The automatic gearbox of your van or commercial vehicle: maintenance, flushing and fluid change

A van covers a lot of kilometres, often loaded and often in the city. That asks a lot of the automatic gearbox. This article explains which automatic the well-known vans have, what the manufacturer says about the fluid and how to arrange the maintenance without your van being off the road for longer than needed.

By the team at Autobedrijf Willemsbrug, RDW-approved APK (MOT) test station since 1979 · Updated 7 November 2026

Our score is 4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews. Read what our customers say

The short answer

Many vans with an automatic, such as the Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter with 7G-Tronic or 9G-Tronic, have an automatic with a torque converter. The Ford Transit has a six-speed or ten-speed automatic, and the Iveco Daily has the eight-speed Hi-Matic, developed with ZF. On automatics with a torque converter, a flush or fluid change is useful maintenance, because weight, towing and city traffic put extra strain on the fluid. Our own cautious advice is every 60,000 to 80,000 kilometres, next to what the manufacturer prescribes. Autobedrijf Willemsbrug in Rotterdam services vans and commercial vehicles up to 3,500 kg, also on Saturdays, by appointment,, and you get a quote in advance based on your registration number.

Which automatic gearbox does your van have?

That depends on the make, the year and the engine. Most vans with an automatic have an automatic with a torque converter: a fluid coupling between the engine and the gearbox, with gear changes made by clutches that run in fluid. Some older vans have an automated manual gearbox: a manual gearbox with a clutch, in which an electronically operated mechanism takes over the gear changes. That difference determines which maintenance makes sense.

Van Automatic What the source says
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Automatic7G-Tronic Plus or 9G-Tronic, both with torque converter What the source saysSince September 2021, all Sprinter variants have the 9G-Tronic. It replaced the 7G-Tronic Plus.
Mercedes-Benz Vito Automatic7G-Tronic or 9G-Tronic, both with torque converter What the source saysWith the new diesel engines of 2019, the Vito got the 9G-Tronic. It replaced the 7G-Tronic.
Ford Transit AutomaticSix-speed or ten-speed automatic What the source saysSince June 2020, the rear-wheel drive Transit has been available with a ten-speed automatic. The six-speed automatic remained for the front-wheel drive Transit.
Iveco Daily AutomaticHi-Matic, eight-speed automatic What the source saysDeveloped with ZF and first shown in 2014. Iveco called it the first eight-speed automatic in this class.
Volkswagen Transporter and Crafter, Renault Trafic and Master, Opel Vivaro and Movano, Fiat Ducato AutomaticDiffers by year and engine What the source saysCall us with your registration number and we will look up the gearbox type.

Sources: Mercedes-Benz Vans (press information 1 September 2021), Fleet News (March 2019), Ford (press release 4 June 2020), Iveco (press release April 2015).

The registration number tells us which gearbox your van has. That way we avoid giving a gearbox a treatment that does not suit it. Do you drive a motorhome built on a van chassis, such as a Fiat Ducato or a Sprinter? Then our article on flushing the automatic gearbox of a motorhome explains what is different for motorhomes, such as the difference between the nine-speed automatic and the Comfort-Matic of the Ducato.

Why does the automatic of a commercial vehicle have a harder time?

A commercial vehicle is more often heavily loaded, tows more often and stops and pulls away more often. This makes the fluid in the gearbox hotter, and hot fluid ages faster. Gearbox manufacturer ZF writes that it can make sense to change the fluid earlier in case of high temperatures and heavy loads, and when it is not known how the vehicle was used before.

  • Weight: at every start, a loaded van has to move a much larger mass than a passenger car.
  • Stop-and-go: deliveries in the city mean a lot of pulling away, braking and shifting.
  • Towing: with a trailer the gearbox gets extra hot. According to Ford, the Transit with the ten-speed automatic can tow up to 2,800 kg, depending on load and version.
  • Many operating hours: a van that is on the road all day reaches its maintenance point sooner than you think.
  • Unknown history: with a used van or a van from a fleet, it is often not known when the fluid was last changed.

How often does the automatic transmission fluid of a van need changing?

That differs per gearbox and per manufacturer. Some manufacturers do not prescribe a fluid change. Ford writes, for example, that the ten-speed automatic of the Transit needs no scheduled fluid change thanks to a special fluid. ZF fills its automatics with lifetime fluid, but still advises a change after 150,000 km, and earlier in case of high temperatures, heavy loads or an unknown history.

Advice Interval From
Ford, ten-speed automatic in the Transit IntervalNo scheduled fluid change FromFord (press release 4 June 2020)
ZF, ZF automatics such as the Hi-Matic IntervalChange after 150,000 km, earlier with heavy loads or high temperatures FromZF Aftermarket
Mercedes-Benz and other makes IntervalAccording to the service schedule of your model FromManufacturer, we look it up using your registration number
Autobedrijf Willemsbrug IntervalFlush or fluid change every 60,000 to 80,000 kilometres FromOur own cautious advice, not a factory requirement

Sources: Ford (June 2020), ZF Aftermarket (product information ZF LifeguardFluid 8).

Our advice of 60,000 to 80,000 kilometres applies to an automatic with a torque converter and is more cautious than what many manufacturers prescribe. For a van that is often loaded, tows or makes deliveries in the city, we advise 60,000 rather than 80,000 kilometres. Also check the service schedule of your van. If your van is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, read your manufacturer’s terms and conditions.

Which gearboxes do we flush and which do we not?

We flush an automatic with a torque converter with the flushing machine. Other gearboxes need a different treatment, or a flush does not help. This is the overview:

Type of gearbox What we do
Automatic with torque converter, such as the Mercedes-Benz 7G-Tronic and 9G-Tronic What we doFlush or fluid change, after an intake and a test drive
Wet DSG, such as the DQ500 What we doOil and filter change according to the manufacturer’s schedule
Automated manual, such as Comfort-Matic or Easytronic What we doNo flush, because it does not help. A diagnosis is possible.
Dry DSG (DQ200) and dry Powershift (DPS6) What we doNo flush, because it does not help. A diagnosis is possible.
Manual gearbox What we doNo flush. A gearbox oil change as prescribed by the manufacturer is possible.

We also do not flush a Dualogic or the e-CVT of a full hybrid.

Does your van have a manual gearbox? Then read our article on changing the oil of a manual gearbox. Complaints on an automated manual often come from the clutch or the actuator. We can read the gearbox, and we tell you in advance what is needed and what it costs.

How do we flush the automatic of your van?

We follow the same procedure as for a passenger car, because the automatics with a torque converter in these vans are technically the same kind of gearbox as in passenger cars. We have five heavy-duty lifts, including lifts for motorhomes and commercial vehicles up to 3,500 kg. We do not service vans and commercial vehicles heavier than 3,500 kg.

  1. Call us with your registration number: we look up the gearbox type and the prescribed fluid, and we tell you in advance whether we can service your van.
  2. Intake and test drive: the mechanic pays attention to the gear change points, slipping and jerks, with a cold and a warm gearbox.
  3. Fault code reading: where possible, we read the transmission for stored faults.
  4. Advice and quote: we tell you whether a flush makes sense and what it costs. We only start once you have agreed.
  5. Flush or fluid change: with fluid of the prescribed specification. If the gearbox has a replaceable filter, we replace the filter and the seal if this is part of the agreed job.
  6. Check: we check the fluid level with the van level and at the specified temperature, following the gearbox manufacturer’s procedure, and make a final test drive.
A flush is maintenance, not a repair. It can reduce complaints caused by ageing fluid, but it does not fix internal wear, leaks or electronic faults. That is why we start with an intake and a test drive.

More about our approach and the gearboxes we flush is on our page about automatic gearbox flushing. For Mercedes-Benz gearboxes there is a separate page about Mercedes automatic gearbox flushing. Known complaints of the 7G-Tronic are explained in our article on Mercedes 7G-Tronic problems.

How long is your van off the road, and is Saturday possible?

You bring the van to us. The van is usually ready the same day, if there is space in our schedule. We call you when it is ready. Automatic gearbox flushes and fluid changes are also possible on Saturdays, by appointment. On Saturdays we are open from 9.00 to 15.00. That way your van can keep working from Monday to Friday.

Would you like more work done during the same visit? On a heavily loaded van, the brakes also wear faster. Our article on brakes on vans and motorhomes explains what to look out for. For other maintenance on your commercial vehicle, see our page about van and fleet maintenance.

What does it cost to flush the automatic of a van?

That depends on the gearbox type, the amount of fluid and whether the gearbox has a filter. You get a quote in advance based on your registration number. We only carry out extra work with your approval. Call us on +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number.

Frequently asked questions

Which automatic does my Mercedes Sprinter have?

That depends on the year. Since September 2021, all Sprinter variants have the 9G-Tronic. A Sprinter from before that usually has the 7G-Tronic Plus, and an older Sprinter sometimes another gearbox type. Call us with your registration number and we will look it up.

Can you service a van heavier than 3,500 kg?

No. Our lifts for commercial vehicles go up to 3,500 kg. We do not service vans and commercial vehicles that are heavier.

Is a fluid change required if the manufacturer does not give an interval?

No, in that case it is not required. Fluid does age, especially with heavy use. That is why our own cautious advice is a flush or fluid change every 60,000 to 80,000 kilometres on an automatic with a torque converter. If your van is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, read your manufacturer’s terms and conditions.

Is flushing the automatic of a van different from a motorhome?

No, the method is the same. The difference is in the use: a commercial van often covers many kilometres a year in the city, while a motorhome drives less but stands still for long periods and drives uphill more often. Because of that, the right moment for new fluid can differ.

What are signs that the automatic of my van needs attention?

Look out for jerks when shifting, revs rising without the van accelerating with them, a transmission warning or limp mode, and a burning smell after a heavy trip. If you see fluid under the van, have that checked too.

Can I bring my van on a Saturday for the automatic?

Yes. Automatic gearbox flushes and fluid changes are also possible on Saturdays, by appointment. We are then open from 9.00 to 15.00. Call us with your registration number to arrange a time.

Want to know what the automatic of your van needs?

Call us with your registration number on +31 10 479 00 00. We tell you in advance which gearbox type your van has, whether a flush makes sense and what it costs.

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip). We work by appointment. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

Nederlands? Lees dit artikel in het Nederlands.