ZF8 Transmission- NOT Lifetime fluid

[mtroxel]

[QUOTE=Dr. Awesome;12876824I used Vaico since it was half price of the lifeguard, so I'll do a few drain/fills to get the old fluid out.[/QUOTE]

I don't mean to be a know-it-all prick, but I think using anything Vaico is a bad idea. But especially with tranny fluid. These trannies are so picky about fluid: especially the clutch packs. You will end up with 10/90 ZF/Vaico fluid with no idea how those two formulas interact.

[pedro sr.]

I don't mean to be a know-it-all prick, but I think using anything Vaico is a bad idea. But especially with tranny fluid. These trannies are so picky about fluid: especially the clutch packs. You will end up with 10/90 ZF/Vaico fluid with no idea how those two formulas interact.

Agree, all Vaico-shit i've seen is utterly bad quality, i doubt the oil is "state of the art" all of a sudden.

Change the oil to avoid problems and wear, flush when in trouble and overhaul is the only other solution.

[Novarider]

Lifeguard 8 fluid is the same as vw/audi fluid?

[jfo]

Lifeguard 8 fluid is the same as vw/audi fluid?

Yes

[Novarider]

What's the concensus on the Meyle brand filter?

[pedro sr.]

What's the concensus on the Meyle brand filter?

Look and marketing: German, over-engineered, super high quality.
Reality: Cheap Chinese clone garbage.

[Novarider]

Is there a cheaper alternative that's decent quality other than the audi one at $230?

[B8_Dude97]

Is there a cheaper alternative that's decent quality other than the audi one at $230?

CHEAP and German Transmission are two words I wouldn’t use anywhere near each other.

U pay to play, so I suggest getting what’s recommended at the best priced retail site unless you like having transmission guts over your local highway


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[jfo]

Is there a cheaper alternative that's decent quality other than the audi one at $230?

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/0...103-V5286.aspx

[Spawne32]

Is there a cheaper alternative that's decent quality other than the audi one at $230?

I used vaico, didnt have an issue, and redline D6 fluid, always been a fan, also no issues there. The problems people are running into is they arent resetting the adaptations on cars that have exceptionally dirty fluid, after changing to new fluid, and they wind up getting harsh shifts or some other symptom because the adaptions are still set for the previous conditions of the old fluid.

[Novarider]

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/0...103-V5286.aspx

Never heard of that site. Are they reputable?

[jfo]

Never heard of that site. Are they reputable?

Yes, I've used them many times . Good prices and service.

[Dr. Awesome]

I know it's synthetic oil manufactured in Germany, so at least it can't be Chinese knockoff garbage, but I know there are risks until I get it "flushed" out. Right now I'm about 33% new fluid, I am driving it pretty gingerly until I get a couple more drain/fills done. I know I'm a bit of a guinea pig, but if I have any problems I will let everyone know! So far I've only driven it 50 miles and haven't noticed any issues.

[Novarider]

I think I'm just going to order it all from fcpeuro. It's $376 for 8 quarts or lifeguard 8 and a genuine audi filter.

I would order the filter from the linked site above but I don't know them so I don't know that I would get a genuine filter. I'm not saying anything bad about that site I just have never used them so I don't "trust" them.

[audi bug]

I think I'm just going to order it all from fcpeuro. It's $376 for 8 quarts or lifeguard 8 and a genuine audi filter.

I would order the filter from the linked site above but I don't know them so I don't know that I would get a genuine filter. I'm not saying anything bad about that site I just have never used them so I don't "trust" them.

See Post #246.
Pelican parts has ZF filter kit at very good price including drain and fill plugs.

[jfo]

I think I'm just going to order it all from fcpeuro. It's $376 for 8 quarts or lifeguard 8 and a genuine audi filter.

I would order the filter from the linked site above but I don't know them so I don't know that I would get a genuine filter. I'm not saying anything bad about that site I just have never used them so I don't "trust" them.

You do know that it's a ZF filter and that ZF makes the transmission, not Audi?

[Novarider]

You do know that it's a ZF filter and that ZF makes the transmission, not Audi?

Yes but how would I know it's a genuine zf filter and not some knockoff?

Also fcpeuro has a lifetime warranty on everything they sell. I could do another fluid/filter change and all it would cost me would be return shipping. I would have to buy the supplies up-front again but I would get a refund when I return the old fluid/filter.

Buy the way they do this with motor oil as well. Buy the new oil/filter from them and change it. Next time it's due, buy it again from them and catch the old oil you purchased from them and and return it to them for a refund. Repeat every oil change.

Works with break pads, coils, plugs etc as well. Not sure how you stay in business like this but while it's available I'm going to use it.

[hyperunion]

Yes but how would I know it's a genuine zf filter and not some knockoff?

Also fcpeuro has a lifetime warranty on everything they sell. I could do another fluid/filter change and all it would cost me would be return shipping. I would have to buy the supplies up-front again but I would get a refund when I return the old fluid/filter.

Buy the way they do this with motor oil as well. Buy the new oil/filter from them and change it. Next time it's due, buy it again from them and catch the old oil you purchased from them and and return it to them for a refund. Repeat every oil change.

Works with break pads, coils, plugs etc as well. Not sure how you stay in business like this but while it's available I'm going to use it.

That lifetime warranty can't be right !!

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[Novarider]

That lifetime warranty can't be right !!

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Check it out for yourself. I couldn't believe it either when I read about it from another thread about oil.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee

I ordered my coils/plugs from them. Probably gonna get my oil there as well.

[ELaw]

Has anyone here returned, or does anyone know someone who has returned oil?

I wonder if they'd consider oil (and similar things like brake fluid) a "consumable" or something like that, rather than a "part".

[Novarider]

The warranty is valid on oil. It was confirmed in the oil thread. Call tomorrow and ask if you want to confirm it yourself.

Here is the oil thread if you're interested. Fcp stuff starts around post 20

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...7#post12673157

[jfo]

Yes but how would I know it's a genuine zf filter and not some knockoff?

Hmm...so the Bosch injectors and fuel filters, Lemforder mounts(part of ZF), NGK plugs, ZF fluid and filter, and other branded parts I bought might all be knock offs?

You can of course buy from wherever you want...I don't care, but I'm comfortable that this vender doesn't sell cheap knockoffs of these parts.

[Novarider]

How do you shift through the gears 1-4 while filling? I just tried with the paddles and I could not get the transmission to shift gears while sitting still. I read earlier in this thread that the transmission/abs freak out if the wheels are off the ground and try to shift so what are you supposed to do?

[KFizz]

Didn't work for me either. I shipped the cycling gears part and just did N,D,R and P.

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[jfo]

How do you shift through the gears 1-4 while filling? I just tried with the paddles and I could not get the transmission to shift gears while sitting still. I read earlier in this thread that the transmission/abs freak out if the wheels are off the ground and try to shift so what are you supposed to do?

From the manual...

– While pressing the brake pedal and with the vehicle idling, shift
through all the selector lever positions (“P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, “S”)
leaving each position engaged for 3 seconds.
– Move the selector lever into “P” position.
– Check the ATF level and correct if necessary. Refer to
⇒ “6.2 ATF Level, Checking”, page 70 .

[Novarider]

From the manual...

– While pressing the brake pedal and with the vehicle idling, shift
through all the selector lever positions (“P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, “S”)
leaving each position engaged for 3 seconds.
– Move the selector lever into “P” position.
– Check the ATF level and correct if necessary. Refer to
⇒ “6.2 ATF Level, Checking”, page 70 .

From the guide on zf website....

Running the engine
Allow the engine to run at idling speed and continue to top up oil until it runs out of the filler hole.

Now, select positions R and D one after the other. Afterwards, shift gears according to the table below, depending on the transmission variant (A, B or C).

Transmission variant Gears to be selected Hold gear for Additional operations
A 1st to 3rd 3 sec. -
B 1st to 4th 10 sec. -
C all 10 sec. Keep engine speed at 2,000 rpm for 30 seconds to fill the torque converter with oil.

It didn't copy over 100% properly. It's step 7 in the guide that was posted here.

https://www.zf.com/usa_canada/en_us/...hange_oil.html

[jfo]

From the guide on zf website....

Running the engine
Allow the engine to run at idling speed and continue to top up oil until it runs out of the filler hole.

Now, select positions R and D one after the other. Afterwards, shift gears according to the table below, depending on the transmission variant (A, B or C).

Transmission variant Gears to be selected Hold gear for Additional operations
A 1st to 3rd 3 sec. -
B 1st to 4th 10 sec. -
C all 10 sec. Keep engine speed at 2,000 rpm for 30 seconds to fill the torque converter with oil.

It didn't copy over 100% properly. It's step 7 in the guide that was posted here.

https://www.zf.com/usa_canada/en_us/...hange_oil.html

Interesting difference to the erWin manual. Also, I have never seen that reference to transmission variants...A,B or C, before. I have done a drain/fill and then another with filter after a few weeks. I measured what came out and replaced almost the same volume both times....4L and 5L. I will be under car next week and will do another fluid level check out of curiosity.

[Novarider]

Wonder if there is a way to change gears with vagcom?

[Novarider]

Has anyone here returned, or does anyone know someone who has returned oil?

I wonder if they'd consider oil (and similar things like brake fluid) a "consumable" or something like that, rather than a "part".

I contacted fcp through email and asked if transmission fluid/filter were covered by the lifetime replacement policy and this was the response.

Hello Andrew,

Thank you for contacting FCP Euro.

Yes, these are absolutely covered under our lifetime warranty. Please keep in mind we will need the old goods to be able to put through the return so I would attempt to keep as much of the fluid as possible when draining the system. I apologize for any concern on this matter.

If you require further assistance or have any questions, my contact information is listed below. I'm always happy to help.

Best Regards,

Kyle GemmellCustomer Service Advisor

[jfo]

I contacted fcp through email and asked if transmission fluid/filter were covered by the lifetime replacement policy and this was the response.

Hello Andrew,

Thank you for contacting FCP Euro.

Yes, these are absolutely covered under our lifetime warranty. Please keep in mind we will need the old goods to be able to put through the return so I would attempt to keep as much of the fluid as possible when draining the system. I apologize for any concern on this matter.

If you require further assistance or have any questions, my contact information is listed below. I'm always happy to help.

Best Regards,

Kyle GemmellCustomer Service Advisor

I believe this only applies to the parts purchased from them, not the original parts. So you would be OK to return them on the next change.

[Novarider]

I believe this only applies to the parts purchased from them, not the original parts. So you would be OK to return them on the next change.

Correct. It's my understanding you can either return the parts first then they send replacement or you can pay for the replacement up front and get a refund when you return the used parts.

[z k]

The warranty is valid on oil. It was confirmed in the oil thread. Call tomorrow and ask if you want to confirm it yourself.

Here is the oil thread if you're interested. Fcp stuff starts around post 20

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...7#post12673157

Being on the west coast, the cost of shipping oil back is as much or more than you'll get back as a refund. Not worth it for the extra hassle.

I have returned lighter, higher value items to FCP before though. Refund was instant once they receive it.

[Novarider]

Being on the west coast, the cost of shipping oil back is as much or more than you'll get back as a refund. Not worth it for the extra hassle.

I have returned lighter, higher value items to FCP before though. Refund was instant once they receive it.

The largest usps flat rate box will be big enough and it's $16. Considering liquimoly oil alone from fcp is $38.99 it makes sense to return the oil/filter to get a replacement. Where else can you get liquimoly oil and a filter for $16?

[Audi 4 Life]

The largest usps flat rate box will be big enough and it's $16. Considering liquimoly oil alone from fcp is $38.99 it makes sense to return the oil/filter to get a replacement. Where else can you get liquimoly oil and a filter for $16?

X2, I use motul 300v it's about 100$ plus filter to run this oil and is recommend by apr along with motul coolant when using their mods. I do not want to pay 100 bucks for oil. And if your returning other stuff at the same time it's worth it there's no time limit so I just wait until I have a few items to return at once.

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[z k]

The largest usps flat rate box will be big enough and it's $16. Considering liquimoly oil alone from fcp is $38.99 it makes sense to return the oil/filter to get a replacement. Where else can you get liquimoly oil and a filter for $16?

I actually never tried that. I tried to return it in the original box the oil came in. They charge by size, weight and location. It wasn't worth it that way.

[Werks]

I haven't seen it posted here yet, so here is a pic of new ZF8 Lifeguard vs. what came out of my wife's 2012 Q5 2.0 with 100k I just did a drain and refill. 3 quarts I plan of doing it twice more then start on my Avant
[IMG][/IMG]

[Novarider]

Wow that's nasty!

[Novarider]

I actually never tried that. I tried to return it in the original box the oil came in. They charge by size, weight and location. It wasn't worth it that way.

USPS flat rate boxes. "If it fits it ships" up to 70lbs. The box can be bulging too it doesn't have to be pretty.

[Dr. Awesome]

Dang that's some nasty oil! She tracking that thing?!

[Werks]

Dang that's some nasty oil! She tracking that thing?!

Maybe when I'm out of town :)


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