JL Specific Auto Transmission Service Details

[wheels082]

Thanks for posting Rubycon50. I have not changed mine yet, but this is the fluid I bought.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/signature-...c-automatic-transmission-fluid-atl/?zo=226468
https://www.amsoil.com/p/oe-fuel-efficient-synthetic-automatic-transmission-fluid-otl/?zo=226468

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[HamiltonGuy]

So you bought two types?

How many quarts do you need?

 

[wheels082]

So you bought two types?

How many quarts do you need?

No, I did not buy two types. I was just showing that there were 2 options. Since it is for my Jeep, I bought the Signature Series. I was not sure of the capacity, so I just ordered a case of 12 quarts. I plan to keep the Jeep a long time and will be changing more than once, so I am not concerned with having a few extra quarts.

 

[blnewt]

Nice to see this thread progressing, I've used Valvoline Maxlife in place of Nissan Matic-S which is a pretty finicky transmission (Infiniti G37) and has performed flawlessly for the 40 k miles since I changed it. I've seen some youtube stuff w/ several ZF8 transmissions running that Maxlife w/ good results. Hopefully by the time I'm doing the service there will be a better idea of what ATFs work the best w/ these transmissions. That Amsoil & Redline look like viable options, so maybe spending upwards of $20/qt isn't inevitable

 

[roaniecowpony]

Royce, YOU DA MAN!!
Nice find! I guess only way to drain is to remove the pan, dump the ATF and refill as per the procedure.

I would imagine you could do it ghetto style and just dump the ATF at room temp and add the exact amount you removed (also at room temp), then make sure you top it off at the proper running temp, as per the fill plug method.

Too bad you have to have a high lift to do this exactly as documented, but at least this gives you a definitive correct way to service the beast

But I wouldn't be too concerned w/ short cuts as long as most of the old fluid has been changed (and ONLY w/ the proper FCA ATF), and changing it more often to negate some of the short cuts might not be too bad (and much better than leaving the original ATF in forever)

BTW Royce, where did you find this???

It looks like the information was pulled from the Service Manual. I have the USB (card) version of the service manual and I'll look up the fluid specs. I think it was just over $135 or so for the manual. Worth the bucks if you're doing your own service/repair. You'll save the cost in the first DIY service you do.

As for needing a lift, it's pretty clear you could do this in a common driveway with just the rear wheels off the ground, as long as the vehicle is level (sloped driveway or ramps under front tires). Nothing in the procedure has the front wheels driven and turning. They're just ensuring fluid throughout the transmission and cooler by putting it in gear and driving the output shaft.

 

[HamiltonGuy]

Hey Guys, Thanks. Can you point me to any ZF documentation where they share what THEY recommend as the service interval for this transmission. I know FCA says it doesn't require service. I have Read what forum members are saying, but would like to find it in writing, so-to-speak.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Dino,
I'll look for the service interval in the service manual. Meanwhile, here's the fluid requirement.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I reviewed my Tech Authority Service Manual in the NAFTA models service section. I didn't see any service listed for the automatic trans at all.

That being said, my personal plan is to change the ATF as a "service". I think most DIY members here are thinking the same thing. But I'm leaning toward the recommended fluid. I'm not interested in being that "...pioneer..." someone mentioned in this thread. But I'd be interested in hearing what the benefits are of aftermarket fluid, other than cost.

 

[blnewt]

ZF 8&9 speed ATF or equivalent, now to find the best equivalent
Good thing I've got about 3 years (at my current rate of mile accumulation) to find it

Thanks @Rubycon50 & @roaniecowpony for posting this valuable info!

 

[roaniecowpony]

ZF 8&9 speed ATF or equivalent, now to find the best equivalent
Good thing I've got about 3 years (at my current rate of mile accumulation) to find it

Thanks @Rubycon50 & @roaniecowpony for posting this valuable info!

Yeah, I'm under 10k miles at the 16 month mark. I'll probably average more over the next few years, because I had another daily driver that I sold since we had 4 cars with 2 drivers in the house. But, I also don't work anymore, so "daily driver" means no commuting to work. Just grocery store and such.

On the fluid, I'm always cautious about "equivalent" when the consequences are high. Like: What's the downside and upside to each choice? If I can't answer the questions about verifying (what is "equivalent" ?), or what the benefit is, I just don't see an upside to going with something not specified by my manufacturer. If it could be verified that the substitute fluid made these transmission last longer on average, I'd be in.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Here's what I could find on the ZF website about fluids.
https://aftermarket.zf.com/remotemedia/lol-lubricants/lol-en/lol-te-ml-11-en.pdf

On the service interval, it says they recommend replacing the fluid after 150,000 Km. But they also have a caveat about heavy/extreme usage for earlier replacement. I would interpret their recommendation for earlier replacement similar to other makers like GM and Ford where towing and any high temperature excursions of the fluid would get changed out. There are plenty of websites that give guidance on fluid replacement intervals and temperatures that adversely affect fluid. I'd say if you're towing at the limit for annual summer vacations, change it annually or bi-annually, depending on how hot the fluid gets and how many miles you drive. If you're a fanatical crawler, maybe same thing. Me? I drive mostly to the store and annual treks on dirt roads and trails. I'll probably do a 50K change.

 

[blnewt]

Yeah, I'm under 10k miles at the 16 month mark. I'll probably average more over the next few years, because I had another daily driver that I sold since we had 4 cars with 2 drivers in the house. But, I also don't work anymore, so "daily driver" means no commuting to work. Just grocery store and such.

On the fluid, I'm always cautious about "equivalent" when the consequences are high. Like: What's the downside and upside to each choice? If I can't answer the questions about verifying (what is "equivalent" ?), or what the benefit is, I just don't see an upside to going with something not specified by my manufacturer. If it could be verified that the substitute fluid made these transmission last longer on average, I'd be in.

An extra $8-10 for OEM fluid done every 60k miles (probably 4 to 5 years at my rate) comes out to $100 more give or take, pretty insignificant upcharge for something the manufacturer is fairly specific about.

In that 3-4 year time frame from now, there should be a pretty decent track record for a few of the other options, but time will tell I suppose.

And maybe, just maybe the OEM stuff won't be so much higher by then too

 

[HamiltonGuy]

Hey Roaniecowpony, That's great. Thanks.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Amazon has ZF Lifeguard Fluid 8

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Guard-Fluid-Liter-S671090312/dp/B077XNQSMG

 

[roaniecowpony]

This fluid P/N 68218925AB, replaces the 68218925AA specified in the Service Manual which I posted above. https://www.moparpartscorp.com/oem-parts/mopar-automatic-transmission-fluid-68218925ab

At $21.50 a quart, it is pricey, but then the Amsoil stuff is $17-18 a quart and I can't find a cross reference that correlates the Amsoil to either the proper latest FCA or ZF specs.

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