[Rowdy Bloomquist]

New here and ready to do a trans service. Is anyone running amsoil ATF? I've used amsoil for numerous applications and noticed it's supposed to be compatible with our trans. Before I spend $30 per liter on oe BMW fluid I'm curious if anyone has had issues with it. Will be buying oem filter/pan.
Thanks

[335dsleeper]

Amsoil is fine. I’ve ran it without any issues.

[Rowdy Bloomquist]

Thanks bud

[Nadir Point]

Here might be some information you need.

Here's the thing about transmission fluid: You can substitute alot of different fluids with no issues. For awhile. Depending on the mistake made, it could grenade quickly, over a period of years and many thousands of miles or anywhere in between.

So save that $10/qt - you might need it.

[335dsleeper]

Oh brother

[335dsleeper]

As long as the oil meets or exceeds shell m1375.4 spec, it’s fine.

In fact, ZF even provides a list of recommended aftermarket fluids.

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

And, amsoil ATF also meets M1375.4. As does fords ATF used in every ford vehicle fitted with the ZF gearbox.

But, let’s not let the truth get in the way of the doomsday theory that anything other than ZF fluid will destroy the transmission.

[cm335d]

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

As long as the oil meets or exceeds shell m1375.4 spec, it’s fine.

In fact, ZF even provides a list of recommended aftermarket fluids.

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

And, amsoil ATF also meets M1375.4. As does fords ATF used in every ford vehicle fitted with the ZF gearbox.

But, let’s not let the truth get in the way of the doomsday theory that anything other than ZF fluid will destroy the transmission.

Thanks for the link for ZF, I didn't know that they actually allowed other fluids aside from their ZF Lifeguard. I think I should change my fluid sooner than later based on section 5. 'offensive, sporty driving style'..... guilty as charged.

[335dsleeper]

I think most transmissions exhibit issues or failures due to the lack of maintenance as BMW labels the fluid "lifetime" and does call for a change.

Other vehicles using this transmission or similar transmissions call for filter/ fluid every 40k IIRC. I have 240k miles on my X5's transmission and have run various fluids without any issues (all meet Shell M1735.4) I have changed the fluid and pan filter 4-5 times over the last 150k miles.

Originally Posted by cm335d

Thanks for the link for ZF, I didn't know that they actually allowed other fluids aside from their ZF Lifeguard. I think I should change my fluid sooner than later based on section 5. 'offensive, sporty driving style'..... guilty as charged.

[Rowdy Bloomquist]

Thanks for the input. Think I'll go ahead and stick with the amsoil as it meets the specs just fine. Was just wondering if anyone running it HAS had any issues with it.

[Yozh]

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

As long as the oil meets or exceeds shell m1375.4 spec, it’s fine.

In fact, ZF even provides a list of recommended aftermarket fluids.

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

And, amsoil ATF also meets M1375.4. As does fords ATF used in every ford vehicle fitted with the ZF gearbox.

But, let’s not let the truth get in the way of the doomsday theory that anything other than ZF fluid will destroy the transmission.

Guys, may be in blind but I don’t see any alternatives listed until footnote 6 which is not applicable to our gearbox.

[PhotoGuy87]

I did tons of research on this topic when I owned my first 335d and like 335dsleeper said as long as it meets shells m1375.4 spec then it is safe to use in our transmissions. There was a guy on another BMW forum that sent in a sample of ZF LG6 and Mercon SP to Blackstone Labs, the results stated that their properties were almost identical and could have possibly come from the same batch of Shell m1375.4 oil. Another great alternative to LG6 is Ravenol 6HP which was created just for the ZF 6HP transmissions.

[robnitro]

Yep, mercon SP is used in the Ford licensed version of the zf trans.
Amsoil, redline d6 work well and have better cold temperature properties than zf6/mercon sp.

[Ken Oath]

Originally Posted by Yozh

Guys, may be in blind but I don’t see any alternatives listed until footnote 6 which is not applicable to our gearbox.

TE-ML 11 (A, B) are not for use in 6HP transmissions.

[Nadir Point]

I sometimes wonder what's in the trans of some of the people tweaking the trans coding and complaining about shift behavior.

[BB_cuda]

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

I think most transmissions exhibit issues or failures due to the lack of maintenance as BMW labels the fluid "lifetime" and does call for a change.

Other vehicles using this transmission or similar transmissions call for filter/ fluid every 40k IIRC. I have 240k miles on my X5's transmission and have run various fluids without any issues (all meet Shell M1735.4) I have changed the fluid and pan filter 4-5 times over the last 150k miles.

Another guy like me that prefers to change that fluid every 37,000 to 40,000 miles. Clean fluid is just as important as the right fluid.

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by PhotoGuy87

Ravenol 6HP which was created just for the ZF 6HP transmissions.

I might be going with Ravenol or Pentosin next

[M5_1of400]

I for sure will try something other than the ZF liquid gold next time.. that crap is expensive

[cm335d]

There's a place online that has a kit with all ZF parts for $256. Includes the ZF pan/filter, mechatronic seal, 6 pan bolts (in case you break a few), and the 6L of ZF fluid. Seems reasonable to me to do it once in a great while.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by cm335d

There's a place online that has a kit with all ZF parts for $256. Includes the ZF pan/filter, mechatronic seal, 6 pan bolts (in case you break a few), and the 6L of ZF fluid. Seems reasonable to me to do it once in a great while.

I got a kit from FCP with the pan, mechatronic sleeve, mechatronic valve body sleeves, 7 liters of ZF lifeguard 6, and all the bolts (not just 6).

I ended up needing 9 liters of oil. So that was a nice hiccup in the whole diy and as you can imagine I paid $70 for those two extra liters at the dealer.

I would strongly urge people to buy extra oil and return it if not used.

[lnxguy]

ZF Lifeguard 6 or Mercon SP (Ford factory fill for the ZF 6psd).

Nothing else, unless you hate your tranny

[cm335d]

Has anyone also changed that rectangular seal between the mechatronic valve body and the case? I've heard that if this seal starts leaking internally, all kinds of bad things happen. I'm nervous about removing the valve body, even though I've removed one before on a GM transmission years ago.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by cm335d

Has anyone also changed that rectangular seal between the mechatronic valve body and the case? I've heard that if this seal starts leaking internally, all kinds of bad things happen. I'm nervous about removing the valve body, even though I've removed one before on a GM transmission years ago.

Yes I did mine, along with the 4 cylindrical seals.

Had absolutely zero cracks on it when I removed it. Regardless I replaced it.

Removing the valve body is very simple. There really isn't much to it.

Once you remove the mechatronic unit you will drain a lot more oil as opposed to just a simple pan drain.