Automatic Transmission Fluid Change Frequency

[Pxwguad]

Hi, Everyone,

 

I am new to this forum and first of all I would like to say that this site is the best for information on maintenance, repair and tips of all Porsche sites on the web.

I am currently a new owner of a 2010 Porsche Cayenne Base with 70,000 miles and so far except for the clogged cowling and a/c drains that i fixed (thanks to this site) it has been the best car I have owned. My question is, the owners manual says that the ATF should be changed every 160,000 miles or I think 12 years. Is this safe or should I be doing it more often regardless of what they say. What do you experienced owners recommend, I Love this car and I want it to last as long as possible. All previous maintenance had been done at the stealership and I don't see any record of them changing the ATF before I got it. Thanks In advance.

[JFP in PA]

1 hour ago, Pxwguad said:

Hi, Everyone,

 

I am new to this forum and first of all I would like to say that this site is the best for information on maintenance, repair and tips of all Porsche sites on the web.

I am currently a new owner of a 2010 Porsche Cayenne Base with 70,000 miles and so far except for the clogged cowling and a/c drains that i fixed (thanks to this site) it has been the best car I have owned. My question is, the owners manual says that the ATF should be changed every 160,000 miles or I think 12 years. Is this safe or should I be doing it more often regardless of what they say. What do you experienced owners recommend, I Love this car and I want it to last as long as possible. All previous maintenance had been done at the stealership and I don't see any record of them changing the ATF before I got it. Thanks In advance.

 

Let's just say that the factory recommendation is a bit "optimistic".  Considering the number of problems people seem to have with these transmissions, particularly with valve body problems, the fluid in your transmission is literally the cheapest thing in it.  We change our customer's fluid at around 50K miles, and usually by then it already looks like ink.  I'm sure it isn't going to look better at three times the mileage, and level of varnish build up in the tiny valve body passages and debris contained in the fluid would have to be severe by that point.

[Pxwguad]

Thanks, I’ll look into getting it changed then, is there any additives you would recommend adding, or just fluid and filter change?

[JFP in PA]

8 hours ago, Pxwguad said:

Thanks, I’ll look into getting it changed then, is there any additives you would recommend adding, or just fluid and filter change?

 

No additives are needed or recommended, use a top quality filter and good fluid.  A lot of people have tried using all types and brands of fluids, we stay with the factory fill and have not had any issues.

[Pxwguad]

Thanks, I'll do that.

[ekstroemtj]

Just an idea. Maybe you try to get a flush of the trans . A simple oil change doesnt clean out all the very little metal flakes which are swimming around there

Edited March 3, 2018 by ekstroemtj

[hahnmgh63]

I've got a 2006 CTTS and I did the fluid/filter at 50K with Redline D4, I'm at 98K now so I'm gonna do it again at 100K. Shifts great hot or cold. When I did it at 50K I used Durametric to make sure I got it at the correct temperature and then I reset the TCU adaption at the same time.

[rik881]

You need to change the oil as much as you can. T4 or 3309 cheap and a  filter is all you need. Don't forget to bring a fluid transfer pump. Just put in the same amount off oil as there came out and you are good to go.