XC60 Automatic - Clunking Gearbox?
 

Hello! I have a 65 plate XC60 D5 automatic. My husband has said that he’s noticed that when you shift it in to drive, it ‘clunks’ so to speak. Has anyone experienced this? Google seems to suggest a gearbox oil change and/or some sort of software update?

Has anyone experienced the same issue and can advise? Money is right at the moment due to furlough, do I have to take the car to the dealership or can the work be carried out by my normal garage? Anyone know what I could expect to pay? Thank you in advance.

How many miles has it done?
If it needs a software update it'll need to be done at a Volvo dealership. Chapmans in York or Malton might be your nearest, they might be able to tell you over the phone if the software is up to date. I'm not sure but I think they keep a record of what updates have been done on each car. I had my gearbox oil and filter changed at the York branch and from memory I think it was £200 ish. I think the oil should be changed at 70K miles.

How many miles on the car?

This is a common problem. The car will need to visit Volvo I’m afraid, as it will need the gearbox oil changed, adaptions reset and a special adaption procedure followed. The adaption requires 2hrs and some quiet roads to perform correctly. The process ‘trains’ the software to optimise the oil pump pressure within specific temperature bands, to account for pressure loss due to oil leaking past certain o-ring seals.

So probably 3hrs labour and the cost of oil. I would get a couple of quotes - expect £350-£400.

It’s done around 38,000 miles

That's not a lot of miles,on my old 07 s60 i changed the oil at 90,000 miles and everything was running great. Which gearbox has your car got? Mine was an Aisin Warner.

I’ve no idea, how do I find out?

It's a common problem, a lot of times it can be significantly improved by a software update and fluid change.

I know it may seem a stretch to think that a software update can overcome what sounds and feels like a mechanical problem but i can say from personal experience it does make a difference.

I had mine done at Voltech Motors in Hull - cost £280.

Do the gears smoothly change up and down out of interest?

You have the Aisin Warner TF80sc AWD version. If you regularly drive in traffic, then the harsh shift into D can become evident at relatively low mileage, ie 38k.

As I mentioned earlier, the car needs to go into Volvo for the adaption process designed for this problem.

Thanks for the info. I popped in to my local dealership this morning as we were on the estate, the guy told me he had no idea whether there was an update available, the car would need to go in and be plugged to check. Does this sound about right? £120+VAT per hour for the pleasure as well