Specifications for several 3309 ATF fluids

[oragex]

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/showth...=1#post7194289

[oragex]

Specs for Mannol Atf 3309 https://mannol.de/imgbank/Image/publ...ehicle_tds.pdf

Mobil 3309 Atf http://www.chemcorp.co.uk/creo_files...l_atf_3309.pdf

Valvoline MaLife 3309 http://www.valvolineeurope.com/uploadedFiles/2451.pdf

Toyota Type IV http://southcentral.edu/webdocs/safe...ATF%20T-IV.pdf

Beck&Arnley Type IV Atf https://www.beckarnley.com/content/d...eet_031218.pdf

[Georgeandkira]

Thanks for the links to the various fluids' specs.
Too bad the specs for Volvo's fluid aren't available.

Several of these AW55-50 series transmissions have belonged to family members. I serviced the fluid in all of them.

Every bottle of fluid was purchased in the USA. This may account for the Valvoline MaxLife fluid oragex mentioned having a slightly different name.

Mobil 3309-worked fine (NOTE: Was always listed as a conventional)
Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc LV-worked fine (NOTE: the LV-none other)
Wolf's Head Super Universal Synthetic Transmission Fluid-worked fine
Toyota Type IV-worked fine
Aisin Type IV-worked fine
People reported that PetroCanada's synthetic offering worked well too.

Old fluid ranged in color from a clean red to very black. I'd always get the fluid to clean.
Never was any fluid burned smelling.

My '02's trannie was damaged when I bought it. The PO had the dealer flush the fluid to clear red. A TCM download helped noticeably and the addition of LubeGard (red bottle) helped even more.

A friend's Saab 9-5 (same AW 5 speed trannie) drained brown/lumpy fluid. I decided to do 3 drain and fills -spaced over time- using the Valvoline MaxLife Dex/Merc LV (it's what I had on hand) rather than pumping out Gibbons style. I feared "the shock". It shifted perfectly for years until he sold it.

Since I live in a temperate climate zone I assume I'd never feel any differences among the fluids' performance.

In expected super hot or super cold settings I guess I'd look at the spec sheets and make a decision.

[oragex]

Thanks George for the feedback and details. Indeed most fluids should be good enough, perhaps my experience with the MaxLife was due to more extreme temperatures.

While there, a member from another forum also mentioned the Atf fluid branded Aisin Type IV, this one is fully synthetic however I don't see the 3309 norm mentioned on the spec file - although it's compatible with the Toyota Type IV which in turn is 3309 compatible.

So not sure if this is adequate for our cars, but there's the specs https://www.exedy.com.au/assets/file..._Datasheet.pdf

[barrybritcher]

I have used Millers Millermatic SPIII on 2 vehicles with no issues (meets 3309 spec)

[Willow place]

I use Mannol 3309 it appears to work ok,put a bottle of Lubegard Red in as well , I still find that reverse can be a bit slow engaging 20-30 seconds , but is much better since the heat has gone .