Transmission Fluid

[japanxc]

I have a 01 XC with 80,000 klm on it. I have always flushed the tranny fluid on my other cars and thought I should do so on this one also. I check the fluid and it looks as if it should be changed. I talked with a mechanic and a volvo dealership and both said I should leave the fluid alone. Is that right? I have no issues with my tranny yet but I do get a hard shift every now and again. Should I flush it or not?
Thanks for the help,
Chris

[RockitShip]

Only 80,000 kilometers? Flush away I say!

I've got 134,000 miles on my XC (new/used) and I'm replacing the fluid 3 liters at a time
so as not to shock the system, so to speak. I'll do it this way for the next year,
alongside every oil change. I'll drain whatever comes out of the drain plug (about 3 liters)
and refill. It's a slow method, but easy.

[ifnt420]

Yes, I'd recommend a drain and refill every 10,000km instead of a "flush".

[jmoser]

After my first ATF change at ~70K [too many] miles I now drain and fill with 3Q every other oil change. If you start this between 25K - 50K on a new car depending on duty cycle you will do yourself a big help.

[Scott H.]

I purchased a new to me 2006 XC70 a few months ago. I am also considering doing the drain and fill with every other oil change. What are the recommendations of what fluid to use (not knowing what's already in it)? (I currently do the same with my 2003 Saab 9-5 using Toyota Type IV fluid)

Thanks,
Scott

[RockitShip]

Generally speaking, for our transmissions anything with the "JWS 3309" rating/approval is safe to use for our cars.
However, there are differences... specifically "modifiers" in all ATFs which give it unique performance characteristics and as such one can experience these differences. For example, I changed the ATF on my Audi to Amsoils ATF which came with the required rating ESSO LT 71141, but the car actually shifted hard and even slipped on occasion. I then changed to Pentosin ATF and the Audi responded much differently, much better.
YMMV.

I would rate these ATF's as "safe/JWS 3309 approved" in this order:
Original/Volvo
Mobil 3309
Mobil Multi-Vehicle
Mobil 1 Synthetic (Apparently now the M1 synth carries the JWS 3309 rating.)

I am using M1 Multi-Vehicle ATF with no ill effects. It should be noted that I only used 3 liters
of the M1 M-V and I believe our transmissions hold about 7 liters of ATF total.

I would however prefer the M1 3309 as I think it has more modifiers
geared towards what out transmissions like.

[JRL]

I would rate these ATF's as "safe/JWS 3309 approved" in this order:
Original/Volvo
M1 3309
M1 Multi-Vehicle
M1 Synthetic (Apparently now the M1 synth carries the JWS 3309 rating.)



You forgot Toyota type IV, the cheapest of the bunch to buy and is THE SAME as Mobil 3309, It IS 3309, different labeling, made by Mobil.

You DO realize that ROCKETSHIP is spelled with an E not an I?

What do mean by "M1 3309, no such a fluid!
If you meant MOBIL 3309 yes

[RockitShip]

You forgot Toyota type IV, the cheapest of the bunch to buy and is THE SAME as Mobil 3309, It IS 3309, different labeling, made by Mobil.

You DO realize that ROCKETSHIP is spelled with an E not an I?

What do mean by "M1 3309, no such a fluid!
If you meant MOBIL 3309 yes

Yeah I forgot about Toyota type IV. I wasn't aware it was relabeled Mobil 3309.
And yes I meant Mobil 3309, not M1 3309.

LOL I was playing around with the wording... RockitShip as a play on Rocketship... as in Rockin roll, etc. I do in fact know the correct spelling. You noticed the misspell but you didn't think it was on purpose LOL?! You're funny! :D