TAKING CARE OF YOUR TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC transmissions are not only becoming increasingly complex, they are becoming increasingly popular too. With this in mind, Leisure Wheels decided to speak to gearbox experts from ZF Services South Africa about how you can protect your transmission and identify potential issues.

As with just about every aspect of a vehicle these days, gearboxes are becoming incredibly complex. This complexity brings with it excellent performance and refinement, but it also means that vehicle owners should take care of their gearboxes and be on the lookout for niggles that could potentially become larger problems. As the saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

To find out about the maintenance of modern gearboxes, Leisure Wheels spoke to Reynier Snyman (manager: passenger car division) and Nico Eksteen (supervisor: passenger car vehicles).

How do you go about identifying potential issues in a gearbox? Reynier: It’s important to pay attention to your gearbox. If your gearbox feels different from how it normally does, you may be headed for a breakdown, so don’t ignore this change. Have it checked out before this small problem becomes a major issue. Other symptoms include a delay before you feel the gear engage, jerking when engaging Drive or Reverse, slipping, or a transmission fluid leak.

A rough changeover should definitely be checked out. A harsh downshift from second to first when approaching a traffic light, meanwhile, usually means that the valve body inside the mechatronic unit is worn and thus has an internal bypass that’s causing the harsh downshift. What should I do if the rev counter on my vehicle fluctuates when I drive at a constant speed on the open road? What could be the cause of this? Nico: In general, most people think that this might be due to fuel starvation because of dirty fuel, but in actual fact, the transmission might cause the same behaviour. Generally, we advise the customers to first change the fuel filter. If the problem persists, it is likely that the lock-up clutch in the torque converter is suspect. Sometimes doing an oil service on the transmission might cure the problem, but if not, the transmission has to be removed and reconditioned.

What should I do if I think that my transmission is developing an issue?

Reynier: The first step would be to find out what kind of transmission is actually driving your car. If you drive a premium British or German automatic car, chances are that it is fitted with a ZF transmission. If your vehicle has a service plan and warranty in place, you should take it to your dealer. If your car is out of warranty, you should also not go to some small operation that gives you the lowest quote. Technicians may not have the relevant experience, training and equipment to do the repairs, so doing this can cost you more in the long run. Also, what guarantee do you have, as a car owner, that they will use genuine ZF parts, for instance?

How can you check if your car has a ZF transmission?

Nico: If you go on to the ZF website, there is a nifty tool, namely Stars by ZF, where you can find out if (and with which) ZF transmission your vehicle has been fitted. You can access the tool online

Does ZF have a presence in South Africa?

Reynier: Yes, South Africa has its very own ZF Services, complete with a transmission repair centre to take care of these transmission issues. ZF Services SA is responsible for the sale of original ZF parts, as well as the aftermarket sales, service and product support of its extensive range of passenger car parts and products to OEM dealers, independent workshops and end-user levels. We have branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, where the ZF passenger car workshops will repair and maintain ZF gearboxes and transfer cases within three to five days. All full repairs include a one-year/ unlimited kilometre warranty. Whether it’s a quick repair thanks to readily available replacement parts, or just a preventative gearbox overhaul, services can also include exchange units.

How do you extend the life of your automatic transmission?

Nico: As mentioned earlier, you should pay attention to subtle changes and have any issue checked out immediately. You can make small changes to bad habits that harm your auto transmission. Coasting down a hill in neutral won’t save you any fuel, it’s just unhealthy for your transmission; so is shifting to neutral at traffic lights. And never, ever take the shifter out of Drive unless your car has come to a complete standstill.

Can I jump-start my automatic car?

Reynier: Yes, it is possible, but a voltage spike to the control units of a vehicle should be avoided. Refer to the owner’s manual for the correct jump-start procedure on your car.

Can I tow my car which is equipped with an automatic transmission?

Nico: In general, yes, but only for short distances (around 10km) at very low speeds (30km/h). The preferred method of moving a broken down car is by using a rollback truck. The park brake on the transmission has to be released, as well as the hand brake locking the wheels, before the car can be moved.

What are the recommended oil service intervals for ZF automatic transmissions?

Reynier: ZF 5-, 6-, 8- and ninespeed, as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions, are filled maintenance-free with specially developed partially synthetic ATF oils. Maintenancefree fills are intended for normal operating conditions. In particular, driving at high operating temperatures can result in accelerated ageing or increased wear of ATF oils. In case of above-average operating conditions, such as frequent freeway driving in the upper speed range, sporty driving or frequent trailer operation, it is recommended to change the oil of the automatic transmission every 100 000km, or no later than after eight years.