Get Volvo transmission fluid, drain transmission, measure how much came out, add same amount.

 

If you plan on doing this yourself, there is a good video on YouTube describing the drain and fill on this transmission from volvosweden (

).

I am looking at doing this in a month or so. In addition to what carmonkey said above, you'll also need to have a VIDA/DICE so you can reset the transmission fluid change count otherwise you could run into problems the new fluid/computer mismatch (or have the dealer do it after you change it).

 

I just did mine on my T6. It's quite easy actually. Just follow the YouTube video tutorial above. I didn't reset the counter and the car is shifting smoother. I also used 4 quarts of Toyota Type IV fluid which cost a third of Volvos fluid and is the same fluid.

 

Interesting. I'll get the Toyota fluid too then. I wonder if over time you'll notice shifting getting weird? When did you do yours?

 

Thank you all for the information. I am waiting on a quote from the dealer which I know will be mucho $$$$, but I do not want to fool with it right now. I also have a independent mechanic who I will get a quote from. Thanks again.

 

The only problem I have with the drain/fill DIY method is that it actually doesnt flush it like our BG/Bardahl/Wynns machines do.

You also can not reset the fluid counter and TCM adaptives like we can with VIDA which really does yourself a disservice. What good is new fluid if the TCM doesnt know it?

We recommend flushing the ATF around 75k but doing it sooner will not hurt it.

 

The only problem I have with the drain/fill DIY method is that it actually doesnt flush it like our BG/Bardahl/Wynns machines do.

You also can not reset the fluid counter and TCM adaptives like we can with VIDA which really does yourself a disservice. What good is new fluid if the TCM doesnt know it?

We recommend flushing the ATF around 75k but doing it sooner will not hurt it.

The SPA models don't require this, correct? It says in the service schedule to replace it if towing or a message comes on the DIM. I'm sure the flush could help, or maybe not.

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I talked to the Volvo Tech that services both our Volvos, who I trust by the way, who said unless it is her car is used like a taxi or is in extreme dust and dirt conditions changing the transmission fluid is not necessary until after 85,000 miles at the earliest. Since I trust him, we are waiting. Thanks for the posts.

 

I think the manual says to do it every 50k miles if used heavily or in tow conditions. Here is what it says "Volvo recommends changing transmission fluid every 50,000 miles/80,000 kilometers, only on vehicles used for towing, or when a message appears in the instrument panel text window." So if you don't do that then it probably is fine to wait longer.

 

Just be careful tightening the small inner drain plug. It's a very shallow torx female connection. I overtightened it and buggered it on the third drain cycle when trying to remove it. Had to drill it out. One would have thought that after wrenching on cars since 1970 I'd know better but apparently not.

 

I had my transmission fluid drained and refilled at 60K at the dealer. I plan on doing it again at 100K. I do get some weird clunks from time to time during downshifts when I am slowing down. I have towed a U-haul a few times with the OEM hitch, but those total towing miles over 5 years probably add up to 100 at most. The tows were all low-speed weekend-warrior type things around town.

There was a TSB for new transmission software that was supposed to smooth out the 5-4 downshift that I had done around 40K. That new transmission software brought along with it terrible low speed behavior. The problem would occur when cruising through a neighborhood with stop signs or in stop-n-go traffic. When at a near stop (<3 MPH), I would press the gas and the car would try to accelerate in 2nd and then lurch/ clunk back into 1st. It would do this even with light throttle; it wasn’t like I was flooring it. It was horrid. The only way to get the car to accelerate in 1st rather than 2nd was to be at a complete stop.

Another TSB came out to “address” this terrible low speed behavior but it reverted the transmission software to the version with the 5-4 downshift issue. I had this TSB down around 50K and my low-speed transmission behavior is fine again but at the expense of the occasional clunky downshift from 5-4 and maybe 4-3 too.

My XC currently is sitting @ 82K FWIW.

 

I had my transmission fluid drain and refilled at 60K at the dealer. I plan on doing it again at 100K. I do get some weird clunks from time to time during downshifts when I am slowing down. I have towed a U-haul a few times with the OEM hitch, but those total towing miles over 5 years probably add up to 100 at most. The tows were all low-speed weekend-warrior type things around town.

There was a TSB for new transmission software that was supposed to smooth out the 5-4 downshift that I had done around 40K. That new transmission software brought along with it terrible low speed behavior. The problem would occur when cruising through a neighborhood with stop signs or in stop-n-go traffic. When at a near stop (<3 MPH), I would press the gas and the car would try to accelerate in 2nd and then lurch/ clunk back into 1st. It would do this even with light throttle; it wasn't like I was flooring it. It was horrid. The only way to get the car to accelerate in 1st rather than 2nd was to be at a complete stop.

Another TSB came out to "address" this terrible low speed behavior but it reverted the transmission software to the version with the 5-4 downshift issue. I had this TSB down around 50K and my low-speed transmission behavior is fine again but at the expense of the occasional clunky downshift from 5-4 and maybe 4-3 too.

My XC currently is sitting @ 82K FWIW.

My wife's has always acted in a similar fashion but not as pronounced as yours when decelerating, coming to almost a complete stop, then accelerating. I just charged it off to the way the transmission was. I did not want them to start throwing software adjustments to it possibility making it worse or causing another issue. As long a she comes to a complete stop, it is fine. Thanks for sharing.