Tranny fluid for 2001 C-70

I have a 2001 C-70 with 19k miles on it Looking ahead aways, I will need to
flush and re-fill the auto tranny, but the manual says to only use a
"special Volvo fluid".

Hmmm. Sounds like another way keep you going to the dealer for maintenance
items that you can do in your garage. To reinforce this thought, I've
called the dealer and been told that they can't sell the fluid; you have to
have them do the work for you (at $86/hr for labor).

OK, what's the deal with this fluid? Is the fluid really special? A
mechanic friend tells me that regular Dexron fluid will be fine.

Thoughts?

 

Why change the fluid so early? It's way before the interval in the manual.

I would use synthetic ATF when you change it, or really flush it, so you get
most of it out.

See www.volvospeed.com

 

The manual says " I " for Inspect at 100,000km. I asked the dealer to
change/flush mine &they said that it was not necessary.

 

Yeah, and they'd step right up to replace the tranny when it failed too
wouldn't they.

Do you have an ANSWER to my question?

 

I recently sold an 850 with a slipping transmission; the manual said that
the fluid never needed changing or flushing. It would seem that the manual
writers aren't exactly "conservative.

As I said, I'm just planning ahead. I'm getting mixed responses on the
synthetic vs. dino oil question. Some say use synthetic, other say don't
use synthetic.

Thanks for the link.

 

NEVER change the fluid. I have changed fluid in 2 of my 4 Volvos at 60K and
not a one went beyond 120K. On the other hand, the two that I never changed
fluid in made it to 175K and are going strong.

 

Assuming we have the same type of box - they are wrong!

I got mine tested at 30K (it also got changed - but I wanted the test
results) - the ATF was outside spec and needed changing. After
changing things got smoother although I wasn't having any problems in
the first place anyhow.

Sean

 

When you DID change yours, did you use synthetic or conventional ATF? What
were the Volvo models of the ones you changed and the ones you didn't
change?

 

Contact any Volvo dealer in the states they will sell
you the special transmission fluid in any quantity you
desire & if you are not able to find one who will post
back & I will forward information on who to contact
Glenn

 

Roger that Vancouver, listen to my story, see '850 FWD Tranny service
issues'

Peace

 

The two dealers that are in the Portland OR. area and the dealer south of
Seattle WA. all say that they are not allowed to sell the "special fluid".
The service must be done in their shops.

 

How much do you need I can probably send you some via
ups

 

I appreciate the offer, but it won't solve my long-term problem. After
having a '93 850 that never had the dreaded tranny problems, I am sold on
the practice of changing out the fluid by draining out as much as I can and
replacing with new every third regular oil change or so. I know, I know,
I'm not getting even half of the old fluid out, but my theory is that the
continuous introduction of 1/2 new fluid keeps the entire mass closer to
spec.

I know that the opinions of the folks here vary on the is topic, and I
respect the opinions of all, but my method let's me sleep peacefully at
night.

So I'm back to the original problem; I need a ready supply of an acceptable
fluid to put in the Volvo tranny. Since I can't get any "special fluid"
locally (Vancouver WA.)I think I'm stuck with either traditional (dino)
Mercon III or synthetic. Does anyone know if the Volvo "special fluid" is a
synthetic? Logic tells me that it wouldn't be good to mix dino with
synthetic.

 

Try this place. They seem to carry tranny fluid for most all models.

http://www.volvopartstore.com/volvo_automatic_transmission_fluid.html

 

I ran into a similar situation with my wife's '00 MB.

The service requirements specify that only MB fluid be used and serviced
only by a dealer. Supposedly, a fluid change usually should never has to be
done. etc. etc. What this fluid is must be a trade secret, but it's not
cheap. It was over $10 a quart (maybe more), and the car takes 9 quarts or
so.
I called the dealer and asked how much it costs to change the fluid. I
seem to recall that it was about $300 or so!

Good luck.

Bob
Seattle