'02 v70 ATF (To change or not to change)

[dikidera]

Some other threads here on the forum would say Aidin even benefits from Lubegurad HFM to help with shift quality as there are some viscosity differences with Volvo fluid and other 3309 fluids.

I am a fan of the Lubeguard fluids, but it’s not really to alter the performance of the 3309.

1) “Volvo” fluid for this vehicle is re-branded Mobil 3309. Full stop. There’s no difference. Volvo is not a petrochemical company. They don’t make their own fluid, nor do they alter what the transmission manufacturer (Aisin) recommends. Aisin recommends T-IV, which is again rebranded Mobil 3309.

2) The Lubegard does indeed have added anti-wear and friction modifier additives to boost the fluid. But the main benefit, IMO, is the ester oil base. Unlike most all other oils, it is highly polar and creates a superb cleaning agent which is also a lubricant and not a harsh solvent. This is fantastic for the valve bodies, a major weak point in these transmissions. It also conditions seals non-destructively, which is helpful for solenoid function and thus line pressure - enhancing shift quality and restoring it closer to design specs.

The argument to not changing transmission oil after a long while is akin to not changing engine oil after neglecting it for 20 or 30k miles. Would you do that? No. Or the argument would be, “The engine oil has 20k miles on it. Let’s just change 2 qts at at a time over a year so we don’t “shock” the engine…”. No. Go run 10 qts or so of 3309 through it, emptying via the cooler line so the dirty oil returning does not mix. It will still mix in the torque converter, but we can’t do anything about that w/the transmission still installed. In the last fill, toss in 9ozs of Lubegard and you are good. Now do the PS the same way and add that last ounce of the Lubegard bottle. Now do a simpler drain/fill every 30k on the at and PS, and repeat forever. I have 334k miles on an aisin transmission treated this way and it runs perfectly.

I would be curious to know if you think Lubeguard Platinum is better or not compared to HFM?

[volvolugnut]

My suggestion is to drain from the bottom drain hole as much as will pour out (about 3.6 quarts). Refill with Mobil 3309 in the same measured amount. Drive normally for about 100 miles. The drain, fill and drive plan should reduce any shock of fluid change on the transmission. Do not use MaxLife - it is lower viscosity - about 5.9 cSt at 100 C compared to 7.1 cSt at 100 C for Mobil 3309. This viscosity makes a difference in shifting.
Repeat this drain and fill several times until you get good fluid color on draining. This cycle should be at least 6 times to get near 95% fresh oil. This will take about 22 quarts if you do not spill.
Others suggest adding just 2 OZ of Shudder Fix by Lubeguard with the final fill.
I have followed this plan recently with my 2001 V70 and noticed much improved shifting. Before I started the plan, I was getting transmission service warnings and very harsh 1 to 2 and 2 to 1 shifts.
volvolugnut

[dikidera]

On the other hand my addition of Lubeguard platinum(not HFM) did not improve shifting, if anything it got a bit worse, however my transmission wasn't shifting so great to begin with.

[AVOIT17]

"...Point to make is i would much rather have clean fluid and know something is too far gone, as opposed to driving on hopes and dreams with very damaged fluid that will continue to do damage."

I agree with That!

[Krons]

1) “Volvo” fluid for this vehicle is re-branded Mobil 3309. Full stop. There’s no difference. Volvo is not a petrochemical company. They don’t make their own fluid, nor do they alter what the transmission manufacturer (Aisin) recommends. Aisin recommends T-IV, which is again rebranded Mobil 3309.

2) The Lubegard does indeed have added anti-wear and friction modifier additives to boost the fluid. But the main benefit, IMO, is the ester oil base. Unlike most all other oils, it is highly polar and creates a superb cleaning agent which is also a lubricant and not a harsh solvent. This is fantastic for the valve bodies, a major weak point in these transmissions. It also conditions seals non-destructively, which is helpful for solenoid function and thus line pressure - enhancing shift quality and restoring it closer to design specs.

Some have noted here on the forum the cSt is higher for Volvo fluid vs Mobil 3309. Agree Volvo does not make the fluid but may specify a slightly different additive package for their transmission calibration. I searched and couldn’t find the data.

Agree with the comments to not use Valvoline MaxLife, when it was $17/gal you could save a few bucks but recently it is $25/gal, pretty much same as 3309.

[Oro]

Platinum is advertised as a fluid “converter”- i.e., it has a complete smorgasbord of friction modifiers in it to convert (merely one example) DexIII to Honda ATF (which is its own unique beast(s)), etc., and vice-versa. I would avoid that unless in desperation - which is what I *think* it was originally blended for, way back when Honda ATF was crazy expensive and hard to get outside of a physical trip to the dealership.

You can look it up the application matrix here:

https://www.lubegard.com/wp-content/up ... -Chart.pdf

Lubegard is really good with technical help, at least in the past. I’ve conversed with them twice IIRC, a decade or so ago when I had some technical questions about additive content and concentration wrt their AT and PS products. If you can’t get something answered, do contact them.

[Oro]

Platinum is advertised as a fluid “converter”- i.e., it has a complete smorgasbord of friction modifiers in it to convert (merely one example) DexIII to Honda ATF (which is its own unique beast(s)), etc., and vice-versa. I would avoid that unless in desperation - which is what I *think* it was originally blended for, way back when Honda ATF was crazy expensive and hard to get outside of a physical trip to the dealership.

You can look it up the application matrix here:

https://www.lubegard.com/wp-content/up ... -Chart.pdf

Lubegard is really good with technical help, at least in the past. I’ve conversed with them twice IIRC, a decade or so ago when I had some technical questions about additive content and concentration wrt their AT and PS products. If you can’t get something answered, do contact them.

[Oro]

1) “Volvo” fluid for this vehicle is re-branded Mobil 3309. Full stop. There’s no difference. Volvo is not a petrochemical company. They don’t make their own fluid, nor do they alter what the transmission manufacturer (Aisin) recommends. Aisin recommends T-IV, which is again rebranded Mobil 3309.

2) The Lubegard does indeed have added anti-wear and friction modifier additives to boost the fluid. But the main benefit, IMO, is the ester oil base. Unlike most all other oils, it is highly polar and creates a superb cleaning agent which is also a lubricant and not a harsh solvent. This is fantastic for the valve bodies, a major weak point in these transmissions. It also conditions seals non-destructively, which is helpful for solenoid function and thus line pressure - enhancing shift quality and restoring it closer to design specs.

Some have noted here on the forum the cSt is higher for Volvo fluid vs Mobil 3309. Agree Volvo does not make the fluid but may specify a slightly different additive package for their transmission calibration. I searched and couldn’t find the data.

Agree with the comments to not use Valvoline MaxLife, when it was $17/gal you could save a few bucks but recently it is $25/gal, pretty much same as 3309.

I’ve always seen both a paper trail, and lab results, to show them identical. Here’s an example:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/thre ... t4.341182/

I can’t say what one test shows without seeing it, and there’s always test variability (and error). But I would point to that head-to-head test above on the same lab equipment. Another point - this transmission is not used only in Volvo. It’s corporate code is AF33 and it goes in many cars. My dad has a Chevy w/one. Here’s a complete(?) list. The other manufacturers all say to use T-IV/3309. Yes, there’s actually a formal GM transmission fluid for this transmission called ‘GM T-IV.’

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aisin_ ... plications

Toyota T-IV, GM T-IV, Volvo, are all the same Mobil 3309.

[AVOIT17]

About the Aisin Transmissions that Volvo - Toyota - and many other automobile manufacturers uses. The question I would ask is why would one trust one automobile manufacturer over the Transmission manufacturer when it comes down to the Fluid? Why believe that Volvo could improve the fluid?

I could be wrong but I tend to trust that Aisin's Fluid is as good as it gets. It is to the benefit of Aisin that their fluid be optimal so that their transmission operates at their best. Aisin main profit is from selling transmissions NOT fluid - I beleive. Of course this is under normal and average driving conditions. When it comes to racing or dealing with a "sick" transmission then yes modifying the fluid may help.

[Krons]

About the Aisin Transmissions that Volvo - Toyota - and many other automobile manufacturers uses. The question I would ask is why would one trust one automobile manufacturer over the Transmission manufacturer when it comes down to the Fluid? Why believe that Volvo could improve the fluid?

I could be wrong but I tend to trust that Aisin's Fluid is as good as it gets. It is to the benefit of Aisin that their fluid be optimal so that their transmission operates at their best. Aisin main profit is from selling transmissions NOT fluid - I beleive. Of course this is under normal and average driving conditions. When it comes to racing or dealing with a "sick" transmission then yes modifying the fluid may help.

Same transmission but different engines—hence different transmission software that may specify different transmission fluid additive packages. That is the why on the auto manufacturer side.

Still all 3309 and Aisin is a good choice (I’ve used it) the additive packages won’t make or brake, but I can say adding Lubeguard to my Valvoline MaxLife absolutely improved shifts so it is possible going from one 3309 to another may change shift quality. Everyone’s mileage varies…..