How long has Ron Hill Automatics been in business?

Ron Hill Automatics has been servicing vehicles on the Sunshine Coast since 1975 — over 50 years of specialist automatic transmission experience.

Where is Ron Hill Automatics located?

Ron Hill Automatics is located at 44 Kayleigh Drive, Buderim QLD 4556, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.

What transmission services does Ron Hill Automatics offer?

Ron Hill Automatics offers a full range of automatic transmission services including diagnostics, repairs and reconditioning, routine servicing, and performance upgrades such as valve body upgrades, transmission cooling systems, torque converter lock-up control, remapping, temperature monitoring devices and deep sump upgrades.

Does Ron Hill Automatics specialise in 4WD transmission upgrades?

Yes. Ron Hill Automatics specialises in performance transmission upgrades for 4WDs, towing vehicles and touring builds. Upgrades are designed to improve reliability, manage heat and extend transmission life under demanding conditions.

What vehicles does Ron Hill Automatics service?

Ron Hill Automatics services and upgrades transmissions for Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Isuzu, Holden, Mazda, Volkswagen and other makes. Contact the workshop to confirm compatibility for your specific vehicle.

What are the opening hours for Ron Hill Automatics?

Ron Hill Automatics is open Monday to Thursday 7:00am to 4:30pm, and Friday 7:00am to 12:00pm. You can call the workshop on (07) 5443 4444 to book.

Does Ron Hill Automatics provide upfront pricing?

Yes. Ron Hill Automatics provides clear diagnostics, transparent recommendations and upfront pricing before any work begins. There are no hidden costs or surprises.

Transmission Tune & Remapping

Recalibrate your automatic for towing, touring and 4WDing.

Book a transmission tune with the Sunshine Coast's transmission specialists.

A transmission tune, also called transmission remapping, recalibrates the software that controls your automatic gearbox so it shifts to suit how you actually drive. Ron Hill Automatics has worked exclusively on automatic transmissions since 1975, and our RHA Pro remapping is developed for Australian 4WDs, utes and tow vehicles, from the Sunshine Coast and South East Queensland through to demanding conditions across Australia.

Tailored shift strategy matched to your vehicle, load and tyre size
Stronger clutch control with less slip and less heat under load
Confident gear selection when towing, touring or off-road
Performed in-house at our Buderim workshop by transmission specialists
Honest advice and upfront pricing before any work begins

Why Factory Settings Fall Short

Built for the daily commute, not for the work you actually do

Your transmission’s computer is programmed for average daily driving, with comfort and fuel economy front of mind. That calibration starts to struggle the moment driveline load increases. Hook up a caravan, fit larger tyres, add an engine tune or load the tray, and the gearbox can hold the wrong gear, shift too early or hunt between gears on climbs.

Poor gear selection under load does more than annoy you. Excess clutch slip and mistimed shifts generate heat, and heat degrades transmission fluid and accelerates internal wear. Many of the failed transmissions we recondition started life as healthy gearboxes pushed beyond their factory calibration.

What A Transmission Tune Changes

Smarter shifts, less heat, better control under load

Our technicians extract the factory calibration from your transmission control unit, then recalibrate the key control tables: shift strategy, line pressure, torque management and torque converter lock-up behaviour. This is ECU tuning focused on the transmission side of the driveline, distinct from an engine tune that changes power output.

The result is a gearbox that shifts decisively, holds the right gear under load and keeps converter slip, and the heat it creates, to a minimum. If your engine has been tuned for more torque, a matching transmission tune brings the gearbox calibration back in line with what the engine is now producing.

Remapping is one part of the RHA Pro upgrade range. For vehicles towing at or near capacity, we often pair it with valve body upgrades or transmission cooling so the hardware and software work together. Before quoting, we talk through the vehicle setup, towing requirements and intended use so we can recommend the right upgrade package for that application.

Up to 40%

Faster shift response*

Up to 80%

Improvement in shift decision accuracy*

*Results vary depending on vehicle, usage, load, and driving conditions.

How Your Transmission Tune Works

Five stages that protect your gearbox and get the tune right

Step 1: Prerequisite Transmission Checks

We first check the transmission is operating correctly and suitable for remapping. We do not tune over known or suspected transmission faults.

Step 2: Factory Calibration Extraction

The factory transmission calibration is extracted from the control module and the original file is safely saved before any changes are made.

Step 3: Calibration Modification

The calibration is modified to suit the vehicle, its setup and how it is used, including towing, larger tyres, added weight, engine tuning or heavy-duty use.

Step 4: Calibration Installation

The revised calibration is written back to the transmission control module, installing the updated software into the vehicle.

Step 5: Road Testing And Refinement

The vehicle is road tested in real on-road conditions to assess shift quality, drivability and performance. Further adjustments are made where required.

Book Your Next Upgrade

Ready for Confident Towing & Touring? Make an enquiry or call us today and start planning your upgrade with your trusted 4wd specialist

Book Your Next Upgrade

Ready to Upgrade your 4WD’s performance and reliability for towing or off-road use? Make an enquiry or call us to book your upgrade with a trusted specialist.

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What Our Customers Are Saying

The Specialist Difference

Why Choose RHA For your Upgrade

RHA specialises solely in automatic transmissions, with over 50 years of dedicated experience. That focus gives us a deep understanding of how upgrades interact with each transmission design, vehicle setup, and operating conditions. The result is upgrades done properly, with reliability, performance, and longevity in mind.

Your Key Benefits

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Established leadership in the industry

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Transmission expertise under one roof

Australians who have benefited from our services

Transmission Upgrades for Your Vehicle

Select your vehicle to see upgrade options for towing, touring, and long-term reliability.

The Ultimate 4WD Solution

What is RHA Pro?

RHA Pro is Ron Hill Automatics solution for Australia’s towing, touring, and performance 4WD owners. It’s designed to maximise your transmission’s reliability and load-handling capabilities through a range of custom, vehicle-specific upgrades.

Built for towing, touring, and performance 4WDs
Maximises your transmission’s reliability under stress
Increases load-handling capabilities for heavy-duty use

ANSWERS AND INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a transmission tune the same as car remapping?

Car remapping usually refers to engine ECU tuning for more power. A transmission tune remaps the gearbox control software instead: shift points, line pressure, torque management and converter lock-up. The two are separate calibrations. If your engine has already been remapped, a transmission tune helps the gearbox handle the extra torque cleanly.

Will a transmission tune damage my gearbox?

Not when it is calibrated properly on a healthy transmission. By reducing clutch slip and mistimed shifts, a well-set remap can help lower operating heat and improve gearbox behaviour. Before remapping, we carry out prerequisite checks to make sure there are no obvious pre-existing transmission faults. If a fault is present or suspected, a specialist diagnostic assessment is required before remapping can be undertaken. We do not remap a transmission that is already showing signs of a fault.

I tow a caravan with my 4WD. Is a tune enough on its own?

It depends on your towing weight and how often you tow. Remapping sharpens shift behaviour and reduces slip, but a vehicle towing at or near capacity often needs cooling or valve body support as well. We assess your setup and recommend only what it needs, with upfront pricing for each option.

Do you tune vehicles with larger tyres or engine tunes?

Yes. Larger tyres and engine tunes are two of the most common reasons a factory calibration stops suiting the vehicle. We recalibrate the shift strategy and torque management to match the modifications, so the transmission stops hunting for gears and shifts where it should.

How long does transmission tuning on the Sunshine Coast take with Ron Hill Automatics?

Most transmission remaps are completed within a day at our Buderim workshop, including prerequisite checks and road testing. Booking ahead on (07) 5443 4444 allows us to confirm the vehicle details, understand the application and allow the right time for the work. We are open Monday to Thursday 7am to 4:30pm and Friday 7am to 12pm.

Can the remap be reversed?

Yes. We keep a copy of your factory calibration and can restore it if the vehicle’s use changes or you sell it stock. In practice, most owners keep the remap, because it is built around how the vehicle is actually driven rather than a factory average.

Do you have more questions?

Ron Hill Automatics Sunshine Coast

Performance Automatics for Towing, Touring & 4WDs

Honest advice, upfront pricing and dependable service for the vehicles we know best