I am new to the Volvo world...picked up a 2002 S40 and I am trying to drain the trans fluid as it is brown and my downshifts seem harsh...I have read the step by steps...but for the life of me when I am under the car I cant figure out where the drain bolt is for the transmission...can someone please give me a detailed description of its location...a picture would help a great deal...thanks in advance

 

bump...a little help please...36 views so far and nobody has any idea??

 

Its in a tricky spot IIRC, between the trans pan and the cross-member that is right next to it. The plug is facing sideways toward the middle of the car, not down. Pretty small gap, maybe 1.5", buy I did get a wrench on it.

Best pic I could find in this post: http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...ic.php?t=50119

Third pic from the bottom above the yellow bucket.

 

Thanks so much for replying when you say "facing sideways" is the bolt head facing the drivers or passenger side...I think its facing the drivers side but there are som many damn bolts under there I have no idea which one

 

It's facing the passenger side. It's a huge bolt, like 24mm (make sure before buying a wrench), the biggest bolt on the lowest part of the trans. I just had enough room between the motor mount brace and the trans to get the wrench on it. If you can fashion some type of splash shield to direct the oil away from the cross brace it will save you a mess on your garage floor.