New cheaper alternative to ZF Lifeguard 8 for you AT owners

[dparm]

Motul just posted this to their Facebook page and press release site:



Motul ATF VI , the 100% Synthetic high performance low viscosity fluid specially engineered for modern automatic transmission requiring a DEXRON VI fluid, is now suitable for use against ZF Lifeguard 8.

Lifeguard 8 is required for all new Audi, BMW, Jaguar, etc. equipped with 8-speed automatic transmission.

http://www.motul.com/gb/en/news/Prod...zf-lifeguard-8



I don't think it's on the shelves just yet, but it should be a good alternative to the OEM fluid or ZF-branded fluid. I'd guess the price will be around $15/qt, right on-par with Red Line and about half that of the OEM stuff. The updated datasheet is not yet available, but I found an older one and the specs look to be almost identical to Red Line's D6 ATF. Just something to consider if you are going to be changing your fluid soon.

[nr103]

Thanks for the info dparm, I plan on doing my ATF this spring once the cold is gone. I got a silly question that you can prob answer regarding the differential fluid. Is the standard 75w90 or is that for manual trans only?

[dparm]

The rear differential is identical for the manual and auto trans cars. It needs about 2 quarts of 75w90 GL5.

[nr103]

Perfect, thanks again. I didn't want to find myself putting the wrong fluid in

[kombatrok]

Is anyone using Redline ATF?

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9

[JayDog747]

This guy had fun with his tranny:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...id-Hard-shifts

You can get ZF fluid here that's less expensive than other places:

http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=home

[WolfS4]

Is anyone using Redline ATF?

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9

Yeah, I've been running that for a couple years now. Good stuff.

[dparm]

Is anyone using Redline ATF?

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=51&pcid=9

You need D6, not D4.

[0396]

My 2004 has Swepco trans fluid in there. 30k later and still no issues. In the next few months, I'm thinking of changing it out.
For those that are not aware, Swepco makes " industrial " types of fluids- thus has many of the high end fluid components in it.

[dparm]

I'm familiar with Swepco. I used their power steering fluid in my B6 S4.

[WolfS4]

You need D6, not D4.

D4 should be fine as well. It's what comes in JHM's transmission service kit, and a number of us have used it. Curious as to the difference in D6 over D4?

[dparm]

D4:

Vis @ 100°C, cSt 7.5
Vis @ 40°C, cSt 34
Viscosity Index 198
Pour Point, °C -60
Pour Point, °F -76
Flash Point, °C 225
Flash Point, °F 437
Brookfield Vis @ -40°C, P 52


D6:

Vis @ 100°C, cSt 6.4
Vis @ 40°C, cSt 30.7
Viscosity Index 166
Pour Point, °C -60
Pour Point, °F -76
Flash Point, °C 249
Flash Point, °F 480
Brookfield Vis @ -40°C, P 45


D6 is about 10% thinner but is more shear-stable and flows better when cold. It is marked as being a suitable replacement for ZF Lifeguard 6 & 8, which is the OEM fluid. D4 is not marked as such. D4 would work, but I see no reason to use it in place of the D6 that is clearly a better fluid (that costs exactly the same). Red Line basically markets D6 as a "thinner but stouter D4".



Here is what Red Line says about the D6, specifically:

Synthetic D6 ATF is a lower viscosity version of the D4ATF and is designed for better fuel efficiency in CAFE testing. Dexron VI requires a different approach to a conventional ATF formulation. Rather than beginning with a 7.5 cSt fluid and allowing a viscosity loss in use to drop to 5.5 cSt, the Dexron VI fluid requires a starting viscosity of less than 6.4 and a final drop to no less than 5.5 cSt. Red Line D6 will drop to no less than 6.1 cSt. Since the final viscosity after use of these fluids are similar, Dexron VI fluids can be used where Dexron III fluids
were previously recommended (with the exception of some manual transmission applications, our customers report).

[SpoolBus]

Perfect, thanks again. I didn't want to find myself putting the wrong fluid in

I would recommend the ECS kit. Comes with motul gear oil, new magnetic plugs (that are not allen but hex) and seals for the axels
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_S4-...36/PriceAlert/

[findalex]

Here is what I found from ZF (link):

ZF Lifeguardfluid 8 (ZF No. S671 090 312)
=> Audi / VW Oil No. G 060162 A1 / A2 / A6 ATF
=> BMW Oil No. 8322 2152426
=> Jaguar Oil No. 02JDE 26444
=> Land Rover Oil No. LR023288
=> Chrysler Oil No. 68157995AA
=> Petronas Tutela Transmission AS8

The Chrysler/Mopar version at your local Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealer is the cheapest by far if you need a bottle in a hurry.