ZF Aftermarket recently conducted a specialist training session for Level 2 and Level 3 light vehicle repair students at Liverpool City College. The session offered an in-depth look into the fundamentals of automatic transmission systems, an area of increasing importance for modern vehicle technicians.
Led by Stuart McLeod, ZF Aftermarket Technical Support & Training Lead, the training focused on L1 transmission principles. Students were guided through the core operations, components, and servicing techniques of ZF automatic transmissions. This included an examination of basic transmission types, identification methods, and internal design elements such as torque converters, oil pumps, wet clutches, and planetary gear sets.
A key part of the training highlighted ZF’s latest generation transmissions, specifically the mechatronic unit, which integrates the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) and valve body. Students learned how this module precisely controls gear selection through a combination of hydraulic and electronic controls.
The importance of correct servicing procedures was also emphasised, with particular attention given to the use of manufacturer-approved transmission fluids for maintaining performance and preventing costly failures.
The session concluded with an introduction to hybrid electric transmissions, which often feature an integrated high-voltage electric motor within the gearbox. This forward-looking segment aimed to prepare students for the evolving demands of servicing hybrid and electric vehicles.
ZF Aftermarket’s involvement at Liverpool City College aligns with its broader commitment to supporting technical education and developing industry-ready skills among future vehicle technicians.
