S60 d4 2014 Geartronic fluid change

[bobmccann]

Hi all,

I'm looking to change the fluid in my geartronic unit. The car has 120k and from the service history doesn't appear to ever have had the fluid changed, so must be due now. Apart from drain and fill a few times from the drain plug, and then setting the level with the engine running, has anybody tried vacuum pumping the fluid out from the top filler port? I did this on an older geartronic that had a dip stick, but the later versions don't have one. I'm just interested to see if there is a shortcut.

Cheers

Bob

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by bobmccann

Hi all,

I'm looking to change the fluid in my geartronic unit. The car has 120k and from the service history doesn't appear to ever have had the fluid changed, so must be due now. Apart from drain and fill a few times from the drain plug, and then setting the level with the engine running, has anybody tried vacuum pumping the fluid out from the top filler port? I did this on an older geartronic that had a dip stick, but the later versions don't have one. I'm just interested to see if there is a shortcut.

Cheers

Bob

The commonly held view (I am not stating it as fact) is that as the solution degrades the transmission control module (TCM) compensates for this (this is fact) and that if you take fully degraded fluid (which at 120k it will be) and renew with fresh you will log a fault code/be unable to drive.

I have full facilities including VIDA/DICE and I did transmission sump dumps. I noticed a notable improvement in my changes each time and that was with fluid that was degraded with 70K on the clock. Mine had also never towed.

I found my fluid lovey after 4 dumps and I did reset my TCM adaptations.

My advice would be to not consider a removal and replace unless you have the facility to reset the adaptations. At 120k I shudder to think what your fluid will look like and the TCM will no doubt be working overtime to compensate for.

My advice is to do the much gentler, cheaper and sympathetic sump dumps.

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by bobmccann

Hi all,

I'm looking to change the fluid in my geartronic unit. The car has 120k and from the service history doesn't appear to ever have had the fluid changed, so must be due now. Apart from drain and fill a few times from the drain plug, and then setting the level with the engine running, has anybody tried vacuum pumping the fluid out from the top filler port? I did this on an older geartronic that had a dip stick, but the later versions don't have one. I'm just interested to see if there is a shortcut.

Cheers

Bob

Take it to a specialist, there’s a chap in Warrington who is a Volvo specialist called SLR Motors. He should have all the toys to do the job.

TT

[Pointer7]

Specialist is a good alternative, I did mine at Holden Volvo though for £350, night and day difference and the car had only done 60k miles

[bobmccann]

Hi All,

Thanks for your replies. I'm lucky enough to have VIDA/DICE so resetting the adaptations is not a problem. After 120k I'm thinking I might have to get the fluid out with a spoon! My last s60 fluid was black when it came out, so I'm thinking this will be the same.
For those that have done the change on this AW box, which fluid did you use? It has changed from 3309 spec to the AW-1 equivalent.

Again everybody, all replies and ideas are welcome.

Regards

Bob

[Familyman 90]

I'd have to check the file for the exact number, but mine was well under £300 at Bells Volvo in Northampton. I'd had people on here telling me it would be £500, but they were well wide of the mark. I shall get it done again this year.

The gearbox is adaptive will re-learn to the new fluid over a short period of time, the same way it did as the fluid aged, but as you have VIDA anyway that isn't an issue.

The counter, which is something else entirely, counts the number of times the fluid has been up to temperature and after a certain number of cycles has been reached logs a trouble code, nothing more. It does not affect the behaviour of the transmission in any wsy.

[Tannaton]

What year is your car? If you have a Euro 6 model, it's likely VIDA isn't compatible with it. I think I'm correct in saying (I'm no expert) that the "old" VIDA works up to 2015MY only. Have you had it hooked up before?

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Familyman 90

I'd have to check the file for the exact number, but mine was well under £300 at Bells Volvo in Northampton. I'd had people on here telling me it would be £500, but they were well wide of the mark. I shall get it done again this year.

I had the fluid changed and the TCM software updated at the local indie for £280 last year, a few years before I had the fluid changed at the main dealer for £270.

It's a fairly common procedure, I don't understand why there isn't a fixed price for it.

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by Pointer7

Specialist is a good alternative, I did mine at Holden Volvo though for £350, night and day difference and the car had only done 60k miles

What he said… I had mine done at Hortons too and it made a big difference

TT

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

What year is your car? If you have a Euro 6 model, it's likely VIDA isn't compatible with it. I think I'm correct in saying (I'm no expert) that the "old" VIDA works up to 2015MY only. Have you had it hooked up before?

Vida works on all non spa vehicles so op will be ok here.

Fluid should be AW1 but call Volvo to confirm (it is not 3309)