Quote:
Originally Posted by haigha
Check whether the ATF you are looking at meets the specifications for your transmission.
I used Valvoline MaxLife on my 04 4.4i e53. It is not certified but meets the spec according to the label. I did three drain and fills to replace about 85% of the original fluid. Now my transmission shifts like new. The harsh shifting I had prior to that was likely do to low fluid because of a slow leak from the mechatronic sleeve. Check the recent thread about problems replacing that before attempting it on an E70. Still important to do if you suspect it is a source of a leak.
The Valvoline is about a fifth of the cost the ZF ATF, so the three flushes are a lot less expensive.
You'll see varying opinions. I'd seen enough success with MaxLife to give it a shot. I'm glad I chose that option.
Also be sure to follow the recommendations listed on this site and on various YouTube videos. The most important thing that people overlook is starting the engine and shifting through the gears (P-R-N-D) after the initial fill and then topping it off.
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ZF does **not** publish a spec for transmission flud for that transmission.
Which means you cannot buy a fluid that 'meets spec'.
Indeed if you READ the maxlife spec, it says that it is "Recommended for the following applications" and then lists various fluid specs. WTF? Not even meets spec. And again, none of them are ZF6 applications.
I am sure there are fluids that will work, many report wonderful results. But a report after a few days isnt what Id call a definitive report. There was one guy that came back in a year and said 'no issues'.
OP- you asked what flud to use.
If you want to change to something cheaper or not mfg certified, there are lots of choices. I wont be the one to ask