ZF8 Transmission- NOT Lifetime fluid

[Smac770]

Seen that a number of times on this forum. However the links got posted in, they get messed up and the forum engine replaces the real complete links with the display shortened links.

[jassoul]

It seems the links got messed up in your post

thanks a lot for the heads up, i fixed them!

[signde]

sorry to necro this thread but it seems the most exhaustive on this topic. my B8.5 Q5 with the ZF HP8 is at 80k and due for the transmission service.

my local indie quoted me $42 per liter for lifeguard 8 fluid. i balked at this a bit because i know ECS had a package for this that was $300 including the Meyle filter kit and 9L of Lifeguard 8 fluid. turns out they didn't actually have the fluid in stock though. i've been watching it for two weeks. as of today, they've now changed the fluid in the kit to Vaico. no thank you on that fluid or any other aftermarket fluid.

nowhere else seems to have plain ZF Lifeguard 8 for a reasonable price in stock.

fcp euro is out of stock. pelican parts is out of stock. eeuroparts.com will only let me add 2 liters to my cart. i placed an order with urotuning only to have to cancel it with them telling me the fluid is backordered with no ETA.

getting creative here, i found this PDF from ZF that outlines all the OE part numbers for their fluid:

According to spare part number of vehicle manufacturer:
ZF LifeguardFluid 8 (ZF No. S671 090 312)
=> Audi / VW Oil No. G 060162 A1 / A2 / A6 ATF
=> BMW ATF 3+, Oil No. 83 22 2 289 720
=> Jaguar Oil No. 02JDE 26444
=> Land Rover Oil No. LR023288
=> Chrysler Oil No. 68157995AA
=> Petronas Tutela Transmission AS8

it's safe to assume this is all Lifeguard 8, just with their branding part number slapped on it, i would presume?

i have found the Land Rover equivalent for $25/L, which seems the best I can do right now.

[Novarider]

You try your local Audi dealership?

Lifeguard 8 is available on amazon.

[gdawg'05a4]

Ravenol is a popular alternative to LG8 as well.

https://www.blauparts.com/ravenol-at...saAt_4EALw_wcB

[signde]

my understanding is the audi price is $42/L. nearly $400 for 9L seems nuts when it was selling for around $22/L a couple months ago.

i saw the recommendation for ravenol in another thread but my preference is to stick with lifeguard.

i have seen it on amazon but the only seller i've seen that actually lists a part number only has 7L in stock, not to mention it's a little pricey at $35 per.

[gdawg'05a4]

If you want to stick with LG8, found this: 9L for $206 from Urotuning https://www.urotuning.com/products/l...37583475310785

Google says it's in stock. I'd give them a call to see if it is. $23/L seems pretty good.

[signde]

If you want to stick with LG8, found this: 9L for $206 from Urotuning https://www.urotuning.com/products/l...37583475310785

Google says it's in stock. I'd give them a call to see if it is. $23/L seems pretty good.

mentioned this but i had found that too. i ordered from them last week. they sent me a message a few days later saying the fluid is backordered from ZF with no ETA.

[A4 Centaur]

Been running with Motul for 3 oil changes now. No issues. 175k and running smooth.

[findalex]

i've been running Valvoline Maxlife ATF bought from Walmart since 2019 @ 74K miles. I have 120K miles on the car now. The transmission still shifts like butta!

BTW, I was the one that did all the cross-referencing because the first time I changed out the oil, I thought it was some magic unicorn piss oil. After many years of researching and personal experience, I've concluded that the ZF transmission, while one of the best ever made, is still just a good 'ol torque converter transmission with some clever engineering. Nothing special and pretty much bullet-proof if maintained well.

So if you're in a pinch or would like to change your ATF more completely (since full replacement requires drain/fill at least 3 times), then just use the Valvoline. It's only $24 at Walmart for 1 gallon.

[Theiceman]

Global inflation and war in Ukraine is nuts and causing this. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this stuff was manufactured in Ukraine. What a mess...

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[signde]

a 21 pound shipment from "NORTHSIDE IMPORTS INC" showed up in my UPS my choice on its way to me last night with a reference number that matched my canceled urotuning order number. i'm thinking awesome, maybe i will get this lifeguard 8 after all. this morning it now shows the status as having an address change requested by the sender and it's no longer on its way to me. damn it.

i'm stuck on lifeguard 8. my local indie shop is doing the job and are pushing to use OE stuff. i don't mind paying a bit of a premium but $42/L seems like robbery.

[A4 Centaur]

^ No worries with OE but yea that is some pricey oil huh?

[Theiceman]

yeah you have a ton of peace of mind with OE . but that is some pricey Peace of mind.

[signde]

So I contacted ZF asking what's up. They sent this reply:

Dear Valued Customer,

Due to the ongoing raw material shortage, we are experiencing a supply shortage of our ZF LifeguardFluid 8 for ZF transmissions.
At ZF Aftermarket our main goal is to continue to supply and ensure availability to our customers for seamless business continuity.
Therefore, we are pleased to advise that we have developed an alternative oil called “ZF LifeguardFluid 8 ATF” which is backed by our long-standing technical expertise for transmissions and transmission oils. It has been developed to fulfill the high technical standards and requirements ZF Aftermarket holds as a leading transmission supplier to the aftermarket.
ZF LifeguardFluid 8 ATF is fully interchangeable with ZF LifeguardFluid 8. Refer to below part number overview for the alternative oil ZF LifeguardFluid 8 ATF.

ZF LifeguardFluid 8 - S671.090.312
ZF LifeguardFluid 8 ATF* - 5961.308.143

S671.090.312 is the stuff I had been searching for. I haven't actually found anyone with the new part number in stock either.

[bb-tt]

So I contacted ZF asking what's up. They sent this reply:



S671.090.312 is the stuff I had been searching for. I haven't actually found anyone with the new part number in stock either.

i know someone with 9L of lg8 in my garage.

[MyDimeIsUp]

I have 3 liters of left over LG8. Am I sitting on a gold mine right now?

[ps2cho]

I would go with the Mopar 8/9 speed fluid. It’s likely the exact same thing and the factory fill for their ZF8 cars, so it has to be correct.

I did this years ago with our Jeep- it used the Mercedes 722.6 transmission and the mopar fluid was way cheaper. Worked great for years.

[silver_tt]

yeah you have a ton of peace of mind with OE . but that is some pricey Peace of mind.

Agree. Ruined a 911 Turbo gearbox using aftermarket. Good times. If you think fluid is expensive, wait until you find out how much a new transmission is....... $$$$$$$$

[Novarider]

I would go with the Mopar 8/9 speed fluid. It’s likely the exact same thing and the factory fill for their ZF8 cars, so it has to be correct.

I did this years ago with our Jeep- it used the Mercedes 722.6 transmission and the mopar fluid was way cheaper. Worked great for years.

This is a good point. Many Dodge vehicles used the ZF8.

[signde]

just to be clear, there are plenty of places that have the fluid with the audi part number “G 060162 A1 / A2 / A6 ATF“ in stock. they are just priced at $42/L.

the mopar part is 68157995AA and i can’t find it in stock at the mid 20s price point either.

[Novarider]

just to be clear, there are plenty of places that have the fluid with the audi part number “G 060162 A1 / A2 / A6 ATF“ in stock. they are just priced at $42/L.

the mopar part is 68157995AA and i can’t find it in stock at the mid 20s price point either.

https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/part...8157995aa.html

[signde]

https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/part...8157995aa.html

yeah already tried them. they can f right off. add to cart to see the full story.

CA1DB01B-BC4C-4F83-8C74-89C8EF494B61.jpg

[ps2cho]

On eBay there are a bunch of good prices on the mopar fluid

[signde]

On eBay there are a bunch of good prices on the mopar fluid

i am not getting anything for the equivalent mopar part number ZF specifies, 68157995. i do some some matches for 68218925 which is listed for ATF 8/9, but the cheapest with shipping i see is $33/L. the only "cheap" mopar fluid i see is the ATF 4, which i don't think is the same.