Why not level with the running boards? If the car is to be lifted on a standard automotive lift, the car must be level with the running boards (as the jack points are). Regardless, does a degree or so really have such a major impact on gearbox filling?

The challenge for me, is that the gearbox is beginning to spew out liquid right below the 40 degree Celsius mark which is where the official ZF documentation says to cap it off. It seems now the consensus across forums is to just keep filling until it begins spewing out and so long as temp is between 30-50 degree it should be ok. I don’t know but I opened the fill plug again, pumped in more oil, waited until it hit 40, gave it another pump or so and capped it.

I don’t want to discuss the fluid I used. I’m not proud of myself but I purchased the right stuff, quickly ran out and had to make a run to the parts store. I reached out to Castrol and they told me the concoction I bought meets Shell M1375.4.

For now the car is running ok. I think the car has bad adaptions after running low on fluid, but this is also unconfirmed. I will continue driving the car and see how she runs. I have been taking it quite easy on her and only slowly beginning to push her harder and harder. Will keep you guys updated, thank you.