Like every other component in a vehicle, transmission oil is subject to natural aging and wear. Depending on the load on the vehicle and the manufacturer’s recommendations for automatic transmissions, the transmission experts at ZF Aftermarket advise regular oil changes to prevent wear-related damage or failure. ZF enables independent workshops to carry out oil changes efficiently and professionally with model-specific kits, technical data, and training.
Regular maintenance protects vehicle components from damage and avoids expensive repairs. This is nothing new to automotive professionals – and yet it is not yet widely applied to automatic, dual-clutch, and CVT transmissions. Their transmission oil is much more than just a lubricant and must therefore always be kept in a condition in which it can perform its many tasks. These include, for example, cooling, protection against contamination, and the transmission of control commands. ZF, the world’s largest independent transmission manufacturer, therefore, refers to transmission oil as a constructional element that is tailored to its respective application according to the motto: “One transmission – one oil.”
For this reason, ZF’s Aftermarket Division recommends regular transmission oil changes for all types of automatic transmissions. This is the only way to ensure that the shift characteristics defined by the manufacturer and the familiar driving comfort are maintained even with high mileage and loads. In addition, regular service reduces the risk of costly breakdowns for customers.
Kits enable efficient workflow in the workshop
ZF Aftermarket offers transmission oil in model-specific kits that contain the precisely measured amount of oil and the necessary spare parts for the oil change. Workshops that already stock the appropriate oil can also purchase the kits in a version without oil, containing only the necessary spare parts. In addition, the company provides repair manuals and offers training courses to turn independent workshops into transmission experts.
The range of oil change kits not only covers ZF’s own transmissions, such as the widely used 8 HP, but increasingly also those of other manufacturers. The ZF Aftermarket portfolio also includes kits for all OEMs that work with automatic, dual-clutch, and CVT transmissions.
But it’s not just transmissions in conventional vehicles that benefit from an oil change – the drives in all types of hybrids also require regular maintenance. These transmissions with their integrated electric motors pose very special challenges for transmission oil – ZF Aftermarket also provides the right products for this with ZF Lifeguard Hybrid Fluids.
An oil change in the drive system is also recommended for battery-electric vehicles. Although these vehicles do not have conventional gears, they do have a reduction gear in the electric axle, whose components are subjected to high loads due to the very rapid torque build-up of the electric motor. ZF therefore supplies an oil change kit for the electric axles of various electric vehicles.
Regular oil changes for Maximum Uptime
It is recommended to change the transmission oil, especially under operating conditions involving high temperatures and loads, or if the vehicle’s past usage is unknown. In any case, the manufacturer’s specifications should always be observed. This will increase the service life of the transmission, which is one of the most complex and high-quality components in the entire vehicle and would incur high repair costs and longer downtimes if it needed to be replaced. It therefore perfectly reflects ZF’s “Maintain – Repair – Replace” strategy. This stands for a service concept based on service life for the most sustainable vehicle use possible and Maximum Uptime for the customer.
