ATF Change - Page 3

Finbo · Feb 13th, 2009, 18:01

I have today had this response from Comma Oil regarding the suitability of using their product AWS Automatic Transmission Fluid in Volvo's Aisin Warner gearboxes:

"I have just had the following response from our Technical Manager

'I can confirm that this product does meet JWS 3309 and as such should be suitable for this application.'"

Cheers,

Finbo

jtaw45 · Feb 14th, 2009, 10:04

Why use a word like 'should' ? I'd be much happier if he'd done his homework before replying and stated that it is prefectly suitable for this application. Surely it isn't difficult for the Technical manager of an oil company to make a few phone calls so he can categorically state it's fine, even spout a bit of technical bullsh*t to convince us.

amsoil · Feb 17th, 2009, 11:59

If the Comma ATF meets the spec then it is safe to use it. I do not believe it to be a 'Synthetic' just a refined mineral that the law now allows therefore to be called synthetic. (don't ask).
If your ATF is discoloured then it has broken down, the worse the colour then the worse the ATF, very simple. This is far more accurate than and dealer or manufacturer stating a milage.
So if its not red then replace it. Sure there is a cost involved as in all things with cars. Better to have a nice gear change and not risk having to have a gearbox change with the agg and cost.
Yes the cheapest ATF meeting the spec will do. How long it will remain in spec is anyones guess. In a similar vein any engine oil meeting the basic spec will do as will tyres made in Korea or even remoulds (if still about). Your money and your choice. What is clear is that cheap can be expensive in the medium to long term. Its fairly common knowledge that Synthetic oil/ ATF lasts 2 or 3+ times that of mineral; that Synthetic oil/ATF will allow about 3-7% more MPG, and certainly Amsoil ATF will take all the hard driving and towing you can throw at it with ease. If you are going to sell the car in the next couple of months then save a few bob and use Comma.

jtaw45 · Feb 17th, 2009, 13:16

The grey area for me as far as amsoil atf is concerned is that it exceeds this that and the other spec but i'm not convinced this is a good thing for oil going into a very complex and expensive gearbox.I find it hard to accept a 'one size fits all' fluid is as superior as you make out when comparing it to oil specifically made to one particular specification, yes it may be synthetic, yes the original oil isn't synthetic, but it's been designed that way for a reason in my opinion.It has got absolutely nothing to do with saving a few quid and taking the cheap option as you insinuate. I'd like to see some concrete proof thats it is in fact so much better than the original stuff and unfortunately the word of someone who sells the stuff falls way short of convincing me. I'd love to have my fears proven wrong and be able to get a much better oil for similar money and have the peace of mind, if you can provide something substantial to do this without just rubbishing other oils i'm sure you'll have customers queing up to order your atf.

RoyMacDonald · Feb 17th, 2009, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtaw45

The grey area for me as far as amsoil atf is concerned is that it exceeds this that and the other spec but i'm not convinced this is a good thing for oil going into a very complex and expensive gearbox.I find it hard to accept a 'one size fits all' fluid is as superior as you make out when comparing it to oil specifically made to one particular specification, yes it may be synthetic, yes the original oil isn't synthetic, but it's been designed that way for a reason in my opinion.It has got absolutely nothing to do with saving a few quid and taking the cheap option as you insinuate. I'd like to see some concrete proof thats it is in fact so much better than the original stuff and unfortunately the word of someone who sells the stuff falls way short of convincing me. I'd love to have my fears proven wrong and be able to get a much better oil for similar money and have the peace of mind, if you can provide something substantial to do this without just rubbishing other oils i'm sure you'll have customers queing up to order your atf.

I don't think you'll ever get the kind of definative answer you want, although you seem to be contemplating a variety of ATF's as an alternative that also arn't recomended by Volvo, who say only use their branded ATF.

My personal exprience is that the Amsoil ATF is better than the Volvo ATF. It's given me smoother gear changes, a quieter autobox and better fuel consumption. Only subtle improvements, but it makes the car feel more refined than the standard stuff so I won't be changing back to the non synthetic stuff anytime soon.

Remember it's not that long ago that Volvo didn't recommend full synthetic for their engine oil. I was using it in my Volvo's long before Volvo decieded it was better for their engines.

Roy

oilburner · Feb 17th, 2009, 15:03

Roy, over how many years and miles have you been using Amsoil for?

RoyMacDonald · Feb 17th, 2009, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilburner

Roy, over how many years and miles have you been using Amsoil for?

I changed at the 48,000 service and I'm on the 72,000 mile service now.

Roy

markheywood · Mar 1st, 2009, 14:08

I used the comma oil to do a full flush change on my XC 90 last summer .During this winter I started to have problems on cold mornings whe going up steep gradients the car wolud slow down to about 10 mph at 2500 revs as soon as the oil warmed up the problem dissapeared I have since replaced the ATF with Amsoil and the problem has dissapeared also the whole overall performance of the gearbox has vastly improved . Do not use the Comma oil
Mark

jtaw45 · Mar 16th, 2009, 12:22

I've just got some info through from one of my suppliers who have just changed their brand of oils to Carlube, looking through the range of oils they actually do a fully synthetic gear oil that exceeds jws3309, and also meets volvo spec-1161540.
Is this the first Fully synthetic option other than amsoil?

RoyMacDonald · Mar 16th, 2009, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtaw45

I've just got some info through from one of my suppliers who have just changed their brand of oils to Carlube, looking through the range of oils they actually do a fully synthetic gear oil that exceeds jws3309, and also meets volvo spec-1161540.
Is this the first Fully synthetic option other than amsoil?

No.

Roy

Feb 17th, 2009, 15:03	#26
oilburner Volvo är stor! Last Online: Apr 21st, 2024 21:38 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bromsgrove	Roy, over how many years and miles have you been using Amsoil for? __________________ Pete Richardson 2019 V90 T4 (me) & 2017 Volvo XC60 D4 AWD (other half) Gone but not forgotten: 2016 V60 CC AWD, 2015 V70 D4, 2005 S80 D5 and 2001 V70 2.4

Mar 1st, 2009, 14:08	#28
markheywood New Member Last Online: Sep 15th, 2010 16:52 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Grange Over Sands	ATF oil change I used the comma oil to do a full flush change on my XC 90 last summer .During this winter I started to have problems on cold mornings whe going up steep gradients the car wolud slow down to about 10 mph at 2500 revs as soon as the oil warmed up the problem dissapeared I have since replaced the ATF with Amsoil and the problem has dissapeared also the whole overall performance of the gearbox has vastly improved . Do not use the Comma oil Mark

Feb 13th, 2009, 18:01	#21
Finbo Member Last Online: Apr 5th, 2024 19:29 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Somerset	I have today had this response from Comma Oil regarding the suitability of using their product AWS Automatic Transmission Fluid in Volvo's Aisin Warner gearboxes: "I have just had the following response from our Technical Manager 'I can confirm that this product does meet JWS 3309 and as such should be suitable for this application.'" Cheers, Finbo

Feb 14th, 2009, 10:04	#22
jtaw45 Senior Member Last Online: Feb 13th, 2024 10:42 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hull	Why use a word like 'should' ? I'd be much happier if he'd done his homework before replying and stated that it is prefectly suitable for this application. Surely it isn't difficult for the Technical manager of an oil company to make a few phone calls so he can categorically state it's fine, even spout a bit of technical bullsh*t to convince us.

Feb 17th, 2009, 11:59	#23
amsoil Member Last Online: May 28th, 2014 22:54 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oxford	If the Comma ATF meets the spec then it is safe to use it. I do not believe it to be a 'Synthetic' just a refined mineral that the law now allows therefore to be called synthetic. (don't ask). If your ATF is discoloured then it has broken down, the worse the colour then the worse the ATF, very simple. This is far more accurate than and dealer or manufacturer stating a milage. So if its not red then replace it. Sure there is a cost involved as in all things with cars. Better to have a nice gear change and not risk having to have a gearbox change with the agg and cost. Yes the cheapest ATF meeting the spec will do. How long it will remain in spec is anyones guess. In a similar vein any engine oil meeting the basic spec will do as will tyres made in Korea or even remoulds (if still about). Your money and your choice. What is clear is that cheap can be expensive in the medium to long term. Its fairly common knowledge that Synthetic oil/ ATF lasts 2 or 3+ times that of mineral; that Synthetic oil/ATF will allow about 3-7% more MPG, and certainly Amsoil ATF will take all the hard driving and towing you can throw at it with ease. If you are going to sell the car in the next couple of months then save a few bob and use Comma.

Feb 17th, 2009, 13:16	#24
jtaw45 Senior Member Last Online: Feb 13th, 2024 10:42 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hull	The grey area for me as far as amsoil atf is concerned is that it exceeds this that and the other spec but i'm not convinced this is a good thing for oil going into a very complex and expensive gearbox.I find it hard to accept a 'one size fits all' fluid is as superior as you make out when comparing it to oil specifically made to one particular specification, yes it may be synthetic, yes the original oil isn't synthetic, but it's been designed that way for a reason in my opinion.It has got absolutely nothing to do with saving a few quid and taking the cheap option as you insinuate. I'd like to see some concrete proof thats it is in fact so much better than the original stuff and unfortunately the word of someone who sells the stuff falls way short of convincing me. I'd love to have my fears proven wrong and be able to get a much better oil for similar money and have the peace of mind, if you can provide something substantial to do this without just rubbishing other oils i'm sure you'll have customers queing up to order your atf.

Mar 16th, 2009, 12:22	#29
jtaw45 Senior Member Last Online: Feb 13th, 2024 10:42 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hull	I've just got some info through from one of my suppliers who have just changed their brand of oils to Carlube, looking through the range of oils they actually do a fully synthetic gear oil that exceeds jws3309, and also meets volvo spec-1161540. Is this the first Fully synthetic option other than amsoil?

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