XC70 D5 Gearbox Fluid Change

[XCR]

I found the quotes from the local indy and the Volvo dealer very close, however the dealer offered to 'reset the adaptions' for an extra £108.
Anyone have any experience of this ?
Also worrying was that one dealer was suggesting only one sump dump but surely its 3 x 4 litre cycles, right ? I found myself explaining that if the original oil is degraded then changing out only 3 litres once would only improve the quality by 40% and for £300 thats not exactly VFM.
From my limited knowledge these 'boxes learn your driving style and adapt anyway....so what am I potentially paying for with an adaption reset ?
Also taking it to an indy I'm nervous that the fluid temperature could be overlooked when setting the fill level.

[Dancake]

Resetting the adaptations at the time of an oil change allows the gearbox to learn the best way to operate based on how the vehicle is driven. It's as close as you can get to resetting a gearbox without changing solenoids or other internal components that can wear. Over time the gearbox will have made adjustments to how it operates as a result of different driving styles, mechanical wear and oil degradation. New oil and an adaptation reset can be useful, but £108 does seem excessive for something that literally takes a couple of minutes to do. It's what you would expect to pay at the likes of a main dealer though. An adaptation reset can in some cases yield favourable results, but there are other times when it doesn't seem to do anything at all. You may even feel initially concerned about the different operating characteristics of the gearbox after an adaptation reset. I would personally have it done at the same time as an oil change, but don't expect miracles.

[Tatsfield]

What is "resetting the adaptations" of the gearbox? Is it a VIDA operation and if so, can an owner with VIDA do it for himself without the risk of damaging anything?

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Bashy

Yeah my bad, should have said 10L, it's just under £40

That’s a good price for AW1!!

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Tatsfield

What is "resetting the adaptations" of the gearbox? Is it a VIDA operation and if so, can an owner with VIDA do it for himself without the risk of damaging anything?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsT0UbAozx8

You can do it in VIDA. Click the on "TCM", then "Advanced" & there should be an option to reset the adaptions.

The Volvo Specialist that changed my fluid reset the adaptions & fluid counter. So the TCM knows the car has new fluid & its at the right level, plus the transmission has been 'adapted' to shift with the new fluid.

To be honest, I don't think its a 100% requirement to reset the adaptions after a fluid change. The transmission learns your driving style & 'adapts' itself anyway. I've watched plenty of videos where fluid has been changed & the adaptions haven't been touched.

[Bomster]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

That’s a good price for AW1!!

Honestly I find the whole ATF spec for these cars so confusing, specifically AW-1... to the point it makes just want to spend the extra and buy the Volvo AW-1 fluid.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Bomster

Honestly I find the whole ATF spec for these cars so confusing, specifically AW-1... to the point it makes just want to spend the extra and buy the Volvo AW-1 fluid.

I buy all my stuff from Volvo, it’s cheaper than Mann filters Castrol by some margin.

AW1 was more expensive.

Personally I would use any AW1 spec as the spec is always the same. The AW boxes are used across many manufacturers.

[XCR]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsT0UbAozx8

You can do it in VIDA. Click the on "TCM", then "Advanced" & there should be an option to reset the adaptions.

The Volvo Specialist that changed my fluid reset the adaptions & fluid counter. So the TCM knows the car has new fluid & its at the right level, plus the transmission has been 'adapted' to shift with the new fluid.

To be honest, I don't think its a 100% requirement to reset the adaptions after a fluid change. The transmission learns your driving style & 'adapts' itself anyway. I've watched plenty of videos where fluid has been changed & the adaptions haven't been touched.

Who did you use Kev ?

[XCR]

Maybe unrelated, but I cleaned the car earlier and found that the Michelins were non matching....the previous goon had put Summer tyres (Primacy) on the front and Winters on the rear ! No wonder I had a little bit of understeer in the snowy curves then ! So, today I've had her shod with some new Italian winter rubber - Pirelli Sottozero's all round and theres an immediate, noticeably improved ride and roadholding through the wet fast roundabouts....
No appreciable issues box wise though the change up is still not quite as early or crisp as I'd like it....

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

I buy all my stuff from Volvo, it’s cheaper than Mann filters Castrol by some margin.

AW1 was more expensive.

Personally I would use any AW1 spec as the spec is always the same. The AW boxes are used across many manufacturers.

The filters you buy from the dealership are Mann filters. Check the next one you buy, it'll have a Mann badge on it in Volvo packaging . Good that you can get them cheap from the dealership, I can't!

Originally Posted by Bomster

Honestly I find the whole ATF spec for these cars so confusing, specifically AW-1... to the point it makes just want to spend the extra and buy the Volvo AW-1 fluid.

Check your owners manual to be safe. Some take JWS3309 (depending on year). Then there was a change over from JWS3309 to AW-1 around 2011/2012 in all models, except the XC90.

Originally Posted by XCR

Who did you use Kev ?

Hallmark Volvo in Stockport (independent garage, not dealership).