ZF sevice question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,357
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From: Moving forward, in reverse.
ZF sevice question
What fluid do ya'll use in your ZF? I see in the tech section to use a GL-3 fluid and not to switch ratings up or down. I want to go synthetic, so is Mobil 1 compatible? If not what do you use? I don't want to damage the tranny (I've heard the nightmare stories) so will using a different rated fluid hurt the internals and why do they say stick to the one grade of fluid?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Re: ZF sevice question (96 LTRex-4)
I had Mobil 1 all ready to go into my tranny when other members of the forum warned me not to do so. They've recommended ONLY the GM fluid, which is what I bought at the dealer last weekend. Seems to be the only way to go, according to these guys. I'm going with their recommendation.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
Re: ZF sevice question (fullboogie)
You can either use GM P/N 1052931 5W-30
or
Castrol 10w-60 fully-synthetic. BMW P/N 07510009420. Available at BMW dealers.
This is on zfdoc.com, but more importantly, on the official ZF website.
or
Castrol 10w-60 fully-synthetic. BMW P/N 07510009420. Available at BMW dealers.
This is on zfdoc.com, but more importantly, on the official ZF website.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: ZF sevice question (Silver89)
You can either use GM P/N 1052931 5W-30
or
Castrol 10w-60 fully-synthetic. BMW P/N 07510009420. Available at BMW dealers.
This is on zfdoc.com, but more importantly, on the official ZF website.
or
Castrol 10w-60 fully-synthetic. BMW P/N 07510009420. Available at BMW dealers.
This is on zfdoc.com, but more importantly, on the official ZF website.
:yesnod: I don't have 6k to spend on a new tranny just because I used the wrong fluid. The two listed above are the only things that I'll put in my tranny.
I love Mobil 1, but I don't think it's worth the risk in this case.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 89,144
Likes: 3
From: Life's tough, wear a helmet.
Re: ZF sevice question (fullboogie)
They've recommended ONLY the GM fluid, which is what I bought at the dealer last weekend. Seems to be the only way to go, according to these guys. I'm going with their recommendation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: ZF sevice question (96 LTRex-4)
I wasn't happy with the smoothness of my ZF, so I swapped out the original factory fill with fresh factory fill, couldn't tell any difference. Then I switched to Castrol synthetic, the stuff from the BMW dealer, big difference. I will never go back to the factory fill, the ZF approved Castrol is the best.
Eric
Eric
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,548
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: ZF sevice question (Nathan Plemons)
You can either use GM P/N 1052931 5W-30
or
Castrol 10w-60 fully-synthetic. BMW P/N 07510009420. Available at BMW dealers.
This is on zfdoc.com, but more importantly, on the official ZF website.
:yesnod:
I don't have 6k to spend on a new tranny just because I used the wrong fluid. The two listed above are the only things that I'll put in my tranny.
I love Mobil 1, but I don't think it's worth the risk in this case.
or
Castrol 10w-60 fully-synthetic. BMW P/N 07510009420. Available at BMW dealers.
This is on zfdoc.com, but more importantly, on the official ZF website.
:yesnod: I don't have 6k to spend on a new tranny just because I used the wrong fluid. The two listed above are the only things that I'll put in my tranny.
I love Mobil 1, but I don't think it's worth the risk in this case.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Re: ZF sevice question (96 LTRex-4)
ZF also recommends ATF according to ZF class 02F (found on website: http://www.zf.com ) This is according to an email from Matin Vogel of ZF.
I just replaced my fluid with GM fluid and it seems to not be quite as smooth as before. Next time I think I'll try the BMW stuff.
Dale
I just replaced my fluid with GM fluid and it seems to not be quite as smooth as before. Next time I think I'll try the BMW stuff.
Dale
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: ZF sevice question (Professor)
ZF also recommends ATF according to ZF class 02F (found on website: http://www.zf.com )....
Eric
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 198
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From: St. Charles County MO
Re: ZF sevice question (silver & red CE)
I was at Funfest @ Mid-America. According, to Gordon Killebrew(sp) who is suppose to be the guru of C4 Covettes, the oil in the 6 speed transmission is Kendall 5w-30. It is sold to GM, who packages it in their containers and charges about $3.00 a quart. You can call Kendall and get the name of a dealer who can get the oil for you. :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: ZF sevice question (Putter)
There has been a great deal of conversation and postings about this issue for years on this board. Over this time there has been but a few knowledgeable answers. Those that seem to have experience with lubrication and the ZF transmission recommend the GM mix (GM 1052931, which BTW I thought was a GM / Texaco / ZF development),with a change frequency of at least 30,000 miles (or sooner with very hard use).
If you have every changed the oil, you will notice very quickly that the oil smells of additives that are not in engine oil.
What I can't believe is the constant argument about oil cost. Do you honestly want to take a chance or experiment with your $4,000 (rebuild cost) transmission? Do we really care about a dollar or two here?
Why would you think that a synthetic oil would be superior for use in a ZF? Does common usage regularly drive tranny temps over 300* ? Do we really need an oil that will last 50,000 miles or with average usage would a change with the oil that was literally designed for the transmission every few years foot the bill?
Pete
If you have every changed the oil, you will notice very quickly that the oil smells of additives that are not in engine oil.
What I can't believe is the constant argument about oil cost. Do you honestly want to take a chance or experiment with your $4,000 (rebuild cost) transmission? Do we really care about a dollar or two here?
Why would you think that a synthetic oil would be superior for use in a ZF? Does common usage regularly drive tranny temps over 300* ? Do we really need an oil that will last 50,000 miles or with average usage would a change with the oil that was literally designed for the transmission every few years foot the bill?
Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: ZF sevice question (PeteL)
Pete,
After switching from the factory fill to Castrol I noticed that my ZF shifted smoother, went into reverse easier, esp when cold. Granted this is subjective, but I'm not the only one to notice this effect. As for the high temp, my engine oil temp gauge doesn't ever read 300*, but almost everyone uses synthetic engine oil. Certainly the trans lube does reach high temps during hard driving, considering the power disipated by the trans and the proximity to the exhaust system, esp the cats.
Eric
After switching from the factory fill to Castrol I noticed that my ZF shifted smoother, went into reverse easier, esp when cold. Granted this is subjective, but I'm not the only one to notice this effect. As for the high temp, my engine oil temp gauge doesn't ever read 300*, but almost everyone uses synthetic engine oil. Certainly the trans lube does reach high temps during hard driving, considering the power disipated by the trans and the proximity to the exhaust system, esp the cats.
Eric
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Re: ZF sevice question (silver & red CE)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: ZF sevice question (Professor)
Dale,
Thanks for the link, but that page says the transmissions are truck and bus applications. I don't understand how it clears ATF for the Vette's ZF. Not trying to be a PIA, just want to understand.
Eric
Thanks for the link, but that page says the transmissions are truck and bus applications. I don't understand how it clears ATF for the Vette's ZF. Not trying to be a PIA, just want to understand.
Eric
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Re: ZF sevice question (silver & red CE)
That was the info I got from Martin Vogel at ZF. I asked him what they recommended and he sent me a list with the GM, BMW, and class 02F ATF. There is a link to his email on the ZF site but I doubt he would appreciate being inundated with email messages all asking the same question.
Personally, I would not put ATF in my tranny, but that's me. I've had trouble with other manual trannys (not ZF) that specified either GL5 or ATF. With ATF they would not shift right and had trouble syncronizing while shifting. Granted, the ZF is a far better designed tranny that the others so if they recommend it ...
I've looked thru all of the pdfs in their lube section and have never found anything on the S6-40 in particular which is why I emailed ZF in the first place.
Dale
Personally, I would not put ATF in my tranny, but that's me. I've had trouble with other manual trannys (not ZF) that specified either GL5 or ATF. With ATF they would not shift right and had trouble syncronizing while shifting. Granted, the ZF is a far better designed tranny that the others so if they recommend it ...
I've looked thru all of the pdfs in their lube section and have never found anything on the S6-40 in particular which is why I emailed ZF in the first place.
Dale
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Re: ZF sevice question (96 LTRex-4)
Here's the reply to the email I sent to Martin Vogel at ZF, I informed him that I had a 96 mn6:
"Recommended lubricants and oil drain intervals for
ZF S6-40 transmission used in GM Corvette
1. recommended lubricants
- GM oil part no. 105 293 1
or
- BMW oil part no. 075 100 094 20
(Castrol Formula RS SAE 10W60)
or
- ATF according to ZF lubricant class 02F
(ZF list of lubricants TE-ML 02)
2. recommended oil drain intervals
30,000 - 40,000 miles (48,000 - 64,000 km)
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Central Research and Development
Lubricants and Chemical Laboratory
Martin Vogel
88038 Friedrichshafen
email: martin.vogel@zf.com"
I doubt he wants a flood of emails regarding this, so I just posted his answer to my question. Received it about 1 month ago.
"Recommended lubricants and oil drain intervals for
ZF S6-40 transmission used in GM Corvette
1. recommended lubricants
- GM oil part no. 105 293 1
or
- BMW oil part no. 075 100 094 20
(Castrol Formula RS SAE 10W60)
or
- ATF according to ZF lubricant class 02F
(ZF list of lubricants TE-ML 02)
2. recommended oil drain intervals
30,000 - 40,000 miles (48,000 - 64,000 km)
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Central Research and Development
Lubricants and Chemical Laboratory
Martin Vogel
88038 Friedrichshafen
email: martin.vogel@zf.com"
I doubt he wants a flood of emails regarding this, so I just posted his answer to my question. Received it about 1 month ago.