I'm getting ready to do a trans fluid & filter on my 2000 XJ8L, along with the TransGo pressure valve. At 113,000 miles and unknown service history before 100k when I got it, it seems like a good thing to do.
My question is, what trans fluid is everybody using? It looks like OEM is ZF Lifeguard 5, but I also see Pentosin ATF-1 or Castrol TransMaxx Dex/Merc as options. ZF and Pentosin are both in the $80 range for a 4-liter jug vs $23 for the Castrol.
Thoughts? I do plan to keep the car for a while. Will I be gaining something tangible by spending the extra money? Or is good old Castrol the overall best choice?
Thanks
-Steve-

 

ZF LifeGuard 5
ESSO LT 71141
Febi Automatikgetriebeöl Nr. 29738
VW/Audi G 052 162 A2
Pentosin ATF 1
Ravenol ATF 4/5 HP

Febi is a great priced compliant/equivalent oil for the X308,around $49 for 5 liters, I personally wouldn't go any lower.

 

You should instal the Classic Dipstick from M Euro Sport while you are performing the Maintenance.

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Hi Steve,

The best price I've found on a suitable fluid for the ZF 5HP24 is the Febi that King Charles listed. I've purchased quite a bit of it from eBay seller partscontainer, but I just checked and their price has increased to $53.95 for 5 liters.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Liters-AT...oAAOSwtpJcQXa1

eBay seller qeautoparts1 still has it at $49.06 for 5 liters:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Auto-Transm...AAAOSwdAxZbQnV

And they also offer 10 liters for $91.44, which is a very good deal ($9.15 per liter):

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Liters-A...4AAOSw33hZAgj6

Note that Castrol Transmax Dex/Merc is probably not a good choice for the 5HP24. It's viscosity is significantly lower than LIfeguard 5, and in fact it's significantly lower than that of the Dexron III and Mercon for which it is supposed to be equivalent, so I wouldn't even use it in a transmission that called for Dexron III such as the ZF 4HP24.

Cheers,

Don

 

wondering if the redline d4 is slightly better than the original zf 5 fluid for high mileage zf5hp24 the d4 is little bit thicker

 

Redline D4 ATF is a synthetic Dexron III equivalent and is the best fluid I have found for use in the ZF 4HP24, but its viscosity is far too high for use in the 5-speed gearboxes. Best to use one of the fluids on the list King Charles posted than to try to second-guess the ZF engineers.

Cheers,

Don