Nope the cooler gave me a little bit more time before thermal cut kicks in. It’s an expensive $1500 for the second hotlapInteresting.......have you noticed any increase in efficiency from the new fluid or cooler temps?
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Replacement Drive Unit fluid (atf-9?)
- Thread starter Pursual
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- drive unit fluid transmission
The official instructions are complex and need many special tools. You pump fluid out with the internal oil pump using an external power pack and custom filter adapter, you put a specific amount back in, you run the pumps some to get it all moved around, you suck some fluid out, then you use a special tool dipstick to check the level.
Nothing in the manual says you just fill to a hole and move on. So checking exactly how much you take out and putting that amount back in sounds a lot easier.
Dolemite
is my name
The last part is what throws me for a loop. Anyone can get a 12V power supply from Costco & run the pump, and then dump a bit w/o the adapter (at the expense of probably making a mess).
I think the "suck some fluid out: part is the important one. The instructions actually have you over-fill the drive unit, then extract a bit using a custom adapter that draws fluid internally from a level that is lower than the fill hole.
At least that's what I get from the instructions. You can interpret it yourself:
Front: Tesla MODEL 3 SERVICE MANUAL: GEARBOX FLUID - FRONT DRIVE UNIT (DRAIN AND REFILL)
Rear: Tesla MODEL 3 SERVICE MANUAL: GEARBOX - REAR DRIVE UNIT (REMOVE AND REPLACE)
At least that's what I get from the instructions. You can interpret it yourself:
Front: Tesla MODEL 3 SERVICE MANUAL: GEARBOX FLUID - FRONT DRIVE UNIT (DRAIN AND REFILL)
Rear: Tesla MODEL 3 SERVICE MANUAL: GEARBOX - REAR DRIVE UNIT (REMOVE AND REPLACE)
Dolemite
is my name
I love that somebody uploaded this. We need to continue spreading this knowledge otherwise my ownership of this car will be relatively short-lived. I can't stand Tesla's "**** you" approach to DIY, as it seems to be shaping up... Every tech I've encountered both remote & SC seems to be pretty cool, though.
Anyway, that's my understanding, too. So basically, it sounds like with a simple drain & refill, you may not be replacing *all* of the fluid, but probably most. I recall someone on here (maybe you?) was saying that their mechanic noticed that every one he came across had a rear unit that was under-filled and front unit that was over-filled. Or maybe it was the other way around? I'd be curious to know how this mechanic knew this.
Also, given that there's no "drain hole" - what are people doing? Just removing the filter and letting it gravity drain out?
Finally... I came across some parts list...
Fixyourtesla.com is awesome, and needs more attention. We need to link it every time we can. I hope it survives- I'm with you, I won't ever buy another Tesla if they don't allow service information to be public.
I've never refilled the fluid or checked it. Just reporting what I found in the service manuals. It does however appear that if you want to drain them, popping off the oil filter and running the pump off of 12V with some alligator clips and a battery would do it, maybe just make a bit of a mess.
Someone should get the gearbox dipstick tool and we could make a 3D model of it that people could 3D print.
FYI, I linked the wrong thing for the rear:
Tesla MODEL 3 SERVICE MANUAL: GEARBOX FLUID - REAR DRIVE UNIT (DRAIN AND REFILL)
www.fixyourtesla.com
Service manual requests usage of dipstick to check oil levels. But dipstick is part of service center tools, so we don't have it. And everyone is eyeballing if they put enough oil.
The lifetime of a car for a manufacturer IS 100,000 miles. I would not wait for the fluid to completely break down to change it. I am going to change it between 40k and 50k regardless of what manufacturer says.
The lifetime fluid means the lifetime of the component, once it failed it has ended its lifetime!
Any oil/lubricant once opened and expose to the air, moisture and heat will start to break down/oxidize(I have seen oil with and without a shelf life so it does expire even sealed), not to mention the mechanical loads in the drive unit break down the shear stability of the oil. Tesla engineers designed a filter into the drive unit for a reason, even if it's just for the break-in period. I have done both my drive unit fluids at 15K. The rear drive unit fluid was dirty whereas the front was not. Blackstone lab test didn't reveal much but aluminum is high likely from break-in. Will send in another sample at 30K miles. If the aluminum stays high that could mean a wear trend. The fluid wasn't overly acidic nor was any moisture detected, that is good to know. Viscosity also stay in the relative range of an ATF.
How does a filter limit oxidation or improve shear stability?
Oil filters are there to prevent metal from using the oil to move around, nothing to do with the oil itself.
Rustybkts
Member
I tried to purchase some oil from a Tesla SC in the UK and apart from apologising after telling me they cannot sell ATF over the counter, they did send these pics of the oil they use.
Odd that it clearly states made in South Korea yet the the label on top states its of USA origin.
Does anyone know of an equivalent in the UK? Would an ATF-9 from another supplier be ok to use? The number 9 seems to denote the number of gears in the box the oil is designed for.
I am installing a Model 3 rear motor in to a Lotus Evora chassis. The motor came drained of oil.
Odd that it clearly states made in South Korea yet the the label on top states its of USA origin.
Does anyone know of an equivalent in the UK? Would an ATF-9 from another supplier be ok to use? The number 9 seems to denote the number of gears in the box the oil is designed for.
I am installing a Model 3 rear motor in to a Lotus Evora chassis. The motor came drained of oil.
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MasterC17
Active Member
Rustybkts
Member
I purchased three quarts for my very empty box and using the lot filled to just under the level/fill plug although I could fill it from the vent on top. Works out to be around 2.75 litres so happy with that.
alecxander
Member
has anyone tried this?
www.vatoil.com
SynMulti ATF 7+ productinformatie. - Vatoil
SynMulti ATF 7+ is a synthetic, multi-functional ATF with fuel-saving properties. This product has been specially developed for modern, automatic transmissions by various car manufacturers that require a high-grade, low-viscosity ATF with fuel-saving properties. Always check the product advice...
It's interesting that it is advertised as 7+ but satisfies Tesla ATF9.has anyone tried this?
SynMulti ATF 7+ productinformatie. - Vatoil
SynMulti ATF 7+ is a synthetic, multi-functional ATF with fuel-saving properties. This product has been specially developed for modern, automatic transmissions by various car manufacturers that require a high-grade, low-viscosity ATF with fuel-saving properties. Always check the product advice...
David Harvey
Member
Royal purple atf max at your local auto parts store, or purchase atf9 on eBay (via the product numbers)
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