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      08-04-2016, 04:34 PM   #1
harrys
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Oil change in zf 8 speed auto gearbox

I am an owner of F20 116i with 8 speed auto trasnsmition. I have 116.000km with no problems of the gearbox so far. Is there a need for an oil change of the auto transmition? Have you done any?
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      08-05-2016, 05:07 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harrys View Post
I am an owner of F20 116i with 8 speed auto trasnsmition. I have 116.000km with no problems of the gearbox so far. Is there a need for an oil change of the auto transmition? Have you done any?
The gear box is sealed with life time oil as well the rear diff. Wouldn't BMW be best to ask than these so called experts on here.
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      08-08-2016, 04:01 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiwi View Post
The gear box is sealed with life time oil as well the rear diff. Wouldn't BMW be best to ask than these so called experts on here.
Sealed for life? What rubbish.

I've done 330,000kms (and 30+ full circuit track days) with my ZF and guess what?
It's been changed, with pan filter 6X.
No one died.
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      08-14-2016, 04:19 AM   #4
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Sealed for life should be a cousin of long life... Long live the overstatement family!
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      09-07-2016, 09:52 PM   #5
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BMW here in China wanted to change my gearbox oil at 50.000km which I declined because ZF's own papers states that it is "life time". However, I occationally track my car and have it tuned so I will change it @ 75.000km as a compromise.
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      10-01-2016, 06:02 AM   #6
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Nothing lasts a lifetime, especially oil. Around 100K sounds like a good time to change.
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      10-03-2016, 01:40 AM   #7
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Yes same here
When I have asked BMW local dealership about oil change they told me is lifetime and if it's changed will be changed with the gearbox
( price around 10.000 $ )

Every car manufacturer changes the oil in the gearbox , the control unit mechatronics is working with oil and that parts is like the heart of the gearbox
If you have metal particles in oil that isn't good for it.

every 60.000 km it's ok to change, I will change it this way also with the filter

I want to change it before winter , extreme temperatures are announced
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      12-28-2016, 09:31 PM   #8
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to clear things up, as I was told by a BMW rep the 8 speed gearbox oil is sealed for "life", life of the car's warranty that is !!

Does anyone know what oil bmw uses in these 8 speed gearboxes? Mine needs to be done and I'm not sure which oil is the genuine one that BMW uses/recommends. I don't wanna use aftermarket oil for gearbox.

cheers!
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      12-29-2016, 04:17 AM   #9
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From what I have been told a ZF gearbox must use ZF oil. I've seen Audi's with ZF boxes get a change with non ZF oil and it has not gone well, shortly after an additional oil change back to ZF oil and all was well again.
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      01-06-2017, 05:12 PM   #10
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LIFETIME

Lifetime = 100,000
.
I think ZF states 60kish not Lifetime --
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      01-11-2017, 01:24 PM   #11
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I strongly recommend you do a fluid change. I did mine at roughly the same mileage as you and the transmission operated alot smoother and better.

since you have a weak engine that makes the transmission work harder, all the more reasons to do it.

ZF recommends a change every 100k km. the lifetime fluid thing is bullshit - says otherwise right on the ZF site.
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      01-18-2017, 11:46 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harrys View Post
I am an owner of F20 116i with 8 speed auto trasnsmition. I have 116.000km with no problems of the gearbox so far. Is there a need for an oil change of the auto transmition? Have you done any?
https://www.zf.com/global/media/en_z...s/TE-ML_11.pdf

ZF states:
ZF 5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed partially synthetic ATF oils. Maintenance-free fills are intended for normal operating conditions. Especially driving at very high operating temperatures can result in accelerated aging or increased wear of ATF oils. It is recommended, in the event of severe operating conditions, such as:
- frequent highway driving in top speed range,
- offensive, sporty driving style,
- frequent trailer operation,
being above average, oil purification (oil change) on automatic transmissions is recommended between 80,000 km and 120,000 km, or 8 years, depending on the load.

There you have it, hope this helped.
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      02-14-2017, 01:49 AM   #13
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'..........severe operating conditions, such as:
- frequent offensive, sporty highway driving...." lol

Guess that covers 99% of forum members then.
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      04-13-2023, 08:22 AM   #14
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ZF has updated the recommendation.

https://aftermarket.zf.com/remotemed...e-ml-11-en.pdf
edition 11.04.2023

ZF States:

ZF 5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed semi-synthetic ATF oils. However, due to the many factors influencing the service life of transmissions in individual operation, ZF recommends an oil change after 150,000 km for its transmissions. In operating conditions with high temperatures and loads, or with unknown vehicle use in the past, it can make sense to change the transmission oil at shorter intervals.
In each case, only released ATF oil may be used for oil changes. And oil changes must be performed in accordance with the relevant specifications. The exception is the ZF 5HP18 automatic transmission which must be filled differently depending on the version.


Approved lubricants for service fills
According to spare part number of vehicle manufacturer:
ZF LifeguardFluid 8 (ZF No. S671 090 312)
=> Audi / VW Oil No. G 060162 A1 / A2 / A6 ATF
=> BMW ATF 3+, Oil No. 83 22 2 289 720
=> Jaguar Oil No. 02JDE 26444
=> Land Rover Oil No. LR023288
=> Chrysler Oil No. 68157995AA
=> Petronas Tutela Transmission AS8
=> Iveco Oil No. 5000 42 124
=> Aston Martin Oil No. FD33-19A509-AA
=> Bentley Oil No. JNV 862 564 D
=> Porsche Oil No. 000 043 210 54



Quote:
Originally Posted by TaisChuu View Post
https://www.zf.com/global/media/en_z...s/TE-ML_11.pdf

ZF states:
ZF 5-, 6-, 8- and 9-speed as well as the ZF 4HP20 automatic transmissions are filled maintenance-free with specially developed partially synthetic ATF oils. Maintenance-free fills are intended for normal operating conditions. Especially driving at very high operating temperatures can result in accelerated aging or increased wear of ATF oils. It is recommended, in the event of severe operating conditions, such as:
- frequent highway driving in top speed range,
- offensive, sporty driving style,
- frequent trailer operation,
being above average, oil purification (oil change) on automatic transmissions is recommended between 80,000 km and 120,000 km, or 8 years, depending on the load.

There you have it, hope this helped.

Last edited by cururu; 04-13-2023 at 09:29 AM..
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