DCT Fluid change | FerrariChat

DCT Fluid change

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by jk356, Mar 31, 2022.

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  1. jk356

    jk356 Rookie

    Jul 10, 2017
    34
    midwest
    Full Name:
    jeff k
    Was wondering if anyone has change the DCT fluid in their 458 and what brand they used. Seems difficult to source the Shel DCT-F3 online. I see Motul MDCT and Pentosin DCT fluid availability, but nothing from Shell.

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,675
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    Dominick
    I haven't changed a 458 dct but if i had to given availability ..i would purchase oil from dealer or use the high torque version of the motul dct (different than the regular)

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  3. jk356

    jk356 Rookie

    Jul 10, 2017
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    jeff k
    thanks flash32

    similarly- does anyone have a recommendation for gearbox oil Shell Spirax 75w-90 is also difficult to obtain these days
     
  4. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
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    Dominick
    That is easy buy ravenol vsg

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  5. Rdwaggie

    Rdwaggie Karting
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    Nov 6, 2018
    107
  6. 458Spider2013

    458Spider2013 Karting

    Dec 1, 2021
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    Pete Gregory
  7. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,675
    Central NJ
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    Dominick
    You will get 200 different options

    Motor.. Mobil 1 0w40
    Gearbox - ravenol vsg
    Coolant zerex g30
    DCT motul high torque dctf

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  8. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,675
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    Dominick
    Check what color is the power steering fluid ..they used two types ..ATF tyoe fluid and chf11s ..if red then ATF use Mobil 1 sync ATF ..if greenish use the chf11s

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  9. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
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    Dominick
    Brake fluid ..i like ATE 200

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  10. 458Spider2013

    458Spider2013 Karting

    Dec 1, 2021
    171
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    Pete Gregory
    I’m trying to make sense of the two tranny oil types as depicted on the chart


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  11. wthensler

    wthensler F1 Rookie
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    Apr 27, 2015
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    Redline racing oil and change it every 4-6k miles.
    Pentosyn CHF power steering fluid (just changed)
    Castrol SRF brake fluid, which is flushed or changed frequently.
    DCT and clutch next service
    Replaced expansion tank and coolant last service.
     
  12. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,675
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    Dominick
    Dctf is the one with 8 liters

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  13. wthensler

    wthensler F1 Rookie
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    Apr 27, 2015
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    William
    I’m back here wondering if anyone has had their DCT fluid changed outside of Ferrari by an independent, and if so, what they used.

    My mechanic has been trying to source it and been told the dealer will not sell it (guess they cornered the market which isn’t too difficult in this day and age).

    He is a bit reluctant to substitute with something else, and I of course know nothing.

    Again, looking for someone that has actually had it done outside and can opine. Thanks.
     
  14. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,675
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    Dominick
    I haven't done the change ..but if forced to pick a fluid

    The motul high torque dctf specifically states Ferrari

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    Need4Spd likes this.
  15. Rdwaggie

    Rdwaggie Karting
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    Nov 6, 2018
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    I changed and the Dealer used Pakelo. If you are having difficulty sourcing, let me know and I can get it for you.


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  16. mdrums

    mdrums F1 Rookie

    Jun 11, 2006
    3,229
    Tampa FL
    My dealer, Tampa Ferrari uses the Pakelo brand for all fluids. I did get them to put in Motul RBF660 brake fluid last time and I flushed it myself since. My car is due for service soon and I’ll probably just let them use all there Pakelo fluids this time since my car isn’t tracked.
     
  17. wthensler

    wthensler F1 Rookie
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    Apr 27, 2015
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    I was finally able to source the Shell ATF DCT-F3 on line, but had to purchase a 20L container. Called Ferrari but they buy in 55L drums and won’t sell aliquots. Fair enough……..I did start looking for Pakelo but didn’t get as far as matching fluid viscosity specs.

    Regardless, the DCT and clutch together take approximately 10L anyway, so not too bad in the scheme of things. Perhaps there’ll be an interested party……

    I’m curious as to the present fluid’s condition and seriously thinking of sending a sample out for analysis, My 458’s gotta be the positive control in this crowd given its mileage (> 35k), age (>9 years) and relatively high track use (> 15 track days).

    This should put to bed once and for all the question of when to change out a lifetime fluid, especially under accelerated usage.

    With so much use, the problem for me has become when doesn’t the 458 require service. Four oil changes this year alone.
     
    Il Tifoso and r6elmo like this.
  18. FerrariCognoscenti

    FerrariCognoscenti Formula 3

    Jan 19, 2021
    2,429
    East Coast
    William,
    Very interested to hear about the analysis results if you do send it out!
     
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  19. DoubleD33

    DoubleD33 F1 Rookie
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    May 2, 2012
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    @wthensler My post on page 4 of the 458 DIY maintenance thread tells about the DCT fluid change.
     
  20. wthensler

    wthensler F1 Rookie
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    Thank you, sir. While I don’t intend to change it myself, I will snap some pics and take samples of the new and used fluid and have both analyzed. I will report back on the results in the interest of contributing to this wonderful forum.

    There seems to be a reluctance by many to swap manufacturers (Shell is the OEM recommended), but several have approached me about Pakelo and Motul. If I can find their viscosity specs, I will also publish them. In this way, selection of an alternate will be based on quantitative criteria as opposed to anecdotally.
     
  21. DoubleD33

    DoubleD33 F1 Rookie
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    Very interested to see the analysis. I too am a cut sheet reader and if memory serves Motul was very close to factory. There is a YouTube channel lubrication explained that you may find useful.
     
  22. wthensler

    wthensler F1 Rookie
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    You are correct, based on my analysis, and here’s a summary of what I discovered……..

    What I was able to find online is the OEM Shell F3 clutch hydraulic fluid (I purchased 20L, car takes close to 10 acc’d to manual). So I’m good there, I will have it replaced and perform the analysis on the new and used hydraulic fluid.

    But….. I did not yet purchase the DCT fluid, which Ferrari recommends as Shell API GL4/5, ATF 75W90. This is from the fluid plate information inside the rear hatch (spider). The GL designation has to do with the additives…GL5 has more phosphates and sulphate, which are protectants, at the expense of being slightly more ‘aggressive’ in use. If there are a lot of brass bushings inside a DCT, you typically wouldn’t want to use a more aggressive additive.

    The fact that the 458’s emblem is written this way implies it can take either one (which is possible).

    The Shell S5 spec sheet states GL4/GL5. Unless someone explains this to me, I would assume it to mean it meets both API specifications - a bit confusing, however,

    Kind of a moot point, as S5 is not available anywhere anymore. So Ferrari appears to be substituting an ‘equivalent’ or similar, such as Pakelo, Motul, Mobil or Castrol.

    When you look at the individual spec sheets, you will find that Pakelo spec sheet states it meets GL4 (not 5). Motul states both (the one I’m going to use).

    Now the kicker….the 2020 Ferrari North America Technical Information Manual (TI 2619) references GL5 (page 3). So clearly some discrepancies here, most likely not worth stressing over (4 or 5).

    I also looked at the various viscosity tables and specs. As a Chem Engineer I used to do a lot of viscosity measurements and am familiar with viscometers, dynamic and kinematic viscosity, viscosity indices, centipoise, centistokes and the like.

    But I’ll keep things simple - give or take a few centistokes, there are no significant viscosity rating differences between Shell, Motul or Pakelo, best I can tell.

    So, I’m proceeding full steam ahead and will give it a thorough workout next Saturday at Sebring!
     
    DoubleD33 likes this.
  23. kiryu

    kiryu Formula Junior

    Mar 28, 2016
    407
    Los Angeles
    where do you buy Shell ATF fluid online? If you dont mind sharing. About to flush the DCT as well. Certainly cant find any Pakelo or Kroon... did find Motul and Redline as the easiest to source. All of them listed themselves as TF DCT-F3 compatible, but I looked up the chemical properties and compare to Shell, all slightly different.

    For gear oil my local independents and dealers have been using redline ns
     
  24. wthensler

    wthensler F1 Rookie
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    Apr 27, 2015
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    I found it on line, I’ll have to go back and see where. (It was over a year ago). I had a much easier time finding Pakelo, surprising that’s not readily available.

    My guy uses Redline a lot and says for the gear oil it’s not as critical.

    You may want to contact a Shell distributor and see what they say. Again, my analysis was clean in the DCT.
     

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