ZF Recommended Oils

[CAJUN C4]

Anyone have a listing of approved oil(s) for the ZF 6 Speed.?

I know about the Castrol TWS 10W60. Was wondering if any others?

 

[Rex S]

Changed ours out to M1 15W50 and it really cut down on noise.

 

[Hib Halverson]

You'll get lots of answers to this question.

The Castrol 10W60 is one that's recommended by ZF but some testing that a ZF service facility has done seems to indicate that the Castrol needs to be changed fairly often.

I have great results from Red Line synthetic products. For normal driving Red Line MTL works quite well. It's a low viscosity gear lubricant like the original factory fill oil was.

For severe duty and racing Red Line Light Shockproof gear lubricant is a great choice. I use that in both my ZFs. I run it about 3 yrs or 36,000 miles whichever comes first.

 

[CAJUN C4]

Red Line Synthetic Oil - Gear Oil for Manual Transmissions - MTL 70W80 GL-4 Gear Oil

Thanx Hib

I'll try some.

 

[helphos]

ZF oil

I used an Amsoil product in my last manal transmission and it worked extremely well.
I just bought some Amsoil Synthetic Manual Synchromesh transmission fluid for my 93 black tag ZF, and haven't put it in yet, but I have high hopes for it.
On the label it says it meets the GM spec for the ZF transmission.

How hard is it to get the oil in there? Any tips on filling the trans? (Like raise the hood and snake a tube down to the fill opening etc.)
Thanks!

 

[CAJUN C4]

I used an Amsoil product in my last manal transmission and it worked extremely well.
I just bought some Amsoil Synthetic Manual Synchromesh transmission fluid for my 93 black tag ZF, and haven't put it in yet, but I have high hopes for it.
On the label it says it meets the GM spec for the ZF transmission.

How hard is it to get the oil in there? Any tips on filling the trans? (Like raise the hood and snake a tube down to the fill opening etc.)
Thanks!

A little more involved than that. Raise the Car and drain the Oil from the bottom Drain Plug (Drive it to get it warm first). Note:Good idea to check first weather you can take the side fill plug out before draining.Not good if you cant and already have taken the fluid out and can't refill it.I've heard of this happening especially with first time changing. Then Fill at the side plug opening till the fluid runs out.Takes 2.2 Quarts.

 

[helphos]

Transmission oil

Thanks, Cajun C4. So I guess I'll use my suction pump to fill the trans. I know about the trick to FIRST make sure the fill plug will come out before draining the trans. I feel for those who get it drained and then can't get the fill plug out!

I was just hoping that i could fill it without having to crawl under the car with my suction pump and get covered with oil. The idea of snaking a tube down by the firewall to the fill hole sure sounded good, if impractical.

 

[G Winter]

I had real fun getting my fill plug out.

 

[CAJUN C4]

Might put some Anti Sieze or TFE Tape on both the threads for ease of future removals.