ZF 6Speed Manual Trans Fluid Choices
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
ZF 6Speed Manual Trans Fluid Choices
I am changing the trans. fluid for the 1st time in the 12 year life of the car (65Kmiles), and see different choices for fluids. The owners manual calls for 5W30, 4.4 pints. However, GM has part#1052931 lube. What is the difference between the GM fluid and any other (i.e. Mobil 1 Synthetic) 5W30 oil? Trans. shifts fine, no leaks, no problems. I just want to change it because it is old. Any input is appreciated.
#2
Burning Brakes
the two best choices are either the gm lube or castrol tws from a bmw dealer.... is one better than the other ... i don't know i have heard postive and negetive about both,,, i used the bmw castrol oil in mine last month when i did it its like 8.50 a quart.. at this point anything is going to be better than 12 yerar olds oil... i would not use just any 5w30 oil though you need an oil with shear properties for a manual gearbox... so stick with what gm recomends or what ZFdoc recomends (castrol)
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St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
if available, use the search function on this topic. you will find MANY threads regarding ZF oil preference.
i like the Castrol / BMW oil
i like the Castrol / BMW oil
#6
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I did a bit of research and decided on the Castrol TWS from the BMW dealer. It's what they use in the M cars.
Just picked it up, but haven't changed it yet. All I've read says it is really nice.
Just picked it up, but haven't changed it yet. All I've read says it is really nice.
#9
Melting Slicks
Use Castrol Synthetic 10w 60 motor oil in the ZF. This is available only at BMW dealers -- it is used in the M3 and M5 engines. Check out www.zfdoc.com for more info on the ZF S6-40 manual transmission.
#10
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I used Redline MTL fluid at my last change. No problems so far! If anything, I'd say the tranny shifts better now, but then again, somebody already said it - anything is better than old fluid.
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Originally Posted by 1989redvette
well like everything else on the forum IT DOES NOT WORK!!! says no matches found for zf6 .. none of the searches on here work at all ..
#12
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Originally Posted by 1989redvette
the two best choices are either the gm lube or castrol tws from a bmw dealer.... is one better than the other ... i don't know .. at this point anything is going to be better than 12 yerar olds oil... i would not use just any 5w30 oil though you need an oil with shear properties for a manual gearbox... so stick with what gm recomends or what ZFdoc recomends (castrol)
(Put the Castrol in mine...didn't notice any difference, but there were no problems before the change.)
Larry
code5coupe
#13
Intermediate
Thread Starter
ZF 6 Speed Fluid Change
Originally Posted by SkyKohl
I am changing the trans. fluid for the 1st time in the 12 year life of the car (65Kmiles), and see different choices for fluids. The owners manual calls for 5W30, 4.4 pints. However, GM has part#1052931 lube. What is the difference between the GM fluid and any other (i.e. Mobil 1 Synthetic) 5W30 oil? Trans. shifts fine, no leaks, no problems. I just want to change it because it is old. Any input is appreciated.
#14
Racer
Just so everyone knows for future reference I've talked to Bill at ZFDoc about this because I couldn't find the TWS. Any 5w30 is OK to use (don't use the mobil 1 because it's too good). He also told me the Redline MTL is good for 25k miles where the castrol is only good to 10-15k and it's more appropriate for colder climates. Redline MTL can be had for $8/qt from Summit Racing.
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
#15
Team Owner
Originally Posted by cresus
Just so everyone knows for future reference I've talked to Bill at ZFDoc about this because I couldn't find the TWS. Any 5w30 is OK to use (don't use the mobil 1 because it's too good). He also told me the Redline MTL is good for 25k miles where the castrol is only good to 10-15k and it's more appropriate for colder climates. Redline MTL can be had for $8/qt from Summit Racing.
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
#16
Team Owner
Originally Posted by cresus
Just so everyone knows for future reference I've talked to Bill at ZFDoc about this because I couldn't find the TWS. Any 5w30 is OK to use (don't use the mobil 1 because it's too good). He also told me the Redline MTL is good for 25k miles where the castrol is only good to 10-15k and it's more appropriate for colder climates. Redline MTL can be had for $8/qt from Summit Racing.
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
I tried 20-50 Mobil 1 in mine in a desparate attempt to put oil in it after a clutch swap (knew I forgot to get something) and that crap broke down within a week.
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When is the right time to change this fluid ? I have heard so many different stories . Anyone ....
#18
Safety Car
Originally Posted by cresus
Just so everyone knows for future reference I've talked to Bill at ZFDoc about this because I couldn't find the TWS. Any 5w30 is OK to use (don't use the mobil 1 because it's too good). He also told me the Redline MTL is good for 25k miles where the castrol is only good to 10-15k and it's more appropriate for colder climates. Redline MTL can be had for $8/qt from Summit Racing.
My 2 cents.
My 2 cents.
Maybe this is NEW info, BUT Bill told me Castrol was the one he recommended period.........GM ok........
He doesn't appear to have updated his website info?????
www.zfdoc.com
If Redline is good for 25k miles and all else is equal, wouldn't Redline be the best choice and his recommendation.....
We need to get a confirmation if this is indeed an update........
#19
Racer
Yeah I'm not sure as to why he still recommends the Castrol (maybe because it was originally recommended by GM and he considers it better than the GM fluid) but in his email to me that's what he said. I was a little surprised myself. In fact, I was very surprised when he was telling me that any conventional 5w30 was ok but the mobil 1 prevented wear so well that it caused glazing of something (which is bad). I don't remember what and I erased his emails otherwise I'd post the string. Maybe I can get them from my computer at home. I'll check.
#20
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by DINO
When is the right time to change this fluid ? I have heard so many different stories . Anyone ....
What I can not understand is why the owners manual for the '93 specifies 5W30 instead of the GM part#?