ZF 6 Speed Gearbox Oil Change

[Silverstar]

I received a confirmed quote of 300€ plus tax from my local ZF authorised gearbox place. They told me they would use genuine ZF filters but the oil would be a brand called Pakelo which they claim is better than the ZF Lifeguard oil. I have never heard of this brand, the details for this oil can be found here:

https://pakelo.com/en/products/car/atf-dx-vi

On that page it shows it matches the spec for the ZF Lifeguard and the garage told me that ZF don't make their own oils which is probably true.

The question however is, is it necessary to use ZF Lifeguard oil or would this Pakelo oil which matches the spec be ok?

 

[Silverstar]

Anyone? any ideas?

 

[Mr Tidy]

Well mine is totally different as it is a manual E86M, but this is what the old oil looked like when it was changed at 77K miles!

 

[Rucky]

There are Lifeguard alternatives at much better prices for example
https://www.smithandallan.com/search/?q=lifeguard
Direct equivalent to ATF M1375.4
https://www.smithandallan.com/products/transport-gear-and-transmission/4267-smith-and-allan-tranguard-atf-m13754-lifeguard-6-alternative/

 

[Anonymous]

Personally its a complex box..I'd use the ZF oil and pay any premium..you only do it once every 50k miles or so..

Its not a go at you but I'm amazed at how people by a sports car then run it around on cheap and worn tyres etc etc

I'm not suggesting pissing money away but I'd go for a mainstream brand or OE when buying parts and consumables..if it was a 10 year old KiA then..

 

[MACK]

Personal I'd contact opie oils and see what they suggest. Their quite highly regarding in this field

 

[Silverstar]

Personally its a complex box..I'd use the ZF oil and pay any premium..you only do it once every 50k miles or so..

Its not a go at you but I'm amazed at how people by a sports car then run it around on cheap and worn tyres etc etc

I'm not suggesting pissing money away but I'd go for a mainstream brand or OE when buying parts and consumables..if it was a 10 year old KiA then..

I agree on this point. That is why I was a bit surprised when my local ZF appointed gearbox specialist told me they use this Pakelo oil, they claim it is better than the ZF stuff.

 

[Silverstar]

Personal I'd contact opie oils and see what they suggest. Their quite highly regarding in this field

That's a good tip, I will give them a call.

 

[brillomaster]

conversely, if they're a ZF appointed gearbox specialist, and they're recommending this oil, why wouldn't you go with their recommendation? after all, they'll surely know more about gearboxes than anyone else, they wouldn't recommend something that they didn't think was suitable.

I'd never heard of lemforder suspension components as a cheaper alternative to OEM, but if my trusted wheel alignment place recommends lemforder, then i'll follow their recommendation!

 

[Jakg]

In this situation, I'd only use ZF fluid.

For a manual, I'd use anything decent that met the spec.

 

[Silverstar]

I managed to find another well respected auto gearbox specialist here (there aren't many options around here) and they too echoed the same sentiment that ZF do not make the oil and a good reputable oil brand made to the same spec will do the job just as well. He said they use Fuchs oil but without me asking he mentioned Fuchs, Pakelo and one other brand which I don't remember amongst those that are suitable for the task. He told me there is no point paying double for ZF oil when those reputable brand oil are made to the same spec.