ZF8 fluid recommendations?

[bb-tt]

Any one have thoughts on Redline vs amsoil vs liqui moly vs lifeguard 8? i saw "no THX' thread any other opinions?

[djn876]

I went with the Ravenol, seems to be working well so far, I'd say that or just the lifeguard 8. Nothing else actually meets the ZF spec.

[bb-tt]

I went with the Ravenol, seems to be working well so far, I'd say that or just the lifeguard 8. Nothing else actually meets the ZF spec.

Well it might meet or exceed the spec just no-one else(excluding audi, bmw, dodge) has paid zf to certify it. I believe shell actually makes the lifeguard 8 for ZF. Buddy used Liqui Moly Top Tec 1800 in his A6 with a BG tune and was happy with it but would really like to get more of a sample than 1 person.

[bb-tt]

Just asking as i would think something like redline which is full synthetic would be better than lifeguard 8 which is a blend.

[Norskie]

As far as I can tell, lifeguard8 is the exact same stuff as what you'll get from the Audi dealer. Same color, smell, etc. but different bottle and 1/4 the price. Made by ZF for the transmission they made.

[squatch5]

I talked with my mechanic about this yesterday and he said he would stick with the ZF fluid just out of caution unless you can definitely prove the 2 are the same. Since a bunch of the existing fluid will remain in the torque converter when you change the fluid, he said you want to make sure it's all the same stuff you're putting back in there so you don't have issues with 2 different fluids in your system at the same time. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on this, but for me it's worth the extra I'm paying for the ZF fluid just for the peace of mind.

[adamazing]

I just did this service in my B8.5 A4 last year. We have a whole thread about it in that forum. The majority of us, myself included, stick to Lifeguard 8. Considering it's a service you'll only likely perform one time (maybe two, depending on how long you hold onto the car) it's a minimal cost increase for peace of mind and guaranteed compatibility.

[bb-tt]

I just did this service in my B8.5 A4 last year. We have a whole thread about it in that forum. The majority of us, myself included, stick to Lifeguard 8. Considering it's a service you'll only likely perform one time (maybe two, depending on how long you hold onto the car) it's a minimal cost increase for peace of mind and guaranteed compatibility.

Yeah it is not about the price I mean it is only 150$ for something you do maybe every 5 years, it is about full synthetic vs a blend (LG8 is a blend). What i have seen a few people do is do the initial service and then do a drain and refill again after 1 or 2 k miles when changing over fluids. I have used rotella t6 in every vag product i have owned and would use over any vag recommended oil any day of the week it is great oil. So again just trying to get a feel for what others have used and if anyone has had good or bad experience with others.

[bb-tt]

Ok traded a meth tank for Liqui moly and then ordered 8 qts of LG8 was debating which to use just going to do the LG8 and then drain again after 1000 or so miles to try to get more of the old fluid out.

[silver_tt]

Think twice before you put Redline or anything but the OE fluid in there. The spoiled little brat I bought my 911TT from lied, "dealer serviced only" ya right MFer, and took out of the records that he put Redline in the gearbox. Here was the result. I will never use anything but OE fluid in a gearbox/transmission, it ain't like motor oil where you can take your pick..... talked to the owner of the shop that did the work who is one of the best, if not the best, on the Getrag in all of the USA and he said using anything but OE fluid in gearboxes/transmissions is ill advised. OE fluid = cheap, new transmission = NOT. You've been warned....

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[WtA4WtQ5]

Any one have thoughts on Redline vs amsoil vs liqui moly vs lifeguard 8? i saw "no THX' thread any other opinions?

I did (2) changes 5K miles apart using Amsoil signature oil on my 2011 Q5 @ 60K and 65K miles. Worked great for me, sold the car with 93K and still ran like new. Shifted smoother after the first change, couldn’t really tell any difference after the second change. From my experience use OEM, LIfeguard 8 or Amsoil Signature.