Beav - Just to make sure I get the correct MaxLife fluid, which one exactly did you use?

And, also, I noticed a lot of them are full-synthetic... will that be a problem mixing it with standard fluid (since I really can't drain ALL of the original fluid)??

 

Regardless of what ATF you select, plan on doing a couple of successive drain-and-fills. Maybe 3,000 to 5,000 miles apart if you're comfortable with that interval, or sooner if you prefer. That way, 80% to 85% of your fluid will be the "new" ATF by the time you've done the second procedure. It sure worked for my 2005 S-Type. We did the drain-and-fills about 5,000 miles apart in November 2014 and again in October 2015....

 

Hi
Sorry if its obvious, I've read tons of posts where everyone mentions flushing then flashing. Is flashing necessary? If so, why?
Thanks. Newbie XJ8 owner.

 

I do not flush, I drain-and-fill. Having the transmission reflashed by a dealer familiar with the procedure is only recommended when rough shifts remain after a drain-and-fill. I have done that twice on my wife's 2006 XK8 (once in July 2013 and again in April 2016) and it resolved the shift quality issues both times. I have also drain-and-filled my 2005 S-Type twice without having to do the reflash either time. Both vehicles are running Mercon SP ATF in their ZF 6HP26 units....

 

Thanks. Mine shifts fine, I was just going to flush since it has 100K miles on the same fluid.

 

Actually, there is flush-and fill, reset, and reflash.

Flush-and-fill is changing the fluid, and applying the proper refill procedure (temperature based).

Reset is when you have rough shifts. It is a software procedure to reset the adaptations. It is followed by a learning phase (normal driving) for 100 miles. My understanding is that the software parameters related to the particulars of your transmission valves are initially forgotten ("reset") and then re-learned for a while with the new fluid. It is performed by dealer-type software on a laptop.

Reflash is the updating of the code in the transmission control module (think software update like Windows or a phone). It is for when you have someone determine your code is old (or even original) and there is a recommendation by Jaguar to update to fix a specific issue.

 

Hi
Hope this turns out OK. My local indie Jag shop is flushing my tranny with about 12 quarts of Pentosin. First running a chemical to clean, then pumping out entire contents of tranny with new fluid - should be 100% new fluid. Said they don't typically need to change the filter, as the fluid gets worn, but not that dirty.

SO, I am trusting them as it seems like the benefits of all-new fluid might outweigh the benefits of 75% new fluid and a new filter.

Anyone else get this suggested treatment? My XJ8 has 111,000 miles, shifts fine, just doing this as a precaution.

For the record, even with all the fluid, cost is about $375.