8 Speed Geartronic

[gaby]

I believe all models have the AW TG-81SC (or AWF8F35: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AWF8F35),
except the T8 which has the AW TG-81SD.

[mordred1973]

I remember hearing some words that fill for life is the life of the transmission and not the vehicle...usually the transmissions in the 40-80K mile mark.
).[/QUOTE]

That is all fine but if true that an auto box is only expected to last 80k, it makes an auto almost financially insane, since a manual may need a clutch by 80k at a few hundred £, a new auto box (6 speed so the 8 may be dearer) is £5500. Glad I only had to make a contribution towards that as even a specialist refurb quote was c£3000.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by mordred1973

I remember hearing some words that fill for life is the life of the transmission and not the vehicle...usually the transmissions in the 40-80K mile mark.
).

That is all fine but if true that an auto box is only expected to last 80k, it makes an auto almost financially insane, since a manual may need a clutch by 80k at a few hundred £, a new auto box (6 speed so the 8 may be dearer) is £5500. Glad I only had to make a contribution towards that as even a specialist refurb quote was c£3000.[/QUOTE]

Can’t let this pass without comment.
Lifetime fluid is designed to remain within spec during average use to 100,000 miles. Thereafter it falls below spec and the transmission is likely to die at around 150k due to poor lubrication as a consequence. Therefore for most vehicles the transmission is likely to last the life of the rest of the car. However for intensive high mileage users and those that tow and drive hard, the transmissions life can be greatly extended, all other things being equal, by changing the fluid every 70,000 miles or so. Only a proportion of the fluid is changed at a time due to much remaining in coolers and the torque converter, but that doesn’t matter if the fluid is changed regularly.
Not sure what the procedure is for this transverse mounted model but the inline version has fluid pumped up through a pipe in the middle of the actual drain plug, which also acts as the fluid level indicator. Too much fluid runs over the top of the pipe and out. Imagine a drain plug within a drain plug.

[Quacker]

Hopefully this image will copy to show what I mean.



It might not be the same for the transverse, shorter, transmission. Do check before draining.

[prc68]

I was just looking through my service manual and at least on mine it says that the transmission needs an oil service every 60000KM or 3yrs.

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by prc68

I was just looking through my service manual and at least on mine it says that the transmission needs an oil service every 60000KM or 3yrs.

It varies with territory, driving conditions and probably over the production life of the car as well.
Everyone should check their individual car’s service recommendations and ideally whether this has been revised on later models with similar components. Never lengthen service intervals but if they have been shortened, do shorten them for your vehicle.

It seems to me that if a 60,000km service interval is recommended, then it is unlikely to have been initially filled with ‘lifetime’ or long life fluid.

If used in harsh conditions, a lot of towing near maximum weight, taxi type work and so on, and expecting 250,000 mile reliability, then 60,000km oil changes may be advisable even if long life fluid is used. The vast majority of vehicles will never exceed 150,000 miles before being scrapped for a variety of reasons, so transmission fluid changes are not so critical.

Fluid issues are not the only reasons that transmissions die anyhow. Seals may fail, solenoids stick, coolant may contaminate it, there may be weak components or bearings and so on. I had a clutch pack fail on another transmission last year due to the pack’s drum housing cracking and letting oil escape internally. No particular reason for it, just one of those things.

[mordred1973]

fingers crossed then that my XC60 which will be kept and relegated to number 2 car at some point, should make it 150,000 miles on the new gear box (which ties in roughly with the contribution Volvo made of 55%) since that'll take me to 225,000 mile and I am sure the rest will be falling apart by then lol

[GJB]

Originally Posted by mordred1973

fingers crossed then that my XC60 which will be kept and relegated to number 2 car at some point, should make it 150,000 miles on the new gear box (which ties in roughly with the contribution Volvo made of 55%) since that'll take me to 225,000 mile and I am sure the rest will be falling apart by then lol

Have you tried the V90 CC with 8 speed very pleased with mine and I consider better than the XC60 IMHO

[AndyBG]

Aisin...

[Quacker]

Aisin Warner, AW, manufacture the transmissions for Volvo, as they do for Lexus, Toyota, Audi, Isuzu and Mitsubishi. The eight speed geartronic is a short shaft version, for transverse engines, of the unit used in the diesel Audi Q7 with which it shares many components. It replaces one multiplate brake pack with an external brake band. [external to a planetary set not to the transmission housing]. This saves quite a bit of space, and of course the final drive is incorporated into the unit.
I’ll let professor John Kelly explain it in detail