AWD Transmission: Partial gearbox oil change, counter question

[12345]

Hi

Looking back at old posts people have had their gearbox oil counter reset.

My Volvo Indy is going to do a partial oil change (around 4 litres) on my 185 6 speed.

Does the oil counter need to be reset for a partial oil change ?

And if it wasn't reset but should have, what will happen ? ie errors.

Thanks

Rob

[ian ferguson]

Originally Posted by 12345

Hi

Looking back at old posts people have had their gearbox oil counter reset.

My Volvo Indy is going to do a partial oil change (around 4 litres) on my 185 6 speed.

Does the oil counter need to be reset for a partial oil change ?

And if it wasn't reset but should have, what will happen ? ie errors.

Thanks

Rob

I have a 2006 Exc 185 6 speed I did mine last August using the Gibbons method and the car runs a lot smoother, I didn't know about or set the oil counter and i don't have any warning lights. As i understand from this forum Volvo don't recommend ATF changes so why the oil counter?. This raises a question hopefully someone can answer.
Ian

[A lex]

Daft question perhaps... but why only the partial change?

[12345]

Originally Posted by A lex

Daft question perhaps... but why only the partial change?

I've heard mixed opinions. I can't find anyone locally that will do the full flush method. Including a auto gearbox specialist.
Also, that draining all the fluid can dislodge any dirt in the gearbox and may remain.
My local Volvo service manger said its not worth draining my gearbox at 93,000.

So for £108, my Volvo Indy will drain just the box and then I may get it done again at the next service.

My thinking is that a partial drain will hopefully replace some lubricantion of the oil if it's been reduced over time. And is better than nothing.

I will ask to see a sample of what comes out.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by ian ferguson

I have a 2006 Exc 185 6 speed I did mine last August using the Gibbons method and the car runs a lot smoother, I didn't know about or set the oil counter and i don't have any warning lights. As i understand from this forum Volvo don't recommend ATF changes so why the oil counter?. This raises a question hopefully someone can answer.
Ian

Clan once posted that Volvo do recommend changing the gearbox oil every 36,000 miles but this is only recommended and not part of the mandatory service schedule. I've also heard that in other countries, it is part of the mandatory schedule.

I am guessing but I think the gearbox oil counter is purely a means of knowing when it was last done as it is not part of a scheduled service - the gearbox doesn't behave any differently as a result.

To do a drain and refill you are changing less than a half of the fluid - done properly via the gibbons method you should be able to change 85%-95% of it but you will need about 3x as much oil. It's not like an engine where it all drops into the sump - a lot gets trapped in the various channels, valves and chambers and probably several litres in torque converter.

Any type of changes will help, but if you do the simple drain and refill I would suggest doing it more often (say every 18k?).

[bobdabuilda]

On forums for high end marques I have found several highly recommended 'indies' that do all the 'specialist stuff' specific to that marque. I think we should all post if there is a good Volvo indie that would be worth travelling to for that little bit of extra service and knowledge.
ATF change via the Gibbons method is one such service that I have not seen widely advertised by the indies or the dealers, so is there anyone who can recommend a garage?

[Ducklakeview]

As far as I can remember, the oil counter keeps tabs on the number of times the oil exceeds a certain temperature, and if it goes over this number, it flags up a "transmission service required" message, it doesn't monitor the actual "time in service" or condition of the fluid.

Mike

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Ducklakeview

As far as I can remember, the oil counter keeps tabs on the number of times the oil exceeds a certain temperature, and if it goes over this number, it flags up a "transmission service required" message, it doesn't monitor the actual "time in service" or condition of the fluid.

Mike

http://www.aa-equipment.nl/files/Vov...nge[1].pdf

[12345]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

http://www.aa-equipment.nl/files/Vov...nge[1].pdf

Thanks for that.
So if I'm only doing a partial change, the system won't know that I have. It simply continues to add to its count every time it's under major stress. ie towing a caravan across the Sahara!!

I shall just leave counter as it is ?

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by 12345

Thanks for that.
So if I'm only doing a partial change, the system won't know that I have. It simply continues to add to its count every time it's under major stress. ie towing a caravan across the Sahara!!

I shall just leave counter as it is ?

I wouldn't worry too much about the counter - if it gets above a certain threshold it will pop up a "transmission service required" message but this is unlikely unless you are towing heavy objects and/or in the Sahara.