XC70: Gearbox What is as "Adaptive Road Test" ?

[Ian21401]

My daughter acquired, from our main dealer, a 2011 XC70, AWD, D5, automatic last February with 88,000 recorded miles. She had a V50, D5, automatic before that so was familiar with the auto box characteristics. She is in the habit of selecting Neutral with foot brake on when stopped in traffic for more than a few seconds then selecting Drive to move away. The V50 did this seamlessly but the XC70 frequently gave a distinctive "thump" when Drive was selected. As the car is still within warranty this was drawn to the attention of the main dealer. The main dealer initially hinted that there was possibly a sticking valve or a replacement gearbox may be required. They have advised us that they have performed an "Adaptive Road Test" in an effort to solve the problem but have been unable to explain to us exactly what that is. It's too early to say whether this has solved the problem. Is there anyone out there who can explain this procedure ?

[SwissXC90]

It is a specific sequence of speeds and selected gears designed to get the gearbox to relearn the adaptive shifting points and shift speeds to help with smooth shifting

The gearbox is always monitoring and responding to driver styles and gearbox characteristics.

The adaptive relearn accelerates the learning procedure, and is mainly there to force a relearn after a gearbox repair.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

My daughter acquired, from our main dealer, a 2011 XC70, AWD, D5, automatic last February with 88,000 recorded miles. She had a V50, D5, automatic before that so was familiar with the auto box characteristics. She is in the habit of selecting Neutral with foot brake on when stopped in traffic for more than a few seconds then selecting Drive to move away. The V50 did this seamlessly but the XC70 frequently gave a distinctive "thump" when Drive was selected. As the car is still within warranty this was drawn to the attention of the main dealer. The main dealer initially hinted that there was possibly a sticking valve or a replacement gearbox may be required. They have advised us that they have performed an "Adaptive Road Test" in an effort to solve the problem but have been unable to explain to us exactly what that is. It's too early to say whether this has solved the problem. Is there anyone out there who can explain this procedure ?

Is your car ok now after the road test ? If it starts bumping again the gearbox will need to be dismantled and modified internal oil seals fitted ...

The adaptive road test has to be switched on by the dealers VIDA diagnostic equipment the gearbox must also have the latest software to do this .

[I-S]

Why select neutral at a stop?

[MikeBJ]

Originally Posted by I-S

Why select neutral at a stop?

I do. And I use the electric parking brake, notably if I'm sitting at lights for a while.

I also had similar problems as noted by the op with my 2011 D3 V70, 48,000 miles, including an occasional hard down-change 5 to 4. An oil change and software update (with the adaptive road test) appears to have resolved this.

The box is now quieter and more responsive, with far less inclination to change down when I don't want it to while driving narrow, twisty hills, where one frequently comes off throttle coming into a corner.

This was not, however, a cheap exercise. If the box hasn't had an oil change recently then it's worth getting done. I suspect the dealer will tell you the thing is "sealed for life", and certainly my supplying dealer (non Volvo) refused to cover this when it was first flagged during the 6 months warranty they gave on the car.

But my preferred Volvo dealer (Perth) was the one who suggested the oil change!

[tt82]

Bad practice with modern auto's. Leave it in D unless your going to be stopped for more than a few minutes.

[I-S]

Mike - no problem that you do.

My question (and specifically to the op) though was why?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by MikeBJ

I do. And I use the electric parking brake, notably if I'm sitting at lights for a while.

I also had similar problems as noted by the op with my 2011 D3 V70, 48,000 miles, including an occasional hard down-change 5 to 4. An oil change and software update (with the adaptive road test) appears to have resolved this.

The box is now quieter and more responsive, with far less inclination to change down when I don't want it to while driving narrow, twisty hills, where one frequently comes off throttle coming into a corner.

This was not, however, a cheap exercise. If the box hasn't had an oil change recently then it's worth getting done. I suspect the dealer will tell you the thing is "sealed for life", and certainly my supplying dealer (non Volvo) refused to cover this when it was first flagged during the 6 months warranty they gave on the car.

But my preferred Volvo dealer (Perth) was the one who suggested the oil change!

No volvo dealer workshop will tell you that ...

[Finbo]

They may not use those exact words, but they don’t recommend the gearbox oil is changed either...

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Finbo

They may not use those exact words, but they don’t recommend the gearbox oil is changed either...

Yes they do , they have done for many years , changed at 36000 or 54000 miles if the car is used for towing or taxi work or other "arduous " conditions ...
changing it every 54000 miles is a good investment .