ATF for Range Rover mk2 (P38a)

[Rich Willis]

Hi - this is my first post here.

I've got a 1995 Range Rover 4.6Ltr V8 petrol with an automatic gearbox. I've been slowly changing my fluids myself as I've upgraded from the usual average lubricants the garage uses, to fully synthetics - so I can spend the extra (labour costs) on top quality lubricants and fluids.

The autobox is a ZF4HP24 gearbox which is contolled by an ECU.

I've been hearing various pros and cons relating to the use of fully synthetic ATF in this automatic gearbox. I just wanted to know what you guys think and if Amsoil synthetic ATF is worth the extra money over the Land Rover recommended DEXRONIII.

I can get Amsoil ATF from a supplier for £9.50 GBP per US Quart(?) or 0.9?? litre. DexronIII is more like £6 GBP so it is much cheaper.

I will be using 2 ltrs of Amsoil Synthetic ATF in the transfer box but I will have to get another 8 ltrs of one or the other for the autobox.

 

[Jim Allen]

In my Rover experience, (factory trained in UK), the ZFs were cool runners and not at all hard on fluid. Unless you work it hard (towing or lohard off-roading), I'm not at all sure a high dollar ATF will offer you much payback down the road. Wouldn't hurt you, certainly, but IMHO, a waste of money. The transfer box is another matter. At 30K service intervals, I invariably found the transfer gearbox oil severely darkened and sometime burnt smelling. You can use all the protection you can get there, I think. Put your money where it does the most good!!

FYI, at the dealershi where I worked we offered a product from BG called "Synchro-Shift" in the Rover T-box. It was a replacement for ATF in manual transmissions and had a much higher shear resistance than ATF. As I recall it was a thick 15 weight. Anecdotally, when drained at 30K miles, we noted that it came out fresh and clean. This was some years ago, but I know BG is still around and that there are similar products as well from Amsoil and others.

 

[Rich Willis]

Many thanks for you advice here Jim. The Amsoil ATF is very expensive once you work out how many litres go in to one of these gearboxes.

I'll certainly add the Amsoil ATF to the transfer box I think. Gearbox - A DexronIII ATF. I have a DexronII in there at the moment.

What is the major difference with a DexronII and DexronIII? Is it a big difference?

 

[MolaKule]

I would go with the local mineral oil-based DexronIII/Mercon(H) rated fluids and change out more often.

DexronIII is an upgrade to DexronII; DexronII is simply an older spec.