I'm not sure if the AWD has the same transmission, but I just finished a dump and fill (Using Mobil 3309) in my regular (non-shiftronic) FWD automatic. It took a little over 3 1/2 Qts. but shifts like its brand new. (Only 35K miles however...)

 

Hey, I have an 03 s60. It currently has 75K miles on it. Recently, the tranny seemed to slip a couple times and wasn't shifting right anymore. It also seemed to have lost some power. I took it to an Indy Volvo mechanic because I thought it might need a fluid changed. He told me that unless I got a "service transmission" light, the fluid doesn't need to be changed. He told me that my problem was due to the fact that the software was outdated.

The following week I took it to the dealership to have "software updates" done. Cost me around $130. Now the transmission shifts smoothly, I have the same ammount of power as when the car was new, and havn't felt it slip anymore. I'm pretty confident that the software update solved my problem but was the mechanic incorrect about the "service transmission" light?

 

Yes, he was incorrect. With that mileage, I would change mine. Think about it, he WANTS your tranny to fail, so he can put in a new one. Tech?

 

The service transmission light only comes on to tellyou there is codes in the transmission system.
There is no light that tells you that you need to change the tranny fluid.

 

WOw, I'm the kind of person that doesn't trust my cars with ANYONE and usually does everything myself, the one time I do and I believe everything he says....don't I feel dumb!Well it's a good thing I came across you guys whewww! Thanks. I will try and change the fluid ASAP. The last time I changed tranny fluid was like 12 years ago on my mom's 93 ford escort. I remember no drain plug. I had to remove the tranny oil pan bolt by bolt and had to have something wide enough so as not to spill tranny fluid all over the driveway. I made such a mess! Then I remembered changing the filter was quite complicated. I don't want to go through that again, but I don't want to fork out $300 or more for someone else to doit.

I think these cars do have drain plugs, correct? How complicated/necessary is it to change the filter? I know these auto trannys are finicky when it comes to fluid chemistry and I don't want to disturb that. Would anyone recommend simply draining the fluid and replacing it with new fluid? Thanks for the input guys[sm=smiley20.gif]

 

They don't have a servicable filter on them.
Yes they have a drain plug drain and refill a few times.

 

I'm looking at a '99 S70 automatic. Does this car have the Aisin 5 speed?

 

The Aisin trans and ECM do have a feature that measures how long the trans fluid was at a high temp under extreme conditions and will set of the trans service light to tell you to change the fluid. This does not mean the fluid never needs to be changed, It actually should be changed on a regular basis unless a $5000.00 repair bill is what you want in the future. I drop the trans drain plug every second oil change and install 3.5L of new Amsoil tranny fluid. Cheap insurance but probably overkill.

 

Ok, I have a 2001 S60 just turned 100K. I just did the timing belt, tensioners, water pump, serpinetine belt, upper motor mount, coolant flush, Parts were $300( thx to FCP) and found a local independent mechanic who did the labor for $300. Now you guys have me thinking about the transmission fluid. I have never checked it. I guess her goes another $300! I love the car! Got 31 mpg on the last tank! I do like the thinking if it ain't broke don't fix it!

 

I have S60 2001 2.4T AUTO 120K+ miles on it
While car is cold I dont have any problems, but after few minutes driving I can feel weak hit (kind of knock) in front wheels while switching between R and D modes in transmission.
Also I can feel hiting (when selects lower gear) when I am trying to slow down suddenly.

As this is my Volvo after Audi I think its not OK.
Is it problem for Volvo?

Could you tell me how to check Oil for Transmission and will oil be reason for my "problem"?
Please also tell me what type and how many liters do I need to change it. I have read some topics about flushing but I think I will not do it because I am not confident about repair shops around city.

 

When checking the transmission fluid level, does the car have to be running. And, if the fluid needs to be filled, where is the opening to fill it?

 

Yes it needs to be running to check it.
You add it through the dipstick tube.

 

Thanks for the reply.
There's a snow storm here right now so I'll check it when the weather is more cooperative.
When filling, is there a special tube to reach the dipstick tube. Also, what precautions do you take to not over fill the tranny. From what I've been reading in the thread, the dipstick is barely visible and awkward to reach.

 

A long funnel is what you need to use. Add only a little at a time and keep checkinig.

 

I have a 2004 S60 2.5T AWD which has 150km on it.

1) How do I check the transmission
2) What colour should it be, if it needs to be changed
3) What type of oil do I need to put in it
4) Since I can't do it myself; is there a particular mechanic I should be taking it to? (as I know Volvo will rip me off)

Thank you.

 

1) Check the fluid level on the yellow dipstick on the transmission, there is a small metal clip that must be pushed to release the dipstick. Have the car warmed up and running, move the gear selector thrught all the gears and then back to park, check the fluid level on the dipstick.

2) The fluid should be red, the redder the better, the more black and burnt it appears the worse shape the fluid is in. Yours will most likely be black if it hasn't ever been changed.

3) MOBIL 3309 ATF is the proper replacement fluid for your transmission.

4) You can do it yourself easily, IPD sells a Transmission Flush Kit that makes it a painless process. All you do is unplug the transmission fluid line at the radiator and hook up the hose from IPD, one end to the trans fluid cooler outlet on the radiator and one end in a gallan jug. Start the car and watch as the trans fluid is pumped into the jug, once 2qts have been pumped out turn the car off. Add 2qts of new Mobil 3309 intop the transmission through the dipstick with a long narrow funnel or hose. Repeat the draining and filling until the fluid being pumped out is new red fluid, it should take anywhere from 10-14qts, I used 12 and it was perfect.

The kit is only $20 and the fluid can be bought for $60 a case, so your looking at $80 to do it yourself or a couple hundred to have some mechanic do it for you.


Note: There have been rumors that your transmission could be adversely affected by changing the fluid if it has been really burnt up, apparently the burnt fluid can act as a friction enhancer and lets the transmission work, when you change out thew old fluid there is not enough friction to work properly and your trans could be in much worse shape after the flush than before. Just figured I would put this out there.

Trans Flush Kit: http://www.ipdusa.com/version.asp?st...&V_ID=2044

 

+1 on everything he said. I guess people are not reading the thread from the beginning.

ONLY use mobil 3309, NO GM fluid or whatever someone else on here said they use is proper.Ignore thoseerroneous comments.Mobil 3309 IS the Volvo dealer fluid at one/third the cost. If you can't find it then go to a Toyota Dealer and get their T-1V fluid, it is JWS 3309 also. All P2's (automatics), have Aisin Warner 5 speeds. They take JWS 3309 period.
If you don't want to flush, then drain and fill several times is okay.

 

Totally incorrect. You had it changed with BG fluids yet you didn't know it until I asked you to read the receipt. BG is a universal fluid NOT JWS 3309 as per the owners manual. It's NOT GM fluid. You change your story with every post on the fluid.

Aisin warner transmissions will not live long on GM fluids, period. It's not robust enough.

 

I have just checked the ATF level following all the instructions here and it is overfilled.
I can say there is aprox 1 quarz extra oil and its completely brown not RED at all.

Should it be reason for having knock (voice) when changing gear from P to R and when downshifting while driving (only on HOT)?

 

red02s60,

I also have an 02 s60 t5. Did you have to get a software upgrade after flushing and using amsoil? How is that Amsoil now?