Is a transmission flush procedure any different than a fluid change? I have been reading a lot on this and only want to do a change but am not sure whether a change is simply doing the same procedure as a flush just not doing 12 quarts and only doing 4.

I would prefer simply getting under the car, unplugging the transmission pan bolt, draining it, then refilling from the yellow dipstick fill hole located under the airbox. I want to make sure that it is safe though before doing this.

Here are links I thoroughly read through. These methods include using plastic hosing attached to the transmission radiator.

Automatic Transmission FLush Procedures For My 2003 S60 & 2003 XC70

Volvo S60 Auto Transmission Flush

 

I'm not sure exactly what a flush is. If you remove the pan, as you have noted, it will take approximately 4 quarts to fill. That may be of limited benefit since there is no filter in the pan to change and you will only be changing out 30% of the fluid. It's not that difficult to remove the transmission line line from cooler and slip a piece of hose over the end and let the engine run for a minute until it pumps the pan dry. Fill and repeat and you should have 90% of the fluid changed.

 

How many miles does the car have? Has the fluid ever been changed before?

 

Iv heard some people suggest a flush which is attaching the rubber hose as you mentioned to the cooler and running as much old fluid out and new fluid in. Iv also heard that dong the fluid change where you just unscrew the bolt and let the 4 quarts out is a good suggestion. The simple drain method seams easier with less ways to mess things up that is why I like that option better although Im open to do the other option.

My car has 177k on it. Not sure if it was ever done before as I am the second owner as of 154k. The car seemed well taken care of and has many dealership service records up until 2009. But I get shift flares sometimes, hard downshifts a lot.

 

You may need a software update.

My car has only 8 quarts in the system and I do the drain and fill method which gets 1/2. After 3 drains & fills I figure I get 87%, but a system as large as yours, I'd do the pump method. Is the current fluid clean?

 

Flushing it is just a more thorough way of doing it- you replace more of the fluid that way.

 

i am also on same boat as you and debating drain n fill or flush. And i read/hear mix responses. At first i was thinking flush from dealer but now i think i will do a drain n fill few times.
I use to do drain n fill on my toyota i had and it shifted smooth with no problems. I think if you keep doing that few times you will be good.