We had quite the debate on the forum here regarding transmission fluid, to replace or to not replace. For me it comes down to peace of mind for little cash outlay.

I went to my local garage and had them use their machines to replace the transmission fluid, power steering fluid, engine coolant and rear differential oil. Total cost was less than $520 USD.

To change the transmission fluid they tied into the top transmission oil cooler line at the radiator, 100% of the fluid was exchanged, simple no mess no fuss. We used BG full synthetic which meets ZF specs. See the pic below of the fluid coming out of the transmission and the new fluid going in, I'm sure you can tell which sight glass (upper or lower) is the old stuff.

To change the coolant they tied into the upper rad hose, no big deal, he flushed the whole system 3 times with the new fluid and had put in some chemical flush earlier which circulated while the car was running during the transmission fluid exchange.

The power steering fluid was exchanged by a machine as well.

The diff oil was sucked out of the fill hole and replaced, simple.

Brake fluid was done not long ago and the engine has fresh oil and filter.

Bottom line is that it was no big deal, not to expensive and in my book with 66,000 miles on the car a worthwhile endeavor.

 

+1

No argument here

 

Good job, it seems you're not neglecting your maintenance issues

 

I am shocked you did not renew the nitrogen in your tires, including the space saver spare. Stale air is very bad for the rubber, especially inside the tire. You wil notice the stench when you flush the old air out and replace it with pure nitrogen, which is odourless.

 

How did they determine the correct transmission fluid level?

 

The Jaguar dealer put nitrogen in all 4 tires the week before I bought it in fact! Guess what, when the tire shop removed the rear tires (I had the car about 2 weeks) to take out the tpms sensors to put them on my new wheels the rear tires had at least a large glass of water in each of them!! hhhhmmm..... The factory and dealers are supposed to know all and be the ultimate authority on their products, yeah right, why did my rear tires have all that water in them?

Jagular, enjoy running your car for life with the factory fill fluids, I hope you disclose that to any future buyers should you decide to sell the car.

To each his own I always say, I am very happy I changed out all the fluids.

 

The amount that comes out is the same amount that goes back in. I have had this procedure done on many transmissions over the years and never had a problem. The shop has done many cars which have the ZF 6 spd transmissions with no issues.

 

Please advise the name of the shop in Charlotte----might be worth the drive from A'ville.
Thanks!

 

Sent you a PM.