Let's talk Transmission Maintenance...

[Stockx5]

Here is my transmission filter cut out after 109,000 miles with no trans oil changes or filter change.







Ignore the dark black bits, it's just plastic from the grinder.



filter is just a very thin fabric





Holding it agains the light in the background



what do you guys think did i need a filter change or nah?

[Entropy]

At 109k I'd say yes.

[robnitro]

Yes, but honestly it doesn't look bad. On amazon, I saw the pan/filter for 70, iirc. Cheap insurance.
Next time at 150 you can do a drain and fill, which is what I plan to do if my seal isn't leaking.

The fluid shears to a thinner viscosity with use and age, which makes it harder on the solenoids to regulate pressure and the pump to maintain pressure. Lifetime as they say for the short lifetime that they want you to trade in and get a new car after, lol.

[ard]

Originally Posted by robnitro

The fluid shears to a thinner viscosity with use and age, which makes it harder on the solenoids to regulate pressure and the pump to maintain pressure. Lifetime as they say for the short lifetime that they want you to trade in and get a new car after, lol.

This, combined with heat and age that leads to seal shrinkage and leaks between and around passages, will compound the issues.

I will admit that these trannies seem to have been more robust than earlier models and marques, based on forum reports.

[Lambeau]

175,000 miles on my transmission and towed a 5,000# camper 280 miles this past weekend with no issues. Performed the filter and fluid change at 100,000 miles and just a fluid change at 174,000 miles. Don't believe the folks here that say changing filter/fluid will do harm. They probably own shares in BMW and desire as many trans failures as possible. I also never had the transfer case re-programmed after I changed that fluid 75,000 miles ago and haven't had an issue.

[TiminIndy]

I can't believe I just read this entire thread! I still own an `06 E53 3.0, but plan to get an `11 E70 35i eventually (considering offering on one I test drove last week w/ 77K miles). I've done this procedure on my E53, so I thought I would look into the parts and procedures for the ZF 8 speed. The procedure is about the same, other than the ZF has the filter integrated into a plastic pan!


I've read different opinions on using the ZF Lifeguard 8 vs. other fluids that meet spec. I saw the long list of cars that use the ZF 8 so I decided to look at what FCA was recommending for the `12 Charger. I came across something on the Charger forum for QuantumBlue ZF 8 fluid, from BND Automotive. Their rep swears up and down that it is better than the Lifeguard for this application - and cheaper (looks like it was $14.95/qt in 2014). I haven't seen anyone mention the Quantum Blue on here, so I thought I would mention it and see if anyone has used it or has an opinion.


Post from BND rep on Charger forum:

8 speed transmission fluid replacement........ - Dodge Charger Forums

Windy testimonial from BND site:

QuantumBlue Products « BND Automotive

The list of cars using variants of the ZF 8HP is rather long:

ZF 8HP45 (a separate 845RE is for V6 Chryslers): BMW 1 Series (F20), BMW 2 Series M235i (F22), BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW 5 Series (F10/F11), BMW X3 (F25), BMW X4 (F26), BMW X5 35i (E70), BMW X5 (F15), BMW X6 (F16), Chrysler 300 V6, Chrysler 300 C, Dodge Charger V6, RAM 1500 V6 (2013- ), Jaguar XE, Lancia Thema V6, Volkswagen Amarok

Full list of all w/ ZF 8HP variants (how many of these are recommending ATF that costs $22 a liter?):

Alfa Romeo:
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Alpina:
Alpina D3
Alpina D4
Alpina B3
Alpina B4
Alpina XD3
Alpina D5
Alpina B5
Alpina B6
Alpina B7
Aston Martin:
Aston Martin Vanquish
Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2019)
Aston Martin DB11[11]
Audi:
Audi A4 North American version
Audi A5 North American version
Audi A6
Audi A7
Audi A8
Audi Q5 8AT version
Audi Q7
Bentley:
Bentley Mulsanne (2010)
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2013)
BMW:
BMW 1 Series
BMW 2 Series
BMW 3 Series
BMW 4 Series
BMW 5 Series
BMW 5 GT
BMW 6 Series
BMW 7 series
BMW X1 (First Generation)
BMW X3
BMW X4
BMW X5
BMW X6
BMW Z4
Chrysler:
Chrysler 300 V6 (2012+ MY), V8 (2015+ MY)
3.6 (845RE)
5.7 (8HP70)
Dodge:
Dodge Challenger (2015+ MY)
3.6 (845RE)
5.7, 6.4 (8HP70)
6.2 (8HP90)
Dodge Charger
3.6, 2012+ MY, 845RE
V8 (2015+ MY; 5.7, 6.4 8HP70; 6.2 8HP90)
Dodge Durango (2014 MY+)
3.6 (845RE)
5.7 (8HP70)
Haval:
H9 (2018-)
Iveco:
Iveco Daily 2014-on
Jaguar:
F-Type
F-Pace
XE
XF (2012-)
XFR (2012-)
XJ
Jeep:
Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (2014 MY+)
3.6 (845RE)
3.0, 5.7, 6.4 (8HP70)
6.2 Supercharged (8HP95)
Lamborghini:
Lamborghini Urus
Lancia:
Thema V6
Land Rover:
Discovery 4/LR4
Range Rover
Range Rover Sport
Maserati:
Maserati Ghibli III
Maserati Quattroporte
Maserati Levante
Ram Trucks:
Ram 1500 3.6 L V6 (2013 MY+)
Ram 1500 3.0 L V6 (2014 MY+)
Ram 1500 5.7L V8[26][27][28] (2013 MY+)
Rolls-Royce:
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Rolls-Royce Phantom (2013)
Rolls-Royce Wraith (2013)
Rolls-Royce Dawn
Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII
Volkswagen:
Volkswagen Amarok
Volkswagen Crafter and MAN TGE (2017+) (longitudinally mounted engine only)

Potential future vehicle uses:
Maserati GranTurismo
Maserati Alfieri

[ard]

Welcome!

Originally Posted by TiminIndy

for the ZF 8 speed.

You're looking at a 2011? That will be a ZF6, no?

Originally Posted by TiminIndy

other fluids that meet spec.

What "spec"? Is there a full and complete 'spec' which defines ZF6 or ZF8?


Or is this a case of ZF6 meets Spec xyz....and Other Fluid also meets xyz, hence these are equivalent fluids? That is a flawed, or maybe not fully supported, conclusion

Their rep swears up and down that it is better than the Lifeguard for this application

Im sure.

Reps do.

[TiminIndy]

Originally Posted by ard

You're looking at a 2011? That will be a ZF6, no?

According to Wiki: The new 8-speed transmission is standard in the xDrive50i and xDrive35i from 2011 model year.

[ard]

Originally Posted by TiminIndy

According to Wiki: The new 8-speed transmission is standard in the xDrive50i and xDrive35i from 2011 model year.

You might be right. Ive got the diesel so always mess that date up...

[TiminIndy]

^ I think I read that somewhere else other than Wiki as well. When I run the VIN decoders for this unit, it just says Auto for the transmission.

When I run that VIN in realoem, the pan it calls for is p/n 24118612901, which is for the 8 speed.