ZF 8 Multi Vehicle ATF Experiences

[BMW Dom]

Let me know what fluids you have used in the ZF 8 speed transmissions and how they performed.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

LG8 at 55k miles. Shifts fine

 

[demarpaint]

It's mentioned here. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/bad-experiences-with-maxlife-atf.343332/

 

[BMW Dom]

It's mentioned here. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/bad-experiences-with-maxlife-atf.343332/

The Century has a ZF 8?

 

[nwjones18]

Maxlife is what I plan to put into mine when the time comes. I think I mentioned it in another thread, but there is a guy on ram forums that has several hundred k miles on it in his ram with no issues.

 

[demarpaint]

The Century has a ZF 8?

IIRC there's mention of it used in a ZF8.

Edit: Wrong thread, sorry. It has been discussed here many times for ZF8 use.

 

[BMW Dom]

Maxlife is what I plan to put into mine when the time comes. I think I mentioned it in another thread, but there is a guy on ram forums that has several hundred k miles on it in his ram with no issues.

I have seen a lot of those on the Ram forums. It definitely adds a lot of confidence.

 

[BMW Dom]

IIRC there's mention of it used in a ZF8.

Edit: Wrong thread, sorry. It has been discussed here many times for ZF8 use.

No need to apologize. I know I have started like 5 of the same threads about ZF 8 fluid haha.

 

[demarpaint]

^ No problem. Here ya go, you posted in the thread........... https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/what-makes-lifeguard-8-special.343183/

 

[kschachn]

No need to apologize. I know I have started like 5 of the same threads about ZF 8 fluid haha.

For what reason are you starting another one then?

 

[BMW Dom]

For what reason are you starting another one then?

Sorry, maybe I'll start another "thick vs thin" thread

 

[demarpaint]

Sorry, maybe I'll start another "thick vs thin" thread

Go for it! They're always entertaining and fun.

 

[JTK]

Maxlife is what I plan to put into mine when the time comes. I think I mentioned it in another thread, but there is a guy on ram forums that has several hundred k miles on it in his ram with no issues.

Verndiesel over on Ramforums had 700K miles on his 2014 Ram 1500 ecodiesel w/ 8hp70 before the transmission gave up on a solenoid failure. At that kind of miles, rather than open up the high mileage one, he had a used one swapped in. He changed ATF w/ maxlife every 100K miles.

 

[BMW Dom]

Verndiesel over on Ramforums had 700K miles on his 2014 Ram 1500 ecodiesel w/ 8hp70 before the transmission gave up on a solenoid failure. At that kind of miles, rather than open up the high mileage one, he had a used one swapped in. He changed ATF w/ maxlife every 100K miles.

Yes, I saw that. I really hope that it’s true. Thanks

 

[4WD]

Verndiesel over on Ramforums had 700K miles on his 2014 Ram 1500 ecodiesel w/ 8hp70 before the transmission gave up on a solenoid failure. At that kind of miles, rather than open up the high mileage one, he had a used one swapped in. He changed ATF w/ maxlife every 100K miles.

Well, that’s one big “been there - done that” !

Just looked on RamForum and a member said 60k changes … and pulled an RV …

 

[2EHA]

more important is the filter. some aftermarket filters are more likely to have manufacturing defects

 

[BMW Dom]

Verndiesel over on Ramforums had 700K miles on his 2014 Ram 1500 ecodiesel w/ 8hp70 before the transmission gave up on a solenoid failure. At that kind of miles, rather than open up the high mileage one, he had a used one swapped in. He changed ATF w/ maxlife every 100K miles.

Here's the thread, incase anyone would like to see it. https://www.ramforum.com/threads/zf8-ppe-pan-install-and-d6-changeout-to-maxlife.178917/page-2

 

[BMW Dom]

It also seems like Maxlife does not have as much Calcium as LG8

 

[KlubMarcus]

It also seems like Maxlife does not have as much Calcium as LG8

I checked Valvoline's website and MaxLife Synthetic is also Honda ATF Type 3.1 compatible. I used it for a drain and fill in a 2017 Honda Pilot Elite with a ZF 9-speed pushbutton / paddle transmission. It also lists ZF's 8 and 9 speeds in the PI Sheet.

 

[jeepman3071]

+1 on the filter

There have been issues on BMW forums from filters that don't fit quite right. Definitely get an OEM filter/pan assembly.

I don't think you can go wrong with either the Lifeguard fluid or the MaxLife. Some have even used the Liqui-Moly fluid with good results, but it doesn't seem as popular as the other two.