Fluid change for TG-81SC automatic - what are the options?

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

Our 'box is more tardy on start-up in the cold, too, holding gears for longer than usual. It may just be a thing.

...or the 'box being programmed to hold lower gears to improve engine warm-up, perhaps?

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

It might just be that I never noticed this until now rather than it being something new.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Sotosound

Many thanks.

This is the same as my understanding from when I first broached the question a couple of years back. To be honest, I was probably being a bit hopeful.

What triggered my thinking is that either my perceptions have changed or the box is starting to be a bit slower up-changing when cold; and it also seems generally a little less eager to change up than it was. So, when driving up my own road in the morning, the engine revs generally between 2k and 3k rpm, even on the lightest of throttles, and the car needs a bit of encouragement via the accelerator pedal to changed up to a less noisy gear.

The quality of the changes themselves seems to be ok, however, with no clunks or clonks.

In my imagination, I’m visualising the ATF being more gooey than it should be and generally gumming things up, but perhaps my imagination is entirely misguided. Might it actually be a software thing, for instance?

My car, although not as new as yours does the same thing when cold. It takes slightly longer to change gears, but once warmed up, its fine.

It may need a software update. Worth bringing it to the garage to double check if there's any new updates that need installing.

As the fluid was changed in 2018 & 2019, then in theory, it doesn't need changing again (unless you've done mammoth miles in that two year period, or towed heavy loads).

Software updates would be my port of call, unless you want to spend £300 on another fluid change.

[Bonefishblues]

OP said partial changes, so another 'change' may be indicated, depending on how partial those changes were.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Sotosound

The experiences I have had contacting Volvo directly haven’t been astoundingly good. They don’t put their greatest technical experts on the end of the phone.

Also, the official Volvo position is that these gearboxes don’t need fluid changes, so my opening gambit would effectively have to be to tell them that they’re wrong in the advice that they give.

Give Chris or Ashley a call at Eastbourne Volvo a call on the parts department. They are 100% and will post to you. Top guys.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

OP said partial changes, so another 'change' may be indicated, depending on how partial those changes were.

OP also said...

Originally Posted by Sotosound

Many thanks. Horton Cars service both of our Volvos, and I’ve now been a customer for nearly 10 years. They did an ATF change during the annual services in late 2018 and late 2019, but suggested that a further ATF change wasn’t required during the most recent annual service in 2020.

As you’ll see from my posts today, however, I’m worried as I’m sensing a slight change in behaviour but don’t really know the cause.

Perhaps it’s time to talk to Graham.....

Was the fluid partially changed, or was it hooked up to the fancy machine that Horton uses at £300 a time? If the latter, then it definitely doesn't need doing again for a long time.

[Bonefishblues]

The OP, in the op said it was partially changed twice. Not sure what's to debate?

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

The OP, in the op said it was partially changed twice. Not sure what's to debate?

I'm not debating anything.

I'm just enquiring as to whether Horton do drain & fills, but also offer fluid changes via the machine? You can do partial changes with a machine too you know!

Going back to the OP, the transmission has been looked after. Its had two drain & fills, albeit partial changes (drain & fills presumably) in the space of a few years. Most transmission's don't see that!

Speak to Horton/bring your car along & see if there's any software updates. If there isn't, then you could get another partial fluid change done. Or, pay extra & let the machine do the work for the cleanest results in the quickest time (a full flush).

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

I'm not debating anything.

I'm just enquiring as to whether Horton do drain & fills, but also offer fluid changes via the machine? You can do partial changes with a machine too you know!

Going back to the OP, the transmission has been looked after. Its had two drain & fills, albeit partial changes (drain & fills presumably) in the space of a few years. Most transmission's don't see that!

Speak to Horton/bring your car along & see if there's any software updates. If there isn't, then you could get another partial fluid change done. Or, pay extra & let the machine do the work for the cleanest results in the quickest time (a full flush).

Many thanks.

I'm going over there, probably early next week, so there'll be an opportunity for me to discuss it with Graham.

[Kev0607]

Let us know how you get on.

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Let us know how you get on.

Will do.