How often: every 60,000 mi or 6 yrs, whichever comes first. Land Rover lists these fluids as long-life (changed at 10 years on many models). Specialists change the automatic gearbox fluid and filter, and the diff oils, sooner on a vehicle that tows or is kept beyond its warranty.
Bulkhead's advisory interval. The official Land Rover interval is longer; check your Maintenance Check Sheet.
Gearbox
Automatic gearbox, transfer box and differentials: Land Rover-specified fluids from the handbook. Land Rover lists most of these as long-life (10 years)
Work safely: support the vehicle on axle stands, never a jack alone; let it cool first. Check figures against your workshop manual. You do this work at your own risk.
Parts
ATF (ZF Lifeguard fluid for ZF gearboxes)
Gearbox sump pan / filter (to suit gearbox; the sump pan includes the filter on the 8-speed)
Differential oil (Land Rover-specified fluid)
Tools
Socket set
Fluid pump
Diagnostic tool (to read fluid temperature)
Step by step
The ZF automatics are filled at a set fluid temperature (about 35–45 °C) with the engine running: you need a diagnostic tool to read it.
Renew the sump pan or filter and refill to the level plug as the workshop manual describes.
Drain and refill the front and rear differentials (and the transfer unit/PTU on transverse-engined models).
More Land Rover Defender L663 3.0 Ingenium diesel mild hybrid (D200–D350) servicing
Track your own Land Rover
Add your vehicle to Bulkhead Workshop to see what is due now, tick off jobs as you go, keep a service history and order the parts in one basket. It is free and saved in your own browser.
