Penrite vs Valvoline ATF

[2002V70XC]

Has anyone tried Penrite ATF FS? It's a full synthetic ATF like Valvoline but i'm not sure about the quality of it.
The price ($45 AUD/4L) is much better than Valvoline maxlife in Australia.
Inputs would be appreciated!
Cheers

[Astro14]

Has anyone tried Penrite ATF FS? It's a full synthetic ATF like Valvoline but i'm not sure about the quality of it.
The price ($45 AUD/4L) is much better than Valvoline maxlife in Australia.
Inputs would be appreciated!
Cheers

Both quality and price are irrelevant. The only thing that matters is meeting the JWS3309 specification. You could have great quality fluid, at a low price, that doesn't meet that specification, and the transmission won't work properly.

So, since Penrite claims that FS "can be used in Toyota vehicles that specify Type T-II, Type T-III and Type T-IV" - it will likely be OK, but since it's not available here, you're going to have to try it out.

[2002V70XC]

Both quality and price are irrelevant. The only thing that matters is meeting the JWS3309 specification. You could have great quality fluid, at a low price, that doesn't meet that specification, and the transmission won't work properly.

So, since Penrite claims that FS "can be used in Toyota vehicles that specify Type T-II, Type T-III and Type T-IV" - it will likely be OK, but since it's not available here, you're going to have to try it out.

It doesn't list JWS3309 but it does list Toyota Type T-IV so I guess its alright to use.
Its just that I've heard great feedback from people using Valvoline Maxlife ATF on these AW55-50 transmissions and i'm wondering if Penrite ATF FS would provide similar experience for a cheaper price and being available at local store is a big bonus.
The fluid the trans shop put on mine (7000km ago) is already not looking good.

[JRL]

It won't.
After 7-10K miles it completely changes color, all of them do.

[2002V70XC]

It won't.
After 7-10K miles it completely changes color, all of them do.

Isn't it similar to engine oil when full synthetic would last longer than regular/semi-synthetic engine oil?

[Astro14]

Color has little to do with oil's performance, or acidity (measure of useful life remaining).

Synthetic base stocks tend to perform better because they're more uniform.

Synthetic oil lasts longer in service because the additive package is designed for extended drain intervals.

It's the measure of TBN (total base number), along with wear metal content, that determines if your oil is worn out, or is still OK. This can be determined through used oil analysis - not color, not price, not advertising literature....

[JRL]

Remember none of these tranny fluids is a synthetic.
3309 is a mineral based oil designed specifically for these transmissions

[Astro14]

Exactly.

And the additive package is critical, while the base stock is irrelevant, and color is nearly meaningless, for proper performance in this application.

[2002V70XC]

Thanks for the explanation guys!
Do you guys do a D&F every other oil change? I'm thinking of doing it every 25k KM.
I'm just surprised that the ATF colour changed so quickly.

[JRL]

That' won't do squat.
Change ALL the fluid at the same time then every 30K miles thereafter