transmission service

[brianyeates]

looking for advice on servicing the 8 spd auto behind my 2015 ecodiesel. Can anyone give me specifics about fluid change intervals and other maintenance. My truck has 202000km on it and sometimes, when dol, the transmission "hunts" when upshifting at low throttle and most particularly from a stop. Feels like this could be a 2-3 or 3-4 shift. thanks

 

[Tremper126]

Supposedly it’s “lifetime” fluid. I was going to change mine at 200k miles, well at 150k but never got to it lol do you have the transmission tuned with the engine? Or an engine tune? I ask because before I tuned mine, it would do the same, like it wasn’t happy with any gear it picked at the lower speeds near idle. Theres a service procedure for it that’s about 6-8 pages long with step by step requirements.

 

[Tremper126]

Correction —— 80,000-120,000 km or 8 years max.

 

[Pbarker2]

I have a 2014, on the 8 speed the transmission people say every 100k, or if you tow alot then between 50 and 100k. you can also reset the adaptive shifting which I did and made a world of difference. if you get too many shift issues, these are the same trans that go in bmws and land rover, jaguars so there are solenoid replacements available from The CTSC and videos on installing them on bmw’s.

 

[Pbarker2]

Watch out going to a dealer on this with a pre 2019 ram. there was a class action suit against Stellantis because they thought they could not deal with pre 2019 vehicles and they cancelled all the codes for these vehicles. then the lawsuit reinstated them. when I went in for a trans service and an intermittent shift problem they told me I needed a new trans for $9k. a trans shop did the service for about $600 and said there were no codes or problems other than maybe trans service.

 

[SeanPwnery]

I recently did it on mine. Coming from a BMW background, the "lifetime" fluid to me is somewhere in the neighborhood of 60-100k depending on how it's driven. The ZF service is super easy. Feel free to take a look at how I did it along with a pan upgrade.

 

[BTdriver]

Generally, I do a drain & fill on my 2015 at 60k mi. I don't tow, and try to drive mostly highway. Back before I did the first service, I researched alternatives to the spendy ZF8 fluid. Valvoline states that their Full Synthetic, Maxlife Multi-Vehicle ATF (Part# 773775, 1 gallon) is a suitable substitute. I have done three drain and fills (184k mi on truck) with the Valvoline and no issues. The service will use just about the whole gallon. One thing I noticed is the Maxlife ATF is a little bit thicker than the ZF8, and my trans shifted a little firmer. Also, my trans had a little less gear noise.

 

[bob5000]

Going to change mine soon, at 125k miles. Best to watch a YouTube video, not hard to do but there are a few tricks. Such as check trans with a level, shift from 1-2 with button as you get fluid up to temperature. I'm going to use the zf fluid. Don't want to risk using something else

 

[Pbarker2]

I would check out FCP Euro for ZF fluid. I use

Liqui Moly LM20032 Top Tec ATF1800​

You can get at FCP Euro or Amazon.

Here’s some info:

Description​

Details​

SKU:MOL-LM20032FCP Euro ID:521896GTIN / UPC:4100420200328Made in:Germany Quality:Aftermarket

OE Numbers​

83222305396, 83222305397, 83222152426, 83220142516, 83222289720, G055005, G055540, G060162, 83222220445, G055005A2, 95830054000, 00004330624, G060162A2, 00004321054, G055540A2

MFG Numbers​

20032, LM20032

Product Information​

Top Tec ATF 1800 is one of the new generation of low viscosity high-performance oil for automatic transmissions. It is based on fully synthetic technology with modern, high-performance additives. Aside from excellent aging and oxidation stability, optimal shifting is guaranteed under all operating conditions thanks to the extremely high viscosity index. It enables long oil change intervals.
Effect:

• optimal protection against foaming
• extremely good low temperature properties
• very good corrosion protection characteristics

Properties

• excellent viscosity/temperature properties
• prevents foam formation
• enables a multifaceted range of applications
• stable to oxidation
• outstanding friction characteristics
• high resistance to aging
• very good low-temperature properties
• excellent corrosion protection
• high wear resistance
• outstanding resistance to oxidation

Specifications and approvals:

• Dexron VI
• Mercon LV
• Aisin Warner AW-1
• BMW 83 22 2 305 396
• BMW 83 22 2 305 397
• BMW 83 22 2 152 426
• BMW 83 22 0 142 516
• BMW 83 22 2 289 720
• BMW M-1375.4
• Fiat 9.55550-AV5
• JWS 3324 (Aisin Warner)
• Land Rover TYK 500050
• Honda ATF DW-1
• Honda ATF 3.1
• Hyundai SP IV
• Mazda ATF FZ
• Nissan AT-Matic S Fluid
• Toyota WS
• VW G 055 005
• VW G 055 540
• VW G 060 162

Areas of application
Top Tec ATF 1800 has been developed for ZF 6HP19/26/32 and ZF 8HP 45/55/70/90 type automatic transmissions that are installed in various Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, etc. vehicles. In addition, Top Tec ATF 1800 also meets further specifications, allowing it to cover an even wider range of vehicles. Usage according to the prescribed specifications from the unit or vehicle manufacturer.

 

[F. P. Thompson]

I asked my dealer to service my 8 speed while the truck was in for an engine oil change, they called and said the transmission manuf. told them not to open it unless there was a problem. I have just under 140K miles and no issues to this point. I have had very few issues and am happy with my Ecodiesel.

 

[SeanPwnery]

I asked my dealer to service my 8 speed while the truck was in for an engine oil change, they called and said the transmission manuf. told them not to open it unless there was a problem. I have just under 140K miles and no issues to this point. I have had very few issues and am happy with my Ecodiesel.

I seriously doubt FCA gets ANY recommendations from the Germans about their transmissions - I pulled my pan at around 120k and found plenty of wear debris to warrant the trans service and fresh fluid. Everyone has their own acceptable tolerance to wear - but we're driving ticking timebombs in terms of maintenance, wear, and EPA garbage that compromise reliability - I'd recommend a little extra 'staying on top of it' over the hearsay of the service writer's bullshit.

 

[bob5000]

I haven't met a service writer that knows much about cars. I never take their advice. I usually tell them what I want. Then I sometimes show them my ASE master truck technician card.

 

[Ramman1]

looking for advice on servicing the 8 spd auto behind my 2015 ecodiesel. Can anyone give me specifics about fluid change intervals and other maintenance. My truck has 202000km on it and sometimes, when dol, the transmission "hunts" when upshifting at low throttle and most particularly from a stop. Feels like this could be a 2-3 or 3-4 shift. thanks

Get ready to buy a transmission rebuild the week after you change the fluid. I guarantee you, the sealed ZF needs changes every 50k despite Ram saying it’s sealed. I waited till 170k and did a fluid change and by 178k it was slipping and missing a shift throwing it into limp mode, I would clear the code and drive another 50 miles and it would go limp again. Let’s face it 170-200k is all you’re gonna get from the 8 speed, I tow a lot also. All transmissions need the clutch particals in the fluid to work once the get worn down.

 

[Parrettr]

I changed mine at 80k and glad I did the old oil was black with typical fines in the transmission. Use the OEM fluid max life is Not compatible and twice as viscous. Dealership parts guy told it sealed for life. I told him just sell me the oil. This is a very reliable transmission however the fluid does not last forever.

 

[BTdriver]

I changed mine at 80k and glad I did the old oil was black with typical fines in the transmission. Use the OEM fluid max life is Not compatible and twice as viscous. Dealership parts guy told it sealed for life. I told him just sell me the oil. This is a very reliable transmission however the fluid does not last forever.

Your statements about Maxlife not being compatible and being twice as viscous, are simply not true. Per Valvoline, the MaxLife ATF meets or exceeds the ZF TE-ML spec for the ZF 8HP70 transmission. When i looked up what ATF to put in my 2015, the Valvoline MaxLife always came up along with the Mopar ZF 8&9, Motul VI, and ZF Lifegaurd 8. The viscosity difference is 5.6 cSt @ 100 degC for the ZF Lifegaurd 8 vs 5.9 cSt @ 100 degC for the Maxlife. Just for reference, the range for SAE 20 oil is 5.6 cSt to 9.3 cSt. Please feel free to actually search this up on the internet (like I did). Also, if your info came from the parts guy at the dealership, do you really think he's going to tell you to get ATF somewhere else for cheaper? Again, I've been running the MaxLife for over 120k mi with good results/no issues.