Transmission Fluid Service

[Tully]

Hi Everyone

I'm after the spec & capacity of Automatic Transmission Fluid for my 2002 S60T SE (127,000 miles). I've had no luck searching the vast depths of this forum.
I bought it 6 months ago & the previous owner reckoned it's "sealed for life", but it should be red, not dark grey!!!

Many thanks

Tully

[stuart bowes]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303081766587

Definitely not a lifetime fluid but volvo did try and pretend it was for some reason, you want to drain and fill a good 3 or 4 times at 2-300mile or so intervals

There's ways of flushing it through if you look at videos on YouTube but some say its not the best idea as it can cause damage . Drain and fill is simple if you're OK jacking up the car.

Do an oil change at the same time kill 2 birds with one stone

[keith240]

Thing is 'sealed for life' is a perfectly reasonable statement to make. Your car is 22 years old and my S80 is 21 with 180,000 miles on the clock. Its never had any transmission fluid changed and the gear change is as smooth as it was 10 years ago when I bought the car with 80,000 miles on it.

Obviously I'm not saying don't change it if you want to but Volvo were quite reasonable in expecting a 20 year old car to have reached end of life. We just know they go on for a lot longer if looked after !

[Georgeandkira]

Re "...spec and capacity...":
Spec.
The fluid used was a JWS 3309. Mobil sells it under that label if you can find it.
Toyota Type-IV is the same stuff. Mannol sells 20l kegs many on this board have bought and used.
I've even used Valvoline MaxLife Dex-Merc LV (which is synthetic) as well as Wolf's Head SUSTF (Super Universal Synthetic Transmission Fluid).....all with good results.

Many posters here prefer to pay the premium for genuine Volvo fluid. Lately I've done that too as I no longer keep a stash of fluids.
Many online vendors offer kits with 4l of fluid and an 18mm washer.
That might be the best way for a newcomer.
If Aisin fluid is offered, it's OK as Asin built your transmission.

Capacity.
When you unscrew the drain plug (a 17mm hex head w/ an 18mm aluminum crush washer as a seal), less that 4l will drain.
If you raise the off-side (driver's side UK/Japan) you'll drain closer to 4l.

Measure what you drained and replace that amount.

Rig a funnel into the dipstick tube to fill. DO NOT remove the conspicuous, large hex head fastener atop the transmission as it'll disconnect things and require transmission removal to remedy.
Fill through the transmission dipstick tube.

Doing this 3 or 4 times yields visible results.

Many will scoff at doing these "drain & fills" and opt for a cooling line disconnection with fluid pump-out. I've done this too.
However, you'll be depressing the wings on the green catch and working the cooling line out of the radiator.
All your hardware is 21 years old and will be stiff. Also, you'll need to get two of the cooling line seals. They are plumper O-rings. The old ones in there will be hard and brittle.

Doing one drain & fill then immediately following with a pump out is more efficient as the pump is sucking up clean fluid and you're pumping out bad.
You halt the process with every 2l pumped out. You need time to pour the 2l back into the transmission and it is said you don't want to generate a bunch of bubbles.

However, drain & fills are so fast and simple, many feel 'diluting the dirt' over 3-4 drain & fills is good enough.

I suggest buying 4l of whichever fluid you decide and doing your first drain & fill.

Many parts sites offer kits with 4l of fluid and the 18mm washer. This is a straightforward route and is way easier than you imagine.

[stuart bowes]

Originally Posted by keith240

... Volvo were quite reasonable in expecting a 20 year old car to have reached end of life. We just know they go on for a lot longer if looked after !

fair point I suppose it depends how you define 'lifetime'

[Tully]

Thanks for all the replies, most useful.

Whilst I'm at it, I must address the "ABS/Anti skid service required" message.
It seems, by the opinions on this forum, that I need to fix/replace the wheel position sensor in the steering column.
It would be nice to have the cruise control working again before my trip from Northumberland to Devon next month

[stuart bowes]

there's probably a number of possibilities and the steering angle sensor is one of the more awkward to replace not to mention expensive

only proper course of action is to get codes read and see what the actual fault is. my cruise was being stopped by a faulty brake position sensor. ABS sensors could be faulty on yours, or the reluctor ring on the axle, and so on

guesses can turn out way more expensive in the long run

[Clan]

Originally Posted by keith240

Thing is 'sealed for life' is a perfectly reasonable statement to make. Your car is 22 years old and my S80 is 21 with 180,000 miles on the clock. Its never had any transmission fluid changed and the gear change is as smooth as it was 10 years ago when I bought the car with 80,000 miles on it.

Obviously I'm not saying don't change it if you want to but Volvo were quite reasonable in expecting a 20 year old car to have reached end of life. We just know they go on for a lot longer if looked after !

Volvo have never said sealed for life at all, It is just an urban Internet Myth. Volvo have always have a service schedule for an oil change for a long as i can remember. its 48000 miles in your case and optional like brake fluid ( every 2 years ) when booking in the service reception should quiz you to find out exactly what you need and advise you..

I suggest you get your ATF Changed and properly serviced as per the list !

your service sheet is attached

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Clan

Volvo have never said sealed for life at all, It is just an urban Internet Myth. Volvo have always have a service schedule for an oil change for a long as i can remember. its 48000 miles in your case and optional like brake fluid ( every 2 years ) when booking in the service reception should quiz you to find out exactly what you need and advise you..

I suggest you get your ATF Changed and properly serviced as per the list !

your service sheet is attached

Its not an urban internet myth at all. I phoned my local dealership and they told me they don't do transmission servicing... I'm not making it up.

The handbook states that the transmission only needs to be serviced if the vehicle is being used for towing or in arduous conditions. People read that statement and interpret it as "I don't do any towing, so I don't need to bother."

[stuart bowes]

where it says "if a taxi or being used for towing" - it's not clear if they have a higher mileage suggestion for normal useage ? no mention of it that I can see. I suppose when you take it to the stealers for a service the gurus will know when the time is right

anyway because I was looking at the ebay link I posted above, I got one of those discount offers saying £32 for 10litres.. yes please .. got some oil on order as well

MOT next month so I suppose need to leave the welding on the mini for a bit and do a bit of normal servicing