Land Rover Transmission Repair
Your car’s transmission is one of its most vital components. Through its set of gears, the transmission transforms your engine's revs and sends them to your wheels through the driveshafts. For Land Rover and Range Rover models, the default transmission is automatic, mainly ZF's 8HP model, which is durable, versatile, and dependable.
However, despite their many positive qualities, automatic transmissions are not immune to failure. It’s important to know how to diagnose any problems you might experience, as well as why regular maintenance is key to the longevity of your transmission.
Changing Transmission Fluid in Your Land Rover
Adequate levels of automatic transmission fluid are extremely important for a smoothly functioning gearbox, which is why you should always check these levels and remember to add or replace them as part of regular maintenance.
Since Land Rovers are off-road SUVs, their transmission housing can be damaged when driving off-road. Make sure to check for cracks that might be leaking oil. Changing your automatic transmission fluid is a relatively simple task similar to changing engine oil, and can be done by a professional, or even in your own driveway. As a general rule, it is always better to contact a specialist who knows your car and can perform additional checks. Fortunately, most problems with the Land Rover automatic gearbox result from a lack of transmission fluid and require a simple solution.
Book Appointment
Land Rover Transmission Replacement
Generally, the only solution, once your vehicle goes out of commission, is to have your transmissionrebuilt or replaced. Depending on the model year, version, engine option, and intended use, you might be better off with a complete replacement instead of attempting the repair. Rebuilding your transmission can be a solution, but in case of cracked housing, bent internals, or physical damage caused either by a crash or lack of oil, replacement may be the only way to go.
The most integral part of any modern Land Rover model is its automatic transmission. With advancements in technology and materials, automatic gearboxes, especially the ZF 8HP, can display terrific levels of comfort and precision. However, they require regular attention, maintenance, and repairs in order to remain in perfect working order.
If you notice any irregularities with your vehicle or issues with slow acceleration, slipping, or overheating, we at Westminster Motors will be happy to take care of it for you. With our depth of experience and thorough scope of knowledge, along with our team of skilled professionals, there is no Land Rover transmission issue we cannot resolve.
Book AppointmentProfessional Land Rover Transmission Repair
Replacing clutch packs, repairing cracks, and addressing electric issues are all issues best resolved by knowledgeable specialists with experience working on similar cars, and modern models may also require specific manual and digital tools beyond any DIY mechanic's capabilities. In the unfortunate case of serious transmission problems, make sure to take your car to an experienced Land Rover specialist, such as Westminster Motors.
Signs It Might Be Time to Repair Your Land Rover Transmission
It’s Stuck in A Gear
Automatic cars are designed to shift gears without input from the driver, providing the best driving dynamics in any given circumstance. However, if you see that the vehicle is stuck in gear or has a hard time shifting up or down, this is a clear sign of transmission trouble.
Limited Acceleration
If the car's computer detects some transmission problems, low transmission fluid, or worn-out components, it will put the vehicle into "Limp Mode" which will limit the performance and power output. A notification on the dashboard will follow it, so you know what is happening.
Whining Noise from Transmission
The transmission consists of precisely lined-up gears, shafts, and clutch packs, covered in oil so that everything runs smoothly. If everything is ok, the transmission will not make any sounds during the drive, but if you start to hear a whining noise, this may be a sign of an issue with your car. This could include a lack of oil, or even physical damage to one of the gears.
The Engine Fails to Start
Since the gearbox is directly connected to the engine, sometimes, when your transmission is stuck, the engine will not be able to start. If you notice this, do not try to start the car multiple times –instead, call a tow truck to avoid causing further damage.
The Check Engine Light is On
The check engine light on Land Rover models can mean that some transmission troubles have been detected, even though everything may seem fine. If the check engine light remains on for a while, consult a professional to determine the cause.
The Transmission Is Slipping
Slipping transmission is one of the most common automatic gearbox problems. If you notice that your transmission is not shifting smoothly anymore and is having a hard time staying in gear instead, this may mean your transmission has started to slip. This is often the result of a low transmission fluid level, leading the entire component to fail to perform correctly.
It is Overheating
One of the most critical functions of automatic transmission fluid, besides lubrication, is cooling down the gearbox - some high-performance models even have separate transmission coolers to keep the temperature low under heavy use. However, when fluid levels are dangerously low, the transmission starts to run hot, which can terminally damage the internals. Often, this causes the check engine light on the dashboard to turn on.