[Monocog007]

I bought my xc70 at almost 165k miles with what I expect was original trans fluid. It's now just turned over 250k and I've been doing gibbons flushes with ~6 quarts (Mobil 3309) every 30k miles. Transmission is still going strong.

I agree with the other statements of flushing with 10+ quarts and making darn sure the fluid level is correct at 80C (hot temp). You should be good as gold.

 

[Monocog007]

I'm recommending staying away from aftermarket ATFs and especially Mobil - some people report their gearboxes work well with it, but most of them don't like it. None of my 3 AW55 worked well with Mobil.

Buy 1 jug of 1161640 and do a simple drain&fill. It will improve the shifts if the old fluid lost most of it friction modifiers.

However, shifts to 3 gear and from 3 gear is a bit different path, it may require a small surgery of B4 servo pin.

There's no basis for not recommending Mobil 1 3309 or any other JWS-3309 fluid. It's synonymous with Toyota T-IV which is factory fill on these transmissions. Mobil 1 3309 meets the Aisin and Volvo specs. Why pay the Volvo tax when you don't have to?

I should mention, an entire case of 12 quarts of M-3309 is only $72. When 4qt of Volvo fluid is $59 the cheapest I can find.

 

[Monocog007]

Toyota does not have chemical facilities to produce transmission lubricants. It outsources it to Idemitsu, who most likely also does the Volvo ATF based on their spec tweaks. Volvo ATF is thicker than Mobil, Toyota, Idemitsu or Aisin ATF. What is more important, it also has a boosted friction modifiers pack to aid the TCM software tune that Volvo did for their AW55 application. Other AW55/AF23-33 applications don't abuse the controlled slip feature as much as Volvo does, they are doing fine with less "enriched" ATFs. This becomes apparent when you split and compare Volvo and !Volvo AW55 torque converter.

Can I ask for your sources? I'm happy to eat my crow, but you'll have to prove it first.

Everything I've read says JWS-3309 IS T-IV and are basically interchangeable. Volvo's spec is no different.

 

[Monocog007]

I don't think Japanese transmission is coming with US-made ATF as a factory fill, but can't prove or disprove it. On the other hand, Volvo ATF is high quality and does not wear very quickly, while Japan version of T-IV clearly has a worse base oil and people report its poor longevity.

The difference between these fluids is so minimal. I can't understand how this supports your opinion that a JWS-3309 fluid is somehow sub-standard to OEM fluid which wasn't even included in that "test". Your opinion is just that - an opinion. There's no data to suggest it. I'll continue using whatever JWS-3309 fluid I find cheapest, and I'll continue expecting it to work like it has for the past 90k miles - just fine.

Just like I'll continue to use whatever JWS-3324 I find cheapest for my XC90, in this last case it was Idemitsu TLS-LV. And guess what? It works just fine and meets Volvo's spec, nothing more to see here.

 

[Monocog007]

I can't understand why people buy a vehicle and decide to just Willy billy over a couple of bucks. The Volvo fluid isn't like buying a new trans. Keep the fluids the same and just pay for the damn fluid. It's not that big of a difference. It reminds me of the person that you see with their expensive beemer etc. and the tires are shot. Apparently when they bought their expensive vehicle they failed to realize that there would be some "slightly" more expensive maintenance involved with their purchase as well. Please post up the actual price differences that some are so worried about.

Yep, and Mobil 3309 has kept me from needing to buy a new trans, because it meets the same specs that Volvo's fluid does. Just as I've said to vtl, if you have information proving otherwise, I'd love to see it. JWS-3309 is JWS-3309.

Yes, this it it. AW55 on a Volvo ATF actually outlasted the engine...

I would be happy for AW55 ATF refresh not costing $200, however in my "research" I was not able to find such a fluid that outperforms or at least acts as expensive Volvo ATF.

Anyhow, my monthly beer budget is way over ATF budget needed for every couple of years, and that's using 1161540!

You still have not shown any information that proves Volvo fluid is different from any other 3309 fluid. The only comparison you were able to show was between 3309 brands, which from what I could see, was essentially nothing.

On the contrary, we have information in this thread suggesting Mobil PRODUCES the Volvo factory fluid. If you have something more convincing, please provide it.

If Mobil 3309 or any other 3309 fluid meets that spec, it's literally good enough. You want to waste your money on volvo bottles/stickers, that's your prerogative. Don't suggest to others they do the same.

 

[Monocog007]

No ATF is lifetime. Unless life ends with the factory warranty. ATF suspends worn friction material in it and must be replaced on a regular basis.

Aisin T-4 is not Toyota T-IV, it is very thin.

But if Volvo fluid is the best, and the only fluid you should use, shouldn't you also listen to Volvo's recommendations? They say the fluid is lifetime for the transmission! Surely you should listen to them and not bother changing it. /s

 

[Monocog007]

y sell Aisin Type IV Fluid for $7-8 per quart. I bought the same stuff at the Toyota Dealership, Toyota Type IV fluid. I don't think there is a difference, unless someone can fill me in on that. Either way, this fluid is non-synthetic. So it's not meant to last "lifetime" like Toyota or Volvo like to say.

To answer the OP's question, no there is no practical difference, despite what others might argue. Lots of documented use of T-IV on this forum and elsewhere, it's plenty good for the job. Frequent changes (30-50k) is recommended by most.

 

[Monocog007]

How many times do I have to say use whatever the hell you want. It's your vehicle and when **** hits the fan its you that are responsible. Put saw dust in it right before you sell it if that's what floats your boat. Couple grand for a new trans vs a couple hundred for what the manufacturer recommends. When you're done re-inventing the wheel let me know. This whole fluid debate has been done to death. Do a search on this forum and you will see as much.

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I'll do so happily and without concern, thank you. It's done me well to 250k, and will continue to do so. It isn't reinventing the wheel, it's using common sense.

 

[Monocog007]

Again, it need not be said that "recommended fluid" is this case is JWS-3309, or T-IV. Those are the fluid specs called out by name. In the same respect, you wouldn't recommend someone buy "Volvo spec" power steering fluid, they would instead buy CHF-202.

 

[Monocog007]

The transmission has 223k miles on it now, it shifts better than TF80 w/ 45k miles in wife's XC60

What a sad truth, I'm way happier with my old AW55 than I am with the TF80 I've had in either XC90 I've owned.