[Hughsie]

2016 7P V6 3.0 diesel 180kw 8sp, 73,000km
I know this is a recurring theme, but thought I’d post our experience.

After towing a 3.2T van for around 25,000km on a few trips our drivetrain developed a resonant groaning sound at about 1400rpm especially when loaded, that was very disturbing.

Our VW specialist mechanic on tour (North Rocky Mechanical, Rockhampton, Aus) recommended changing the drivetrain fluids - gearbox, front and rear diffs.
He said that the idea of a sealed gearbox lasting a lifetime is ridiculous, especially when towing.
He said the gearbox oil in particular was showing clear signs of ‘work’ and recommended changing it every 20,000km when heavy towing.

We’ve done around 1900km since, most of it towing. I’m pleased to say that the noise has disappeared which is obviously very pleasing.

Cheers, Brett

 

[TommiT]

Changing the ATF at 20,000 kms is a tad extreme!

 

[rgh0]

I think with hi temps and a heavy van it could potentially be warranted. The life of typical modern synthetic oil will halve for every 10C increase in temp above about 100C. if your typical OC8 synthetic transmission oil is good for 80000km to maybe 120000km with no towing in cool conditions you only need an average temp rise of 20C to get to a 20000 km to maybe 30000 km life. You also only change half the oil for a normal drain and refill change so the average oil life is older than the change interval.
cheers
Rohan

 

[Black Grouse]

Changing the ATF at 20,000 kms is a tad extreme!

However the principle that it's changed regularly is a good one - of all the (European spec) cars I've owned, the transmission fluids needed changing about twice as often if regularly towing than if not towing - BUT - our Australian and North American contributors are typically towing much heavier trailers than we do in Europe.

In the past, it was easy to check ATF condition by examining the fluid on the dipstick - but "progress" has removed that facility.

 

[Hughsie]

Yes TommiT, you’ve probably heard that things can get a bit extreme down here, like:

• passing a locomotive and a workshop
• passing 53m quad road trains
• 45° ambient temperatures (which thankfully we’ve avoided)
• travelling 600km or more in a day at 100km/h.

Even reports of cows eating cars 😄
Cheers, Brett

(Apparently another thing in Australia that can kill you🙄)

 

[gatkins]

Not to mention feral Camels and roaming cattle in the "long paddock"

 

[TommiT]

All of that is as nothing.
We've got the M25!

 

[Hughsie]

All of that is as nothing.
We've got the M25!

Yeh, you can have that!
I’ll take the outback any day 😄