I have tried to read every post on this on the forum about this topic (even the not-so-pleasant ones) but couldn't find any specific info on my model, so forgive me for asking what could be redundant questions.

I'll make this easier for the future reference of others:

A) Does this model have a Trans fluid filter?

B) Does it have a drain plug, or do you have to remove the trans oil pan to change the fluid?

C) Is the color (red vs. brown/dirty) the best indicator of the fluid needing change (for those of us that bought used and don't know when the last time it was changed)?

D) I'm almost afraid to ask this question because of past posts I've seen, but can you use a good third-party synthetic ATF , ie: Amsoil, Mobil 1, etc. in this transmission, or should you stick to a OEM Volvo equivilent?

I have read about the S60, older Volvo's, etc, but couldn't find much specific info on the '01 - '07 models of V70. As always, thank you for the feedback.

 

A No filter.
B Yes it has a drain plug.
c Yes color is a good indication of age of fluid.
D The same fluid as spoke about in the posts applies to your car as well. Same transmission.

 

Thank you! Should a piece of cake to change then. I'll post some feedback whenever I do change it. I just checked it a few K miles ago and it was still red.

It looks like it's been serviced before from the dried up oil around the gasket. Either that, or I have a leak somewhere. The levels have not gone down at all since I bought it and 7.5k miles later, so I'm assuming it's just left over from when it was probably cracked open before.

 

Hummerguy: How many miles do you have? I have the same car and I'm trying to decide whether to service the tranny or nto at 106K....

 

My car has 74,500. I bought it with 67,000 in May/June. As I said the trans was serviced so the fluid isn't original, but I checked it last night and it's still red, looks almost new. I'd check to see if it's brown or dirty and make your decision.

Did you buy it new or used? If you bought it used, you can call a Volvo dealer service dept. and they can pull up the service records based on your VIN. They may be able to tell you if it's been done before.

 

I don't know if this matters, but my fluid level was on high even though the car had been shut off for4 hours. The engine was still warm, so I'm not sure if the Hot level/High is supposed to be at high even with the engine warm, if that's considered "hot"

Is the level being a bit higher then recommended going to do any damage? What is the highest acceptable level on a cold engine on the dipstick before it would cause harm, and is it easy to drain a tad without popping the entire plug out?

I can always attach a small tube to a syringe and suck it out of the dipstick port. I already made the funnel/tube to use as a filler if/when I need to change it.

 

Drive it around for a little bit and then check and see where the level is.
If it is over high when hot suck some out till it reachs max on hot.

 

It was a little above high after sitting there for that time just being warm. I'll level it out tonight.

Hopefully Home Depot or some place around me has some thin tubing to fit in the hole. I might have to go to the pet store and buy some fish tank water filter tubing.

 

I just checked it again after it sitting there for 7 hours in 60 degree parking garage. The level is up a little passed the T on the word HOT on the dipstick, so it seems like there's quite a bit more in there then there should be.

If anybody has to fill or suck out trans fluid for any crazy reason (like I do), this tube fits in the hole Perfectly!

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.as...sultRedirect=1

Does that do any damage long term?

 

No it shouldn't do any long term damage.

 

I checked it aabout 15 minutes after driving it when I got home. Ihad to draina full 12 oz cup (1 soda can) of fluid just to get it down to the top third line of the Hot marker. It looked like there was quite a bit more in there then there should be. Since I'm not driving tomorrow, I'll check the cold level when I get home from work.

Is it normal for the trans fluid to be thinned like water almost? I thought trans fluid was thicker, almost like oil.

 

When hot it gets pretty thin.

 

I checked it this morning. The engine was cold. The fluid is still at the top of the Hot level. Should I take out more?

 

Yes I would take a little more out. If you can when the tranny is hot get it at the top hot mark.

 

This morning the block was cold and it's still at the top hot mark as it was hot when I drained some of it. Is that normal? I thought it was supposed to go down.

 

It should have gone down. You are checking it with it running correct?

 

No. That could be the problem I thought it's like oil; you check it with the engine off.

 

Checking on the forum:

Cold level should be checked with the engine running as soon as you start it.

Hot level should be checked with the engine running after driving it and reaching normal operating temp.

Is this right? I saved the fluid I drained, but also just ordered the Mobil 3309 stuff. Good thing I have another car to drive.

 

Yes correct on the checking of it now.

 

OK. When I start the car and check the fluid, as long as it's at least up to the cold level when running, I should be safe to drive it around a bit to warm it up to check it again, correct? I don't want to drive it around with less then what it can handle.

Sorry I keep asking. The last thing I need is a transmission problem.