Gearbox issue?

[Raddish]

I’ve got a 2010 xc70 d5 auto , 137k.
Just recently I’ve found the down shifts harsh, mainly 5-4th. Then yesterday and today when accelerating it seemed to be struggling to rev/gain speed. I came off the accelerator, and depressed it again( wasn’t a foot to floor acceleration, just steady) it was fine. Rest of journey was ok. Seemed almost like too high a gear and engine struggling. Is this a oil change issue?

[S60D5-185]

I would change the transmission fluid as a matter of course, particularly with that mileage.

Loads of threads on here as to how to do it and you can get 20 ltrs of oil for around £80.

Make absolutely sure that you get the correct spec oil though.

That would be my starting point.

How long have you owned the car and what mileage was on it when you bought it?

[Raddish]

Thanks
Cars got 137k, I got it 4yrs ago with 90k on. Don’t think it’s ever been changed. Spoke to my local garage, who have serviced and done anything to it in my ownership, and he’s skeptical about oil change, saying it could make it worse. Would software download help?

[Kev0607]

I don't think there's anything to be skeptical about. Volvo dealerships & Independent Specialists perform gearbox oil changes on a regular basis & I don't think they'd do it or recommend it if they caused harm. Having old/dirty fluid is more likely to cause issues if anything!

I'd change the fluid, get the software updated & see how you go from there.

[Tatsfield]

You could, in future, after the garage have made a total transmission fluid exchange, adopt a servicing schedule that you have them dump the gearbox sump fluid and replace it every time. This is not a full fluid change as a large part of the fluid is held in the torque converter and does not drain when the gearbox sump is drained. It merely refreshes the fluid and slows down the ageing process. Some owners do this sump dump and fill two or three times, driving the car in between, to eliminate most of the aged fluid held by the torque converter. Anything that you do to keep the fluid to the original spec must improve the life of the box.

[vogron]

I had the same issue on the same gears 5-4. I also had a kick when the engine was hot from P-D and during leaving the neutral control in D gear (traffic jam, traffic lights etc.)

There is an internal oil leak in these boxes which has been corrected after 2012 or 2014 ( I don't know exactly). You can read more about here: https://www.drive2.com/o/b/482952512115049038?page=0

So my car is almost the same 2011 XC70 D5 Auto with 140k KMs.

What have been completed:

- Transmission Control Module software update + adaptation-> The P-D and D (neutral control) kicks were totally gone.

- Transmission fluid flush with 12 liters (Volvo OEM - really expensive)
The old oil was really dirty, totally dark with tiny pieces of sludge or whatever. It was the second oil change, the first was at 90k kms.

So basically the transmission is now working fine. Sometimes I feel this harsh shift from 5-4 but very -very rare and not as hard as before. Maybe the problem is that the adaptation was performed with the old oil.

I would recommend to perform the same steps. If the issue still occurs you have to replace you valve body.