8HP70/75 Trans Fluid Never Changed? What's your miles?

[Bigskyroadglide]

Saw this out in the wild today. Thinking more advertising than Mobile repair vehicle

 

[joesstripclub]

I find it interesting that many are skeptical of Ram's position that the 8HP series is good for lifetime, yet there's no skepticism of ZF recommendation for 80K fluid changes of their expensive, proprietary fluid. Seems to me that it's been just the opposite for ATF-4.

But I digress from my main point.

Recently I had scheduled to have the fluid and filter replaced in my ZF transmission as I was at the 75,000 mile mark. After the vehicle was taken in the transmission tech. approached me and asked if I was having an issue. I said "no" and that I was concerned about the condition of the fluid because of miles and because I tow about 7K, six or seven times a year.

He suggested that a health check be performed which would determine if there were any internal issues and verify the condition of the fluid. I said go ahead since I can't say I was anxious to spend the $900. He explained there were a number of checks performed with the scan tool that could determine the health of the fluid. I did specifically ask for a clutch index count, but he said there were four others that more directly analyze the fluid condition.

He came back later and gave me the condition report, as well as a small sample of the fluid. The fluid looked as green as the new stuff. So I declined the transmission service.

Later, I discovered online the recommended scan tool checks and thought I would share it with you: Gears Magazine - The ZF 8-Speed Transmission Fluid and Filter Change

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 78566 miles

I had never head of the scan tool checks, that is interesting. I changed my fluid around 30k miles and it was very dark grey with pretty much 0 towing then, so I am surprised your fluid is still green. Maybe they keep a sample of new fluid around so they dont have to work on them? I am used to the old recommendation of 30k mile transmission fluid changes so a 60k to 80k interval on better fluid doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

 

[Different Drummer]

I had never head of the scan tool checks, that is interesting. I changed my fluid around 30k miles and it was very dark grey with pretty much 0 towing then, so I am surprised your fluid is still green. Maybe they keep a sample of new fluid around so they dont have to work on them? I am used to the old recommendation of 30k mile transmission fluid changes so a 60k to 80k interval on better fluid doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

I was wondering the same on fluid appearance. On several occasions I have read that fluid with 100,00 miles ( or thereabouts ) looked "just like new" or some description similar. My easily driven, never towed, 90% highway miles transmission fluid looked nothing like new fluid.or even close to new fluid at 58,000 miles. I must be doing something wrong.

 

[Dusty]

I had never head of the scan tool checks, that is interesting. I changed my fluid around 30k miles and it was very dark grey with pretty much 0 towing then, so I am surprised your fluid is still green. Maybe they keep a sample of new fluid around so they dont have to work on them? I am used to the old recommendation of 30k mile transmission fluid changes so a 60k to 80k interval on better fluid doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

Not only do I know the trans. tech. very well, but I watch what's going on through the service window. It was an honest sample that he took.

Besides, a dishonest tech. or dealership would be more motivated to upsell me.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 78651 miles

 

[Different Drummer]

Not only do I know the trans. tech. very well, but I watch what's going on through the service window. It was an honest sample that he took.

Besides, a dishonest tech. or dealership would be more motivated to upsell me.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 78651 miles

No argument on your description of your experience or the integrity of your dealership on my part. I certainly am not in a position to pass judgement. However, I am VERY surprised to read " The fluid looked as green as the new stuff." from a transmission that had 27,000 miles more than mine did when mine was serviced. And mine has never had a trailer hitch in the receiver. I sent a sample for a UOA on the transmission fluid. I anticipate that the report will be an acceptable one.
However, the fluid I sent certainly did not look as green ( or as clear ) as the new ZF 8 speed Lifeguard that was installed.

 

[Dusty]

No argument on your description of your experience or the integrity of your dealership on my part. I certainly am not in a position to pass judgement. However, I am VERY surprised to read " The fluid looked as green as the new stuff." from a transmission that had 27,000 miles more than mine did when mine was serviced. And mine has never had a trailer hitch in the receiver. I sent a sample for a UOA on the transmission fluid. I anticipate that the report will be an acceptable one.
However, the fluid I sent certainly did not look as green ( or as clear ) as the new ZF 8 speed Lifeguard that was installed.

Then it will be even more interesting to see what the UOA tells you. Please share it with us when you get the results.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 78744 miles

 

[RodRamCar]

I'm sure this is completely normal but I notice two things as of late (since weather is getting colder in the mornings and staying colder throughout the day). My downshifting from 3rd to 1st feels like it sort of bumps down into 2nd and especially 1st coming to a stop. I didn't seem to notice it during the hot summer even on cold startup driving to work. Also, it feels like the shifting is more noticeable but I wouldn't say concerning until the fluid gets to 175F or so. Then at 185F it feels pretty dang smooth. I usually expect this in any vehicle but I wanted to ask if this is what everyone else's "normal" is.

 

[RodRamCar]

In Toyotas if you have a scan tool and a computer you can actually download and install ECU and TCU updates from TSBs directly. Can we do those kind of things on our Ram using AlfaOBD?

 

[RodRamCar]

I'm also curious if anyone has ever done the shift improvement kit (zipkit) that Rock Auto sells that is supposed to help with shifting in general. My shifting isn't bad by my own experience but it could certainly be smoother.

You can see the information for these here:

More Information for SONNAX ZF8ZIP

I know many people upgrade older BMW valve bodies with these zip kits for their ZF trans.

 

[Wild one]

I'm also curious if anyone has ever done the shift improvement kit (zipkit) that Rock Auto sells that is supposed to help with shifting in general. My shifting isn't bad by my own experience but it could certainly be smoother.

You can see the information for these here:

More Information for SONNAX ZF8ZIP

I know many people upgrade older BMW valve bodies with these zip kits for their ZF trans.

The Zip kit upgrade isn't as common in the Dodge world as it is in the BMW world,but it's probably not a bad upgrade.I looked into them a few years ago,but never got around to ordering one to try out.If you spring for it,let us know your thoughts on whether it's a worth while upgrade,as i'm still seriously considering it,but being in Canada and being a cheap bugger,i was sort of waiting to see if anybody would try it out before i spent the money on one,lol