S60 Geartronic Fluid Change

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Pointer7

Local Volvo dealer Quoted £480 as it needs to be flushed multiple times and values reset etc. and plus they will do the 3 recalls that are outstanding at the moment (not including the seatbelt).

Car has main dealer history all the way through and not absolutely sure I trust a local garage to do the flush properly.....

Seems a bit on the steep side to me.

[JJJ]

I would guess the S60 transmission is the same 8speed Aisin-Warner as in the previous XC60?

Locally, the transmission flush is done every 60k - KILOMETER, not miles - indicated as such in the service manual. So you are somewhat overdue.

It takes 12l to flush the transmission as you can only drain around 3 to 4l of fluid. The rest remains in the torque converter.

So the transmission is flushed 3x by diluting the remaining old or previously diluted oil, running the engine for 10 mins to "blend" the torque converter oil with that in the "sump" between each cycle.

It is a tedious process, so would also have a high labour cost.

Pop round to your Toyota dealer for a better oil price. AW is owned by them and they use the same transmission in some of their cars. The oil comes in 4l tins.

Your service manual is very specific about which standards the oil must comply to. Do not ignore this.

[Pointer7]

Kev,

I was expecting to pay around £400 so it isn't far off and as the car isn't too old (14 plate) I will keep using the dealer for now and also mainly for a bit of peace of mind, Holden Volvo have always been brilliant for me.

That will teach me for not reading the manual properly, I thought it was 60k miles... oops! someone once told me that the 8 Speed AW box is sealed for life which I personally think is a load of cobblers, something that needs/runs on oil is going to need that oil changed at some point surely? even if only for longevity purposes.

[rafikield]

Originally Posted by Pointer7

... someone once told me that the 8 Speed AW box is sealed for life which I personally think is a load of cobblers, something that needs/runs on oil is going to need that oil changed at some point surely? even if only for longevity purposes.

Well, Volvo official documents, as one linked here (https://www.volvocars.com/rs/support...ade-and-volume), does state that automatic gearboxes are "sealed for life" ("gearbox oil does not need to be changed under normal driving conditions").
However, most of us agree, that oil change will contribute to better work and longer life of gearbox.
BR

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by Pointer7

Kev,

I was expecting to pay around £400 so it isn't far off and as the car isn't too old (14 plate) I will keep using the dealer for now and also mainly for a bit of peace of mind, Holden Volvo have always been brilliant for me.

That will teach me for not reading the manual properly, I thought it was 60k miles... oops! someone once told me that the 8 Speed AW box is sealed for life which I personally think is a load of cobblers, something that needs/runs on oil is going to need that oil changed at some point surely? even if only for longevity purposes.

It is in most applications. Presumably South Africa is classed differently - perhaps for that market it's automatically (see what I did there) assumed that vehicles are operating under arduous conditions, as I think Volvo terms it?

[The Thong]

This is an interesting article from Horton Motors.

https://www.hortoncars.co.uk/volvo-n...and-solutions/

I have a couple of issues with my TF-80 Autobox. I get intermittent flaring and the odd knock but it works fine in manual mode. I’ve bought this issue up with two of my local dealers and I get the same reaction.... none!! They stay well away from the subject and I get the it’s sealed for life excuse. It’s obvious they’re not going to get involved, I’ve emailed Horton to see if they can do anything. I’ve paid for my warranty renewal yearly but that makes noooo difference what so ever. I’m very tempted to not renew this year and get my box serviced and hope it solves this issues.

TT

[Dash300]

Originally Posted by The Thong

This is an interesting article from Horton Motors.

https://www.hortoncars.co.uk/volvo-n...and-solutions/

I have a couple of issues with my TF-80 Autobox. I get intermittent flaring and the odd knock but it works fine in manual mode. I’ve bought this issue up with two of my local dealers and I get the same reaction.... none!! They stay well away from the subject and I get the it’s sealed for life excuse. It’s obvious they’re not going to get involved, I’ve emailed Horton to see if they can do anything. I’ve paid for my warranty renewal yearly but that makes noooo difference what so ever. I’m very tempted to not renew this year and get my box serviced and hope it solves this issues.

TT

Thanks Thong a very interesting link. As a regular tow car my VEA with Aisin 8 speed gets a main dealer oil change every 2 years and to date still performs impeccably. Now on 120K.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Pointer7

Kev,

I was expecting to pay around £400 so it isn't far off and as the car isn't too old (14 plate) I will keep using the dealer for now and also mainly for a bit of peace of mind, Holden Volvo have always been brilliant for me.

That will teach me for not reading the manual properly, I thought it was 60k miles... oops! someone once told me that the 8 Speed AW box is sealed for life which I personally think is a load of cobblers, something that needs/runs on oil is going to need that oil changed at some point surely? even if only for longevity purposes.

The transmission is "sealed for life". Volvo claim that the fluid only needs to be changed if the vehicle is used for towing heavy loads or as a taxi. In their view, it doesn't need to be changed if the vehicle isn't used for these purposes! However, lots of manufacturers claim their transmissions are also "sealed for life", so Volvo aren't on their own in that department.

I agree the transmission fluid needs to be changed at some point (even if it isn't used as a taxi or for towing). It wouldn't be wise to drive a car without ever changing the oil, nor is it wise to never change the transmission fluid using that same logic either. Plus, there's a drain & fill plug that's accessible = Fluid can be emptied & filled back up again (meaning the transmission isn't exactly "sealed" if you can drain/fill the fluid from it relatively easily). Volvo & other manufacturers just use the term "sealed for life" as a way of saying "maintenance free" (just a different slogan that means the same thing). Although, the transmission itself isn't "sealed" as such.

Its easy to see why people don't bother changing the transmission fluid in many respects. If the manufacturer doesn't specify it for cars that aren't used for towing heavy loads or as a taxi, then its a job that's forgotten about the majority of the time by those that don't use their vehicles for this purpose because Volvo say it doesn't need to be done. In fact, it may well be forgotten by those that do use their vehicles for taxi or towing purposes!

There's many a car bonnet throughout the country that is barely opened throughout the year, so it doesn't surprise me that the transmission is forgotten about. Although, one would hope that owners realise that no fluids or oil lasts forever & need to be changed to maintain strong operation.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by rafikield

does state that automatic gearboxes are "sealed for life" ("gearbox oil does not need to be changed under normal driving conditions").

There's a difference between writing up recommended procedures when the car is new and under warranty
and what is required for the car to still be in good order 5-10 years later when frankly, the manufacturer couldn't care less.
Unless Volvo have miraculously found the only fluid ever to not degrade over time and use, you rely on common sense and change the fluid.

[Simmy]

dont pay £480 thats a rip off main dealer price find a good local indie or do it yourself and save ££££££££s