Have to change the transmission oil on sister's 2004 V-70 she just acquired. Apparently I can't use Mobil 1 ATF that I use on my 97 850. Volvo says warranty on the later model trannies will be void if you don't use theirs and something goes wrong with it. They want $21 a quart for theirs, takes 12 for a good flush. IPD says they sell an ATF oil that meets Volvo's standards, and that by some legal Act (can't remember what it is called), they can't void the warranty if you use an ATF oil specified for that transmission. IPD's oil sells for around $6 a quart, but it's not a full synthetic. Whether Volvo's $21 a quart ATF oil is a full synthetic I don't know. Can somebody please me which way to jump on this issue? Dick

This transmission is the 5 speed made by Aisen Warner which requires JWS3309 fluid. Aisen is a big supplier to Toyota as well.

Toyota Type IV fluid is identical stuff to the Volvo fluid and Mobil 1 3309 (All JWS3309 compatible) at less than $5 a quart at the Toyota dealer.
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2001 V70 T5 ASR, 2001 XC70, http://www.freewebs.com/howardsvolvos/

How often does the group recommend flushing the tranny on a 2004 V70 2.5T with the geartronic transmission?
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Steven 04 C70 HPT, 04 V70 2.5T Titanium

This tranny is the weak point of this car. There were design evolutions (valve body, b4 servo cover, transmission computer software) since 2001 introduction of this tranny on Volvos. Maybe they've worked the bugs out by 2004.

There is also no externally replaceable filters for the transmission fluid.

I flush my 01 every 30k miles. I think you'd be safe between 30-50k miles.
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2001 V70 T5 ASR, 2001 XC70, http://www.freewebs.com/howardsvolvos/

Steve--I own two 97 850 wagons and I flush the transmissions every two years with 12 quarts of Mobil 1 ATF. I find after two years that the fluid has lost its bright cherry red color and begins to smell burnt. I don't know what color the Mobil 3309 is as I've never used it yet. I also flush the brakes every two years whether they need it or not. But here I always use Volvo's brake fluid. Never anything else. Ditto their coolant. Dick

Yes, there is a law (I can't remember the name, either), but I remember that it stipulates that:
1) your warranty cannot be voided by using an equivalent product of another brand (just be sure it meets the posted standards, e.g., classification or test criteria);
and
2) if any manufacturer insists that if you don't use the product (lubricant, filter, etc.) that the manufacturer sells, they will void the warranty, then the manufacturer MUST give you the product for free.

Thus, since Volvo isn't giving ATF 3309 away for free, you're clear as long as you use Mobil 3309 bought elsewhere.

But if it doesn't say 3309, don't use it!

It's called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, aka Title 15, Chapter 50, section 2302(c) of the U.S. Code.

http://fatty.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode15/usc_sec_15_00002302----000-.html

You need to get mobile 3309 oil. It meets the same specification as the Volvo oil. Can't tell you about the legal stuff like will it will void the warrenty, but I've been using it in my 01 V70 T5 and it works great. If you do a search here on the forum on this oil you'll get several hits for where you can get it. Some of the Mobil local distributors carry it, but my local one in Fairfield Ca, does not, and they will NOT order it for you. Local part houses like Kragan, Pep Boys, etc, don't seem to stock it either, but it's been a year since I last looked. I understand you can also get it at Toyota dealers as some of their trannys run this stuff too, and they charge a lot less than Volvo. Good Luck. If you can't find it, I'll go through my records tonight and post where I got it.

Jerry
01 V70 T5

The ATF you use must meet standards of JWS3309. itdoes not have tobe purchased from volvo.as long as itmeets that standard they cannot void the warranty

Thanks guys for clearing me up the warranty issue and Mobil 3309. I really appreciated the feedback. Dick