i just checked my trans fluid and its a quart low, its also brown instead of red so i was gonna add a quart to it and my mechanic told me i shud put a transmission treatment in called lucas because the color of my fluid means i have been burning the original transmission fluids and totally changing the tranny fluid on older cars like mine is only going to make things worse bc new fluid is to thin and trannys work on their oil pressure. kind of confusing to me but anyway i bought 1quart of tranny oil, but i feel like i shud listen to my mechanic,the catch is that he's my dad and he is giving me this info from a jail phone.. so is my mechanic right about any of this? has anyone ever tried this treatment, it comes in a white bottle.. help...

Hi,
having two 850s-94 (220kkm&300kkm) I have done the flushing every 3years/100kkm without any problems with the same type of mineral atf for security. except last time I used mobil synth atf for curiosity and knowing that there is a risk of leaks due to the different oil type used. Now waiting for winter temperatures to see if synth is worth the extra money, in summer I feel no difference else that new atf has allways given smoother new gears.
br tapsa

I would change the fluid, using the exact specified type (doesn't need to be from Volvo), and use no additives. I think the idea that you shouldn't change fluid on an old trans is an old canard which makes no sense. Why would anyone deliberately not perform a needed maintenance task? If changing fluid "causes" something to go bad that thing was about to go anyway.

I had a hard shifting 240 with fluid so bad I had to scrape the sludge out of the pan with a paint scraper. Once cleaned and flushed it shifted like new, and I've been a believer ever since.

I use the 1/2" clear tubing method (as Klaus described), but I use a 2 liter soda bottle and have my wife start and stop the car as required. I find that I can't fill quite as fast as the transmission can pump. Keep flushing until the output is a nice red color.

Once the fluid looks good I also hold the brake then cycle the gear selector through the gears once or twice to make sure I get everything.

I wonder why you were a quart low... Have you checked for leaks?

Good luck,
Robert
'88 245, '97 850R

Tough question. Lucas does make a good product, but check the label carefully before buying and make sure it is combatible with the fluid you are using.

To flush or not to flush, this is a long debate. Some say don't if there are already a lot of miles on the car (150K plus). I flushed mine at 120K and did not have any problems. Never use a machine to flush it, the pressures are too high and can ruin things. I also would not drain any tranny fluid from the sump, That introduces air which is not needed.

If you decide to flush, do it the easy way. Pull the top line to the radiator and get some clear 1/2in tubing to direct the old tranny fluid to a gallon jug. Get 3 gallon jugs and mark each at the 2 quart level. Then start the car, let 2 gallons pump out - about 20 seconds, and then pour 2 new quarts of fluid in through the dipstick hole. You will need a good long neck funnel designed to go into the tranny dipstick, most autoparts stores have them for $2.
Repeat the above unitl you have poured 10-12 quarts back in the tranny. Never pump out more than 2 quarts at a time, otherwise you will get air into the pump and ruin it.

Button up the car, drive it for 30 minutes, and then check the level of the fluid using the hot side of the dipstick.

Klaus
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Volvoless. Sold the R. There is now a void...