2002 V70 Automatic Transmission oil

studio112 · Post by **studio112** » 05 Oct 2013, 06:36

Good day all. Is there really a difference (other than price), between Volvo brand oil, Toyota type-iv, and Mobil 3309; (ready to do the flush and fill)? Thanks..

kymg · Post by **kymg** » 06 Oct 2013, 02:18

Well according to everything I have read here and on other forums there is no difference at at all. I have even read that Volvo and Toyota come from the same Mobil drum and a different sticker is slapped on the side.

Changed mine last Friday with the Toyota stuff. The old fluid was filthy but it was changing OK. I am not sure it is whole heap better now but at least I have freshened things up a bit.

studio112 · Post by **studio112** » 06 Oct 2013, 12:07

Thanks, kymg; i too like to err on the better now than later. Just got this 02, and it was a bit neglected in small areas. One thing at a time.

IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR · Post by **IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR** » 06 Oct 2013, 19:00

I did two drain/fill cycles using the Valvoline Dex/merc fluid. the label claimed it would work in place of T-IV and a few other Volvo fluids. the really hard 1-2 up shift is gone and the 2-3 flare I had is a bit different but it seems to have also softened as the trans adapts. Time will tell if it will hold up or if the trans is mechanically trashed.

studio112 · Post by **studio112** » 07 Oct 2013, 15:07

Finally, I decided to order some Toyota T4 FROM CA. for the 1st. change; I'm quite convinced that Mobil 3309 is the same stuff, or at least the same quality, and will order it next time. Amazon has Mobil for less than $60. for 12 quarts, free shipping; I paid $98. for Toyota fluid on eBay also free shipping; If it works I'm happy. Also getting a "Magnafine" inline filter from someone on Ebay as well, with the advice of someone on this forum.
Great site with nice folks, thanks again.

Post by **rmmagow** » 08 Oct 2013, 12:23

Dex/Merc isn't right for these if they are 5 speed. You mean DEX III right? Anyway, the 5-sp has to have 3309 or the equiv. I think 02 regular V70 is 5-sp, AWD might still be 4-sp.

benrk · Post by **benrk** » 08 Oct 2013, 14:11

studio112 wrote:Finally, I decided to order some Toyota T4 FROM CA. for the 1st. change; I'm quite convinced that Mobil 3309 is the same stuff, or at least the same quality, and will order it next time. Amazon has Mobil for less than $60. for 12 quarts, free shipping; I paid $98. for Toyota fluid on eBay also free shipping; If it works I'm happy. Also getting a "Magnafine" inline filter from someone on Ebay as well, with the advice of someone on this forum.
Great site with nice folks, thanks again.

Here in Winnipeg canadian tire has 3309 in stock for something like $35/5l that's cheap enough for me to buy local.

Neither Volvo nor Toyota operate refineries afaik, as ExxonMobil is the only oil company offering actual 3309 aftermarket, I think it can be deemed certain that they are the oem supplier.

Greetz, Ben

IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR · Post by **IMSITTINGINYOURCHAIR** » 12 Oct 2013, 18:56

rmmagow wrote:Dex/Merc isn't right for these if they are 5 speed. You mean DEX III right? Anyway, the 5-sp has to have 3309 or the equiv. I think 02 regular V70 is 5-sp, AWD might still be 4-sp.

Mine is a 2004 xc70 2.5T AWD. it has the 5 speed geartronic (aw55?) the fluid claimed compatibility with the T-IV fluid I've seen used and also listed a couple of Volvo fluids. So i figured if it's on it's way out it couldn't hurt to try as I couldn't source any. Much to my surprise it has really helped the shifting more than I expected without having vida/dice. I have one more gallon left which I will use on my next oil change while I have the car up in the air.

It claims compatibility with volvo fluids ; 1161521, 1161540, 97340, 1273.41

t4tees · Post by **t4tees** » 30 Oct 2013, 20:19

as mentioned earlier Toyota or Volvo do not bottle oil. If you have the five speed it is in fact a Toyota made transmission used in numerous platforms even Saturn/GM. I used Valvoline MAXlife for my drain & fills with great results. This rule applies to many "private labeled" products in our life. Think about it, there's only so many manufacturers of anything in the world. Many brand name lubricants are blended & bottled by oil refineries such as Mobil, Valvoline, Connoco, Shell/Pennzoil etc. Castrol, Peak aren't refiners therefore can't blend or bottle their own products they're great marketing companies though.

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 30 Oct 2013, 20:34

The AW55-50 transmission which is a 5 speed should have the JWS 3309 spec fluid.
Mobil 3309 or Toyota t-1V.
Generally anything post 2000 should have the 3309, prior to 2000 is Dex III