Liqui Moly ATF 1800 alternative for ZF8 Fluid

[blasterman78]

I am getting ready to replace my trans fluid and filter. Has anyone used this fluid instead of ATF3+ or ZF8 fluid? It show as a "Recommended" replacement fluid for 8HPXX transmissions.

Thoughts/comments?

top-tec-atf-1800-1-liter-liqui-moly

[Mr.47]

Originally Posted by blasterman78

I am getting ready to replace my trans fluid and filter. Has anyone used this fluid instead of ATF3+ or ZF8 fluid? It show as a "Recommended" replacement fluid for 8HPXX transmissions.

Thoughts/comments?

top-tec-atf-1800-1-liter-liqui-moly

Don't Not Use aftermarket for any ZF transmission, Use OEM for Fluid and oil pan/filter if you want to retain that smooth precise transmission shifts.

The fluid you need is
ZF lifeguard 8

The filter and drain plug is integrated into the pan, you'll also need to replace all 13x T40 pan bolts and the fill plug.

Use this (free shipping
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-24118612901kt

or cheapest (+ Shipping)
http://www.thectsc.com/products/oil-...--227-109.html

WOW FCP euro used to be the cheap at $250 for the kit, not sure what happened price nearly jumped $95 more since i've bought last, either or they're the same price if you factor the shipping from cost from the California transmission store ($35+ for shipping).

I just changed mine out a couple of weeks ago, if you're planning to do this on you own it can get really messy. and if you have X-drive accessing the rear bolt on the pan can be tricky, and you'll need a jack or trans lift to lift up the rear so you can slide a stubby torx bit and undo the pan bolt. You'll also need ISTA-D to access transmission fluid temperature, transmission needs to be filled at a certain temperature with the engine running (exhaust pipe burns) and there a fill procedure that involves shifting the transmission into P>R>N>D>M1>M2>M3 gear and Holding 2000 Rpm for 30 seconds in Park, lastly you have to measure how much you drain and put in the trans.

Not trying to scare you away but its quite tricky (if you have x-drive) and very very messy (regardless) to get it done but its quite straight forward .

Ps if your sending to a shop make sure they replace the pan and bolts and not just do a drain and refill trans.

[blasterman78]

Thanks for the info. Just wondering if these new Fluids would work. I am going to go the ZF8 Fluid route no sense in taking a chance on ruining the trans because I wanted to save a couple of bucks.

Thanks for the heads up on the procedure, I did this on my old Q5 that had a 6HP, and it was a bit of a mess, but still worth it to keep the transmission in proper running order.

[turboawd]

You could look up other manufacturers to see how much their fluid costs. The zf 8hp is used in many other car brands. Pan may vary but the fluid shouldn't really vary much.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission

[turboawd]

Oh and I bought a kit from the California transmission company. I don't remember paying 300 though!
As for burning exhaust, wrap a towel around the pipe. A short torx bit inside a 1/4 inch ratchet wrench works to get rear bolts out.

[blasterman78]

Thank you for the insight,

I found the part number for the ZF branded filter which is a bit cheaper and the same part as the genuine branded parts in case anyone else is interested in doing the service themselves.

ZF filter for 8HP45 transmission: 0501 220 614

[menelaos]

Was about to change transmission fluid too, but local mechanic was hesitant.
Is 50K miles early to do it?
How much oil do I need? Just bought one BMW-approved bottle.

[fosterelli]

Originally Posted by Mr.47

Don't Not Use aftermarket for any ZF transmission, Use OEM for Fluid and oil pan/filter if you want to retain that smooth precise transmission shifts.

The fluid you need is
ZF lifeguard 8

Liqui Moly 20032 is a very popular oil for ZF 8HP owners.

To each their own - but ZF Lifeguard 8 fluid is used in all sorts of ZF 8 speed applications. In fact, that "smooth precise transmission shift" you speak of is the same fluid as the Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, and Dodge Ram 1500 ZFs.

Last time I rented from Enterprise they put me into a Charger...I don't remember the shifting being very smooth.

Besides, I wonder who is blending Lifeguard fluids for ZF right now? And who formerly made it, and who will make it tomorrow?

Liqui Moly stands behind published approvals & recommendations and would not list an application which isn't suitable to the fluid...and warrants such, just like all major lubricant manufacturers do.

I'm biased due to our business, and I'm certainly not trying to change anyone's mind about their fluid choices. Your vehicle, your dollar, your decision.

But I am about to install a new Rotary 12K 4-post lift in our warehouse, then I'm putting the Liqui Moly ATF exchanger/flusher to work, with the Top Tec 1800 of course. Think MUHLE with all of the Euro fittings & adapters. I have the daughter's W212 to service as well so we'll be flush with fun!

[blasterman78]

Originally Posted by menelaos

Was about to change transmission fluid too, but local mechanic was hesitant.
Is 50K miles early to do it?
How much oil do I need? Just bought one BMW-approved bottle.

I believe ZF recommends fluid changes at 100,000 Km (about 62,000 miles) The "kits" usually come with 7- 1L bottles of fluid, but i think a fluid change is a 6L better to have extra.

ZF 8 is the same fluid I found it for 22.95 per Liter at Bavarian Autosport.

[bkdc]

I've used Liqui Moly Top Tec 1800 on my 8 speed ZF Bimmer tranny for 120K miles (three transmission fluid changes with filter). No problems, and nice and smooth. Take it as you will. ZF Lifeguard 8 is really pricey but it depends on whether you think the ZF factory's fluid is superior to alternatives with very similar specifications. It peeves me when a generic product such as a lubricant is deemed to have a monopoly. I change my tranny fluid and filter ever 50K in general but the first tranny change occurs at 25 to 30K. I follow the Audi guidelines, and Audi also uses ZF transmissions. Somehow Audi does not believe ZF to be lifetime fill. Go figure.

[alphaod]

ZF themselves says 80-120 thousand km service intervals, so clearly not lifetime. If you drive hard or do towing, go lower end of interval. I did my change at around 50k mi so basically 80k km.

[Alex Ander]

Originally Posted by blasterman78

I am getting ready to replace my trans fluid and filter. Has anyone used this fluid instead of ATF3+ or ZF8 fluid? It show as a "Recommended" replacement fluid for 8HPXX transmissions.

Thoughts/comments?

top-tec-atf-1800-1-liter-liqui-moly

Hi all, I wanted to add my experience with the Liqui Moly Toptec 1800.
I performed a fluid change only, on my 8HP45 transmission (no pan drop yet) at 60K miles. I will be doing a second fluid change with pan drop at 65K.
I also added Lubegard 63010 Platinum Universal on the suggested amount. The Lubegard is well regarded by Transmission Shops and has tons of good reviews from users, it also it has the right BMW specs to be used with ZF fluid or equivalent.
To make a long story short, on a transmission that was already working well, there was an immediate improvement in shifting smoothness.
After few hundred miles it got better and now after 2k miles, it is still working very well. Fuel consumption went down as well.
Obviously there was going to be an improvement by replacing half of the 60k miles old fluid with fresh one, yet shifts have become a tad shorter in general and almost seamless when cruising below 2000rpm.

[CatalinP]

Bullshit.

[Mr.47]

Originally Posted by Alex Ander

I also added Lubegard 63010 Platinum Universal on the suggested amount.

There's absolutely no reason and highly not recommended to add additives to your transmission if your changing your fluid within zf specification 60k miles or 8 yrs, the fluid it self, lifeguard 8, already have their own blend of friction modifiers.

Also per Liqui Moly using Top Tec 1800 "Optimum effectiveness is only possible when the product is used unmixed." Meaning if your going to use this fluid you have to drain and fill 2-3 more times to clear out of the old zf lifeguard, which why I did not recommend not using this fluid and stick with zf lifeguard 8.

[pwrdbym]

I changed my tranny fluid at 97k (3k ago) with the Liqui-moly 1800 kit from FCP. Also changed the pan/filter. The kit comes with 7 liters of fluid but I only used 5.5. (I went back and did the math and buying 6 liters seperate would cost more than the kit).
I can't say I've noticed an improvement but also nothing negative. I've been using liquimoly oil for quite awhile now in the M cars (10w60) so I like the brand.
You don't have to actually move anything to access the rear pan bolts; if you have a shorter torx bit (like you'd put in a ratcheting screwdriver) you can put that in a 1/4 gear wrench and it works fine. The bolts aren't torqued tight. Refill procedure is no big deal either as the temp range is pretty broad (104-122?). I put in roughly 3.5-4 liters on the initial fill, then another 1.5-2 on the top off.

[OnlyGerman]

F10 transmission service at 135k. Was wondering the same as ZF fluid is $$$ but used that for piece of mind - only do it once, so do it right. And if you're wondering, the fluid was not black and looked pretty good given the mileage.

[KnudsonM3]

Any DIYs on changing the trans and transfer case fluid?

Would like to do this at 50k.

[Mr.47]

Originally Posted by KnudsonM3

Any DIYs on changing the trans and transfer case fluid?

Would like to do this at 50k.

The transfer case has no drain plug, you'll have to draw it up from the fill plug ie syringe/mityvac pump, and fill it up till it drips out of the fill port (0.6L). Use BMW transfer case fluid only.

[pwrdbym]

Originally Posted by KnudsonM3

Any DIYs on changing the trans and transfer case fluid?

Would like to do this at 50k.

Not a full DIY by any means but I detailed some maint items in this thread, to include access for the transfer case.
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1639922
There's nothing cosmic about the fluid change, as noted you have to pull the old fluid out via the fill plug. Access will take longer as you likely need to drop the heat shielding. The S-Tec fluid shown in the pictures is an authorized alternative to the BMW branded fluid.

[KnudsonM3]

Thanks gents!

[Alex Ander]

Originally Posted by Mr.47

There's absolutely no reason and highly not recommended to add additives to your transmission if your changing your fluid within zf specification 60k miles or 8 yrs, the fluid it self, lifeguard 8, already have their own blend of friction modifiers.

Also per Liqui Moly using Top Tec 1800 "Optimum effectiveness is only possible when the product is used unmixed." Meaning if your going to use this fluid you have to drain and fill 2-3 more times to clear out of the old zf lifeguard, which why I did not recommend not using this fluid and stick with zf lifeguard 8.

"Optimum effectiveness is only possible when the product is used unmixed."
I had red that before doing my decision on mixing or not, but I am not expecting anything different from a manufacturer than stating that the product should be unmixed. They all are in the business to sell more.
Yet somewhere else on Liqui Moly papers, they state that it can be mixed with fluid meeting the same specs.
Also the Lubegard additive is within specs to be used with ZF fluid or other fluid meeting the same requirements.

The ZF fluid even the BMW branded and mosts of the equivalent like the Liqui Moly, are produced by Shell, plus some additives that each brand may decide to add to their liking. Colors may vary because of different dies used.
The ZF fluid is not necessary the holy grail anymore, may actually not be the best either.
At the moment my transmission, after 3k miles, is performing shorter shifts, with less acoustic and rpm variation between shifts, than prior the partial fluid change.

[Alex Ander]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

Bullshit.

I do not know how to explain to you, since you did not drive the car before and after.