Great video! This is one of the most neglected parts of these cars and one of the most critical to stay on top of. I used to do the full flush through the cooler lines but the last few times I've done it exactly like this just for the simplicity of it. Trying to do it every 30k miles or so. The shifts are always smoother afterwards. I agree that AISIN Type-IV or Mobil-3309 is the way to go. No need to pay double for the Volvo branded stuff. I'm sure they don't manufacture their own fluid.
The transmission in these is made by Aisin, so I think they would know what fluids work best in their own transmissions. Hard to believe it, and maybe it's all in my head, but it does seem to be a bit smoother now. It feels it "grabs and goes" better than before. I think since this hasn't been changed in so long, I'll do it again at the next oil change in about 4000 miles.
@@FloydNashFixItDad Agreed. I've read of a Volvo owner that once called Aisin and questioned Volvo's "lifetime fluid" claim and Aisin told that person that they recommend the fluid get changed every 30,000 miles. I don't think it's in your head. Every time I've done this on my Volvos, they shift smoother afterwards.
@@FloydNashFixItDad I went to Valvoline to get my 05 XC70 trans fluid (225k miles) but the service tech advise against me doing it, saying it would damage the transmission because of the high mileage. Was that accurate?
@@LordCommandor I'm not a mechanic or expert so can't say definitively. The thought from some is if the valve body is worn and needs the extra friction from the old fluid to shift properly, then changing the fluid will cause it to start slipping perhaps. It won't actually damage anything, just reveal existing issues you didn't know about. I don't find any evidence this has ever happened in the Volvo Aisin transmissions. I wouldn't do a full flush if you decided to try. Only a drain, which would drain only about half the fluid, so you would end up with a mix of old and new. Some newer transmissions are sealed and don't have a real way to change the fluid.
@@FloydNashFixItDad How has this vehicle’s trans held up since this maintenance? Do you still have vehicle today and did you ever experience problems afterwards? *I just bought a 2007 S60 2.5T with 190k miles, and it certainly appears all previous owners did ignore the trans altogether. Not thrilled about touching it and really averse to the idea of messing with the brown fluid after this long…especially for a fully functional trans without “issues”.
Great video !!!! I have a 2011 S80 3.2L. NO dipstick on my transmission !!!!!. I just undid the fill plug on the top of the transmission, stuck a flexible clear hose down, and sucked out as much ATF as possible. I just added the same amount of new ATF. Valvoline Maxlife atf
I've heard other people doing changes by using the dipstick tube. There are sites that sell kits just for that actually. I think you'll be happy with that Valvoline too. I do see that it shows to be fully compatible with that car, and Valvoline is known for making really good stuff for high mileage vehicles.
@@FloydNashFixItDad I have a 05 XC70 with 229k. I went to Valvoline to get a trans fluid and they refused to change it and warned me not to change it cause would permanently damage the trans and like yours my fluid is dark. The only thing I've added was a bottle add Lucas trans cause it slips sometimes when it's running hot between 3rd and 4th gear. And sometimes when I shift form park to drive. What do you think?
@@LordCommandor It sounds like that transmission is going to need replacing or rebuilding soon, so I would plan on that. I believe the thought is, there is friction material on plates inside the transmission. If it's worn that much there is probably some friction material suspended in the fluid that could be helping to allow the friction plates to grab. Unless the filter is no longer doing it's job, I'm not sure how that would be the case though, and wouldn't those particles wear out other parts of the transmission if there was that many of them in the fluid? Just my thought. Make sure you actually have enough fluid too. It could slip if it's just low on fluid. If that's fine, I would like up a replacement transmission, then go ahead and change the fluid and see what happens. If it does cause it to fail, then you have a replacement ready to go.
Hi Fix it Dad thank for the awesome video! I was thinking of owning one of this P2 2008 Volvo S60 2.0 T5 Petrol version. Wld u mind share more for this car abt it reliability and long term cost of maintaining it? What critical issue or maintenance u have been through? Thx a lot! Safe safe and be well!
I'm doing this on my xc70 2004 with 329000 miles this weekend, im getting sometimes very hard shifting and clunks, the fluid is thick, dark and smells like burned vomit 😂
Can someone give me some insight. I’ve purchased a used 2009 S80 t6 with 121,737 miles. I’ve contacted 1 shop that says they don’t recommend a fluid flush. There’s another shop that says if necessary they’ll do a fluid flush. Can someone clarify for me as to why I wouldn’t want to do a transmission flush or why I should do one?
Pull the dipstick on the transmission. Is it black or does it smell really burnt? It won't smell great to begin with, but if it's bad, you'll know. If it's fine, leave it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Now, having said that, the drain that I did isn't a flush. It only removes part of the fluid, which may be a safer option. Less shock to the transmission that way. In theory, a lot of these newer cars are designed as sealed systems so that fluids like this have no need to be changed. Also, look in your manual if you still have it, if not look online for one. It will tell you service and fluid change intervals. I think the Volvo recommendation is to change every 52,500 miles ONLY if used for towing.
@@byloecelhigh8467 I think you're right. I'm finding references to a fluid level plug in the middle of the drain plug. I also see in the forums that if you have the fluid replaced, you should also have someone with a VIDA/DICE system do a reset on the fluid life so it knows it has fresh oil. I think it sounds like a better idea to finds someone in the area specializing in European cars and have them do this service.