Just had my '03 V70 2.4T in for 52.5K service at the dealership. They reported that the transmission fluid was discolored and degraded - reccomended a flush (~$300!) Given the oft-reported transmission problems I have seen on this board, I bought it.

Since then, I have been thinking - I bought the car in '06 as a "Volvo certified" used car with 27K miles on it - came with a warranty to 100K miles or the end of '08. Clearly, I will get to the time limit before the mileage limit.

The maintainance book is silent on transmission flush unless the car is used for towing (which it has not). It seems to me that, based on the service report, I have primia facie evidence that the transmission was going south before the expiration of the warranty and should have a case for coverage should it fail at, for example, 100K.

Second thought - the transmission in my '67 Chrysler wagon (which was used for pulling a boat) was still going strong at 170K. Other examples from 20-30 years ago are plentiful. It seems that 100K is a common end of life for transmission these days (My Mercedes died at 105K, my neighbors BMW expired at just short of 100, etc) - What has happened to transmission technology?

Pretorien

 

I had 206K on my 94 850 turbo and the engine went, but the transmission was fine. Never even did as much as add fluid to it that I can remember. Definitely never changed the fluid. I now just drain and fill my transmissions every 20K, because this board has made me paranoid of doing nothing. I still have never replaced my brake fluid though in any car I have ever owned.

 

My 93 850 has 240,000 + miles original engine and transmission... no flushing but I did replace fluid and filter every 100,000