Transmission Fluid
 

Hi There,

Looking at changing the gearbox oil and filter and my mechanic has said that the oil seems to be Audi specific. Is this correct and where best is it to get the stuff , Audi themselves ?

Ta,
Lee

The D2 does tend to like the Audi specific transmission oil, the only source is Audi and you have to buy 1 litre bottles. Be prepared for a large dent in your wallet as its not cheap either.

Audi fluid is rebranded ZF lifeguard 5 (for D2) fluid, originally made by Esso, number LT71141, now part of Exxon Mobil and you can by the same fluid under different makes just rebranded- Febi, Meyle, Mobil as well as ZF and Audi, possibly more.

And you do not have to by it 1l bottles from Audi they sell it also in 0.5l or 20l

Hmmm
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=370377267109

It does say it can be used where LT71141 specifications are required but I would stay away from it, there is no make, just says Smith an Allan on the can. And it lists a lot of specifications where it can be used including Dextron, I know that Dextron definitely cannot be used in ZF boxes so I cannot see how this fluid could be used in both LT71141 and Dextron place.

Lee, are you doing this yourself? The forum has quite a lot of 'wisdom' that says you need a special machine to flush the oil through. Like many here, I took mine to a good ZF gearbox specialists to have the job done properly.

I have to say, if you're mechanically experienced then it really is an easy process. There are just a few things you must make sure are right: the car is level, the right fluid and filter are used and to monitor the fluid temperature while carrying out the filling procedure to ensure the correct level. (Check Audipages)

After many conversations with ZF, they say that even with using a machine to "flush" the box, the torque converter still retains fluid. They recommend the initial fluid and filter change, then carry out another drain and fill. That process changes as much fluid as possible.

Apparently Pentosin also make lifeguard 5 fluid for ZF.

ZF categorically say that only ZF lifeguard 5, genuine Audi or Mobil LT71141 can be used by the way.

I believe that Meyle and Febi LT71141 is the same Mobil stuff just with another label.

I would say you're right. I'm only relaying info that ZF gave me. Opie oils do Mobil LT71141 at a good price (in their EBay shop).