Thanks all for your useful responses, yes I am in europe, actually in the UK and the problem I have re service history is i have volvo history to 50-60K then independant history after that. Although that history is there, certainly independants history isn't clear as to when and if certain things where done, although i've no reason to beleave they haven't been done, and there are certain pointers that make it look like it has, at the same time there is no definative evidence to say it has, that being my problem. Bearing this in mind this is why i'm looking to carry out preventative maintenance, so that I KNOW it's done. After speaking to a previous owner's wife (i know it sounds lame) I know the timing belt's been done roughly a year and half ago, so thats one job off the list, however the mystery of the auto trans fluid remains.

Cheers
Will

P.S. looking through the old volvo history and service sheets there is no mention of checking or changing the auto trans oil, the only checks being the operation of the box during a road test. Also Haynes is very unspecific on the subject, recommending oil change only when called for by fault code, oil condition, or continous heavy/towing use (then at 37,500mls) Because of this, apart from doing it for preventative maintenance reasons, how often does it need doing after that? (I suspect that a/ US and UK servicing regimes are different in this respect and b/ that this is to be done every 30-40 thousand miles)

definately try to get the trans flushed. you may be able to save it. chances are it could be to late but i would try that first before putting 2 to 3 thousand for a new trans. over the years we have been doing lots of trans flushes and we have saved so many transmissions. if u look in your owners manual u will see there is no trans fluid interval change for that car. this was just a marketing to sell a low maintenance car. think about it. the fluid is the same as the other cars. needs to be changed about every 2 years or 30k miles.

Telling someone to not flush the trannny fluid on a vehicle, any vehicle, is like telling them to not change the engine oil. You're shortening the life of the transmission by not keeping the fluid clean. I never saw any Volvo bulletin or talked with anyone who said do not change the fluid. You may even want to seriously consider using a sythnthetic, like Mobil one. Although, if you're in Europe, which it sounds like, having a 92 850, then Mobil one is going to cost you around $23 a liter (the price in Norway), and having to use 10 liters to flush is going to be expensive. In my opinion, flush the transmission, the sooner the better. Don't just drain the two or three quarts out of the bottom. Do it yourself by disconnecting the oil cooler hose at the radiator or stand there in a garage and watch someone else do it so you know the job is being done right. And even if the light does start to flash, erase the code. I drive a 97 850 in Norway, a 96 850 here in the States, and am very meticulous about the transmission fluid. Never had a flashing light problem. Dick

You should follow the factory service schedule. If you have the service records book in your glovebox it will show the things you should do at each service.