Recently returned home from towing the caravan and noticed an awful jolt when selecting Drive. This has appeared previously but never as harsh and has always cleared itself after a few days of driving conservatively. The other symptom which I’ve had after towing is harsh down changes at 40 and 30mph which usually disappears as well.
I’ve seen a few threads on the forum but none have actually reported how or if the problem has been resolved unfortunately. Some have advised it’s the torque converter and others certain seals but nothing specific.
My usual driving practice with the caravan is very dependent on road conditions but I’ve never regarded myself as a pilot regardless of what the mpg states I would flit between Sport to change up or Dow for hills etc.
I’ve been meaning to change the ATF over the next few weeks which may be brought forward as soon as.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

I have a 2014 SD4 with 80,000 miles. No ATF change to date.

Thanks in advance!

Oil change and firmware update

It's probably about due a change at that mileage to be fair. New oil will probably have previous harmony restored.
I plan on 40k mile changes although have also considered dropping the 3 litres from the drain plug and replacing that at every 10k mile oil change.
The old engineers motto: "Oil is cheaper than metal". Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

Thanks guys!

Oil change definitely on the calendar. I did the following reset which appears to have sorted the issues about 75%. There is still a definite engage when selecting Drive but nowhere near as solid a jolt.

1) Press Start button but don't turn on the engine.

2) Press the Accelerator down to the floor for about 15 seconds.

3) Hit the start button again to turn off the power.

4) Remove foot from Accelerator

5) Wait for 2 Mins.

6) Start the engine and Drive

Hello I agree with the other guys, unfortunately the auto gearbox oil tends to be forgotten about unless your service centre advises otherwise and then the oil is renewed earlier without poor gear changes.
What you have to think about is the hard work the oil does plus the heat generated which is where the internal friction linings suffer most and usually the old oil which is drained out has a dark or black look, especially towing your caravan as I do, another forum member mentions this a while ago plus he pointed out that the valve body which is the brains of the internals has a dire job to operate properly as the old dirty oil wears out the tiny oil gallery’s and I think this is the cause of the jolt when selecting drive or reverse. As you mention that the jolt seems to stop after conservative use.

I have now traded in my old freelander which had covered 156000 miles and I did the gearbox oil change at 145000 after similar errors your experiencing as I did the dump and fill method probably in all I used 15 litres in all.
Afterwards I could not believe how smooth the gear changes were plus no jolting in drive or reverse.
I did plan to replace the oil every year as the engine oil and filter was annually replaced anyway but now my well loved workhorse has been replaced, I feel so lost as it’s like ending a relationship and starting over again.
Yes change that oil as soon as and I’m sure the jolting will disappear.

Thanks Davyboy👍

My gearbox is very smooth at 170k miles, which includes towing at max GW in large mountains in the summer.

The two things which made a very noticeable difference is fluid change (with some experience I've settled on 40k miles, AISIN fluid which is OEM) and engine mounts.

My engine is the 3.2 i6 so I can't help with the SD4 specifics but all engines have mounts and being made of rubber and/or oil they all fail eventually.

Bobupndown wrote:

It's probably about due a change at that mileage to be fair. New oil will probably have previous harmony restored.
I plan on 40k mile changes although have also considered dropping the 3 litres from the drain plug and replacing that at every 10k mile oil change.
The old engineers motto: "Oil is cheaper than metal".