I have been reviewing a lot of the posts regarding the transmission fluid for the A/W 5 speed transmission and wanted to share something. I hope this helps someone besides me.

As written in many posts, on the CASTROL Import Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) spec sheet it claims it meets JWS3309 specs, but on the bottle for Volvo it says all but 5 speeds transmissions.

I contacted Castrol through their web site and got the below response to my questions.

INQUIRYDETAILS:
I have a 2005 Volvo S60 2.5T with a 5 speed A/W transmission that specified JWS3309 transmission fluid. Is the CASTROL Import Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) capatible with JWS3309. The spec sheet I have seen says it is, but the bottle says it is not for Volvo 5 speed transmissions (A/W which requires the JWS3309)

Thank you in advance.

CARMAKE: Volvo
CARMODEL: S60 2.5T
CARYEAR: 2005

RESPONSE:
Thank you for contacting Castrol.

Castrol always recommends following the guidelines of the original engine manufacturer for the recommended fluid for use in your specific application. This information can be found in the vehicles owner’s manual or by contacting the manufacturer directly.

Castrol does not have a product appropriate for your application. Please contact Volvo directly for further assistance.

Castrol Consumer Relations

 

That trans requires expensive ($20-25/quart) synthetic trans oil. Unless you want to drop over two grand minimum in a new trans and install, i highly suggest you use only volvo trans fluid.

 

That is funny the spec sheet I posted in the post was what they had given us and also put in writing if it had damaged the transmission they would cover the repair.

Now maybe the fluid has changed that they are selling and it no longer is up to specs that I cannot say for sure. But it was guaranteed to work at that time.

If it has changed now then I need to go back and remove it from the post. I will have to do more checking into this to make sure the info is still correct. If not I will remove it.

 

Interesting I changed my oil using the castrol import 3309 and it is working great guess I'll use toyota oil next time if it not right. To bad it appear to be right on the product data sheet. If I miss direct anyone sorry but it looked right and seems to be ok in mine.

 

Who knows what the real truth is. Castrol is owned by BP and they are in enough trouble with other issues in the Gulf of Mexico now, so they may be being very conservative in their response.

The Castrol spec sheet clearly says compliance with Volvo (all specifications) and Various (Aisin-Warner Transmissions, JWS3309) ... but when you read the back of the bottle it says Volvo (all but 5 speed) ... so I decided to inquire with Castrol and got the above "we do not have a product for you ... contact Volvo" response. The Castrol spec sheet link is below.

I just decided to go with the Mobil 3309 fluid at: http://www.avlube.com/mobilatf3309.html

The Castrol spec sheet is at:
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...s_ImportMV.pdf

 

It does not require Synthetic,it requires 3309 spec fluid. Mobil 3309 is not synthetic neither is the OEM Volvo 3309 Fluid.

 

YOU ARE 1000%%% RIGHT this is why you should use
ONLY
MOBIL 3309,
VOLVO JWS3309,
TOYOTA T-IV.
NO OTHER FLUID
It may meet JWS3309 specs buts its not JWS3309.Stick with what works and you cant go wrong.

 

I will take a picture of the container it comes in tomorrow.


EDIT: Here is a story for you....

Customer owns a 06 S60 turbo. Had valvoline instant change place flush her trans fluid with the generic dexronIII/mercon. Two days later her car was towed into my dealership with the trans not pulling/engaging/shifting as designed. Guess what? Flushed it three times with Volvo ATF and it started working better and better.

 

Dexron III is not a 3309 fluid so of course that would happen...

 

Very true. Perhaps that was a bad example. Sorry, ill start paying more attention to whats being said in the thread.

 

I contacted castrol and they said okay to use in my volvo s40.

I drained 4 quarts out (all black) and put back 4 quarts of castrol multi vehicle atf. I think it runs a little rough but not too sure. Maybe im a little low on the fluid.

 

I believe S40 can use "regualr" Dexron III/Mercon, but not the 5sp. S60 AW transmission. I really don't feel like experimenting so I used Mobil 3309 in mine.
Is it is possible that when Castrol was answering regarding your S60 5sp they meant the manual stick shift transmission?
sorry can't see the spec sheet - Castrol sight is not available at the moment. Maybe they are changing datasheets

 

The Castrol import atf was at the Walmart and the manufacturer claims it to work in my 2004 Volvo s40. So I grabbed 3 bottles a day after buying the car and sloshed it in the (wow that's a tiny dipstick) tube. I have driven now about 40 miles on it and have no ill effects. I feel better knowing the fluid is 1/3 clean and can't wait to do it again. I promise to post here if anything happens. There are now 106,400 miles on it. From this point on it will be lubricated with the Castrol import, have a new filter ((if I can find a link somewhere that explains how to change the filter). Also I will drive conservatively. I have installed an auxillary Hayden 402 trans cooler and magnefine inline magnetic filter. I think with all that if something does go wrong with this transmission I will know it was the fluid.
Is there a thread anywhere that walks through the automatic transmission filter change? I have looked to no avail.