2006 XC90 AWD, 5-speed transmission

13 y/o car but relatively low mileage for such age, 155K

I only changed the transmission fluid once in the past at 50K…that was 10 years ago. I understand that Volvo official guidance is “lifetime” fluid and no changes under regular usage, but I also read that it should be taken with a grain of salt, so my plan was to change it regularly….except now I let it go for over 100K and about 10 years on the same fluid since the last change. Despite that, my mechanic tells me the fluid is still pinkish and in good condition (that being one reason I kept procrastinating)

Opinions so far:

- My trusted Volvo mechanic: you can change it if you want to, no risk, up to me

- Dealer: don’t change, too many miles since the last change, just leave it, you’re risking ruining the transmission…

I would like to keep this car for as long as I can…. hopefully beyond 200K / another 3-4 years, so my desire is to keep the transmission in best shape. So what’s best? How often do you guys change the fluid in this 5-sp transmission?

If I can be confident the change can only benefit the transmission, I would do it. But is the dealer right, would I be risking it more by changing it at this point? I suspect the dealer could be dismissing the car as too old and destined to fail soon one way or the other, and advises not to do anything based on that, but the car is otherwise is good shape (new timing belt, PCV serviced, etc), so I’m hopeful it will last for awhile longer…

 

I have a 2004 XC90 with 121k miles and am original owner. I was advised by Baton Rouge Volvo Dealer to change my transmission fluid at 90k miles when car was 12 1/2 yrs old in May, 2016. While I don't always have faith in what these local Volvo dealers around here advise me to do (or they don't do), the car's transmission seems to be fine to me. I have had no problems with it.

 

My '04 has 253K. The first time I changed the transmission fluid was around 150K... but I did so by doing 3 "drain and fills" during 3K mile oil change intervals. 3rd time was the full-on flush. I've done two since then, but the second was due to a radiator failure and the introduction of coolant to the transmission oil and vice versa. That happened around 190K. The third was after yet another radiator failure, but the radiator neck at the upper hose connection was cracked and leaking for; whatever reason at; 248K. Thank Christ Jesus for FCP's Lifetime replacement or this car would have me in the poor house. My recommendation is to do whatever your wallet can afford you to do... the AISIN tranny in my car is still going strong after all of this malarkey.

 

Our 2004 6T has a GM built 4 speed. It has been well documented that this transmission has big issues. I had to have it rebuilt at 125k. I change my fluid every 40k, knowing these issues and even then, there's no guarantee.
Both tranny's whether 4 speed or 5 speed, they only hold 7.9 qtr of fluid and .. Even with a Trans oil cooler, you can smell the heat it generates.
I only use Valvoline Max Life Synthetic ATF.