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Changing fluid in the Gear box , part or Model S drive train.

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#41
SSedan said:
A quart and a half of fluid with that much shear action seems like it should be changed every few years. Next time I talk to service I will ask if my P85 has ever had it changed and consider sampling the oil myself or have them take a sample when changing it.
Click to expand...
Usually transmission fluid is not changed for a very very long time. Our old BMW had 80k miles on it and the mechanic recommended not even changing it as it might actually damage the transmission because it was too clean (so he says).

I suspect Tesla recommends it to clear out any manufacturing metals. If you look at their service timeline, it never comes up again.
 
#42
Yes the 12k interval would seem to be a break-in flush.

Transmissions often hold 3 gallons or close to it and while fluid changes are often not regularly called for the fluid does wear, it usually just only gets changed when it starts acting up and the fluid change is done as a "repair" and then blamed for the failure it didn't resolve.

Transmissions have syncro ring in a manual or clutch material wear particles in the fluid so I am not trying to directly compare but even when considering the contamination in the other applications the capacity still means something. Fluids shear at the molecular level and the more fluid there is the longer it takes to break down the viscosity.
 
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#44
CBPfromTN said:
Thanks, Mike. I don't get it why people are asking EACH OTHER about what is needed (regarding maintenance) on these cars. Should we NOT ask TESLA or READ the owners' manual??
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Owners manual is for the average consumer and doesn't get into the details. Many of us have actually bought the service manual which explains things in great detail

I actually trust the forum members more than any Tesla technician.
Some very smart people here and with the collective knowledge of them all, you get an answer better than anyone else at Tesla can give you (based on numerous past experiences).
 
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#45
Enthusiasts often take the time to understand things that professional parts swappers don't and if we are honest parts swappers is what most auto technicians are, not just Tesla, all.
Companies will stretch maintenance intervals for the good marketing angle, their goal is not necessary ultimate longevity, usually there is a goal like 200-300k service life or even just get thru warranty.
 
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#46
I would comparing the fluid change interval to the differential on an ICE, not to the transmission fluid change interval. The initial change is to remove wear particles that form as the gears mesh into each other. Frequently that change interval beyond that is 100k miles.

The reason that it is frequently recommended to not change the fluid in an Auto transmission is that new fluid acts as a solvent and can loosen deposits formed by oxidized old fluid combing with other wear particles. If that gunk (that's the technical term) gets loose it can cause all sorts of problems.
 
#47
BigTonyTones said:
Owners manual is for the average consumer and doesn't get into the details. Many of us have actually bought the service manual which explains things in great detail

I actually trust the forum members more than any Tesla technician.
Some very smart people here and with the collective knowledge of them all, you get an answer better than anyone else at Tesla can give you (based on numerous past experiences).
Click to expand...
can you give me a lead as to getting a manual and approx cost ? paper or CD as seems more usual these days---cheers
 
#48
When you say differential I think RWD and gear lube with gears that change the direction of rotation 90degrees.

Far as I know FWD differentials are bathed in shared fluid with the transmission/transaxle and are more similar in design. Now being honest never had much interest in anything FWD.

I think the transmission comparison is closer.
 
#49
BigTonyTones said:
Owners manual is for the average consumer and doesn't get into the details. Many of us have actually bought the service manual which explains things in great detail

I actually trust the forum members more than any Tesla technician.
Some very smart people here and with the collective knowledge of them all, you get an answer better than anyone else at Tesla can give you (based on numerous past experiences).
Click to expand...
,

Well, I know you are right about that, especially when asking about things I need to know that others with experience have learned. That does make sense and of course, this forum is so great for asking questions. I have nothing but praise for everyone (or almost everyone;)on this forum) and I have learned SO much even though I am realizing how ignorant I am in the high-tech world. I used to think I was pretty tech savvy but not anymore! I do hope I will someday be as smart as everyone else here is but until then, this is definitely my go-to for information. I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote that post! :rolleyes: Thank you so much for setting the record straight! We are all extremely fortunate to own a Tesla and to have so many great minds to help out! Have a great rest of the evening! C.
 
#50
SSedan said:
Enthusiasts often take the time to understand things that professional parts swappers don't and if we are honest parts swappers is what most auto technicians are, not just Tesla, all.
Companies will stretch maintenance intervals for the good marketing angle, their goal is not necessary ultimate longevity, usually there is a goal like 200-300k service life or even just get thru warranty.
Click to expand...

Look no further than the recent MCU upgrade. People on here knew days before many delivery specialists. Mine had no clue when I picked up my car even though it had a huge thread on here.
 
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#52
Anyone recommend a dexron vi brand? Iv read to use the dexron vi name, it has to be the same chemical and performance structure. Im curious to know what brand Tesla uses? I saw MOBIL 1 on a few threads but it seems its harder to find than other brands. AC Delco seems to be popular on Amazon
 
#55
Dexron VI is a licensed specification that GM owns.
To meet the specs basically any VI has to be at least semi-synthetic. The friction properties as it relates to clutches is the big deal in transmission fluids and obviously means nothing here.

I should have specified that any warranty headaches from using a fluid not from Tesla would likely be from an uneducated service advisor not Tesla. If Tesla calls out Dexron VI then they are calling out a widely available spec rather than developing their own.

Let us know how it goes, maybe share a picture or two.
 
#56
SSedan said:
Dexron VI is a licensed specification that GM owns.
To meet the specs basically any VI has to be at least semi-synthetic. The friction properties as it relates to clutches is the big deal in transmission fluids and obviously means nothing here.

I should have specified that any warranty headaches from using a fluid not from Tesla would likely be from an uneducated service advisor not Tesla. If Tesla calls out Dexron VI then they are calling out a widely available spec rather than developing their own.

Let us know how it goes, maybe share a picture or two.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply. Any label that shares Dexron VI should share the same specifications. I was just looking at buying the best "Just in case".

Ill try and get some photos.

I purchased a Mityvac 7201 and it will be very helpful in the the process. Great tool! Will come in handy when I bleed out the brakes next year.

Still curious about the question I had earlier if anyone can chime in. "I have a RWD Model 75. Would that be considered LARGE Rear Drive unit?"
 
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