ZF Lifeguard 6 vs Febi

[KyleT]

I mess with land rovers as a hobby/slow side gig that all have the 6HP series transmissions. OE fluid is the ZF LG6 and Motorcraft Mercon SP is an alternative as well as the Shell fluid that’s harder to get.

But there is the Febi 38936 SP fluid, has anyone used that and had ill effects? I need to stay “OEM” or as close to it because I eventually sell these and I’m very clear about using factory fluids and stuff as much as possible. I know there are other fluids that will prob work but the Febi is priced a little under the Motorcraft in bulk which saves me quite a bit in the long run. Way cheaper than the ZF fluid.

 

[2EHA]

LG6 and SP are both Shell M1375.4. ZF obviously used it for the 6HP and Ford introduced SP for the 5R110 long before they decided to adopt the 6HP family of transmissions.

Anything else is not the same. Febi recommends their fluid to replace M1375.4 but is not approved and never will be. ZF does not approve any aftermarket fluids.

Basically any modern LV fluid will work fine in the 6HP. I just put a mix of maxlife and pentosin ATF1LV in one of my customer’s cars. no problems

 

[KyleT]

LG6 and SP are both Shell M1375.4. ZF obviously used it for the 6HP and Ford introduced SP for the 5R110 long before they decided to adopt the 6HP family of transmissions.

Anything else is not the same. Febi recommends their fluid to replace M1375.4 but is not approved and never will be. ZF does not approve any aftermarket fluids.

Basically any modern LV fluid will work fine in the 6HP. I just put a mix of maxlife and pentosin ATF1LV in one of my customer’s cars. no problems

I’m not worried about approved because ZF won’t but if it’s “OEM” enough specific for that which it sounds like it is, that works and I’ll use it. It’s effectively 15% less than Motorcraft fluid. I have 2, plus my parents, plus a friend has 3 and however many more we pick up so the cost adds up.

I couldn’t find out where the Febi had the recommendations only that it was made in Germany.

 

[2EHA]

I’m not worried about approved because ZF won’t but if it’s “OEM” enough specific for that which it sounds like it is, that works and I’ll use it. It’s effectively 15% less than Motorcraft fluid. I have 2, plus my parents, plus a friend has 3 and however many more we pick up so the cost adds up.

l

i wouldn’t bother with the febi, it’s still an expensive unlicensed product. other cheaper fluids have been proven to wok

 

[KyleT]

i wouldn’t bother with the febi, it’s still an expensive unlicensed product

Febi is 9/qt, about 1/3 the cost of LG6. Motorcraft is 12/qt

I’ve had cars with other fluids like amsoil and long life come in before and need transmission fluid changes back to the LG6 to get shifting to be back to normal so I’m hesitant to use a generic fluid in these transmissions. But it sounds like Motorcraft may be the best option for me.
Edit, FEBI 34608 claims to meet the shell spec? Ah I’m dumb that part number only corresponds to 1qt vs 20litres

 

[edyvw]

Febi is 9/qt, about 1/3 the cost of LG6. Motorcraft is 12/qt

I’ve had cars with other fluids like amsoil and long life come in before and need transmission fluid changes back to the LG6 to get shifting to be back to normal so I’m hesitant to use a generic fluid in these transmissions. But it sounds like Motorcraft may be the best option for me.
Edit, FEBI 34608 claims to meet the shell spec?

Just get FEBI, bcs. whatever other people say you will not listen. So, since you came to look for bias confirmation, I say put FEBI, actually overfill transmission so you feel better.
Or, you could get Maxlife in local Wal mart, which is known to work good in ZF6.

 

[2EHA]

Edit, FEBI 34608 claims to meet the shell spec? Ah I’m dumb that part number only corresponds to 1qt vs 20litres

Recommended Use = exactly that, recommended. being made in germany with a serious looking jug does not make it special magic OE fluid

 

[KyleT]

Just get FEBI, bcs. whatever other people say you will not listen. So, since you came to look for bias confirmation, I say put FEBI, actually overfill transmission so you feel better.
Or, you could get Maxlife in local Wal mart, which is known to work good in ZF6.

Max life and the Land Rover don’t work from my experience that’s why I was looking for alternatives. Hard shifting fixed with ZF fluid drain and refill. No need for the attitude.

 

[edyvw]

Max life and the Land Rover don’t work from my experience that’s why I was looking for alternatives. Hard shifting fixed with ZF fluid drain and refill. No need for the attitude.

So there you go, go ZF fluid. There is reason, as it was already indicated to you that FEBI is not approved and it will never be. But, you still trying to get someone to tell you how FEBI is OK. It might, it might not, who knows. But, what is known is ZF6 fluid will work.
Maxlife is often use in BMW's ZF6, I personally used ZF6 in my X5 35d that I had, and would never go different fluid in ZF transmissions.

 

[KyleT]

View attachment 57578

Recommended Use = exactly that, recommended. being made in germany with a serious looking jug does not make it special magic OE fluid

Exactly why I’m posting. Lots of fluids say they meet the spec. But don’t actually work or are “universal” spec.

I didn’t know if they made the fluid for ZF or if shell was still the manufacturer.

 

[2EHA]

even when febi has the chance to meet transmission manufacturer approvals, they don’t.

Febi 29449, their fluid marketed exclusively for the MB 7speed

official approval list

 

[KyleT]

even when febi has the chance to meet transmission manufacturer approvals, they don’t.

Febi 29449, their fluid marketed exclusively for the MB 7speed
View attachment 57580

official approval list
View attachment 57581

Interesting. Either cost to approve or the fluid won’t meet it.

 

[BMW Dom]

Interesting. Either cost to approve or the fluid won’t meet it.

If you're worrying about approvals than go with ZF fluid. Are you just waiting for someone to tell you that it worked in their transmission?
Many people have used universal fluids in their transmission and they seem tot work fine. There are many threads like this were we talk about ZF LG6 oils.
You're always going to get different opinions. This person says use only "xy atf" , this other person says they used "xz" fluid and their transmission has been shifting perfectly.
ZF doesn't approve of any aftermarket fluids. Why would they?

 

[KyleT]

If you're worrying about approvals than go with ZF fluid. Are you just waiting for someone to tell you that it worked in their transmission?
Many people have used universal fluids in their transmission and they seem tot work fine. There are many threads like this were we talk about ZF LG6 oils.
You're always going to get different opinions. This person says use only "xy atf" , this other person says they used "xz" fluid and their transmission has been shifting perfectly.
ZF doesn't approve of any aftermarket fluids. Why would they?

That was my main questins, is it the same as ZF? No. Is it approved? No. Is it the same manufacture for ZF? No. Will it work in the sensitive Land Rovers? TBD.
So I’m left with either the ZF LG6 or Motorcraft Mercon SP both made by Shell.

 

[kschachn]

That was my main questins, is it the same as ZF? No. Is it approved? No. Is it the same manufacture for ZF? No. Will it work in the sensitive Land Rovers? TBD.
So I’m left with either the ZF LG6 or Motorcraft Mercon SP both made by Shell.

There you go then.

 

[RooflessVW]

In your scenario stick with the Mercon SP. AAP has it for $9.99/qt.

I have used Havoline Full Synthetic Multi before with success.

 

[edyvw]

Interesting. Either cost to approve or the fluid won’t meet it.

The cost to approve is minuscule. I do not think ZF has an approval process. It is up to vehicle manufacturers to solve that.
So, the real question is what Land Rover approves, not what ZF approves?

 

[adams355]

Amsoil LV is the best choice I think, true synthetic unlike LG6. After the service, top up the transmission running in P cold, first start of the day.

 

[4wd]

The cost to approve is minuscule. I do not think ZF has an approval process. It is up to vehicle manufacturers to solve that.
So, the real question is what Land Rover approves, not what ZF approves?

What’s your opinion on why these semi synthetic ATF’s are so expensive … I think Mopar is downright predatory business practices … but best I’m finding on ZF is $20/quart …

 

[2EHA]

car manufacturers who outsource transmissions don’t care and have no interest in approving fluids themselves. they buy factory fill from the original supplier, slap their name on the bottle and call it a day. in the case of land rover they blatantly tell you it’s shell m1375.4

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