Replacement Drive Unit fluid (atf-9?)

[h9ADz]

Ordered the atf9 fluid too, swapping out after 10 track days

Which one did you order in detail and where?

 

[fiehlsport]

Yep, it's my time and money, and fluid changes are the nicest thing you can do for your oiled and cooled parts, so I am not interested in trying to push them to their limits. I use Blackstone oil analysis for checking the health of the engines on my collectible cars, but when it comes to changing fluids, I am proud to do it more often than necessary. I save so much money doing the work myself, and fluid changes are easy, so trying to pinch every penny is just a fools game. Tesla's have plenty of fluids (brakes, coolant, front and rear oil) to change despite what most owners think. It's not much less than a regular car.

Realistically, are you going to have your Teslas at 150,000mi and beyond though? There is probably a greater chance of the car being totaled than for one of the components to have a 100% fluid-related failure in the time you own it, even if it's 10-15 years. (Brake fluid is a different story of course)

I used to share your mindset but realized that in my experience, it just wasn't worth the time. I'll either sell or wreck the car before it would ever matter. The 2nd or 3rd owner was reaping the reward of my labor and research, every time.

 

[mattack4000]

Which one did you order in detail and where?

 

[h9ADz]

I thank you so much, mate!

 

[Mash]

Where is this atf 9 coming from? I'm quite certain that my had atf d6 inside.

 

[MileHiLitenen3]

Did you end up swapping out your fluid after your track days with the Pentosin ATF9? If so what did the old fluid look like?

 

[mattack4000]

Yeah I did the oil analysis. 10k the fluid is still good you can go much longer on it. I have like 15 track days

 

[MileHiLitenen3]

Good to know........how hard was it to swap the fluid and how much was needed?

 

[MasterC17]

FWIW I've been using Royal Purple Max ATF and it seems to be doing fine!

 

[mattack4000]

Good to know........how hard was it to swap the fluid and how much was needed?

You need 3 or 4 bottles I forgot sorry . Easy to do on a lift, wouldn’t do it on jackstands

 

[Rottenapplr]

You need 3 or 4 bottles I forgot sorry . Easy to do on a lift, wouldn’t do it on jackstands

I’m guessing it’s just like doing a procedure ona rear differential? Upper dill hole and lower fill hole.

 

[Dolemite]

Yeah I have some questions about how you guys are doing this…

1. Service manual references a "fluid evacuator" but I don't think there's any "real" fluid evacuator involved that's providing vacuum when draining?
2. How are you powering the oil pump? I'm assuming it's 12V?
3. What is this silly thing about hooking up an extractor to fill the case?

 

[MileHiLitenen3]

FWIW I've been using Royal Purple Max ATF and it seems to be doing fine!

That's good to know that the Royal Puple Max ATF is working great for you!

You need 3 or 4 bottles I forgot sorry . Easy to do on a lift, wouldn’t do it on jackstands

So about 4 qts to do both front and rear drive units? Or is that for just one unit?

 

[Mash]

Yeah I have some questions about how you guys are doing this…

1. Service manual references a "fluid evacuator" but I don't think there's any "real" fluid evacuator involved that's providing vacuum when draining?
2. How are you powering the oil pump? I'm assuming it's 12V?
3. What is this silly thing about hooking up an extractor to fill the case?

To make things even worse - nobody except Tesla has required a dipstick to check oil levels.

 

[MileHiLitenen3]

What do you mean Tesla has required a dipstick to check oil levels?

 

[MileHiLitenen3]

You need 3 or 4 bottles I forgot sorry . Easy to do on a lift, wouldn’t do it on jackstands

Curious how did you know that the Pentosin ATF 9 would be a good or better replacement for the Model 3 drive units? Do you think it's a upgrade to the stock fluid used at the factory?

 

[mattack4000]

Curious how did you know that the Pentosin ATF 9 would be a good or better replacement for the Model 3 drive units? Do you think it's a upgrade to the stock fluid used at the factory?

They have the same rating. The Oem fluid is only available as a keg/drum. I honestly don’t remember much of the job, it’s straight forward of dumping the fluid. Calculate how much came out and how much to put back in. The factory specs is different than what came out, so you can choose to keep to what they have or fill it to the max

 

[MileHiLitenen3]

Interesting.......have you noticed any increase in efficiency from the new fluid or cooler temps?

 

[Dolemite]

They have the same rating. The Oem fluid is only available as a keg/drum. I honestly don’t remember much of the job, it’s straight forward of dumping the fluid. Calculate how much came out and how much to put back in. The factory specs is different than what came out, so you can choose to keep to what they have or fill it to the max

So are you disregarding what's in the factory service manual? I can probably dig up the "official" instructions. My entire life I've just drained and filled to the top of the fill hole.

 

[mattack4000]

So are you disregarding what's in the factory service manual? I can probably dig up the "official" instructions. My entire life I've just drained and filled to the top of the fill hole.

I would have done the same as you, but the mechanic said we should keep to what was in there