Specialists in the ZF 5HP, 6HP and 8HP

ZF automatic gearbox flush

Many car makes use a ZF automatic gearbox (automatic transmission), from BMW and Jaguar to Land Rover and Alfa Romeo. We find the cause of a problem first. Then we flush each generation with fluid that ZF has approved for your gearbox. We tell you what the job costs before we start. Our team speaks English.

Rotterdam family business since 1979  |  4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews

The short answer

Autobedrijf Willemsbrug in Rotterdam flushes ZF 5HP, 6HP and 8HP automatic gearboxes from BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover and other makes. The six-speed 6HP and the eight-speed 8HP are the best known. For each car we check which generation is fitted.

Car manufacturers often call the fluid a lifetime fill. ZF itself does recommend an oil change after 80,000 to 120,000 kilometres, or after eight years at the latest. With heavy use, or if the car’s earlier use is unknown, ZF recommends an earlier oil change. As a precaution, we recommend a flush every 80,000 to 120,000 kilometres. If you have shifting problems, we look for the cause first.

A ZF flush usually takes two to three hours. The flush itself takes about an hour. The rest of the time goes on the test drive, reading the fault memory, the filter and setting the fluid level.

Call +31 10 479 00 00 and give us your registration number. We will give you a quote for the agreed work and tell you what it includes. The guide prices are on our page about the cost of an automatic gearbox flush.

Which ZF generation does your car have?

Each generation has its own fluid and its own filter design. The model years and models below are a guide. We look up the precise type using your number plate and the gearbox code.

Generation Gears Model years Common in
ZF 5HP 5 1991 to around 2005 Older BMW, Audi and Jaguar
ZF 6HP 6 2001 to around 2014 BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover and the larger Audis, such as the A6 and A8
ZF 8HP, first generation (8HP45 and 8HP70) 8 2009 to around 2014 BMW F series, Jaguar XF and XJ
ZF 8HP, newer generations (8HP50 and 8HP75) 8 From around 2014 BMW G series, Range Rover, Discovery and Alfa Romeo Giulia
Your ZF gearbox, looked up by number plate We start from your registration number and check the gearbox code where needed. Call +31 10 479 00 00.

Jeep, Maserati, Iveco and the Toyota Supra also use ZF automatic gearboxes. Models with a transverse engine, such as the Range Rover Evoque, have the nine-speed ZF 9HP. Not sure? Call us with your number plate and we will find out for you.

One gearbox, many makes

It is the same technology, only with a different badge on the bonnet. For the treatment, the make matters little. For the fluid and the software, it does make a difference.

BMW

BMW is the biggest user. Most rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive BMWs have a ZF automatic gearbox. You can read all about the gearbox types by model year on our page about the BMW automatic gearbox flush.

Jaguar and Land Rover

Most versions of the XF, XJ, F-Pace, Discovery and Range Rover have the 8HP. Towing a caravan or trailer and driving off-road put extra strain on the fluid. So talk to us about the service interval that suits the way you use your car.

From Alfa Romeo to Toyota

The Giulia and Stelvio, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Toyota Supra also use a ZF gearbox. Many Tiptronic automatic gearboxes from Audi and Volkswagen are made by ZF as well. For those, see our page about Volkswagen and Audi.

What ZF itself says about the lifetime fill

Car manufacturers often describe the ZF automatic gearbox as maintenance-free. ZF itself sells change kits with an oil pan (sump), filter and fluid. According to ZF, the fluid ages because of heat and dirt. ZF therefore recommends an oil change after 80,000 to 120,000 kilometres, or after eight years at the latest. With heavy use, or if the car’s earlier use is unknown, ZF recommends an earlier oil change. ZF also mentions flushing as an option.

With a flush, also called a power flush, we replace a large part of the old fluid, including the fluid in the torque converter, the cooler and the lines. You can read how this treatment works on our page about the automatic gearbox flush.

ZF-automaatbak wordt gespoeld met professionele apparatuur

The 6HP: a tough six-speed gearbox with two points to watch

The 6HP was fitted by many makes from 2001 to about 2014, and it is known as a strong gearbox. Two things need attention. The plastic oil pan has a built-in filter, so we replace the whole pan during a flush. Also, the sealing sleeves at the mechatronic unit can start to leak with age. This causes a loss of pressure and jerking. We can replace these sleeves during the same visit. With fresh fluid, a new pan and leak-free sleeves, a 6HP can often keep going for a long time.

Monteur controleert een ZF-automaatbak in de werkplaats
  • Fluid for each generation, not mixed
  • For the 5HP, 6HP and 8HP of all makes
  • A clear quote in advance
  • Often available at short notice: ask about current availability

Your ZF specialist in Rotterdam

We know the same gearbox from many makes

Because the ZF automatic gearbox is fitted to so many cars, we see it in many versions. We use your number plate to look up which generation your car has and which fluid goes with it. Then we give you a quote for the agreed work. We tell you in advance what is included, such as fluid, filter, labour and VAT. We only carry out extra repairs after discussing them with you.

ZF automatic gearbox flush in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde

You can find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) and exit 24 Rotterdam-Feijenoord on the A16. The A15 is a five-minute drive away. You can park for free in front of the garage if there is space. The Stadion Feijenoord tram stop (line 3) is nearby. We are also easy to reach from Barendrecht, Ridderkerk, Capelle aan den IJssel and Krimpen aan den IJssel.

Do you drive a BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover or another make with a ZF automatic gearbox? Have your number plate ready and call us on +31 10 479 00 00. We tell you which generation your car has and which fluid goes with it. Then we give you a quote that shows which work, fluid, parts and VAT are included.

We can often carry out a service (in Dutch) or APK in the same visit. We schedule the APK Monday to Friday, because those are the only days we can register the result with the RDW.

Automatic gearbox flush by make and type. all makes · cost · Mercedes-Benz (5G-, 7G- and 9G-Tronic) · BMW (ZF Steptronic, 6HP and 8HP) · Volvo (Geartronic and Powershift) · Volkswagen and Audi (DSG, S tronic and Multitronic) · Renault (DP0, AJ0 and EDC) · Opel, Peugeot and Citroën (EAT8, EAT6 and AL4) · CVT (Nissan, Suzuki, Subaru and Toyota) · DSG (Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Skoda) · DSG oil change.
Need an APK as well? Read more about the APK for your BMW, Jaguar or Land Rover.

Nederlands? Deze pagina is er ook in het Nederlands.

Servicing by make. BMW service · Audi service · Jaguar service · Land Rover service · All makes

Frequently asked questions about flushing a ZF automatic gearbox

All the answers are shown below, so there is no need to click.

Which makes do you flush the ZF automatic gearbox for?

We flush the ZF automatic gearbox for every make that uses it, such as BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Maserati and the Tiptronic versions from Audi and Volkswagen. Technically, the gearbox is largely the same. Only the software and the gearbox control differ by make. We use the number plate and gearbox code to look up which version and fluid suit your car.

What is the difference between the 6HP and the 8HP?

The 6HP is the six-speed gearbox fitted from 2001 to about 2014. The 8HP is the eight-speed successor that is still in production. The 8HP shifts faster and uses less fuel. Both work with a torque converter and wet clutches, and in both the fluid ages. Both get the same treatment: a flush with the fluid that matches the generation.

Which LifeguardFluid does my ZF gearbox need?

That depends on the generation. The 5HP, 6HP and 8HP each have their own fluid, such as LifeguardFluid 6 for the 6HP and LifeguardFluid 8 for the 8HP. These types must not be mixed or swapped. We use fluid that ZF has approved for your gearbox.

We look up the right variant using the gearbox code and set the level at the temperature ZF specifies.

My Jaguar or Land Rover shifts with a jerk. Does it get the same treatment as a BMW?

Yes. At its core it is the same treatment. Your car usually has the same ZF 8HP, so we use the same flushing method and fluid. Jaguars and Land Rovers are more often worked hard, for example towing a caravan or driving off-road. This makes the fluid age faster.

After a test drive and reading the fault memory, we tell you whether a flush makes sense for your problem.

How much does it cost to flush a ZF automatic gearbox?

The 6HP and 8HP differ in fluid capacity and filter design. On most versions the filter sits in the plastic oil pan, which we then replace as a whole. That determines the price.

The national guide prices are on our page about the cost of an automatic gearbox flush. Call us on +31 10 479 00 00 with your number plate. We will give you a quote for your car, including fluid, filter, labour and VAT.

The manufacturer says my ZF gearbox has a lifetime fill. What does ZF itself say?

ZF sees it differently and sells its own change kits with an oil pan, filter and fluid. According to ZF, transmission fluid ages because of heat and dirt. ZF therefore recommends an oil change after 80,000 to 120,000 kilometres, or after eight years at the latest. With heavy use, or if the car’s earlier use is unknown, ZF recommends an earlier oil change.

As a precaution, we recommend a flush every 80,000 to 120,000 kilometres.

What ZF drivers say about us

4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews

From 5 Series to Range Rover: customers from Rotterdam, Barendrecht and Ridderkerk share their experience of our service and their gearbox flush.