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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 20 April 2016, 17:27:28

Title: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 20 April 2016, 17:27:28
Should this be changed at any point?

I've heard rumours that changing the gearbox oil in the Omega auto box can cause as many problems as it solves.
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: Nick W on 20 April 2016, 18:07:33
Should this be changed at any point?

I've heard rumours that changing the gearbox oil in the Omega auto box can cause as many problems as it solves.


That's because it tends to be done far too late, when any wear has already taken place. At which point it would be better to leave it.
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: biggriffin on 20 April 2016, 18:43:10
Would assume it use's the latest incarnation of dexron, maybe dex5, and would guess at about 2-3 litres,

What do they say on "vxronline" baseball hat required, or on googly :)
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: BazaJT on 20 April 2016, 19:06:38
I would say that despite what manufacturers would tell you about their boxes being "sealed for life"the fluid should be changed,but as has been said can depend on mileage/usage as to whether it's already too late.
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: Omegatoy on 20 April 2016, 20:12:55
they always say sealed for life, but never say how long the life is!!
well known on bmw forums that sealed for life boxes rewuire a change of fluid every 50k, improves them no end, and the ones that have had fluid changes last a hell of a lot more miles than the ones that dont!
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: 05omegav6 on 20 April 2016, 20:21:23
they always say sealed for life, but never say how long the life is!!
well known on bmw forums that sealed for life boxes rewuire a change of fluid every 50k, improves them no end, and the ones that have had fluid changes last a hell of a lot more miles than the ones that dont!
Was thinking that...

Buy the car from new and treat it as a service item, say every 40k... or don't bother... not much inbetween :-\

With the Vectrum, leave well alone and when it breaks, pop a manual box in ;)
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 20 April 2016, 23:15:45
they always say sealed for life, but never say how long the life is!!
well known on bmw forums that sealed for life boxes rewuire a change of fluid every 50k, improves them no end, and the ones that have had fluid changes last a hell of a lot more miles than the ones that dont!
Was thinking that...

Buy the car from new and treat it as a service item, say every 40k... or don't bother... not much inbetween :-\

With the Vectrum, leave well alone and when it breaks, pop a manual box in ;)





76,000 and it seems fine. No record of it ever having been changed.

The books seems to suggest 50,000 and 5 years.

I'm not sure where to check the level.
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: Broomies Mate on 21 April 2016, 05:38:01
60k or 5 years according to Saab, assuming it's the same AW box? AF40 6 Speed.

AW-1 Spec oil.  AutoVaux can supply it at reasonable prices (about £7.50 a litre). P/N: 1940773 (http://www.autovaux.co.uk/product/93165147-1940773-automatic-fluid-af40.aspx)

The box holds ~7Ltr, but you'll only drain ~3Ltr at a time.  As you've gathered, no Dipstick on these stupid things, so it's a plug like on the Omega that you remove until the fluid starts to exit.

What I've been inclined to do with these Transmissions is to carefully measure how much oil you drain, and re-fill with the same quantity.

Drain and re-fill, drive around for a week, then do it again (should you wish).  After the third effort, you should have ~85% fresh fluid.

EDIT:  There was also a SPS Transmission Software update in 2009 for this transmission.  Apparently well worth doing.
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 21 April 2016, 11:01:37
60k or 5 years according to Saab, assuming it's the same AW box? AF40 6 Speed.

AW-1 Spec oil.  AutoVaux can supply it at reasonable prices (about £7.50 a litre). P/N: 1940773 (http://www.autovaux.co.uk/product/93165147-1940773-automatic-fluid-af40.aspx)

The box holds ~7Ltr, but you'll only drain ~3Ltr at a time.  As you've gathered, no Dipstick on these stupid things, so it's a plug like on the Omega that you remove until the fluid starts to exit.

What I've been inclined to do with these Transmissions is to carefully measure how much oil you drain, and re-fill with the same quantity.

Drain and re-fill, drive around for a week, then do it again (should you wish).  After the third effort, you should have ~85% fresh fluid.

EDIT:  There was also a SPS Transmission Software update in 2009 for this transmission.  Apparently well worth doing.

Yep,BM. Same 6 speed box. :y

What would I need to perform the software update?
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: henryd on 21 April 2016, 12:50:50
Tech 2 I should imagine with the relevant files attached :y
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: Phil on 22 April 2016, 17:50:43
Mines on  114k with no fluid change, but if I do press on changing gear alot and the engine gets hot it can get a little clunky suggesting the oil is thinning at high temps and could do with a swap.

I'm sure I read somewhere that in warm or dusty regions it should be done every 80k, but that might of been when I had the old Signum with the AF33 as I can't find the information anywhere.

Would be careful as GM did change fluid levels in various autoboxes in the Vectra C/ Signum over the years because of problems and not sure if the AF40 was one of them
Title: Re: Auto gearbox fluid.....Vectra VXR/Signum 2.8T
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 22 April 2016, 19:04:58
Mines on  114k with no fluid change, but if I do press on changing gear alot and the engine gets hot it can get a little clunky suggesting the oil is thinning at high temps and could do with a swap.

I'm sure I read somewhere that in warm or dusty regions it should be done every 80k, but that might of been when I had the old Signum with the AF33 as I can't find the information anywhere.

Would be careful as GM did change fluid levels in various autoboxes in the Vectra C/ Signum over the years because of problems and not sure if the AF40 was one of them

Yes Phil......despite what has been said (or suggested) I think I'll leave well alone.

Both up and down changes seem pretty smooth for a car that has circled the Earth three times. :y