Quote from Alice Gribble on June 5, 2026, 10:27 am

I’ve got a 2016 Dodge Charger with the 3.6 and the 8-speed transmission. Over the past few months I’ve noticed that when the car is cold, the 1-2 shift is really harsh, almost like it’s banging into gear. Once the transmission warms up after maybe 10 minutes of driving, it smooths out significantly. The fluid was changed at 80k km and now I’m at 120k. A couple of forums mentioned that the ZF 8-speed can have valve body issues or maybe the transmission oil cooler thermostat sticking. I don’t wanna just do a fluid flush if it needs a valve body or a mechatronic repair. I need to find a shop that can scan the transmission with proper software and check for codes that don’t trigger the check engine light. I’ve been looking for Adept Transmission Repair in Mussafah that has experience with the ZF 8HP and can diagnose whether it’s a solenoid issue or something more serious. Has anyone here had harsh cold shifts on the 8-speed and fixed it with a transmission adaptation reset or a fluid and filter change? Also wondering if low fluid could cause this even without visible leaks. The car drives fine once warm but I’m worried it’s getting worse. Any advice or shop recommendations in Mussafah would be great. Thanks.