024 at 08:43.
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Old 17th January 2024, 08:53   #74
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

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Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain View Post
This is the first time the ATF oil cooler has been opened up. The idea was the replace it, but the part was not available at TASS or in the market. Hence, we were forced to clean it up and put it back. Ideally, oil cooler should be changed along with the oil.
Thanks for the reply. So was the cleaning of the cooler done by flushing it with coolant? I believe it has a thin steel seperator between the coolant and transmission oil. So wanted to know how we can do the cleaning?

Also wondering why the transmission was slipping within 40k km from previous oil change?

Last edited by damodar : 17th January 2024 at 09:16.
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Old 19th January 2024, 15:00   #75
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Re: Why you should periodically change your Automatic Transmission Fluid (even if "sealed for life")

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain View Post
As mentioned, transmission had been slipping and slurring. Lazy slush box type behaviour, far cry from the usually tight and lag free Hexa drive.

Same behaviour was seen post 1L km mark, which lead to the ATF change at that time. Back then also, FE had improved by a solid 30%, just like now.

8 liters of ATF was required.

This is the first time the ATF oil cooler has been opened up. The idea was the replace it, but the part was not available at TASS or in the market. Hence, we were forced to clean it up and put it back. Ideally, oil cooler should be changed along with the oil.

How much you paid & what parts were replaced. Can you share cost including labor to get an idea ?
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