CalG

Alex

Relax,

Audi BMW,Toyota and others, along with ZF tell us to ONLY use some specific fluid, but there are other fluids that work.

You won't blow up anything if you use a quality synthetic ATF.

Do what feels right to you. I personaly HATE to be bullied by blind adhearance to what "They" say.

I don't feel afraid that I have Amsoil in the Audis.

Best to you

Cal

alextimmons

I hear you on your point of blind adhearance, and believe me when I say that I seldom go ahead and do what "they" say without first doing the mathematics.

I suppose the difference here was that I was told, not by Audi or ZF, that this transmission is not only very expensive, but also extremely finnicky when it comes to the oil.

Hey, to be fair, if you are telling me it literally doesn't matter as long as it is an acceptable "substitute", then I stand corrected.

It must have been the emotion with which he told me to only use ZF that clouded my better judgement

Sorry if I alarmed anyone with my last post. I was almost sure he had made transmission soup (my favorite).

Anyways, best of luck to you with your tranny!

JimR

It's a preferred ATF for people who know their stuff, though.

CalG

Is not a lesser decision. Some thing are just not worth the risk or hassle. The prescribed fluid is very good. Just a bit pricey and somewhat difficult to obtain.

A search of this forum will find many, many references in support of your admonishment, as well as testimony from those who have been pleased with alternate replacement fluids.

It is my assesment of the collective information posted on this forum that the use of the factory fluid assures nothing, and the use of "acceptable" alternatives does the same. Neither good nor bad, regarding transmission (more specifically Torque converter) performance.

Oh! I wish there were a magic bullet. "Just use this fluid and all transmission concerns will melt away".

Asking too much, we are.

The best part is that the AW forum allows free exchange of very useful information for all of us. Empowering each of us to decide what we would prefer to do.

And with 127 k miles and over 30K miles with Alternative fluid, I feel this transmission (in fact the entire vehicle) has performed beyond my expectations. I'm just glad I didn't have to bear the showroom sticker cost. ;-)

With every respect.

Cal

CalG

They are Coach builders of he first order though! And their engines are VERY reliable.

CalG

tozoM8

Regardless of the filter pickup pipe length, I always cut 1/2" off.

rangervr4.2

After exhaustive research here ond on various BMW boards I decided to use the Maxlife. It's the only fluid that I've found that specifically states compatability with LT 71141. The slight whine I'm noticing is probably caused by something other than the type of fluid. Thanks for your concern. There are a lot of folks on this board who know much more about transmissons than I do and I appreciate all the help. Today's Sept 11. There are much more important things to think about.
Phil C

rangervr4.2

Thanks to all for the input!
Phil C

Hex168

Exxon Mobil now states in the data sheet that it is "suitable" for Esso LT 71141 applications. While this isn't formal approval, I hope that Exxon Mobil understands the parameters of two fluids they make.

Does anyone think I'm being overly optimistic here?<ul><li><a href="http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_1_Synthetic_ATF.aspx">Mobil 1 ATF Data Sheet</a></li></ul>

JimR

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/171709.phtml">If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me.</a></li></ul>