VZ SV6: 5-speed auto transmission servicing

[poweredbycng]

G'day all,

Does anyone know how long the service interval for the 5-speed automatic transmission fitted to VZ SV6s are? Do the fluids need changing regularly?

Thanks!

Regards,
Dave

[jaz_777]

holden rate it at 150,000, its in the service manual.. but i did mine at 90 thou

[Lumps of cheese]

Wha??
If it were mine i'd do it at least every 40000.

[Kal123]

Im about to do mine at 65K.

At ultratune for $190..

[poweredbycng]

Thanks fellas.

40,000km seems a little excessive to me. 150,000km on the other hand seems a little too long.

Regards,
Dave

[baracuda]

doing mine around 120,000km

[Fishman88]

Doing mine on monday wit the premium oil also getting the diff oil changed to !! im at 76000km prob hasnt had any transmission service done by previous owner but im gona do it every year from now own doesnt hurt to do it every year pretty cheap anyway better then buying a new box aye?

[HoldenOnn]

Im really all for servicing or even over servicing vehicles. For a small outlay now, it can save a heap of dollars in the future.

I just had my trans serviced at 88,000 when I purchased the car. The oil was slightly discoloured. I will be doing the trans service every 20,000kms. Yes the Holden manual says the first trans service should be 120,000kms I think (my owners manual is in vehicle), but I wouldn't leave it that long. If the oil has been considerably overheated for any reason whether it has been doing skids, or racing etc, then it would have lost its ability to lubricate gearbox as effective as fresh oil.

The factory oil that is supplied in the VZ SV6 and Calais 5sp Autos is Castrol Dexron VI. This is a full synthetic premium long life formula. This is used so that longer intervals can be quoted by Holden. I don't believe this is necessary, and it adds to the expense of gearbox servicing. I will be doing my servicing every 20,000kms and using Dexron III (I think thats what my trans guy uses after our discussions. He is the same guy that builds high performance gearboxes like my $5,000 VL Jatco box).

Doing regular servicing and using Non Synthetic Dexron is fine for the auto box. The full synthetic oil is slightly more temperature stable, and if your vehicle is consistently pushed to the limits or is powered up, then maybe you could justify full synthetic fluid. But under most circumstances, and with regular servicing, then non synthetic fluid is perfectly fine.

Just for your info, I used Castol Dexron III non synthetic atf in my 500hp VL Berlina Turbo and had no issues whatsoever. My trans guy has now changed to Ford 4sp Oil for the only reason is that he said in my situation it may help make for a slightly smoother change (I have fully manualised box with firm shift), and it makes it slightly better lubricity when hot as the Ford 4sp Oil is designed for running under hotter temps as the Fords 4sp runs hotter than your average auto trans, and my vl's box can get hot with the transbrake and 500hp pushing through it.

Doing the differential fluid isn't a bad idea. I didn't get it done with the gearbox as I was mainly concerned with just getting the trans done as soon as I purchased the car. I will be getting the diff oil changed next year when I get the trans oil done again.