Why should you change the fluid in your automatic gearbox?
Contrary to a belief that is still very widespread, an automatic gearbox is not “lubricated for life”. This is one of the most costly myths for motorists in the Loire region. Manufacturers themselves now recommend an oil change every 60,000 km on average, and as early as 40,000 km for the most heavily used gearboxes: the DSG 7 on the Golf GTI/R and Audi S/RS, the ZF 8HP on BMW M, Alpina and Range Rover, the PDK on the Porsche 911 and Cayenne, or Japanese CVTs.
A poorly maintained automatic gearbox first manifests itself through unpleasant symptoms: jerks when pulling away, abrupt gear changes, hesitation when downshifting, vibrations, or even slipping of the torque converter. Between daily commutes on the Nantes ring road, trips to the Atlantic coast and long journeys to Rennes, Tours or Bordeaux, the region’s automatic transmissions are subjected to a variety of stresses that warrant proactive maintenance.
In the long run, the bill can be very steep. Replacing an automatic gearbox costs between €2,000 and €5,000 on standard vehicles, and €6,000 to €12,000 on premium automatic gearboxes. A simple preventive oil change costs a fraction of this amount and significantly extends the life of your gearbox.

Automatic gearboxes accepted at the centre in Nantes
Our team in Sautron services all automatic transmissions compatible with the MotulEvo station, which covers more than 80 per cent of the European vehicle fleet. Whether your vehicle is fitted with a torque converter, dual-clutch or continuously variable transmission, we have the right fluid for your transmission.
Dual-clutch gearboxes
-
DSG — Volkswagen, Škoda, Seat, Cupra (DQ200, DQ250, DQ381, DQ500)
-
S tronic — Audi (DL382, DL501, DL382 quattro)
-
PDK — Porsche 911, Cayman, Boxster, Cayenne, Panamera, Macan
-
DKG — BMW M, M2, M3, M4, M5 (Getrag M DKG gearbox)
-
EDC — Renault, Dacia, Alpine A110
-
7G-DCT — Mercedes-Benz (A-Class, B-Class, CLA, GLA AMG)
-
PowerShift — Ford Focus, Fiesta, Mondeo, Kuga, Galaxy
-
TCT — Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Giulia, Stelvio, MiTo
Torque converter gearboxes
-
Tiptronic — Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen Touareg
-
EAT (EAT6, EAT8) — Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel (Stellantis Group)
Continuously variable transmissions
-
Xtronic — Nissan Qashqai, X-Trail, Juke, Micra, Note
-
e-CVT — Toyota and Lexus hybrids (Yaris, Corolla, RAV4, Prius, CH-R, UX, NX)

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most manufacturers recommend an oil change every 60,000 km. For gearboxes under heavy use (dry 7-speed DSG, ZF 8HP on vehicles with over 250 ch, CVT), we recommend a shorter interval, around 40,000 to 50,000 km.
Yes, the MotulEvo machine is suitable for all transmission types: torque converter, dual-clutch (DSG, DCT, EDC, PDK) and continuously variable (CVT) gearboxes. The fluid used is selected in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Prices start from €499 (including VAT) at Shiftech Nantes, including oil, all filters and the various new parts. The final price depends on your vehicle’s model, the type of gearbox (DSG, S tronic, PDK, ZF, EAT, CVT, etc.) and the amount of oil required. A personalised quote is provided free of charge before any work is carried out.
The entire procedure takes between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours. You can wait in our customer lounge (coffee, television, magazines), work on site using your laptop, or drop off your vehicle in the morning to collect it at the end of the day.
A standard manual oil change at a dealership only replaces 60 to 65 per cent of the oil: the rest, mixed with residues, remains in the torque converter and the system. The MotulEvo process used at Shiftech Nantes guarantees 100 per cent fresh fluid and 0 per cent residue, thanks to an automated dynamic exchange. Several customers have stated that they chose our centre because local providers (dealerships, car centres) simply did not offer this type of service.
All makes fitted with an automatic gearbox: Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Porsche, Peugeot, Citroën, Renault, DS, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar, Mini, Ford, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Subaru, Cupra, Seat, Skoda, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and rare makes such as Alpina (B3, D3, B5, XD3, XD4).
Your Shiftech centre in Nantes (Sautron)
- Address: 6 Rue du Carr Norgands, 44880 Sautron
- Telephone: 02 55 99 78 78
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday · 9.00 am–12.30 pm and 2.00 pm–6.00 pm · Closed on Sundays and Mondays
We welcome motorists from Nantes, Sautron, Saint-Herblain, Couëron, Orvault, La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Carquefou, Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire, Rezé, Vertou, Bouguenais, Saint-Nazaire, La Baule, Pornic, Ancenis, Châteaubriant, Clisson, and more broadly from across the Pays de la Loire region (Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, Vendée, Mayenne, Sarthe), as well as neighbouring departments (Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine, Vienne, Deux-Sèvres).
Our additional services in Nantes
Servicing your automatic gearbox is often an opportunity to optimise your vehicle’s performance more broadly. Discover our other services at our Sautron centre:
→ DSG / S tronic / PDK gearbox remapping : Going beyond routine servicing, we remap your automatic gearbox for faster gear changes, a higher torque rating and a bespoke mapping profile. → DSG / S tronic / PDK gearbox remapping
→ Stage 1, 2 and 3 engine remapping : Increased power and torque, optimised fuel consumption, E85 Flex-Fuel conversion on a Rotronics dynamometer. Motorcycle services also available. → Nantes remapping centre
→ Car diagnostics and servicing: Multi-make electronic diagnostics, pre-service checks, reading of automatic gearbox and engine fault codes. → Pre-service inspection

Our articles

