ZF8 Transmission- NOT Lifetime fluid

[Spawne32]

Well then. Don't I feel dumb


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Lol we can let it slide because you posted at 7am, probably didn't have your coffee yet

[Spawne32]

Lol didnt even read you didn't have your coffee yet myself in your first post, see i shouldn't be posting while still in bed either

[A4x]

Is the ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid the same as the OEM G-060-162-A2 (G060162A2) fluid?

- Erik

Can anyone confirm or set record straight?

A quick google search tells me yes. That first link scares me because if you read the description it talks about blue or green fluid. I already bought my fluid and I have no idea if mine uses green or blue, I doubt my owners manual says either.

[pezgoon]

A quick google search tells me yes. That first link scares me because if you read the description it talks about blue or green fluid. I already bought my fluid and I have no idea if mine uses green or blue, I doubt my owners manual says either.

I would verify but it says it doesn't matter, says in the description that the colors can be mixed


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[pwdrskr]

I'm going for it. Scheduled an appointment for next week, Thursday at Stones German Auto in Seattle.

They use PENTOSIN.ATF 1 fluid and the say the do so on all their Audis. Estimate has the cost for the fluid only at $350. They are willing to any fluid I bring also. Found ZF Lifeguard 8 for $206 for a case of 12 here: http://www.thectsc.com/products/zf-l...er-193-62.html

Seems that the way to go is the Lifeguard 8 as that is recommended by ZF.

Thoughts?

[majerrahim]

I'm going for it. Scheduled an appointment for next week, Thursday at Stones German Auto in Seattle.

They use PENTOSIN.ATF 1 fluid and the say the do so on all their Audis. Estimate has the cost for the fluid only at $350. They are willing to any fluid I bring also. Found ZF Lifeguard 8 for $206 for a case of 12 here: http://www.thectsc.com/products/zf-l...er-193-62.html

Seems that the way to go is the Lifeguard 8 as that is recommended by ZF.

Thoughts?

And how much for labor? Changing filter also?

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[pwdrskr]

And how much for labor? Changing filter also?

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Filter change is included. From quote:
AUTO TRANSMISSION SERVICE.....Replace transmission filter kit and transmission fluid. Transmission Filter and Gasket Kit. Labor $230.

I ordered the case of Lifetime 8 for ~$240 shipped. Now it needs to get here before next Thursday.

[majerrahim]

Filter change is included. Labor $230.

I order the case of Lifetime 8 for ~$240 shipped. Now it needs to get here before next Thursday.

/Users/matthew.lippmann/Desktop/Est_11104959_from_Stones_German_Garage_7432.pdf

Thanks for the info

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[pwdrskr]

Shop is claiming Pentosin is "the best you can find". Says the job requires 5 qts. Estimate says $350 for the 5 qts. of Pentosin, far more expensive that Lifeguard.

Too late though, I ordered the Lifeguard 8. Figure ZF knows their stuff better than anyone. Plus it saves me $150.

[Spawne32]

Shop is claiming Pentosin is "the best you can find". Says the job requires 5 qts. Estimate says $350 for the 5 qts. of Pentosin, far more expensive that Lifeguard.

Too late though, I ordered the Lifeguard 8. Figure ZF knows their stuff better than anyone. Plus it saves me $150.

Everyones gonna have different opinions about what is best, I ran redline D6 as my replacement for Lifeguard 8, as it was like 13 a quart instead of 35, and ive run redline for 10 years now in all my transmissions. It has to be Shell M-L12108 equivalent to be Lifeguard 8 compatible.

[KFizz]

This is a $1600 service here in Canada land.... Lovely

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[Townending]

I'll just leave this here: http://www.thectsc.com/products/zf-l...er-193-62.html

12L of ZF8 fluid for $210.

EDIT: I'm late to the party, same link is a few post up.

[A4x]

This is a $1600 service here in Canada land.... Lovely

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That sounds like dealership price. Find an independent.

If dropping the pan, I would estimate 2-3 hours. If just drain/fill like I will do in a couple weeks, I would estimate 1 hour. (I'm in Canada too).

[JeriQo]

Lol

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give me an answer, dont just grin there

[Spawne32]

That sounds like dealership price. Find an independent.

If dropping the pan, I would estimate 2-3 hours. If just drain/fill like I will do in a couple weeks, I would estimate 1 hour. (I'm in Canada too).

I paid to have my done, took my service kit to a place and paid 330 labor. Only because I wasnt confident that I could get the level accurate with no dipstick on these things. Car has to be running, fluid temp has to be checked, while the fill plug is open, and the car has to be level.

[hyperunion]

give me an answer, dont just grin there

You do know that a cvt is built totally different the a zf6 and zf8... Continuous variable....

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[Brandon K.]

[]

[Brandon K.]

give me an answer, dont just grin there

A typical CVT has a belt that rides on a conical shaped pulley (gear type thing). Rather than shifting from one gear to the next, the belt is moved side to side on the cone depending on the speed and desired acceleration/torque.

An easy way to envision this is the back sprocket on a multi speed bike. Rather than a chain moving from one sprocket to the next, a belt slides from side to side on a cone that takes the place of all the sprockets.


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[KFizz]

That sounds like dealership price. Find an independent.

If dropping the pan, I would estimate 2-3 hours. If just drain/fill like I will do in a couple weeks, I would estimate 1 hour. (I'm in Canada too).

This was from an independent shop. A shop that's higher-end and quite reputable. They generally work on Porsches. I trust them to do a good job. This is a service that I want done properly, so I went there first. But I agree that the price is a little more than I think is reasonable.

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[jfo]

This was from an independent shop. A shop that's higher-end and quite reputable. They generally work on Porsches. I trust them to do a good job. This is a service that I want done properly, so I went there first. But I agree that the price is a little more than I think is reasonable.

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You are very generous! That price is silly, even for a filter change which requires removing the trans cross member and pan.

[Spawne32]

Audi quoted me 900 for a service on the 6speed, claiming that "it's a very complicated job that we don't normally do".

[KFizz]

Oh I havnt committed to this by any means. I'll keep looking at other shops. I just don't know of any others off hand that I trust to do this.

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[JeriQo]

heres a good ATF DIY write up:

http://www.blauparts.com/audi/audi_f...on_fluid.shtml

[twixinthemix]

Since this thread is "alive" again I'm going to drop this link to the almost useless ZF page for the kit/install. I couldn't find where to actually buy the kit from ZF.

[Davidx1994]

Was quoted $950 for all parts and labor for the transmission service (8 speed) and replacing the differential fluid at a reputable euro garage in Wilmington, NC. They would use all OEM fluids. Decent price or should I shop around?

[pwdrskr]

I was quoted about half that at a local shop with the fluid at $350. I found the lifeguard fluid for ~$200 / case of 12 and am going to ask the shop to use it

[bluefox280]

Anyone know the torque requirement on the bolts for the transmission pan on 8-speed ZF?

- Erik

[jfo]

Anyone know the torque requirement on the bolts for the transmission pan on 8-speed ZF?

- Erik

From the manual...

Transmission Fluid Pan - Tightening Specification and Sequence
Note
Replace the bolts for the ATF pan.
– Tighten the bolts in three steps in the sequence shown:
Step Bolts Tightening Specification/Additional
Turn
1. -1 to 12- Install the new bolts by hand until the
bolt heads touch
2. -1 to 12- 4 Nm
3. -1 to 12- 45° additional turn

[bluefox280]

From the manual...

Transmission Fluid Pan - Tightening Specification and Sequence
Note
Replace the bolts for the ATF pan.
– Tighten the bolts in three steps in the sequence shown:
Step Bolts Tightening Specification/Additional
Turn
1. -1 to 12- Install the new bolts by hand until the
bolt heads touch
2. -1 to 12- 4 Nm
3. -1 to 12- 45° additional turn

Awesome! Appreciate that info.

- Erik

[jfo]

Awesome! Appreciate that info.

- Erik

There is a recommended sequence but I can't copy the pic from the pdf. Basically, it goes from the middle on each side then alternates to the corners and then the ends. Given the light torque, it's probably not that critical to be exact.

[Davidx1994]

Got quoted $245 for a transmission fluid change with Redline fluid. Should I have them use the ZF Lifeguard fluid instead (more expensive), or is the Redline fluid acceptable?

[hyperunion]

Got quoted $245 for a transmission fluid change with Redline fluid. Should I have them use the ZF Lifeguard fluid instead (more expensive), or is the Redline fluid acceptable?

Only use zf lifeguard8

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[Spawne32]

Got quoted $245 for a transmission fluid change with Redline fluid. Should I have them use the ZF Lifeguard fluid instead (more expensive), or is the Redline fluid acceptable?

Havent had a single issue with the redline fluid.

[Townending]

Only use zf lifeguard8

I'd agree with this. My research has brought me to the conclusion that as of right now, there is no comparable fluid. That may change in the years to come, hopefully...

Havent had a single issue with the redline fluid.

ZF themselves have said ZF Lifegaurd6 and ZF lifeguard8 are different fluids and are not compatible with one another.

Redline may be working for your ZF6, but no one knows how the ZF8 will respond to it. I know I don't want to be the guinea pig...

[Spawne32]

I'd agree with this. My research has brought me to the conclusion that as of right now, there is no comparable fluid. That may change in the years to come, hopefully...




ZF themselves have said ZF Lifegaurd6 and ZF lifeguard8 are different fluids and are not compatible with one another.

Redline may be working for your ZF6, but no one knows how the ZF8 will respond to it. I know I don't want to be the guinea pig...

Of course ZF said that, they want you to buy 38 dollar a quart fluid when the redline uses the same exact Shell base stock that ZF uses. But you are welcome to use what you want in your own car.

[jfo]

Given the risk/reward ratio here, I'd stay with ZF. Other fluids that claim to "meet the specs" probably do, but that doesn't mean they are the same in all respects. Any differences that could harm the trans probably won't show up as a problem immediately, but may over the longer term. There is no way to prove/disprove this with trans fluid given the long change period and difficulty in measuring wear, etc. that may be due to the fluid. Since I keep my cars for the long term, I don't mind spending the extra for ZF fluid every 100K km.

[JBAeroEngineer]

Anyone undertake a DIY yet?

[hyperunion]

I'd stick with the Germans!.. they know it all. Zf is king..

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[pwdrskr]

I used ZF Lifeguard8. Against what the shop I went to recommended. I forget what they use though.

FWIW, I also drive in "S" mode at all times via the ADS coding tweaks.

[A4x]

I would not take a chance with any other fluid than the Lifeguard 8.

Sure it may be the same base stock, but ZF likely specs out a very different additive package than Redline or others.

The transmission was designed and validated with the ZF fluid. I would not run with anything else. I don't see it as a ploy by ZF to make a few extra $. They are filthy rich anyway (and deservidly so, they make damn good products).