What fluid did you use instead of the Mini OEM stuff?

How many miles on this new fluid?

Any problems with fluid?

If you did a pan drop did you replace the pan gasket and the strainer?

Is the 6 speed Aisin auto transmission the same model in the R56 MCS and the gen 1 MCS?

What are the Aisin model number or numbers for the two models?

Does anyone know what fluid Aisin recommends for this model transmission?

I am about to multi fluid change and still trying to figure out if I have to use Mini's $25 a quart JWS3309 or can I safely go to something else. Dealer asking for $850 to do a one time drain and fill with new strainer and pan gasket.

Probably need at least 10 quarts to do it 3 times.

I have a 2007 MCS with 45k on it and just got the campaign replaced timing chain kit (that was a relief-just barely enough chain stretch to make the cut--saved me $1700) also got the turbo oil supply line heat shield added (interior of oil line looked good-no leaks, all at no cost. Valves were starting to crud up so got them cleaned ($375).

Thanks for the help

 

I just ordered a case of Royal purple Max ATF which satisfies JWS 3309. I found a case of 12 qts for $134 shipped which makes it around $11 per qt and better than OEM. I am going to drain and fill through the pan. I have not done it yet, but will next week after the fluid gets here.

 

I read somewhere that Toyota atf is the same thing mini uses. I think Toyota atf IV

 

If you will all let us know what fluid you use (instead of the Mini OEM Fluid) and the number of Trouble Free miles you have experienced with some other fluid in your 6 Speed Aisin Auto Transmission it could save us money and possibly our transmission
.
Who wants to do multiple fluid changes to get the majority of the fluid replaced with new fluid at $25 a quart if some other less costly fluid (possibly a synthetic) could do the job better. I am not confident just because a fluid has 3309 on the container that it will work fine in the mini. Someone suggested doing a lab test on the Mini fluid, comparing it to the much cheaper Toyota T-IV/3309 fluid so we could feel safe and still save $20 a quart. Has anyone followed up on that?

Even better, if we could get Mini owners who have a large number of miles on some synthetic fluid to respond to this post and reassure us that it would be safe to use it because of their own experience.
Thanks Folks

 

I have the MCa not S mind you. I used Toyota Type IV with no trouble.

 

The 6 speed Aisin tranny is the same in 1st and 2nd gen cars. Access is harder in 2nd gen due to the bigger engine. Your questions have all been covered before in both 1st and 2nd gen forums.

Do a search as there are several threads on changing the ATF in this car. Use the word Aisin.

Look in the 2nd gen HOW TO SECTION at page 3 and you will find the PDF I and Fishbone prepared that tells you how to change the ATF. Aisin is a transmission company owned by Toyota, that is why MINI ATF is nothing but Toyota T-IV ATF fluid in different bottles with a jacked up price. ExxonMobil makes the ATF for Toyota. It is made to a Japanese transmission spec called JWS-3309. That is covered in the PDF, it has been a while and I am not sure of the specifics since I sold my Mini. I recommend you use Mobil 1, Royal Purple or Redline synthetic ATF ( call Redline to determine which of their ATFs to use ).

 

IMO I would recommend using a synthetic ATF that meets the specs of JWS-3309.. When I did my first change at a shop they had said the original fluid was nothing fancy and it wasn't a synthetic ATF.. Again IMO the original ATF breaks down to fast from the heat these transmissions create.. Of course driving conditions will vary the speed of the ATF break down.. A synthetic ATF does a much better job protecting the transmission and also it shifts much better..Im a Amsoil junky so I use there products in my MINI and have had excellent luck with there products.. If you look on there web site they have a few options for good ATF.. I know some on here look for the cheapest price... I like to look for the best product.. No matter what you pay for ATF that is far cheaper then a new transmission or valve body.. Another thing to note is change the ATF before you have problems not after.. Chances are the damage has already been done.. I just got a new 2013 MINI.. Come this summer im changing the original ATF in it with the Amsoil synthetic ATF..

 

Here is a picture of my trans fluid from my 2008 MCS with 78,000 miles. The old fluid looked like black paint, as you can see with my drop light behind it and no light is shining through. The fluid next to it is Toyota fluid which is what I put in to replace the black paint. I drained it a couple weeks ago. I got just under 3 qts (removed both drain plugs and the tube). I plan on doing another change in a couple weeks.....also ordered an oil analysis kit from Blackstone and will let everyone know the results. The shifting is noticeably smoother and less erratic.

Hoopty

 

Wow that is a something how black that is.. Mine was a much darker color as well but I had did my first change at 50k.. So it wasn't as black as yours but I also had less miles.. Ive talked to a few transmission shops and they say if using a none synthetic ATF you should change the fluid at 30-40k.. But after using my synthetic ATF when I went to change it 30k later the fluid came out almost like new..that was very comforting.. But like you stated an oil analysis will tell a lot...good idea.. Keep us posted on that! cheers

 

Has anyone used Castrol Transynd ? It is a synthetic. I use it in my Alison 6 speed /Cat 4555HP turbo on my Beaver Motorcaoch. It dropped operating temps from 200F to 175F;must be a good thing. Going to switch to Transynd at 30,000 miles.

 

I've used and am very satisfied with Castrol Transmax, the one that specifies Toyota and JWS3309. Came to this decision after an extremely long review and evaluation of the options. Amongst that search was a discussion with the MINI parts desk (who is very nice to our club) who said that when MINI had a supply problem, she was told to just transfer a few cases of Toyota fluid from a sister dealership. Same stuff.

 

I just did an ATF change at 40,000 miles. I used Mobil 1 JWS 3309.
Got about 2.5 quarts out and put the same amount back in thru the drain hole with the Assenmacher fill tool, plastic tubing and a funnel.
The fluid was brownish-red compared to the cherry red color of the new fluid but did not smell burned.
The car shifts noticeably smoother and I no longer have an occasional hard down-shift when coming to a stop. I plan to do a partial drain/fill every 20,000 miles from now on.

 

Amsoil also make a synthetic fluid that meets JWS3309 http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produc...?code=ATFQT-EA

 

Old thread, but in case anyone reads it in the future - I replaced my 56K fluid and filter with OEM fluid on my '08 MCS-a. Old fluid was not as dark as the one in the pic someone else had shared, but nevertheless significantly darker than new.

Initially, about 3 quarts of fluid came out after I dropped the pan. Then another 1 quart trickled out after I unbolted the filter and allowed the fluid to drip down overnight. Exactly 4.0 quarts replaced in total. I bought 5, just in case (plus new filter, plus new pan gasket). Had I bought 4, I suspect I woudl have needed 5 - per Murphy's law!

Shifts are a bit smoother now, especially kick-downshits on hard acceleration.

I will repeat the service in another 50K miles, if I still own the car or will be planning to keep it much further at that time.

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