I just bought a 2004 XC90 T6, with 60K miles. It has only two months warranty or 3000 miles. After reading here a quite a fewpeople have had problems with the transmission I was wondering if anyone can tell me how to prevent from transmision from going bad? Is there any percautions that I should take, like changetransmission fluidor anything like that? I don't want to end up paying $3,000+ for a new transmision. So far car is running great and shifts smoothly, you can hardly feel the gears shifting.
thanks!

 

Please note that I'm an 850 driver and am not privy to the XC90.

It seems that the XC90s come with either GM-built or Yamaha-built transmission, and the GM unit seems to fail.

The only preventive maintenance you can do to the black box is to keep an eye on the transmission fluid & its condition. I am not sure what colour it should be (clear red for 850 but this does not apply to the fluid used on XC90), but verify the correct colour and the fluid should not have burnt smell. Also, have it serviced only at Volvo dealers.

That is the only thing I can tell you. See if other XC90 drivers can give you better assistance.

Sorry I couldn't help you better.


JPN

 

Thanks for your reply! I'm new to Volvo. I used to drive a manual (Audi A4), so I was never worried about a transmission breaking. Now after reading that T6 has had many problems with its transmission, I began to worry a bit since the car has only two months warranty.
Thanks again!

 

My pleasure, I only wish I could help you better.

No recalls have been reported on the issue so far, but it seems common. Given the situation, in case if your gearbox starts to act up, I would try to see if a dealer can fix it under what is called "Secret Warranty"; dealer would fix it free of charge, if the problem is common regardless of whether there is a recall or not.

This may be a good reading; I myself may order one. There was once a book with same title, only written by a gentleman by the name ofMark Eskeldson.

http://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Mech...103&sr=1-1

I found Mark's version too, this is a great book to read:

http://www.amazon.com/What-Auto-Mech...237&sr=1-4


JPN

 

Thanks! actually I might check out one of those books.
I've seen XC90 (T6) on ebay and autotrader.com with over 150,000 miles. Now, I'm hoping not every transmission will go bad (just trying to comfort myself )Shouldn't there be a recall for transmission since there are so many problems with it? or when aparticular part fails in a largenumber of vehicles? If my transmission fails, I will make a big deal out of it.

 

Hi,

There are many known problems to Volvos (as well as all other mfgs and at the moment, Lexus seems to be the most trouble-free vehicles (a few problems have been reported on them too, of course) but other Toyota models have some known issues too).

In the case of 850, the ABS module (generally '96 & '97 models, but my '94 had problems too) and air conditioning evaporatour are guaranteed to fail, and I personally feel that those two items should have been recalled, but once a mfg admits of faulty component, it would cost them millions to take care of the issues, so they generally are reluctant to admit their fault (as seen among general public as well).

If your gearbox is functioning fine at the moment, I would follow the below precautions:

- Do not drive hard for the first 10 minutes or until the engine has reached normal operating temp.

- Do not shift unless the vehicle is at a complete stop. Shifting while the car is in motion is a surest way to wear out the internal clutch plates (yes, automatic transmissions do have clutch), which in turn results in fluid contamination. However, in case if the engine/transmission acts up violently, hit the shifter into "N"; thiscan be done without pressing the shifter button, just knock it into "N".

- When checking for the fluid level, NEVER let any foreign object fall into the dipstick tube. Even the smallest foreign object can screw up an automatic transmission.

- Avoid franchise or town garages for transmission service on modern vehicles. The fluids are not compatible, and if wrong type of fluid is introduced, that's it.

- Try to have your vehicle serviced at Volvo dealers whenever you can. However, dealers are generally noted for selling you unnecessary parts & services, so I would study your vehicle and gain a bit of knowledge so they cannot take advantage of you.

I hope this is of some benefit for you. XC90's are not cheap, so you may want to keep her in as good a condition as possible.


JPN

 

The T6 transmission is GM, others are made by Aisin Warner in Japan (I think they supply Toyota/Lexus too, but not sure).

V8 engine is made by Yamaha.

I used to replace tansmission fluid in my 850 every year , did it by myself, using Castrol Synthetic fluid -the transmission is still good at 180K miles.

If the T6 set-up is similar to other older Volvos-it has two transmission lines going to radiator, then you can do a complete flash by yourself -look for instructions at http://www.volvospeed.com(for Volvo850).

I believe T6 uses regular tranny fluid(Mercon III), but re-check in your manual.

If in doubt, go to any reputable transmission shop and ask them to do the job.

DO NOT OVERFILL the tranny!!!

 

[quote]ORIGINAL: m1964

The T6 transmission is GM, others are made by Aisin Warner in Japan (I think they supply Toyota/Lexus too, but not sure).

DO NOT OVERFILL the tranny!!!


That is true,DO NOToverfill.

Yes m1964, Aisin-Warner is a Toyota's subsidiary. They were used to be Aisin-Seiki but after they bought Warner (German?), the name has changed.


JPN