Lifeguard 8 and Audi 8hp55

[seanf]

I just picked up a new to me 2013 Audi Q5 3.0T with 90k kms on it with the zf 8spd 8HP55?? At 100k km I'm planning on changing the trans fluid, finding lifeguard 8 for a decent price its turning out to be a bit of a task, does anyone have a link for decent priced fluid? Keep in mind I'm in Canada, even the dodge dealer when asking for 8spd fluid for a new ram is asking for all the money for this fluid.

Any tips to doing this job? I've had 3 other automatic Audis with the 5hp19 trans so I know the fill procedure.

 

[Audios]

Redline D6 is approved, says 4.2 liters is the fill also.

 

[RooflessVW]

Buy the spec fluid. It's expensive, and it is what it is.

Redline D6 isn't "approved" for jack squat.

 

[Audios]

No actually it is, along with Motul ATF 6

"Designed to satisfy Dexron-VI®, Dexron-III®, Acura ATF 3.0, Mercon®SP, Mercon®LV, Honda
DW-1, Toyota WS, Mercedes Benz NAG-2, ZF-LG 6, 6+ and 8 fluids"

 

[Quattro Pete]

"Designed to" is not the same as "approved."

 

[simple_gifts]

"designed to satisfy" =/= "approved"

 

[RooflessVW]

How can it be suitable for ZF6 and ZF8? "Designed to satisfy" is not "approved" or "the same."

Why'd they make a new fluid if they're the same? Why do ZF 6hp transmissions need a TCU flash if you change to ZF8 fluid?

Not going to save much money with Redline or Motul, in any case.

 

[Audios]

ZF8 is now the approved replacement fluid back to 2001. I couldnt see a flash being needed for every single one that uses this fluid. Ive used the D6 in many applications with no issues and no flashes so far, it may not be explicitly "approved" on the bottle, but I also dont think a company like Redline would lie to sell more bottles of their relatively inexpensive fluid, especially at the cost of a $5-7k transmission replacement, lawsuit etc. The savings are definitely obvious, Redline lists at 16/liter, ZF is 52.

 

[SavagePatch]

Valvoline Maxlife Multi-Vehicle ATF. The BITOG Golden Boy, love the stuff! That's what I'll be using in my 2015 RAM 1500 Ecodiesel.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
"designed to satisfy" =/= "approved"

Valvoline Maxlife is, Redline D6 IS NOT, period!
Apparently you are one of those that have serious issues with interpreting what is written.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: seanf
I just picked up a new to me 2013 Audi Q5 3.0T with 90k kms on it with the zf 8spd 8HP55?? At 100k km I'm planning on changing the trans fluid, finding lifeguard 8 for a decent price its turning out to be a bit of a task, does anyone have a link for decent priced fluid? Keep in mind I'm in Canada, even the dodge dealer when asking for 8spd fluid for a new ram is asking for all the money for this fluid.

Any tips to doing this job? I've had 3 other automatic Audis with the 5hp19 trans so I know the fill procedure.

You need to buy fluid plus filter/pan. Each car manufacturer has its own procedure and it is messy on with ZF6 & ZF8.
Buy ZF8 fluid strictly and ZF pan/filter! You bought Audi, it comes with strings attached. You are not changing it every 10K.
DO NOT FLUSH! Just release fluid and replace whatever came out.

 

[Little_Lebowski]

Here's a link: http://www.thectsc.com/

 

[seanf]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: seanf
I just picked up a new to me 2013 Audi Q5 3.0T with 90k kms on it with the zf 8spd 8HP55?? At 100k km I'm planning on changing the trans fluid, finding lifeguard 8 for a decent price its turning out to be a bit of a task, does anyone have a link for decent priced fluid? Keep in mind I'm in Canada, even the dodge dealer when asking for 8spd fluid for a new ram is asking for all the money for this fluid.

Any tips to doing this job? I've had 3 other automatic Audis with the 5hp19 trans so I know the fill procedure.

You need to buy fluid plus filter/pan. Each car manufacturer has its own procedure and it is messy on with ZF6 & ZF8.
Buy ZF8 fluid strictly and ZF pan/filter! You bought Audi, it comes with strings attached. You are not changing it every 10K.
DO NOT FLUSH! Just release fluid and replace whatever came out.


Yes I'll be doing a pan drop, I will be buying the spec fluid/filter but I was more so wondering if anyone found any OEMs that were cheaper ie buying the mopar, at this point I think zf branded lifeguard 8 is my best bet, Ravenol seems to have a listing for it as well I may research since I've used their lifeguard 5 rated fluid with good results.

 

[nthach]

How far do you live from the US? Getting the fluid online and shipped to someone in the States and bringing it back across the border might be cheaper than buying in C$.

If you had the 6HP series, Ford Mercon SP can be used instead. Honda is using the ZF 9HP, while ZF themselves say the 8/9 speed stuff isn't an exact interchange, the Mopar stuff is sold as ZF 8/9 speed fluid.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Maxlife

 

[simple_gifts]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
"designed to satisfy" =/= "approved"

Valvoline Maxlife is, Redline D6 IS NOT, period!
Apparently you are one of those that have serious issues with interpreting what is written.


?

Perhaps you don't know that =/= means "not equal to"

 

[seanf]

Originally Posted By: nthach
How far do you live from the US? Getting the fluid online and shipped to someone in the States and bringing it back across the border might be cheaper than buying in C$.

If you had the 6HP series, Ford Mercon SP can be used instead. Honda is using the ZF 9HP, while ZF themselves say the 8/9 speed stuff isn't an exact interchange, the Mopar stuff is sold as ZF 8/9 speed fluid.
I live about 60 miles from my parcel place in North Dakota, that's what I usually do for most things with huge price differences otherwise I buy local.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
"Designed to" is not the same as "approved."


Precisely.

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
"designed to satisfy" =/= "approved"

Valvoline Maxlife is, Redline D6 IS NOT, period!
Apparently you are one of those that have serious issues with interpreting what is written.

MaxLife isn't officially approved either - it does come close to what ZF wants frictionally and viscometrically.

 

[Grand cherokee hemi]

This comes up alot these days.. especially with dodge/chrysler as all of there 8 speed transmissions are marketed as "fill for life". There is a pretty good video on this subject that is very detailed (a little long) it also talks about fluids, and includes a chart showing all the specs side by side.