Specifications for several 3309 ATF fluids

Post by **oragex** » 14 Dec 2018, 14:12

I was searching information on several 3309 fluids available and I came to the conclusion that the 3309 norm doesn't necessarily mean that all the fluid properties are identically the same no matter the brand. Without being an expert, when looking at some 'parameters' (flash point, pour point, viscosity, etc) we can notice there are differences between these fluids. I had a not so good experience with Valvoline MaxLife which is 3309 (too much volume change with temperature), so perhaps going with the better brands (Toyota Type IV and Mobil 3309) is the better and safer choice. One interesting thing is that on the spec sheet for the Toyota Type IV, at the top of the page 3, it is mentioned that the fluid is 90-100% mineral, so perhaps this answers an older debate on whether these fluids are mineral or not. And of course, I think most of us recommend to replace the fluid at a certain interval (unlike what the main dealer says), perhaps better by steps at a few months interval, instead of all at once (also no garage machine flushing)

Edit: unfortunately the links I found won't open on this forum, post #9 (Orange user) I posted thee links on this other forum (apologies if it's not permitted to link it) https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... ost7194289

MDK · Post by **MDK** » 14 Dec 2018, 15:26

That's great info on the 3309 oragex. I used the wolfs head universal synthetic on my S 60 R ...it shifted better but I only used 3 and 3/4 quart's. I think now I'll go with a full flush with the mobile 1 3309. Take care brother...MDK

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Dec 2018, 16:38

Here they are:

Maxlife specs (copy&paste) http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/Genui ... 1426975pdf
Mobil 3309 specs (not the same as Mobil Atf) http://www.chemcorp.co.uk/creo_files/up ... f_3309.pdf
Toyota Type IV specs (see page 7) http://southcentral.edu/webdocs/safety_ ... 20T-IV.pdf
beck&Arnley Type IV fluid specs https://www.beckarnley.com/content/dam/ ... 031218.pdf

Oragex, let me know what the error was and I can chime in.

XC70Rider · Post by **XC70Rider** » 14 Dec 2018, 17:05

Let's include IDEMITSU TLS. I searched for it on 2 different search pages but couldn't find a spec sheet for it. I got 5 quarts at FCPEuro

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... -042k#desc

After getting my 2007 XC70 last May I did an AT sump drain after driving her home the first day. I filled with Mobil 3309 and didn't notice any difference in shifting. I did another AT sump drain 3k miles later along with a return hose removal. Disconnecting the ATF return hose I replaced 12 quarts. I noticed a slight improvement but still flaring too high between gears.

On my next oil change I'll do another AT sump drain and refill with ~3.5 quarts of IDEMITSU TLS. I'll also add in 11 ounces of BG ATC Plus. I'm giving IDEMITSU a shot after reading another member had great improvement switching from Mobil 3309 to IDEMITSU TLS.

I'll report back after the refill.

Post by **oragex** » 14 Dec 2018, 18:27

I've posted the links first on swspeed where were working fine. Then copy&paste them here and were opening 404 errors.. surely some IT glitch because I pasted on two other forums ans same issue. Thanks for updating them!

Post by **Rattnalle** » 14 Dec 2018, 19:02

Over here Q8 Unitrans JK is a readily available option. My transmission improved noticeably after a few drain and fills.

Post by **erikv11** » 15 Dec 2018, 07:40

I swapped my S60 R to Idemitsu when I got it. The fluid was probably original, so I did a full flush and reset the fluid counter. I did not mess with the adaptives. Shifts are smoother than before but what surprised me is the very noticeable improvement in overall ride quality.

ignatz · Post by **ignatz** » 15 Dec 2018, 08:35

A few years back, I switched to Aisin Type IV. I've used Mobil 3309, but found it easier to get this fluid while getting other parts from EEuroparts.
Also....somewhere I saw a post from someone who did a "crude" viscosity test using,
Mobil 3309
Toyota Type IV
Aisin Type IV

The test involved filling a beaker with the ATF and inserting a rod in the center, and holding it straight up. Once the rod was released, the time was measured to the point when it hit the side. Yes crude basic test, but the Mobil 3309 and Toyota Type IV hit the side at about the same time. The Aisin Type IV was consistently longer showing a "thicker...heavier" oil. Not sure what the right term would be used after a test like this. Maybe, higher viscosity.

Anyway, it was my tip over to start using the Aisin fluid...………..even though it doesn't really matter what dedicated 3309 is used.

As far as the comments from people concerning where does this fluid come from? A common answer is it all comes from the Mobil corporation. I would agree that many might come from Mobil, but even though they all meet 3309 specs, some are slightly different.
The Aisin fluid might be made by Mobil.....not sure, but it is slightly heavier...According to this internet post I read.
And yes, reading something on the internet isn't always correct!

One thing to remember about all these Mobil 3309 products being identical? On the Mobil 1 site right now, there are Eleven different automotive 5-30 motor oils. Eleven.....they are not all the same, but meet current 5-30 standards. What makes one person buy the expensive oil and another the cheaper oil is more of a sales thing.

The 3309 fluids are fairly easy to get, so I say pick one that's easy for you to get, and stick with it.
And if anyone has any ideas why one is better than another? Id like to hear that to.
Thanks for letting me rant.

Post by **matthew1** » 15 Dec 2018, 10:51

oragex wrote: ↑14 Dec 2018, 18:27 I've posted the links first on swspeed where were working fine. Then copy&paste them here and were opening 404 errors.. surely some IT glitch because I pasted on two other forums ans same issue. Thanks for updating them!

Ah, that's an old "gotcha" of forums. Here's what's happening:

the URL in any post on forums typically gets shortened* that we as humans see (displayed)
but the URL remains unchanged (valid) in the HTML that you don't see, so that it works
you copy the displayed URL and paste it here
those URLs are invalid because they're shortened

* back in the old days of small screens, long (200+ characters) URLs would "blow out" the post by pushing the screen wide to accommodate it, so the software authors swapped displayed characters for dots "..." to make them fit. Notice the dots in the URLs.

Summary: you're copying and pasting invalid URLs. I defeated this by clicking on each one and copying the URL from the URL window.

FWIW, it fails in the opposite direction, here to there, because this forum software also shortens URLs.

Post by **oragex** » 15 Dec 2018, 10:56

Thanks Mattew, got it fixed. I did copy the 'long' url (opened the cache file and got the url from there), I think I was copying the url with the brackets from the other forum, anyhow now it works

About the comment above with Aisin, that is very interesting and unfortunately few people mention the Aisin brand when it comes to the Atf oil. I looked at the Aisin Type IV spec sheet, interestingly it doesn't mention Volvo or the 3309 norm, but I see it replaces the Toyota Type IV which in turn is 3309 compatible so I would guess the Aisin Type IV is also 3309 compatible ?

here's the data, and notice the Aisin fluid is synthetic (the Toyota Type IV is mineral) https://www.exedy.com.au/assets/file/AI ... asheet.pdf