My 2006 XK8 is on its way to my home. Can't wait. The car has approx. 60,000 miles. Looks like like all of the service is up to date. I spoke w/ my mechanic and he told me a transmission service can wait til' 80,000 miles.

My question is....if the the trans can wait, should I have the differential serviced soon after the car arrives? Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

 

Servicing the diff is a real problem. No drain and the fill port is almost impossible to access. The 4.0 was not easy, but there is an extra plate in the way on the 4.2. The plug takes a 1/2" square drive and a piece of square stock can be inserted with much difficulty, but then getting a wrench on it from the side and breaking it loose is beyond my ability.

I believe ZF now recommends trans. service at 50 or 60K mi, not sure which.

 

I would do an initial ZF drain-and-fill within the next couple of weeks. Age and heat cycles combine to break down the various lubrication additive packages in all ATFs. If your ZF has never been serviced, its fluid is now or soon will be 13 years old. Many of us have switched to Mercon SP ATF. It meets the required Shell M1375.4 specs. I suggest you do some research on it....

 

What Jon89 said!

Get in front of the transmission fluid change for prevention of issues. Mercon SP works great.

 

I spoke w/two independent Jaguar Service Techs and both said there is no need until my XK8 reaches approx. 80,000 miles. They also told me it would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $600.00. That price seems a little high for just a fluid change. Any thoughts on this will be appreciated.

 

I paid $900 for mine when I did it at 50K, albeit the technician uses ZF fluids. The $600 looks like a good deal now...hahaha