I.e. you want somewhere local that you can go in-person?
Some places might carry the Idemitsu TLS-LV fluid. There's also a Beck-Arnley WS one (that I haven't seen reports of anyone trying yet, but at least it's not universal). Or just walk in to a Toyota dealership.

 

You know what, I was criticized by a select few people for starting a thread to get attention in what fluid to use for the TF-80SC since there are numerous new threads asking the same questions. Please read Rules 1-100, and no, 'compatible' does not equate to exact spec. Rule 102 gives you exact spec alternatives also outlined by @Scycotic.

Regarding finding the fluid in a chain store, read Rule 107 and order it online or go with what @Scycotic suggested. Not sure why you are avoiding ordering online. FCP has free shipping (over $49) and lifetime replacement meaning you can send the old fluid back when it's time to replace it with new fluid.

Apologize in advance, but this has been hashed over a lot with the same explanations and the 'ultimate' fluid thread is only half a dozen threads down the current forum thread queue.

The ULTIMATE Fluid Guide for the 6spd Aisin transmission...

Thought I would post this for the archives and searching as the "ultimate guide" since there has been a recent trend of people using the wrong fluid. I don't like to use the term "ultimate," but it just might garner more attention. Hopefully, this will be clear enough to prevent XC90 owners from...

www.swedespeed.com

 

Last time I did it, I bought from FCP. They had a kit with Aisin 3309 on sale, but it was only 8 quarts. I ordered two kits and qualified for free shipping. The kit has a replacement level plug and new seals. It turned out cheaper than buying only 12 quarts from the local Toyota dealer. On that subject there are 4 Toyota dealers within striking distance, and the prices ranged from $6.xx to $12.xx
That FCP deal on kits is happening now, I think.

 

And of course the owners manual states JWS 3309

And there's a good reason it does.

 

For others in the future reading this and looking for an AW-1 alternative:

I've had good luck with Toyota WS fluid in place of AW-1 in the 2013. I plan to also use Toyota WS fluid in the 2015 and 2012. Toyota WS is a fraction of the price vs 41.62 $ / L CAD for AW-1 (31256774).

You can see how I arrived at Toyota WS here:

Transmission fluids (2010+) - potential error in...

Transmission fluids (2010+) - potential error in owner's manual (error confirmed) - JWS 3309 vs AW-1 (JWS 3324) I've noticed some discrepancies between owner's manuals, VIDA, Volvo parts online portal and IPD. The TF-80SC switched away from JWS 3309 in TF-80SC generation 2 - however some...

www.swedespeed.com

 

Thanks everybody.....
ChitownV...no apologies needed. For some reason with the wording I used on my multiple searches your thread never came up. That is how I was aware of the vin cut off and errors in the owners manual by doing the searches. I also seen the post about the TJ contradiction discussion. My trans has 138k and no history of a change but a weird 2nd-3rd shift kind like slippage or hunt 1.8k-3k then solid so i want to be careful

 

My guess is it probably won't hurt your transmission to put AW-1 in it, but I am 100% convinced that XC90s up through 2012 came off the line with JWS 3309 in them. I base that on the TJ, which is very specific, and the fact that Volvo customer support told me that the owner's manual is correct.

 

So then my most important question is.... which would be worst. Putting 3309 in when it had AW-1 or vise versa. I would think the latter but...I really do not want to screw this **** up so to speak

 

I see. Yeah, the classic 2-3 shift flare due to old fluid.

While vehicle parts are continuously updated vs an 8yr old TJ, what you can do is try one or the other fluid. I would start with a drain/fill of 4qts of 3309 and see if the shifts are harsher overall because 3309 is a thicker viscosity fluid. If the shifts are harsher, then you might need WS fluid and plan 12qts with it. There is what we believe on the internet vs what we can feel and observe in the real world. It's better to see what the actual transmission behavior is like with your own specific XC90.

For those of us who have changed our transmission fluid (and changed multiple times), when you do 4qts or 12qts, the shifts do improve within 15-50 miles, if not immediately. The shift flare takes some more time to work its way out, but the shifting between gears in normal light driving is felt sooner.

 

vehicle parts are continuously updated

OK, so I went to usparts.volvocars.com and entered "2012 XC90 3.2" as the car and it came up with both fluids, with the notes for the SN break that I think we agree applies to at least everything except the X90. Then, I chose pn 1161540 and it displayed "THIS FITS YOUR 2012 Volvo XC90"

Next, I chose pn 31256774 and this time it displayed "THIS FITS YOUR 2012 Volvo XC90". So, I'm less than 100% confident in the parts list because there were exactly no 2012's that were CH -568000.

vs an 8yr old TJ

Consider the possibility that it is 8 years old because it's still correct. Why would Volvo still refer to it if it was incorrect?

 

Sounds like good advice....thanks! I will try the older fluid 21st and see what it gets me. I am thinking since it is older and higher mileage maybe the older fluid is a better choice

 

The transmission isn't like engine oil needs with wear. The correct spec should be used because of hydraulic line pressure, the timing of hydraulic pressure/flow along with solenoids, torque converter lock-up and disengaging, and clutch friction discs, just to name a few reasons.

 

Can we please not restart this discussion? There are pages and pages of this already in other threads and no one seems to have ever convinced anyone else to change their position. OP can read through those and make a decision that they're comfortable with.

 

Can we please not restart this discussion?

There's no question that there is conflicting and misleading information out there. I guess each individual has to make his own decision about to which bits he gives the most credence. The good news is, to date, I'm not aware of anyone who has reported issues with choosing the wrong one, so, maybe, as I suggested before, it really doesn't matter from a practical standpoint.

It might be an interesting exercise to compare transmission serial numbers between 2012 XC90s and 2012 XC70s and V70s. We may find the transmissions for the latter two are a different series than those for the XC90. (Perhaps the Gen 2 version wasn't suitable for the GVW of the XC90.) Absent that, place your bets and roll the dice.

Perhaps our new Ministry of Disinformation could be called on to resolve this, and deplatform one of us.

 

I've ordered Mobil JWS 3309 at Walmart's online site...

 

Thanks everybody

 

Again, since you haven't ever changed transmission fluid in an XC90...people have chosen the wrong fluid before. A few people posted how in their late 3.2 they put 3309 and the shifts were harsher from the thicker fluid. Changing it to WS brought back the normal shifts.

No more theorizing. A reasonable real-world solution for just-over-the-line VINs was given based on real-world experience of members on this board.

 

A few people posted how in their late 3.2 they put 3309 and the shifts were harsher from the thicker fluid.

I must hve missed that. Again, though, I think you're just picking a fight.

Volvo told me that 3309 was the right fluid for my transmission. That's good enough for me.

 

I thought by quoting your post it would be clear what I meant, but apparently you missed my point. If "a few people posted how in their late 3.2 they put 3309 and the shifts were harsher from the thicker fluid " I must have missed those posts. Perhaps you could be so good as to post links to posts by people who have XC90s with serial number greater than 568000 who have used 3309 and had issues that were cured by changing to the later fluid. The only thing even close that I could find was this: "I've been running 3309 for 6mo now with no problems. Shifts the same." 2011 XC90 Fluids

 

Just move on John C, again. I’m not the only one who keeps saying this.

Again you have never changed XC90 transmission fluids. You can search yourself. My responses are based on mine and members’ real-world experiences.

Please stop trying to take over threads. The OP has already been helped.

 

I committed only a quick search. In one minute I came up with how the shifting feels with WS vs the incorrect 3309. In the thread link you provided, I have the same thread & member posting updates comparing 3309 vs WS with improved shifting with WS (vs 3309) fluid for the transmissions that call for it. The same thread you linked is also full of data showing the VIN cut-off. When you try to limit the information and members' experiences, it reveals you are trying to hide something. I wouldn't expect you @John C to understand how the shifting 'feels' with newer fluids since you have never changed fluids on the TF-80SC. Now move on from trying to take over good honest threads.

Transmission fluids (2010+) - potential error in...

Transmission fluids (2010+) - potential error in owner's manual (error confirmed) - JWS 3309 vs AW-1 (JWS 3324) I've noticed some discrepancies between owner's manuals, VIDA, Volvo parts online portal and IPD. The TF-80SC switched away from JWS 3309 in TF-80SC generation 2 - however some...

www.swedespeed.com

Same Thread

Transmission fluids (2010+) - potential error in...

Transmission fluids (2010+) - potential error in owner's manual (error confirmed) - JWS 3309 vs AW-1 (JWS 3324) I've noticed some discrepancies between owner's manuals, VIDA, Volvo parts online portal and IPD. The TF-80SC switched away from JWS 3309 in TF-80SC generation 2 - however some...

www.swedespeed.com

 

I'm not sure why I waste my time. I ask for supporting data and you respond with irrelevant information. Hopefully this exercise will help someone wade through the obfuscation and get to the facts.

You quote this, but the link goes elsewhere:

Heard from Volvo... Turns out it is the VIN break, regardless of year. It's actually approx post 2010 it changes to the new fluid.

Volvo customer support told me that the owner's manual is correct.

At least one of these Volvos is incorrect (apologies to Louis Rukeyser.)

When I spoke with Volvo I laid out all the conflicting data (serial number break, exception in the TJ, Owner's manuals, parts listings, an who knows what else). Their answer was unambiguous: the Owner's manual is correct; my 2011 XC90 with serial number greater than 568000 uses 3309.

The same thread you linked is also full of data showing the VIN cut-off.

You know no one is disputing the serial number cutoff; the dispute centers on the exception spelled out in the TJ and the conflicting data in the owner's manual.

One of your links leads to this:

As a followup, I changed my transmission fluid to Toyota Type WS. It shifts smoother than the 3309 on my 2013. My 1-2 shift is a lot softer. My guess is there was software changes to take advantage of the lower viscosity fluid.

Model year 2013 is not in dispute. Both the TJ and the serial number break (and no doubt the owner's manual, too) clearly state that XC90s from 2013 on up use AW-1. 3309 is the wrong fluid for that transmission.

The other link leads to this:

Wish I’d found this when I had my XC60 R-Design.

The question is about XC90s, not XC60s. There is no dispute over the validity of the serial number break for the XC60.

So, I ask again, can you show me, and everyone else, the reports of XC90 transmissions in vehicles with SN > 568000 and model year < 2013 (the disputed range) that have had 3309 used in a fluid change, had a problem arise in concert with that fluid change, and had that problem corrected by changing to AW-1?

Maybe you can agree with me that there is conflicting information, and it is up to each individual to evaluate the facts and make up his own mind without fear of personal attack.

 

The day someone can track structure week for the TF-80SC GEN2 into the XC90 is the day you'll have the answer. The AW fluid ties directly to the updated transmission, it's the most obvious link of any that has ever come up.

 

This thread was a concern about using the wrong fluid during the crossover period since it can be unclear. A real-world solution was given to try for the OP’s own XC90. The OP thanked everyone.

You couldn’t stay away even after the thread had already been exhausted.

 

@ChitownV, you have NO idea as to exactly when the shift to AW in Production occurs, stop trying to act like you do. None of us does. The real answer to this exact question transcends anything you're theorizing in this individual thread so why not go and make the effort to find out what the truth is instead of arguing with folks who have legitimate data points in hand expressing a counter opinion?

And I'll come and go in this forum as I choose, not you. If you have an issue with this, bring it up to Chris.

 

Having re-read this thread @Scycotic is right, this subject has been discussed ad nauseum. Unfortunately it's still an issue to many and has been a sore point for a number of years. There's a chassis break in which the TF-80SC Gen2 transmission gets put into the XC90 in Sweden and while we all thought it was 568001, there have been some documents which refute that as a defining point. I've since left my position of the chassis number being the key and I'm eager to see if anyone can come up with a structure week correlation.

@ChitownV has the best advice, do a partial with 3309 and you can't go wrong. The Gen2 changes are in another post (they're mostly mileage related) and I'm more than sure folks are using a bunch of different fluids today.

OP, I owe you one for disrupting your thread. @JohnC, I'll try and call the folks that do the remans on the TF-80SC if they're still around. They helped me a number of years ago understand the alphanumeric serial number breaks so maybe they'll know the transmission SN break for Gen2 and we can go from there. I'll post any result on another thread.

 

To summarize.

@ChitownV has the best advice, do a partial with 3309 and you can't go wrong.

OP, I owe you one for disrupting your thread.

Having re-read this thread @Scycotic is right, this subject has been discussed ad nauseum.

 

Folks, the first page you come to on this site has a banner over on the right:

SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance Forum
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to Volvo owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, new releases, and more!
3.7Mposts 119Kmembers

That's the summary folks might want to pay attention to.

I'll still commit to doing some legwork on the question, while I personally don't have a Gen2 TF-80SC in either of my vehicles but I'm self-incentivized enough to follow the path a little further. Aisin-Warner SN prefix to MMYY and/or structure week of XC90 production integration for the Gen2 are good reference points and probably should have been pursued (my me or others) in 2017 when @generic_volvo_driver ric_volvo_driver created the first thread and the TJ first came up.

I actually posed the question in December 2016- Right Fluid for TF-80SC (Post MY10)? in the event fact makes any difference. John's right, there's a documentation conflict and I personally no longer believe that 568001 is the exact date when the Gen2 TF-8SCs get put into the XC90. So to me the question remains valid whether you've decided to move on or not. Yes, the D&F w 3309 advice to the OP is great but it still does not definitively answer the cutoff question.

@ChitownV, you'll need the last word, I get it. But as folks read your next response it's important for you and everyone else to recognize the spirit of this forum. Ownership is not a prerequisite to being a member nor is actually doing a specific job. At least they weren't when I joined this forum in 2005.

 

Folks, the first page you come to on this site has a banner over on the right:

SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance Forum
Since 2000
A forum community dedicated to Volvo owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, new releases, and more!
3.7Mposts 119Kmembers

That's the summary folks might want to pay attention to.

I'll still commit to doing some legwork on the question, while I personally don't have a Gen2 TF-80SC in either of my vehicles but I'm self-incentivized enough to follow the path a little further. Aisin-Warner SN prefix to MMYY and/or structure week of XC90 production integration for the Gen2 are good reference points and probably should have been pursued (my me or others) in 2017 when @generic_volvo_driver ric_volvo_driver created the first thread and the TJ first came up.

I actually posed the question in December 2016- Right Fluid for TF-80SC (Post MY10)? in the event fact makes any difference. John's right, there's a documentation conflict and I personally no longer believe that 568001 is the exact date when the Gen2 TF-8SCs get put into the XC90. So to me the question remains valid whether you've decided to move on or not. Yes, the D&F w 3309 advice to the OP is great but it still does not definitively answer the cutoff question.

@ChitownV, you'll need the last word, I get it. But as folks read your next response it's important for you and everyone else to recognize the spirit of this forum. Ownership is not a prerequisite to being a member nor is actually doing a specific job. At least they weren't when I joined this forum in 2005.

Actually @ggleavitt, you jumped into this thread after it was long finished to argue and defend @John C, a pattern you have a long history of doing, as long as it’s against me.

Time for you to also move on as you have recognized I gave the best advice as the OP is looking to change transmission fluids now. The OP already recognized the VIN break and the ambiguity. The OP has already done homework and continued to research after this thread started.

Some friendly advice, if you’d like to continue the VIN crossover or the Gen2 issue with whatever you find, you are more than welcome to start your own thread rather than take over someone else’s. It does this forum no good to jump in last minute just to argue against me on your theories of what you didn’t do.

 

Its all good guys...... all food for thought and part of the learning curve. The volvo is going to ba a learning experience since most all my past experience has been german cars. But then I just purchased a Lotus Elise this past weekend so I have two interestingly engineered cars

 

I have my undergrad degree in EE and love the engineering behind my Volvo. The engineering behind my 2012 XC60 sold me on Volvo for the long run!

 

Not sure how useful this is, but at the very least it's another data point. I just called my local Volvo dealer, told him I am changing my auto transmission fluid, and gave the parts guy my VIN number. It's a 2011 XC90 with a chassis number in the post 568000 area (it's 590XXX). He said my number puts me in the later category, post-break. However, he said Volvo is notoriously tight on their shared info, so it doesn't list the actual type of transmission fluid, just that it's different than the type listed for pre 568000, according to their database. It's $37.37 per quart. My assumption is that if I went into the dealer to buy transmission fluid, they would sell me AW-1.

 

Yup, as discussed in previous threads including the ‘Ultimate’ thread, I also called the dealership, talked with FCP, and also referenced Aisin’s own catalogue. Others have contacted Volvo dealerships and corporate. This topic has already been thoroughly visited in the past years by numerous people.

 

Since it is an older trans with 138k miles and assume with all the other lack of maintenance issues I will do a partial with 3309 to have the slightly thicker fluid and see how it reacts. A sliver of MPG is irreverent to me with this school bus since it is to be used for an utility car

 

Mine has 135k and I am about to do the same thing, but probably not for another couple weeks. I'm looking forward to comparing notes since we both have 2011s with VINs in the mystery range.