Land Rover Defender Puma 2.4 TDCi: change gearbox & transfer box oil
Transmission · Defender (1990–2016) · 2007–2011
How often: every 24,000 mi or 2 yrs, whichever comes first. Fresh oil keeps the synchromesh and transfer box bearings healthy.
Some of these intervals are more frequent than Land Rover's original schedule. That is deliberate for older vehicles.
Main gearbox
MT82 6-speed: GL-4 75W-90 (MTF 94 or equivalent); ≈2.2 L service fill, 2.4 L dry (owner forums quoting the workshop manual)
Transfer box
LT230: 80W-90 (GL-4 recommended), 2.30 L
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
Gearbox oil (MT82 6-speed: GL-4 75W-90 (MTF 94 or equivalent); ≈2.2 L service fill, 2.4 L dry (owner forums quoting the workshop manual))
Transfer box oil (LT230: 80W-90 (GL-4 recommended), 2.30 L)
2 × Drain plug washers (if needed)
Tools
Spanners
Drain tray
Oil pump
Step by step
Drive to warm the oil. Drain the gearbox and transfer box.
Clean the magnetic drain plugs and look for chips.
Refill each to its level plug with the specified oil.
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