Can anyone help point me to the list of ZF-approved fluids? The zf.com website does not open. I am shopping for fluid and that FEBI fluid is more commonly sold than anything else for our transmissions.

Based on my experience I would stick with ZF fluid so you don't waste time or extra money on resetting adaptations and properly performing the adaptations with using the Febi fluid (pretty long procedure list--you can find on BavAuto blogs on the procedure for driving steps).

Thank you!

I am going to have my indy go through reset procedure anyway - not sure if its the same.

I plan to change the transmission oil/filter on my 2009. I assume it will be the first time with just over 120k now on it. I have software to reset the adaptations myself. Though I don't think I would have bothered doing that had I not read this here.

Even if you put the ZF fluid in, you should reset the adaptations. I don't think there is much in common between 80-100k mile old ZF fluid and a brand new one.

a local independent in Greenville SC wants $800. I think I might take a shot at doing it myself

I will jump into this discussion/debate...I am in the camp of using fluids other than ZF6/Lifegaurd or whatever ZF says you "must" use. Keep in mind that Ford uses the ZF transmissions (manufactured under license, I believe) in their vehicles and recommends Mercon SP fluid. So, good enough for Ford, good enough for me.

I can back this up with experience. I have owned a half dozen or more BMW's over the past 10 years and have been using different fluids other than ZF/Lifegaurd on everyone of them. My X5 is currently due, so thought I would check in a do a search on the topic...hence landed on this post. Anyway, I have needed to rebuild two of the transmissions and neither of them showed any signs of adverse affects caused by the fluid. The first trans broke the A clutch drum lip (common ZF fault on that model not related to fluid). The fiber discs and steels were perfect after 185k miles. The fiber disks did not come apart and the steels did not burn, score, or etc. In fact machining marks were still visible. Rebuilt the trans and used Mercon SP fluid which worked fine until I got rid of the car at 265k miles. The second transmission I only needed to rebuild the valve body to cure a slamming issue when starting off form a standstill (occasionally). I inspected the disks and steel and all looked perfect so left them as is. Trans had 145k miles or about 45k on Mercon SP.

So, don't listen to the people that say only ZF or Lifegaurd fluid...sure it is high quality fluid and probably has a longer service life, but other compatible fluids work just fine. Just cut "Lifetime" in half as their resistance to temperature degradation is probably less than ZF/Lifegaurd.

In the end, make up your own mind after reading all you can and live with it, it's just a transmission...not some device that runs on magical plant juice.

Almost forgot, never have I had to reset adaptations even after rebuild.

The driving adaptations update rapidly enough, I wouldn't expect it to be an issue.

I am now in possession of the required quantity of Pentosin brand fluid and the OE supplier filter. Hoping to get this done this month or next, as in July we are going on a 3k mile road trip.

So are you saying it is fine to mix various fluids, no issues?

and then cut down the service intervals in half? (ZF recommends 60k on the BMW trans, BMW recommneds 100k)

Or that if you completely CHANGE fluids, any fluid is fine- but also cut down service intervals?

How much do you save by using "not ZF" but changing twice as often?

Yes, I am saying it is ok to mix fluids. Been there done that with proven no ill effects. No, I am not saying you have to cut service intervals in half, but I try to change every 60k miles mostly because I am only changing a portion of the fluid, not 100%. I would do the same if using ZF/Lifeguard.

I do think the ZF/Lifeguard fluid is of very high quality and thus more resistant to temperature degradation and thus has a longer service life than other compatible fluids.

Incidentally, I drain the fluid, replace the plug, start engine and let idle for a few seconds and drain again. This ejects some additional fluid from internals by about .75 to 1 quart. And, no, it will not cause damage as there is still plenty of residual fluid lubricating the pump and torque converter.

The main point here is that there are indeed several compatible fluids that will not hurt the transmission or degrade performance. But, everyone should do what they are comfortable doing.