Possible 8 speed fluid options

[Glock N Load]

This might be old news, I couldn't find a thread that really discussed much of these. Everyone loves Valvoline Maxlife, they also have an Extended Performance ATF out that is "recommended" as a suitable replacement for Lifeguard 8. The EP has almost identical properties to Maxlife.

Mobil 1 Multi Vehicle ATF, interestingly, doesn't list Lifeguard 8 as a suitable replacement directly. However, after bringing up ZF TE-ML 11, which is ZF's official list of approved oils, Mobil 1 claims it is a suitable replacement for the Audi/VW, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Chrysler part numbers referring to the 8hp70. Aston Martin, Bentley, and Porsche are not listed in Mobil 1's description, but they do have their own ZF approved oils.

And going further down the rabbit hole, Castrol Transmax Multi Vehicle claims to be a suitable replacement for Lifeguard 8, and shares many recommendations with the Mobil 1. Interesting to note that Mobil 1 MV ATF lists only recommendations. Castrol Transmax lists suitable replacements, but does have Ford MERCON LV and GMDEXRON VI approvals.

 

[caulk04]

TRIAX ATF 689 Full Synthetic

TRIAX ATF 689 is a premium, full-synthetic automatic transmission fluid engineered specifically for high-performance European vehicles equipped with ZF 6HP, 8HP, and 9HP gearboxes. Trusted by professional technicians and performance enthusiasts alike, this fluid delivers factory-level...

www.triaxlubricants.com

That's what's in mine, FWIW. It smells the same and has the same greenish tint as the Mopar branded fluid. Maxlife is a perfectly fine fluid, I use it in my wife's 19 Fusion and my daughters 15 Jetta.

 

[QwikKota]

Are you trying to save money or find better protection?

 

[joesstripclub]

This might be old news, I couldn't find a thread that really discussed much of these. Everyone loves Valvoline Maxlife, they also have an Extended Performance ATF out that is "recommended" as a suitable replacement for Lifeguard 8. The EP has almost identical properties to Maxlife.

Mobil 1 Multi Vehicle ATF, interestingly, doesn't list Lifeguard 8 as a suitable replacement directly. However, after bringing up ZF TE-ML 11, which is ZF's official list of approved oils, Mobil 1 claims it is a suitable replacement for the Audi/VW, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Chrysler part numbers referring to the 8hp70. Aston Martin, Bentley, and Porsche are not listed in Mobil 1's description, but they do have their own ZF approved oils.

And going further down the rabbit hole, Castrol Transmax Multi Vehicle claims to be a suitable replacement for Lifeguard 8, and shares many recommendations with the Mobil 1. Interesting to note that Mobil 1 MV ATF lists only recommendations. Castrol Transmax lists suitable replacements, but does have Ford MERCON LV and GMDEXRON VI approvals.

It's been a few years since I looked into it, but I feel like Mercon LV was a pretty close match to Lifeguard 8 specs if I recall correctly. I can't imagine ZF invented some magical new fluid that is vastly different from other options on the market. I hadn't seen the M1 or Castrol versions of Maxlife, so good to know there are other "suitable for" options out there.

 

[Burla]

Shocking info ZF Fluids...

So spec sheets haven't been easy to find on zf fluids or mopar fluids, but I found one on zf 8 lifeguard which is likely the same as mopar fluid, and the stat sheet suggests it is no better then generic trans fluid. Additives aside, someone may decide to do uoa's, and in fact if anyone has any...

www.ramforum.com

maxlife or lifegard 8 only proven choices. Sadly this transmision does not like the true pao oils. It would be great if someone can figure out an easy way to service this unit like rfe, but gotta dot your i's and cross your t's on the service.

 

[Glock N Load]

Are you trying to save money or find better protection?

Im just trying to give people more options, and see if maybe there are any lurkers who have used these successfully. Between these two options, better protection. I recently serviced my 8 speed with Lifeguard as I found it at a reasonable price, and I was still in warranty.

Burla, is there any evidence that M1 MV, Transmaxx, or Valvoline EP are 'true' synthetic, pao/ester based?

 

[danielmid]

HPL lists ATF Green as suitable for the FCA/ZF 8/9 speeds.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

HPL Automatic Transmission fluids are made with premium synthetic base oils and additives. These fluids are extremely oxidation stable, which allows them to stand up to high temperatures in severe applications or results in extremely long life in normal applications. HPL Automatic Transmission...

www.advlubrication.com

 

[stenerson]

Im just trying to give people more options, and see if maybe there are any lurkers who have used these successfully. Between these two options, better protection. I recently serviced my 8 speed with Lifeguard as I found it at a reasonable price, and I was still in warranty.

I'm one year and 13K miles in with Amsoil SS fuel efficient ATL. I'm not sure if it's true pao, and it's definitely not a cheaper option. If you buy the 2.5 gallon jugs it's comparable to the price of mopar OEM zf8/9 fluid on Amazon. But I've been happy with it.

 

[QwikKota]

Im just trying to give people more options, and see if maybe there are any lurkers who have used these successfully. Between these two options, better protection. I recently serviced my 8 speed with Lifeguard as I found it at a reasonable price, and I was still in warranty.

Copy. I'm in the same position and went with Mopar fluid. If I were out of warranty I would have gone with MaxLife. I've used it in other vehicles without issue.

 

[danielmid]

HPL lists ATF Green as suitable for the FCA/ZF 8/9 speeds.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

HPL Automatic Transmission fluids are made with premium synthetic base oils and additives. These fluids are extremely oxidation stable, which allows them to stand up to high temperatures in severe applications or results in extremely long life in normal applications. HPL Automatic Transmission...

www.advlubrication.com

Also HPL ATF Green CC is an all PAO version if that's what anyone is specifically searching for.

 

[T. Anders]

Although I haven't used it in the Ram, I've used Ravenol 8HP in my Grand Cherokee with a ZF8 transmission. I haven't had any issues.

 

[star_deceiver]

Been using this for the last year and a bit.



No issues.

 

[Hootbro]

In my opinion, any fluid compatible with Dexron VI, Toyota WS and Mercon LV will work in these transmissions as a suitable replacement regardless if they do not state compatibility with Lifegard 8/9 fluid.

 

[Govtman]

This might be old news, I couldn't find a thread that really discussed much of these. Everyone loves Valvoline Maxlife, they also have an Extended Performance ATF out that is "recommended" as a suitable replacement for Lifeguard 8. The EP has almost identical properties to Maxlife.

Mobil 1 Multi Vehicle ATF, interestingly, doesn't list Lifeguard 8 as a suitable replacement directly. However, after bringing up ZF TE-ML 11, which is ZF's official list of approved oils, Mobil 1 claims it is a suitable replacement for the Audi/VW, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Chrysler part numbers referring to the 8hp70. Aston Martin, Bentley, and Porsche are not listed in Mobil 1's description, but they do have their own ZF approved oils.

And going further down the rabbit hole, Castrol Transmax Multi Vehicle claims to be a suitable replacement for Lifeguard 8, and shares many recommendations with the Mobil 1. Interesting to note that Mobil 1 MV ATF lists only recommendations. Castrol Transmax lists suitable replacements, but does have Ford MERCON LV and GMDEXRON VI approvals.

This is what I used. Back says approved for replacement.

Valvoline Extended Protection full synthetic ATF

https://a.co/d/8HxZ2H3

 

[Burla]

Im just trying to give people more options, and see if maybe there are any lurkers who have used these successfully. Between these two options, better protection. I recently serviced my 8 speed with Lifeguard as I found it at a reasonable price, and I was still in warranty.

Burla, is there any evidence that M1 MV, Transmaxx, or Valvoline EP are 'true' synthetic, pao/ester based?

I don't know about the first one, m1 likes to add it's pao to sds sheets but their mv trans fluid appears to be regular group 3 stuff. I havent even looked, I just assume maxlife is the same especially considering how cheap it is. More interesting is that the ZF trans doesn't like true synthetics that have better heat characteristics if you believe the many ram members who have reported slippery clutch conditions with top pao/ester oils.

If you find a girl who is happy with the value meal at mcdonalds, marry the girl. You ZF trans is the same, satisfied with the cheap stuff, don't bother with the expensive.

 

[jh90731]

I've been using the Pentosin ATF8 from Rock Auto. $18.73/liter, $82/5 liter bottles. It's full synthetic and I've been using it for the last 70k miles with good results.

 

[Roadwarrior 1500]

I have a '17 Big Horn 5.7 and changed the Trans fluid @ 150k with Amsoi (no flush).
I did have to take it back to the dealer to do a re-learn as it was hard shifting. It took about 200 miles then it started shifting perfectly.
I have almost 340k on it now (originall trans and motor) with no issues. I do not pull with it.

 

[Wild one]

I have a '17 Big Horn 5.7 and changed the Trans fluid @ 150k with Amsoi (no flush).
I did have to take it back to the dealer to do a re-learn as it was hard shifting. It took about 200 miles then it started shifting perfectly.
I have almost 340k on it now (originall trans and motor) with no issues. I do not pull with it.

That's a first,i've never heard of anybody having to do a tranny relearn because of doing a fluid/filter change on an 8 speed. If i was to guess it might of been because of the Amsoil fluid,as it doesn't have a great rep in the 8 speed

 

[DILLIGAF]

Maxxlife

 

[stenerson]

I have a '17 Big Horn 5.7 and changed the Trans fluid @ 150k with Amsoi (no flush).
I did have to take it back to the dealer to do a re-learn as it was hard shifting. It took about 200 miles then it started shifting perfectly.
I have almost 340k on it now (originall trans and motor) with no issues. I do not pull with it.

Good to hear! I've also been happy with Amsoil. Wow! 340K? Did you do just that one drain and fill at 150K?