What makes lifeguard 8 special?
- Thread starter BMW Dom
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ZF doesn't license their ATF. As I understand it LG8 is manufactured by Shell (M-L12108)
I imagine Valvoline knows how the characteristics of their MaxLife product compares to the Shell product and they base their recommendation on that.
This would apply to Pentosin, LuquiMoly, Motul, ROWE, etc who all sell "Lifeguard 8" ATF which very well could be repackaged Shell ATF.
Another Example: LG6 is Shell M-1375.4. So is Mercon SP
The thing I don't get with Valvoline is how they can claim that their Maxlife product is suitable for two different transmissions which use different fluids. ZF LG 6 (Shell M-1375.4) and ZF LG 8 (Shell M-L12108). This would mean there's no discernable difference between the Shell fluids which I find hard to believe. Both are marketed and more importantly perform as longlife (100k mile) fluids regardless of what people "feel" or "believe".
Edit: IMO ZF protects themselves from dubious warranty claims by only requiring their ATF because they have no control over the quality of fluids sold by other companies which claim to be compatible.
I imagine Valvoline knows how the characteristics of their MaxLife product compares to the Shell product and they base their recommendation on that.
This would apply to Pentosin, LuquiMoly, Motul, ROWE, etc who all sell "Lifeguard 8" ATF which very well could be repackaged Shell ATF.
Another Example: LG6 is Shell M-1375.4. So is Mercon SP
The thing I don't get with Valvoline is how they can claim that their Maxlife product is suitable for two different transmissions which use different fluids. ZF LG 6 (Shell M-1375.4) and ZF LG 8 (Shell M-L12108). This would mean there's no discernable difference between the Shell fluids which I find hard to believe. Both are marketed and more importantly perform as longlife (100k mile) fluids regardless of what people "feel" or "believe".
Edit: IMO ZF protects themselves from dubious warranty claims by only requiring their ATF because they have no control over the quality of fluids sold by other companies which claim to be compatible.
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Have a read about it from the horse's mouth.
It's made with printer ink 
Maxlife will work fine in a ZF8
Maxlife will work fine in a ZF8
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Thanks for the info. Maybe it’s like Dexron iii and dexron vi, where lifeguard 8 csn be used in 6?
Perhaps, for the most part, it's just one big scam where a "new" ATF is required for every new transmission.Thanks for the info. Maybe it’s like Dexron iii and dexron vi, where lifeguard 8 csn be used in 6?
There is an approved repair for 6HP torque converter shudder that involves a reflash and fluid change to ZF 8.Thanks for the info. Maybe it’s like Dexron iii and dexron vi, where lifeguard 8 csn be used in 6?
This 100%.
I've known a few BMW owners who used MaxLife in their ZF8 without issue, some of them are tuned 335i's. With that said a couple bucks more per quart of fluid to get the ZF stuff shouldn't break the bank.
The ZF fluid is over $30/qt
It's $25/qt at FCP Euro. Which isn't bad for ATF that only needs to be changed once every 60-80k miles.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/lifeguard-8-automatic-transmission-fluid-1-liter-s67109031201
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But how is it different from other atf? I wonder how different this is than dex vi
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Are you a Maxlife repMaxlife is less than $5/qt and will last just as long
?DEXRON-VI is GM specification which they grant approvals for it so anyone can formulate it.
Cheaper perhaps but Valvoline makes zero claims with regards to the service life of their Maxlife product.Maxlife is less than $5/qt and will last just as long
This debate happens like once a week, the Maxlife crowd vs the no-Maxlife folks.
I, personally, am on team Maxlife
I, personally, am on team Maxlife
ZF asks fluid manufacturers for a suitable ATF product, they give them that.
When the 6HP was introduced in 2000, Shell M1375.4 was the latest generation of "shudder proof" ATF avaliable. Ford chose the same fluid for the 5R110 TorqShift.
When the 6HP was introduced in 2000, Shell M1375.4 was the latest generation of "shudder proof" ATF avaliable. Ford chose the same fluid for the 5R110 TorqShift.
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I’m team maxlife for dexron, but I’m unsure about ZF. But how different could their transmissions be? All auto transmissions are very similar right? I don’t see why maxlife would bot provide the same wear protection.This debate happens like once a week, the Maxlife crowd vs the no-Maxlife folks.
I, personally, am on team Maxlife
Exactly. Just like Lubegard Complete Synthetic Power Steering Fluid that's literally compatible with every single car except Honda/Acura. It also specifically states it works with cars that call for CHF hydraulic fluid. So, exactly how different are all these power steering systems? Well, who knows, I bet it would even work fine in a Honda/Acura... a power steering system is a power steering system.
At the end of the day these transmissions are all functionally similar and the fluid performs the same basic functions in the transmission. I believe that Valvoline would stand behind their product if you could PROVE it caused the failure. Keep in mind that the majority of people are changing or adding ATF because something isn't right with the transmission, so "my 300k 4l60e died 100 miles after I put in Valvoline Maxlife ATF" well there's a large chance the transmission died not because of the fluid, but because it's worn out. I would say the folks on here that are simply servicing their ATF on a regular basis for proper maintenance reasons are the MINORITY and for those folks, well, if you go on the Valvoline website and look at the complete listing for the types of ATF it can replace, if your fluid spec is on there, you're fine to use it. Most people either never touch it or take it to the shop. Oh, and guess what fluid the shops buy from me? Valvoline Maxlife
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