Hi all

I have recently drained and replaced the 1.5 year old Dexron III ATF with the fully synthetic Castrol Transmax Z, which in Australia is Castrol's recommended ATF for the 850 Turbo.

Now, the gear shift behaviour seems to be a lot different from what I am used to with the car. It seems that the car is holding on to first gear for a lot longer than it used to.

Disturbingly, I somehow just don't feel the same rush of power that the car used to give me. I don't thing it's my imagination that the revs climb a fair bit higher before the trans shifts up a gear than with the old ATF.

Has anyone had this experience?

Thanks
Lucast

The "cold" mark on the transmission dipstick actually means the level after idling the car from cold about 15 minutes and then checking (see your owners manual) Warm is after driving around for a while.

Wonder if you accidentally hit the "sport" switch from "econ" and that's what you are noticing.

Hi Gwen

I have driven this car for the last few years on "S". Which should hold the gears longer than "E" I know.

I have come to the conclusion that I am just habituated to how the transmission feels with a Dexron III type ATF. With the new synthetic ATF and the much smoother feel, the trans sounds funny to my ears and feels much less 'heavy'. It'll probably take me a while more to get used to it but yes, it is different. I suppose it's the same as using a synthetic oil in the crankcase as opposed to using a dino or semi-syn. I should know better that synthetics just have that much more slippery feel.

FWIW, I had a look at the price of a bottle of Castrol Transmax Z at the auto supply store yesterday and had a fright. I had forgotten that I had bought the 12 liters during a sale. Thank heavens I won't have to change the fluid for a while yet!

Lucast

LUCAST is in Australia and I believe he meant to type 40C for temperature, not 40 farenheit. :)

Klaus
--
Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Yes, sorry about that. It's in Celsius. ATF temp after 15 minutes of idle is 40C as per the car manual and 80C after a normal drive.

Hi all

It was likely that I had overfilled the transmission first time round.

I have removed a sufficient quantity so that the oil level is at the COLD mark with the engine just under 40 degrees. Now the oil level just sits in the middle of the HOT zone after a good drive.

It's all good now.

Thanks fellas for the input.

Lucast

That is not our experiance with switching to Mobil 1 ATF, just smoother shifts.

"S" is supposed to hold your shift until about 5K, unless you let off the gas pedal. Try driving it again, but let the tranny warm up for a mile or two first.

When the fluid is hot, it should be just a little above the mark.

Klaus
--
Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Two things come to mind.

1) did you do the flush with one of those power flushing machines? They are known to cause problems.

2) you don't have enough fluid in the transmission. Drive the car until everything is GOOD and WARM and then park on a level surface, shift through each gear shift pos resting 5 secs at each step, and then put it in park and get out and check it. Make sure the level is up to the top of the hot side.

Just to make sure everything is okay.

Hi

Thanks for replying:

1. I replaced the ATF using the coolant return line method as described on this forum. Done it the same way with the old ATF in this car.

2. With the engine running, the fluid level is indeed in the hot side (just a tad past it). I had checked the level immediately after a decent drive again late last night and it was the same.

Lucast

I have used Mobil 1 in an 850 and in S70's with no change as you are suggesting. Did you happen to change the transmission mode to W or S? Generally we notice a crisper shift. Oil level in transmission not low?

dick

Hi Dick

Thanks for replying.

The car has always been set to use the Sport mode. (Must see later if the W is on as well - could have accidentally tripped it?).

As to the level of the ATF - I have checked it about three times already with the engine running, and even after a good drive, it's on the hot side?

Will check everything again today. You never know.

Lucast