Looking to find out in your opinion should change the transmission fluid in my 04 s80 turbo awd.
Car had 105k miles now. The fluid does not look to new, may not have ever been changed. Car stills shifts ok / pretty good.
I called the dealer and they said i may be better off NOT changing it and that the maybe some gunk may be helping hold parts together and changing it may ruin it sooner . what do you think ??
and what fluid to use if should change ?

-- my experience built 11 second cars in the past. had a 98 volvo xcv70 auto tranny blow out on me last year at only 93k miles!! the worst job of my life changing that tranny. never want to do that again.

 

What about just changing the filter?

 

Information removed.

 

why change it when its not causing any problem. Trans fluid are just on of those fluids that should be careful of and i think should only be changed if there is some problem or it actually needs to be changed as per the maintenance schedules.
Can't you just drain the fluid from the pan and then refill with the new one. Because i had a Avalon and what i did was removed the trans pan bolt and let it drain. then i measured and was like 4qts. So i filled up with new 4qts fluid. If you go like that then it should be fine. Well i didnt want to drain the whole pan same reason your volvo mechanic said. I did this every 3 oil changes.

 

Bryan Truxell Changing oil?...DO NOT EVER THINK OF IT EVEN. I have experience of the same thought as you have infact on same mileage ...and I changed the oil/Filter and lost the transmission same day. Later had to change. Apart from this great car, I really hate why Volvo manufacturers never recommend to change the oil..although it has to be change at some time. But be ready to replace it sooner or later. Sadly It won't go up to 20 or 30 K more or may be earlier so be prepared.

 

Well i sold that volvo and since bought two more a s60 and a s40. Ive since read and heard from a local volvo specialist that if your volvo transmission oil looks dark, you should or can if you want , drain about 3 quarts will come out of the transmission drain plug. then fill 3 new quarts. Toyota auto fluid is the same as whats recommended by volvo.9909 is that what its called? Do this once a year to help you feel better about it. And ive done it in two volvo s40s and my latest volvo s60 with no negative effects. Basically didnt cause my tranny to go bad the same or following day or anything. and shifts good at 161k.
Just adding a little positive information from my experience.

 

well i plan of doing drain n fill only every oil change or so..here is clip of old trans fluid that for 1st time: