The 6-speed automatic transmission ZF 6HP21 was produced in Germany from 2007 to 2016 and was installed on a number of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive BMW models under the GA6HP21Z index. In the Australian market, such a transmission is found on Ford Falcon and Territory cars.
6HP family: 6HP19, 6HP26, 6HP32, 6HP21, 6HP28.
Specifications
| Production years | 2007 – 2016 |
| Type | automatic transmission |
| Number of gears | 6 |
| Type of drive | all wheel / rear |
| Engine volume, l | up to 4.0 |
| Torque output, Nm | up to 420 |
| Recommended oil | Dexron VI |
| Oil capacity, liter | 9.0 |
| Replacing the oil | every 60,000 km |
| Replacing the filter | every 60,000 km |
| Gearbox lifespan, km | ~300 000 |
| Weight, kg | 76 |
In 2007, the ZF concern introduced an updated version of its very popular 6HP19 automatic transmission for rear-wheel drive cars with a longitudinal engine up to 420 Nm of torque. The main difference between the new gearbox was the mechatronics with a pair of additional solenoids, one of which was responsible for turning on the brake, and the second for the parking mode of the transmission.
In all other respects, this is the same 6-speed automatic transmission with Lepeletir planetary gears, adjustable torque converter locking, which starts working from 1st gear, as well as an electronic control unit and valve body combined into a single mechatronics.
Gear ratios ZF 6HP21
Using the example of a BMW 3-series 2008 with a 3.0 liter engine:
| Main | 3.636 |
| 1st | 4.171 |
| 2nd | 2.340 |
| 3rd | 1.521 |
| 4th | 1.143 |
| 5th | 0.867 |
| 6th | 0.691 |
| Reverse | 3.403 |
The transmission was installed on:
- BMW 1-Series E87 in 2007 – 2013;
- BMW 3-Series E90 in 2007 – 2013;
- BMW 5-Series E60 in 2007 – 2010;
- BMW 6-Series E63 in 2007 – 2010;
- BMW 7-Series F01 in 2008 – 2012;
- BMW X1-Series E84 in 2009 – 2015;
- BMW X3-Series E83 in 2008 – 2010;
- BMW X5-Series E70 in 2008 – 2010;
- BMW X6-Series E71 in 2008 – 2010;
- Ford Falcon 7 (E240) in 2008 – 2016;
- Ford Territory 1 (E265) in 2011 – 2016.
Disadvantages of the ZF 6HP21 gearbox
- Compared to the previous version, the design of this gearbox has been slightly simplified and now the input shaft rests on a single bushing and it breaks quite quickly. Then, due to a drop in oil pressure in the gearbox, the upper gears begin to slip.
- And the main problem here is the rapid wear of the torque converter locking clutch. This dirt clogs the valve body solenoids and causes shocks when switching.
- The weak point of the automatic transmission of this series is the modest life of the metal bushings, the wear of which leads to a drop in oil pressure and abnormal operation of all automatic transmission components.
- In this transmission, it is necessary to regularly update all the rubber parts of the valve body: bushings, adapter and separator plate, as well as the oil pump and output shaft seal.
