New c70 owner saying hello and a couple of questions.

[LXA 36G]

Hi, I've recently purchased an 04 c70 2.0 GT. It's exactly the spec I wanted, including being a dark colour with light interior( the black interior V70 that I used to have was like an oven inside when parked in the sun). And the most important feature being an automatic (5 speed) as I've no cartalidge remaining in my left knee. It drives overall very nice, however 2 things that are just spoiling it a bit is the brakes don't seem that good and am surprised that the gearbox doesn't change a bit smoother. Today I managed to get to the dipstick after removing the air filter pipe and the inter cooler hose and found the oil was very clean ( like all the other fluids on the car- it's done 91k and full Volvo history) just slightly above the hot mark. I've got 15 litres of Carlube ATF-U oil is this ok to use and with the oil being clean( just a slight hint of brown) is it likely to make a difference to the smoothness, also where is the drain bolt as I struggled to see it underneath the car. Many thanks if you can give an assistance.

[krussel]

Originally Posted by LXA 36G

Hi, I've recently purchased an 04 c70 2.0 GT. It's exactly the spec I wanted, including being a dark colour with light interior( the black interior V70 that I used to have was like an oven inside when parked in the sun). And the most important feature being an automatic (5 speed) as I've no cartalidge remaining in my left knee. It drives overall very nice, however 2 things that are just spoiling it a bit is the brakes don't seem that good and am surprised that the gearbox doesn't change a bit smoother. Today I managed to get to the dipstick after removing the air filter pipe and the inter cooler hose and found the oil was very clean ( like all the other fluids on the car- it's done 91k and full Volvo history) just slightly above the hot mark. I've got 15 litres of Carlube ATF-U oil is this ok to use and with the oil being clean( just a slight hint of brown) is it likely to make a difference to the smoothness, also where is the drain bolt as I struggled to see it underneath the car. Many thanks if you can give an assistance.

Hi and welcome.

My C70 5 sp auto began harsh down shifting in the hotter weather so I changed my fluid and the harshness went.

Have a look here for a general guide.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...o+fluid+change

Funny enough I made a video of me changing the fluid although not for this forum or even meant as a guide. I did it for my radio friends so its a bit long winded but feel free to have a look as it gives you an idea.

The Atf-u is the correct fluid for the 5 sp but your going to need about 12 ltrs to do a 3 stage flush. I explain why in the video.

The video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UU0pim33Ww

[LXA 36G]

Originally Posted by krussel

Hi and welcome.

My C70 5 sp auto began harsh down shifting in the hotter weather so I changed my fluid and the harshness went.

Have a look here for a general guide.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...o+fluid+change

Funny enough I made a video of me changing the fluid although not for this forum or even meant as a guide. I did it for my radio friends so its a bit long winded but feel free to have a look as it gives you an idea.

The Atf-u is the correct fluid for the 5 sp but your going to need about 12 ltrs to do a 3 stage flush. I explain why in the video.

The video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UU0pim33Ww

Hi thanks for reply, I've watched your video a couple of times, do I need to remove the plastic cover at the front as I couldn't see any drain plug?

[krussel]

Yes the cover has to come off. You can then see the gearbox and the drain plug at the bottom left.

[LXA 36G]

Thankyou for your help, I will try next weekend, and let you know how I get on. It's liveable with I just feel the car could be a lot better.

[krussel]

Its one of those jobs that will need doing sooner or later. Just measure what you get out and put back the same.

If you lose the level its a little tricky but this video will help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyM3Z-RWvcw

Best of luck.

[SAS32]

It's also worth checking the condition of this part as I recently replaced mine and it made a big difference to what was already a smooth shifting box: http://www.partsforvolvosonline.com/...oducts_id=7260

The bushes on my 05 C70 were pretty worn at 80k and it's a part I have changed on two other Volvo's, one of which had only done 50k, with very positive results.

[fern30]

A definate yes for a change of gearbox fluid. Mine too suffered from a sharp change when warm especially dropping down the gears quickly but this is vastly improved with a fluid change. check out youtube for plenty of good vids/tips. just search for Volvo automatic fluid change.
Mine has covered 100000 miles and was pretty dark.

[LXA 36G]

Thanks for your suggestions. Tonight I drove it for the first time in the dark, being an 04 it has the later type lights, which I'm led to believe were a big improvement over the early ones, however on the twisty road on dipped when other cars came towards me I was struggling to see, is there anything that I can do to improve the output?

[krussel]

Originally Posted by LXA 36G

Thanks for your suggestions. Tonight I drove it for the first time in the dark, being an 04 it has the later type lights, which I'm led to believe were a big improvement over the early ones, however on the twisty road on dipped when other cars came towards me I was struggling to see, is there anything that I can do to improve the output?

Bit odd. I have the later clear lights and they are quite powerful.

Firstly check for reflector burn which is easy to spot with clear lenses. Trouble is the day time running lights means the lens suffer if they are good to start with.

I fitted nightbreakers to my C70 which also help. Here are some pics.