I have a 2001 Rover with 91K miles on it. I'm trying to do all the maintenance items and next on the list is the transmission fluid. I have done a search here and found issues with flushing the trans vs just changing the fluid, vs changing the filter and fluid. I'm not having any problems with the trans and want to keep it that way, so what would you experts recommend? By the way, is the only way to check the level of the fluid, climb under a hot and running rover and pull the upper plug on the pan? And is that upper pan plug an allen head wrench? Why is there no dip stick? Has anyone added a dip stick?
Thanks all.

 

Do not flush the fluid. How many miles on it since it was last changed, have you checked the color and smell of the fluid.
I would suggest you use a non-synthetic fluid since you can only drain about 5.5 of the 12 quarts out. Vavoline makes a great high mileage fluid. The filter is optional, Rover did a free tranny service and filter at 30K and unless you are towing an 8000 pound trailor or wheeling weekly the filter should be fine.
Plan on buying 5 quarts of fluid and 1 bottle of Lucas tranny additive. Drain the tranny, replace the plug, fill the tranny as far as you can, put the side plug back in, start the engine, shift from drive to reverse twice and while still running in park do your second fill makeing sure to get all the Lucas in.

 

The Rover is fairly new to me so I don't know when or if the trans fluid has been changed in the past. This is not a every day drive just to play in the hills and go fishing. I'll do as you suggested. So why didn't Land Rover put a dip stick in these things?
Thanks,

 

They figured their high dollar clientele couldn't be bothered with something as mundane as a dipstick. (besides it's one more thing they can charge money for)