ZF 8-speed fluid /filter change, any additives?

[Kraken]

Simple question really.. if using the Mopar 8/9 or ZF Lifeguard 8 fluids.. does anyone add anything like Lubeguard? The OEM fluid is likely enough but wanted to ask just be make sure.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

No additives at all, no matter what you use, be it MOPAR or MaxLife transmission fluids.

 

[Burla]

definitely no, they are sensitive to fluids, only fluid maxlife or zf.

 

[Wild one]

Simple question really.. if using the Mopar 8/9 or ZF Lifeguard 8 fluids.. does anyone add anything like Lubeguard? The OEM fluid is likely enough but wanted to ask just be make sure.

If you do use an additive keep us updated on how it pans out

 

[Kraken]

No additives at all, no matter what you use, be it MOPAR or MaxLife transmission fluids.

Maxlife… you know I wondered but couldn't find anything definitive yesterday on using that in the trans… transfer case for sure but not the transmission.
So Mopar 8&9, ZF Lifeguard, or Valvoline Maxlife eh?

 

[Kraken]

Understood on the additives, thanks guys!

 

[andymax]

Maxlife… you know I wondered but couldn't find anything definitive yesterday on using that in the trans… transfer case for sure but not the transmission.
So Mopar 8&9, ZF Lifeguard, or Valvoline Maxlife eh?

there are millions of miles put on MaxLife fluid in ZF's. Personally I account for about 170,000 of those miles with no problem.

 

[Kraken]

Much obliged.

 

[Kraken]

Something I just came across on youtube.. a 2013 Chrysler 300C with the ZF 8 speed. The image shows it's thermal heater block... much different than what's on the Rams yeah? So not a heater per say but just the thermal bypass for the fluid cooling circuit.

 

[Wild one]

Something I just came across on youtube.. a 2013 Chrysler 300C with the ZF 8 speed. The image shows it's thermal heater block... much different than what's on the Rams yeah? So not a heater per say but just the thermal bypass for the fluid cooling circuit.

View attachment 554147

It works on basically the same principle as the trucks transmission thermostat,but it doesn't use the coolant to pre-heat the fluid like the trucks do.It has a pellet thermostat inside it,that is supposed to maintain the transmissions temperature. If i keep the speed down to 50/55 mph on the wifes 1320 Challenger,it's 8 speed will usually run between 150 and 160F,and that's with the 1320's factory high stall convertor.The HD trucks use a similiar thermostat block,and the 8 speeds in them will run under 170 degrees while towing 7,000+ lbs,and unloaded/empty will usually run right around 160F.Personally i think they over heat the fluid in the 1500's 8 speed to gain that 0.0001 mpg increase.

 

[bm02tj]

And they took the preload out of the LSD to save mileage knuckle heads

 

[Gero]

Maxlife has been fantastic. It's super cheap and is full synthetic. It's nice to have my odyssey and ram use the same tranny fluid.

 

[Hootbro]

I have used the silver bottle Lubegard Platinum in both my RAM and JEEP ZF 8 speeds without issue. Cannot really say it is needed or not but have had good luck with it other applications for shudder issues.

 

[Dusty]

It works on basically the same principle as the trucks transmission thermostat,but it doesn't use the coolant to pre-heat the fluid like the trucks do.It has a pellet thermostat inside it,that is supposed to maintain the transmissions temperature. If i keep the speed down to 50/55 mph on the wifes 1320 Challenger,it's 8 speed will usually run between 150 and 160F,and that's with the 1320's factory high stall convertor.The HD trucks use a similiar thermostat block,and the 8 speeds in them will run under 170 degrees while towing 7,000+ lbs,and unloaded/empty will usually run right around 160F.Personally i think they over heat the fluid in the 1500's 8 speed to gain that 0.0001 mpg increase.

The heater was designed to get the fluid up to temperature faster, and the internal thermostat cuts-off coolant when it gets to optimum operating temperature which I think is 170F.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 121951 miles.

 

[Burla]

It's a new world, I tell you if you tried going to shops back in the day and you tried to sell them the idea of heating transmission oil for any reason, you would get spit on. There isn't a penalty for cool transmission fluid but a serious one of hot. Even at 200f you are not at ideal temps. If it was at 170 that isn't an issue, but the zf8 temps have been all over the place.

 

[Wild one]

The heater was designed to get the fluid up to temperature faster, and the internal thermostat cuts-off coolant when it gets to optimum operating temperature which I think is 170F.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 121951 miles.

The transmission thermostat doesn't have anything to do with the coolant flow to the external heater,the thermostat regulates transmission fluid flow to the cooler in the top part of the A/C condensor. The 3 way valve mounted on the frame under the airbox controls coolant flow to the coolant heater on the earlier 8 speeds,i haven't really looked at how they regulate coolant flow to the heater on the later trucks with-out the 3 way valve,but it might engine thermostat controlled on them,as they tap into the thermostat housing to feed coolant to the heater.
I agree with Mike,if the actual thermostat kept the fluid at 170 it'd be okay,but there isn't a stock 1500 with the 8 speed that runs consistently under 185 after it's up to operating temp,alot of them will exceed 200F pretty easily
If the HD trucks and the cars don't need the transmission heater,neither do the 1500's,the only reason the 1500's heat the transmission fluid is to gain that last 0.0001 mpg,as they sell more 1500's then everything else combined

 

[caulk04]

The heater was designed to get the fluid up to temperature faster, and the internal thermostat cuts-off coolant when it gets to optimum operating temperature which I think is 170F.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 121951 miles.

These trucks run 180-190 at best. Often the thermostats fail to open and guys have seen 220+ on the regular. I've heard report of 250° before.

 

[js12278]

So if the transmission fluid runs at temps below 180° consistently it’s all good? Temps read on the transmission temperature shown on the display, correct?

 

[caulk04]

On the dash, correct. 190 or below I'd consider 'as designed'. Still entirely too warm IMO which is why I've sold somewhere near 350 bypass valves.