- Joined
- Apr 28, 2012
- Posts
- 23,283
- Reaction score
- 45,012
- Ram Year
- 2010 Hemi Reg Cab 4x4
- Engine
- Hemi
ditto thread in 4 gen
So when you look at stat sheets it reveals the characteristics of the base oils. And the stat sheets reveal that zf8 fluid is not what we thought, as in pao base oils. It seams to be in line with maxlife multi use instead of true performance like redline or amsoil. The issue is sense the transmissions run hot, they really do need pao base oils for longevity, and according to the stat sheet, the zf8 fluid seams to similar to mineral oils in performance to be real pao fluid. So for guys with zf8, I say do some research when making a choice on transmission service. The only thing in common zf fluid has with the real pao based oils is the price tag, you guys are being hosed.
ZF Fluid
Viscosity at 100°C 5.6
Pour point -42°C
Maxlife multi-
Viscosity at 100°C 5.9
Pour Point -42c
Add a impressive VI at 163
Very decent fluid.
Redline d6-
Vis @ 100°C, CSt 6.3
Pour Point, °C -60
VI 163
Amsoil Multi
Vis @ 100, 6.3
Pour point, -65c
VI, 159
You see below second line, pao based oils do perform well in hot and cold, perfect for zf transmission. When you look at continual use, that is the nature of the base oil, the other parts of the graph are achieved with additives such as vii's that are very temporary in service. So when they say lifetime fluid, a real pao is possibly that, but as you can plainly see, mineral oil is not when you consider the temp the zf transmission operates at. Do what you will with this info, but at a minimum lower the interval if you use zf fluid because it is not what we have thought it was in the past. These stat sheets have been illusive, can't find one for mopar fluid either, but I bet it is the same. Funny fact because of the temp a zf operates at, and the fluid specs, it makes more sense to change it more often then an rfe.
So when you look at stat sheets it reveals the characteristics of the base oils. And the stat sheets reveal that zf8 fluid is not what we thought, as in pao base oils. It seams to be in line with maxlife multi use instead of true performance like redline or amsoil. The issue is sense the transmissions run hot, they really do need pao base oils for longevity, and according to the stat sheet, the zf8 fluid seams to similar to mineral oils in performance to be real pao fluid. So for guys with zf8, I say do some research when making a choice on transmission service. The only thing in common zf fluid has with the real pao based oils is the price tag, you guys are being hosed.
ZF Fluid
Viscosity at 100°C 5.6
Pour point -42°C
Maxlife multi-
Viscosity at 100°C 5.9
Pour Point -42c
Add a impressive VI at 163
Very decent fluid.
Redline d6-
Vis @ 100°C, CSt 6.3
Pour Point, °C -60
VI 163
Amsoil Multi
Vis @ 100, 6.3
Pour point, -65c
VI, 159
You see below second line, pao based oils do perform well in hot and cold, perfect for zf transmission. When you look at continual use, that is the nature of the base oil, the other parts of the graph are achieved with additives such as vii's that are very temporary in service. So when they say lifetime fluid, a real pao is possibly that, but as you can plainly see, mineral oil is not when you consider the temp the zf transmission operates at. Do what you will with this info, but at a minimum lower the interval if you use zf fluid because it is not what we have thought it was in the past. These stat sheets have been illusive, can't find one for mopar fluid either, but I bet it is the same. Funny fact because of the temp a zf operates at, and the fluid specs, it makes more sense to change it more often then an rfe.