Hi All,
I've been doing a lot of reading on our 'Lifetime' ATF fluid. I don't believe it, and a forum member posted a UOA showing that the fluid was pretty worn down before 100k miles.

My problem is, the OEM fluid is $40-$80 PER QUART and we need 7-9 quarts depending on who you ask. Forum member Turkeybaster found that Ford Mercon SP was almost the same (if not exactly the same) fluid as the OEM LifeGuard6, which is available for less than $6/quart. My other options are Redline D4/D6 and AMSOil ATF which are about $11/quart.

I'm looking for any experience anyone has had with any of these fluids in our transmissions (or any ZF 6HP**).

I'm leaning towards the Ford Mercon SP, because it was designed for the ZF 6HP** in the Lincoln Navigator and is made by Shell to the same standard as the LG6 fluid.

 

Ive got a the same year c6, did you ever get a good answer from somebody?

 

I am changing the trans filter and fluid using AMSOIL fluid in the next few days, I will post my results.

 

I wanted to follow up with my original post. I changed the transmission fluid last weekend and it was easier than I thought is was going to be. I drained the transmission fluid, dropped the pan, cleaned the magnets and pan, changed the filter, visibly inspected the pan, magnets, old filter and valve body. Everything looked good for the mileage (76,000). Little bit of friction sludge on the magnets and slightly soiled filter element, fluid was dark but still transparent with NO burnt smell.

I purchased a filter and pan gasket from a local Orielly Auto Parts, part #: FK431 for $19.99 and 9 quarts of AMSOIL OE Fuel Efficient Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid for $6.75 a quart through my father in law.

In the end I only used a few ounces under 5 quarts, so the total transmission service with filter, gasket, necessary fluid, tax and shipping was $61.58 plus an hour and a half of my time.

The initial results are a transmission that engages from park to reverse or drive much smoother. The gear shift from first to second is marginally better and the remaining gear shifts are much smoother than before the service. I contacted AMSOIL before I ordered the fluid and they assured my that I could use their fluid with confidence. My only worry that I have is the quality of the transmission pan gasket. I will closely monitor the transmission pan for any leakage and update the thread with how it goes.

 

I changed the fluid in my 03 (D2) A8L (FUN transmission) a while back. The hardest part for me was getting the Panzer elevated and level. Not difficult, just need to take your time and be careful. The rest was fairly easily done. I need to do another change this spring when it warms up. Always get an extra liter or two of fluid to have on hand in case of a spill.

 

I was lucky in that respect. My father in law has a lift that I was able to use.

 

I'm going to built a pit in the next garage I build.....