[luiscnsousa]

Hello!

I recently bought a 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce Q4 2.2 JTD, and even though this is my 3rd Alfa Romeo (166, Giulietta and now Giulia), it is my first Automatic and first AWD, so I started doing a little research to know what I'm driving a little better and eventually got to the fluids.

Besides the common fluids like engine oil, engine coolant and brake fluid that all variants have, I was told at the dealership the AT8 Q4 additional fluids are considered to be "lifetime filling" by Alfa Romeo. These are, as far as I know:

• Automatic transmission (Petronas Tutela Transmission AS8 ZF TE-ML 11)
• Transfer case (Petronas Tutela Transmission Transfer Case 75W)
• Front differential (Petronas Tutela Transmission Hypoide Gear Oil 75W-80)
• Rear differential (Petronas Tutela Transmission LS Axle Fluid 75W-80)

I guess the last one is also present in all variants, but my point here is the "lifetime filling". I know these oils don't have combustion contamination like engine oil, but the mechanical wear in my mind should be reason enough to change them. Maybe not as often, but still...

As for the gearbox specifically, according to my research, in order to change the filter along with the oil, I would have to replace the gearbox oil sump as well. Is that right?

So I wanted to ask the community for some advice on this. I imagine that normally, if any owner takes their Giulia to the annual car service, the dealership would not change any of these unless explicitly asked to. Is this something I should ask? If so, how often? Is there any risk involved?

Feel free to share any information you find useful. Thank you!

(Edit: just noticed a section named "Oils, Fluids, Fuel, Additives And Lubrications", I should've created this thread there, sorry. If any moderator can move it, please do)

 

[RogueGT03]

The filter is part of the pan, so the pan gets replaced during the service. The difficult part is that the trans is filled with a plug on the side of the unit and it needs to be checked at a certain temperature to determine the correct fill level.

You'll need access to a scan tool to do it correctly...also the vehicle must be level and you need to be able to get under it to check the level, so a lift is needed or it has to be jacked up at the 4 corners .

 

[luiscnsousa]

That's exactly the type of thing I see as risk. I know for a fact that Alfa Romeo dealers have documentation to follow for any normal procedure, but with the manufacturer stating that this is lifetime filling, would the dealer know how to change these fluids properly?

Another concern is warranty. By changing something that is considered by the manufacturer as lifetime filling, could I void the warranty by insisting on doing it? It’s not the first time I hear someone’s regret about changing their gearbox oil (even manual ones), saying it doesn’t feel the same afterwards. I suspect in those cases the procedure may not have been executed correctly.

As for the transfer case, I double checked the manual and that particular one is actually recommended to be changed every 6 years, so that’s one less to worry about.

The differentials and gearbox are the real problem here. Has anyone else worried about changing these or am I being overly zealous? Are the differentials fluid somewhat easier to change and not as risky?

 

[AlfaAndy]

I remember reading a post here on the Forum where someone found a ZF (the automatic transmission manufacturer) document that stated that the fluid should be changed at 60k mi. intervals. Also of note, the engine oil specification for the 2.0 petrol engine was changed by Alfa, from API SN, to SN+ or SP. Not sure about your diesel.