So I guess there is a cheaper answer to transmission fluid. I don't see anywhere that shows the clutch packs and seals and what not are different for each manufacturer. I would assume that ZF builds the transmission completely and all the manufacturers do is install the unit. So all the internals should be the same. Therefore use any fluid qualified for "6HP26" right???




Ford Trucks/Lincoln Navigator
[align=center]ALL except:
2007-2008 F250 HD, F350, F450, F550;
1997-2008 models with 5R110W, 6R60, 6R75 or ZF 6HP26
transmissions;
Models requiring ATF Type F
[/align]
[align=center]1977-2008[/align]
[align=center]MERCONĀ®
MERCONĀ®V [/align]
[align=center]ATF Type F (XT-1-QF)
MERCONĀ® SP (XT-6-QSP)[/align]

BMW with 6hp26 listed Dexron 3. I was reading something about a BMW mechanic expressing to his customers to use Amsoil ATF; which I have used for the past few years and is great stuff.

 

No sir I haven't. I am looking at an 04 and 05 as we speak so I haven't purchased one but soon I will have a beauty. I have used Amsoil in Dodge and ford diesels, ford company vans, my current dodge diesel truck. I use the amsoil power steering fluid, trans fluid, gear oil, motor oil, all of it. It is a little more expensive but why not get what you pay for. Anyways, the trans fluid from Amsoil is universal just like Mobil Trans fluid is. I am gonna call Ford and see if the ZF6 is made internally the same for all vehicles and just installed by the manufacturers. I mean the new Navigators, F150s, xj8's, bmw, audis, all have the ZF 6HP26 so basically the manufacturers just specify which fluid they are getting kick backs from really it seems. I will answer back when I hear from Ford.

 

I see what ya'll are saying about the amsoil from their own website.And alos the Mercon SP crossed my mind as well. I will continue to research, but I will not spend 500 for the fluid. I found a used trans with 10k miles for $900 bucks from a wrecked 05 model. So, not much of a risk to me cause the car I am looking at has 60k miles anyway.

 

I typed in ESSO LT71141 and guess what happened. ESSO is Exxon/Mobil in Europe where the fluid comes from well here is the factory fill!

Mobil Multi-Vehicle ATF is also suitable for use in vehicles that specify the following requirements:

[ul][*]Audi G 052 025-A2, G 052 162-A1[*]BMW LA2634[*]Esso LT 71141[*]ETL-7045E, ETL-8072B, N402[*]Ford* MERCON*, MERCON LV[*]All 2005 and earlier GM vehicles**[*]Honda ATF-Z1*[*]Hyundai SP-II, SP-III[*]Idemitsu K17[*]JWS 3309[*]Kia SP-II, SP-III[*]MAN 339F, V1, V2, Z1, Z2, Z3[*]Mazda ATF-III, ATF-MV[*]Mercedes-Benz 236.1, 236.2, 236.5, 236.6, 236.7, 236.9[*]Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II, SP-III[*]Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J, Matic-K[*]Subaru ATF[*]Toyota T-III, T-IV[*]Voith 55.6335.XX (G607, G1363)[*]Volvo 97340[*]ZF TE-ML 03D, 04D, 09, 14A, 14B, 16L, 17C[/ul]

 

I replaced the gearbox oil in my XJ83.2 at 65000 miles - it is imperitive you use the correct Esso oil for the box - there is NO equivelent.

Don't buy it from Jaguar, when I enquired the wanted over £20 per litre and would only sell as a 25 litre drum - its crazy.

I rang my local BMW specialist - quoted £10 per litre and he said bring my own containers and he would dispence whatever quantity I wanted -

Note: this gearbox was also fitted to the 540 and 740 BMW and BMW recommend an 'Optional Oil Change' at 60000 mile intervals. Hope this helps.

 

I have an S-3 R and the importance of using the correct fluid in the 6HP26 is a significant factor when making the decision to swap out the fluid. I believe the fluid referred to above is the Pentosin ATF1, which is equivalent in viscosity index and friction coefficient to Shell M 1375.4 and the mineral oil cough syrup Jaguar sells for extortionate amounts.

Pentosin ATF1 is a higher performance synthetic fluid than the Jag mineral oil, and so long as the viscocity and friction co-efficient are equivalent to M 1375.4 the transmission will benefit from the performance of a synthetic fluid.

You can purchase the 6HP26 pan with integrated filter from RM European for $140 which compares favorably to the dealer price, and the Pentosin ATF1 is $16 per liter from them. This fluid looks like the Jag fluid, and by eyeball the viscosity appears noticeably similar. Evidently when ZF rebuilds a transmission which uses the Jaguar computer, this is the fluid they use.

I was reluctant to combine/mix the old Jaguar mineral oil "cough syrup" with the Pentosin ATF1, and found the best answer to this was simply to allow the 6HP26 to drain for two days. After two days about seven liters of the old degraded mineral oil were recovered, leaving at least one liter (plus) in the torque unit. I believed the ratio of 7+:1 old-to-new will do no harm, and used the seven liters drained as a guide to fluid level for the refill.

Refill is not trivial. When drained with the engine off, the 6HP26 pan only holds about 3 liters. This is enough to get you going but the other issue is the proximity of an internal switch to the fill hole (not to mention the exhaust pipe near the fill hole!) so that a small diameter fill tube must be used, unless you have the ZF factory fill plug. ZF definitely did not want shade tree mechanics filling the 6HP26 and to date that is my biggest complaint about "German engineering".

Anyway I have been driving the S-3 R for quite a few miles now and feel that the performance and responsiveness of the transmission is definitely improved over the Jaguar mineral oil. That is my opinion and observation so far! regards, Steve

 

Why? Because I went down to my local Jaguar dealer here and asked to see a bottle of the ATF they sell for my 2004 S type R, at a cost of $70+ per liter.

The bottle the parts clerk showed me was clearly labeled "mineral oil" - no doubt about it. If you like I can make a trip down there again and take a picture of the label on the bottle. Better yet, Google "jaguar ATF mineral oil" and you will get many interesting and factual results.

In my personal experience, replacing the stock fluid in my S type R with the Pentosin ATF1, really transformed the driveability of the car.

 

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe..._9BA48850.aspx

It is equivalent to Shell M-1375.4 with the same viscosity and coefficient of friction, but is indeed a higher performing fluid. I have had it in my S type R now for some thousands of miles; shifts are crisper/ smoother (than with the old Jag oil) and the tranny overall is much smoother and more predictable in performance with consistent shift points.

In my experience, replacing the stock fluid transformed the driveability of the car.