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850 tranny fluid[ALL/1998] posted by Cheng Chang on
Tuesday, 16 September 1997, at 12:05 p.m.
What kind of synthetic transmission fluid should I get for my '94 850? Based on the consensus of the group, it's a good idea to change the fluid every 40k. Do I have to buy the fluid from the dealers or I can just get the right Dexon III fluid anywhere? How much is it? How many quart do I need?
Thanks
Cheng
Re: 850 tranny fluid[ALL/1998] posted by Paul Elliott on
Tuesday, 16 September 1997, at 1:12 p.m.
I dont know...My dealer just told me that they never change the fluid in these 50-42 trannys, although they *do* recommend changing the fluid in the AW-71 trannies, so its apparently not a Volvo thing, but is related to our particular tranny. Anyway, he says they never change the fluid in our model, and have never had to replace in any way any 850 tranny. The only exception is if the fluid gets obviously burnt from very unusual circumstances far out of the norm. I have , though , read of problems involved in the replacing of the fluid. So, I'd be very circumspect when it comes to this ATF, and not treat it like every other ATF you've come to know. There's a reason Volvo recommends specific treatment to this model. I would not ignore it just because it 'seems' unusual. But, that's just my opinion.
Re: 850 tranny fluid[ALL/1998] posted by Bill Matthews on
Thursday, 25 September 1997, at 9:24 p.m.
I like to drive my 850 with enthusiasm so was concerned about this "no change needed" procedure. I had mine changed at 30k miles (15k after the IPD ECU & exhaust system upgrades) by the independent shop I use in lieu of my dealer. Maybe I don't need to but old habits are hard to break and if it gives me another 10k+ before I need a rebuild then it will be worth it. I'll have it changed again at 60k (if I don't have to do a rebuild before) Every US car I've ever owned with an automatic trans. required a transmission rebuild ever 40-60k miles so I really am hoping for better with my 850 given the cost of a rebuild on it.
Bill Matthews
Hockessin DE
73 1800ES
94 855T
Re: 850 tranny fluid[ALL/1998] posted by Paul Elliott on
Friday, 26 September 1997, at 1:17 p.m.
Yeah, this issue really has me up in the air....My Volvo dealer tells me that they've never had to replace a transmission on any automatic 850 ever and they never change the atf! And, this service writer has always been very straight with me. There MUST be something about these 850s which preclude the atf changes, because the AW71 tranny model (ours is called a '50-42') used in other Volvos do not have such a preclusion against such changes, and recommend changing at about 25,000 miles. So, whether its the initial fluid used,
or the nature of this model tranny, there has to be a reason why Volvo specifically excludes the suggestion tochange, or flush.
Did you happen to note the color of your fluid when or around the time you changed it? Just curious. Mine's a clearish , pinkish, brown...but pretty light in color....I hear that when its been burnt, it turns a very darkish
color, so I feel safe....Even if I didnt , though, I'd really have to cooerce Volvo service to change it, and even then, I'm not sure they'd do it, since the factory is so adamant about not doing it.
Re: 850 tranny fluid[ALL/1998] posted by Bill Matthews on
Saturday, 27 September 1997, at 10:00 a.m.
Fluid was as yours clear pinkish brown in color when I had it changed. Based on what it looked like it didn't look like it needed changed but like I said old habits die hard. How many people do you know outside of your Volvo/car nut friends who drain and replace brake fluid every 2 years ?
Bill Matthews
Hockessin DE
94 855T
73 1800ES
Re: 850 tranny fluid[ALL/1998] posted by Orson on
Saturday, 4 October 1997, at 6:22 p.m.
Some clarification please. Does Volvo specifically recommend against changing the fluid or does is it that Volvo has not recommended a fluid change.
In the first case, that would suggest that there is something special about the fluid, especially if they threaten to void the warranty. However, the owners manual for my 1996 850 doesn't say anything special about the ATF fluid. It says merely to use the Mercon/Dexron ATF. On the other hand, it has very specific instruction on the manual tranny: use only Volvo manual tranny fluid. It is also very specific about the anti-freeze: use only Volvo anti-freeze.
Therefore, I would say that there is no harm in changing the ATF. My guess (having some experience with how GM tests vehicle reliability) is that Volvo found they could push a car to 100,000 miles (or 150k or whatever their target is) with no fluid change and no significant degradation of parts. This would be the second case -- they don't recommend a change because you don't need it according to their durability schedule.