Geartronic Jolt engaging D or R

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by bananarama

Interesting! So Horton mechanics do the standard work, and gearboxes are sent to a specialist workshop?

IIRC* Graham typically does up to and incl valve bodies, but anything that needs the 'box opening goes to his favoured specialist.

*I'm not infallible, but I think that's what he said - in fact it may be in one of his 2 articles on his site, which if you haven't read them, are worth a look.

[apersson850]

The "backyard" adaption has worked for me. Have used it a couple of times, when it seemed the gearbox controller lost grip of how to engage D/R from N.

But it takes there's no fault in the box, of course, or it will never improve. I can say that after rolling over to 360000 km the other day, gear shifting in my TF-80SC is as good as ever. You can hear gear shifting from the engine sound, and you can see it on the gauge. But there is very little to feel.

[bananarama]

I'm clinging to some hope, because aside from the violent engagement of D, everything else seems fine: engaging R is subtle and so are the up and downshifts.

I'll call Horton today, fingers crossed it is a obvious (and trivial) issue...

[apersson850]

The only time nowadays I've noticed my gearbox is harsh when starting is when towing the camping trailer in hot weather.

[bananarama]

Came across this article, not related to my situation, but nevertheless interesting!

https://www.ipdusa.com/Articles/678/...hift-Flare-etc

[jasons6930]

Yes i had seen that article although I think that is a Gen1 gearbox as it is a 2007 model it is related to. Gen II were from around 2010 iirc.

[bananarama]

Originally Posted by jasons6930

Yes i had seen that article although I think that is a Gen1 gearbox as it is a 2007 model it is related to. Gen II were from around 2010 iirc.

I thought it was 2011 onwards for Gen2? So difficult to know for sure!

It seems the article is sufficiently generic because at the top of the page it points out that:

"...This article was originally written in relation to the AW TF-80SC transmission but this same information applies to the TF-81SC..."

The end of the article is illuminating, and sad if true:

"...The local shops all blame Volvo’s aggressive software and lack of fluid servicing for this issue. Volvo designed the software for fuel mileage, not transmission longevity so the lock up function in the torque converter is being used far more than might be expected in lower gears. They just want less slippage since it adversely affects fuel economy. This issue is more apparent with vehicles that are primarily used for city driving or used to tow a trailer. It could have saved Volvo and us consumers a lot of money to simply have a externally replaceable oil filter on the transmission. So why didn't they do this? The most likely explanation is that they wanted to reduce the cost forecast for the first 3 years of ownership. If you put a filter on there, then it would imply that needs to be serviced right?..."

[Bonefishblues]

Do you have an update after your conversation?

[apersson850]

Yes, it's obvious that Volvo's recommendation that you never need to replace the oil in the gearbox is to make maintenance costs look lower. Volvo claims it's not needed; the gearbox oil will last the lifetime of the gear box.
Which of course is right. It's just that the lifetime will be shorter.

On the other hand, Volvo knows very well that you need to replace the oil. In cars like taxis, where Volvo offers a three year drive train warranty (at least in Sweden they do), Volvo requires that the gearbox oil should be replaced every year or every 120000 km, whichever comes first. Because in this case, it's at Volvo's expense if it breaks.

My XC70 has now passed 360000 km. The gearbox shifts as nicely as ever, in spite of quite a lot of trailer towing during these kilometers. But I do replace th e oil on regular intervals, since I don't believe in eternal life for mechanical components.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by apersson850

Yes, it's obvious that Volvo's recommendation that you never need to replace the oil in the gearbox is to make maintenance costs look lower. Volvo claims it's not needed; the gearbox oil will last the lifetime of the gear box.
Which of course is right. It's just that the lifetime will be shorter.

On the other hand, Volvo knows very well that you need to replace the oil. In cars like taxis, where Volvo offers a three year drive train warranty (at least in Sweden they do), Volvo requires that the gearbox oil should be replaced every year or every 120000 km, whichever comes first. Because in this case, it's at Volvo's expense if it breaks.

My XC70 has now passed 360000 km. The gearbox shifts as nicely as ever, in spite of quite a lot of trailer towing during these kilometers. But I do replace th e oil on regular intervals, since I don't believe in eternal life for mechanical components.

Firstly I don't know where you are from , I can only speak about Volvo in UK . Different Markets have different service requirements .

Volvo have never claimed that the gearbox is sealed for life and that oil changes are not Necessary , I would like to see your evidence on your statement for interest to see how it compares .

Volvos optional Auto Gearbox oil change service is 36000 miles .

If I was running one I would change the Auto Gearbox oil every 54000 miles if planning to keep the car a long time .

Having said that the vast majority of volvo auto gearboxes that never have a gearbox oil change are running happily well over 100,000 miles .