does anybody know what fluid goes into Aisin AW55-50SN transmission? Following a wrong information from a negligent/irresponsible parts guy at one of New York's
Volvo dealerships I added a quart of Dextron III.Later I learned that it was a big mistake. I must flush the tranny many times to remove most of the contamination. List price for Volvo's fluid #1161540 is $15 a litre!. The tranny's capacity is about 8L. I need probably 25 L to minimize the risk.
Can I get exactly the same stuff under different name and for much less money?
Thanks, Rad

For the lack of better info I would bite the bullet and flush the tranny with Volvo ATF. I don't know much about the new one but the old tranny would require 12 liters for a flush so your cost would be $180, but it's a small price to pay for the peace of mind. If you use any other synthetic ATF (Amsoil, Mobil, Castrol) your would save maximum $100. Is it really worth it?
Happy flushing.

What year?

Probably not a lot of harm done, even if it does take the new juice.

My usual advice from my Amsoil dealer (me): Use Amsoil Synthetic Universal ATF and don't sweat it. It exceeds any of the new tranny fluid requirements.
--
www.fidalgo.net/~brook4

Here are the trans fluid specs for my S-70
from the owner's manual (quoted):



Automatic transmission fluid
Quality: ATF Dexron IIE/ III and Mercon
Capacity: 8 US qts. (7.6 liters)

Manual transmission fluid
Quality: Volvo synthetic gearbox oil 1161423
Capacity: 2.2 US qts (2.1 liters)



All specifications are subject to change without notice.

--
MH 1999 S-70 GLT

Thank you.your transmission is different. Rad

Hunh!!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as I know the New V70s 2001 and on plus all S60s have a new type of Fluid that can only be obtained at the dealer at this time. But as far as I know all S70 use Dextron III. Check your owner’s manual. I would bet you that you did no wrong and your car requires Dextron III.

Steven---

I have the Volvo's internal Tech-net Notes bulletin in front of me. It says in block letters: "Do not use any other fluid for this transmission"
"Dextron III/Mercon is NOT approved" . The new Saturn SUV (V6 engine) uses the same transmission. Would the fluid be identical? Saturn's price is less than half of Volvo's.
Rad.

Hi Rad,

Where you have me confused is you posted a S70? I do not believe that S70 ever used the new AISIN transmission.

I supposed Volvo could have used the newer transmission in the last model year S70. If the owner's manual states what you told me then you did pour the wrong fluid into the transmission.

However, if the transmission is working correctly (that is shifting normally) then you did no damage. And a good flush will work just fine.

You are correct that Saturn VUE (V6 engine) uses the same transmission as Volvo. GM and Aisin have had a very close relationship for many years.

So here is what you do. Go and buy a bottle of the Saturn ATF and a bottle of Volvo ATF. Open both bottles of AFT and pour a small amount into separate glass jars. If both ATFs are almost clear and both have a light pink color then you are correct the AFT fluid are the same. However if one is a dark red color then you are sunk. Also mix the 2 oils and shake the jar. Then let it sit on the shelf for a few hours. If after a few hour you see no separation (that is like mixing water and oil) then both oils are the same.

I have not found any literature on the new ATF fluid that is being used (There are several manufactures using this new fluid, that is Volvo was not the first) but I and other Engineering friends of mine believe that the only difference between the old fluid and the new is that the old is Dino oil and the new is a type of synthetic that can not be mixed with the old. That is the new fluid is not made from Dino oil. Also, others and I believe that the new fluid will with stand a lot more punishment then the old oil. Other then that the oils do the same job.

Good Luck,

Steven---

volvo put this tranny into S70 non-turbo in YM 2000. I spoke to a Saturn service manager earlier today. He thinks even thou tranny model is the same in both Saturn and Volvo, the fluids may be slightly different (depending on valve body, actuators). I am more and more confused. Would the Amsoil Synthetic be the best/safest bet without paying $ 15 a bottle from Volvo? Rad.

Please don't use the Amsoil Universal Fluid.

I guess you are stuck with buying the Volvo fluid. I got some misinformation yesterday from Amsoil HQ. I called today to double check and sure enough it is a special fluid as the other guys are saying!! The guy I spoke to this time knew specifically about this tranny.

I am very sorry for any hassle this has caused. You'll need to flush out the petroleum Dexron that the other dummy put in with the Volvo juice.
--
www.fidalgo.net/~brook4

Hi Rad,

It is better to be safe then sorry. If your transmission is working correctly then here is what I recommend.

1) Buy 4 quarts of the Volvo AFT oil that is required for your car.
2) There is a 24mm bolt located at the bottom of the Transmission that can be remove to allow 3.5 qts of oil to be drained.
3) Drain and examine the oil. If the oil is a consistent red color and nothing looks out of ordinary then I would say you are ok and the Dextron III you poured into the transmission was compatible with the AFT that Volvo installed.
4) Install the bolt and add through the "Transmission" dipstick the Volvo ATF oil and fill to the proper level.

Then you can go back to being a happy driver.

Also I know nothing of Amsoil Oil. And I would recommend that you stay away from Amsoil with your problem. It can only make a cloudy day worse.

Good Luck,

Steven---

P.S. Saturn cannot say what Volvo uses for ATF. However I would bet that they are the same. An AISIN transmission is an AISIN transmission and it is AISIN that states the Fluid that is required not Volvo.

Yes. Better than the Volvo fluid.
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http://www.fidalgo.net/~brook4/oilslubesfilters.html

I don't think that there have been any compatability tests done on the new ATF by Amsoil so I wouldn't be so sure. Just because Amsoil is synthetic it doesn't mean it meets Volvo new ATF requirements. If he flushes with Amsoil and his tranny fails would you or Amsoil pick up the repair costs?

You are correct!! It is a SPECIAL FLUID I called Amsoil HQ yesterday and was given bogus information.
--
www.fidalgo.net/~brook4

Thanks to all you guys involved. I called Exxon-Mobil in Texas, their transmission dept. told me their spec sheets are out of date by two years.
Amsoil tech rep was to be out till late afternoon. Aisin plant in Mid-West manufactures heavy power transmissions, (not passenger car's); the guy I spoke to promissed to get in touch with a proper dept. (Japan?) and call me back. Didin't yet. I went to Volvo, bought 12 bottles, flushed the tranny (first drain was rather dark, slightly towards brown).The most you can drain at a time is
4 3/4 QT.
Tomorrow I'll go for a ride appx. 50 mls, hope everything will work.
Thanks again, Rad.