S60 D5 Auto 2003 and towing - newby help

S60 EEE · Apr 29th, 2010, 20:24

Hi,

I am new to the forum and am picking up a approved used volvo s60 on Saturday 010510. it is a 2003 d5 se auto. I have read the forums re towing with an auto and have now got some concerns as i will be towing a new sprite major 6 (1400kg). I asked volvo re the below passage from the honest john website. they said no alterations are recommended by volvo uk. they are fitting the towbar for me. any help or advice would be appreciated.

"Geartronic autobox failures increasingly common, particularly on cars that have been towing. The transmission oil cooler on these cars is modular and can be increased in capacity by adding modules. This is ESSENTIAL for towing (though often overlooked) and may also be necessary for other types of use"

Jim

60041 · Apr 30th, 2010, 00:41

As I have said before on this forum, I have been towing (Bailey Pageant 1350 kg) with our XC70 D5 auto for over 5 years without problems. We have been all over Europe with it including driving through the Austrian Alps in 38 deg heat, and going through the St Gothard tunnel where the temperature is in the high 30s. I have never experienced any signs of overheating or stress with either the engine or transmission. I am careful about loading, and try to drive sensibly and not thrash the car.
There are firms such as Kenlowe who do transmission oil coolers which are not too expensive, but I have not yet felt the need for one.
A friend of mine used to tow a very heavy 4 wheel trailer with an old 740 diesel auto, and he experienced overheating at times, so fitted a cooler which he said greatly improved matters; but that was many years ago and was an old car being abused; your car should be well within its limits.

Stevepvolvo · Apr 30th, 2010, 09:18

Currently I tow a 1500KG twin axle with an 07 XC70 D5. Have towed this van for two years with this car with no overheating issues. I did have issues with this van on my previous petrol XC70 auto and ended up having to replace it. The Diesel Auto box is much more resilient due to the massive extra torque it has to cope with.
I did look into an extra oil cooler for the previous XC70 petrol but Kenlowe advised that there was no retrofit for this vehicle at the time. Volvo advised that there was an inbuilt additional oil cooler and no additional could be fitted.
I think that as the previous replier said, with the D5 you should be fine.
Happy towing
Regards

Westyman · Apr 30th, 2010, 12:48

When I got my 2005MY V70 D5 AWD geartronic, I e-mailed Volvo so-called customer care with the details of my caravan and I had an e-mail back from them saying a transmission oil cooler was not necessary for areas of intended use. I kept that somewhere.......

Apr 29th, 2010, 20:24	#1
S60 EEE New Member Last Online: Jun 13th, 2020 15:37 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wetherby	S60 D5 Auto 2003 and towing - newby help Hi, I am new to the forum and am picking up a approved used volvo s60 on Saturday 010510. it is a 2003 d5 se auto. I have read the forums re towing with an auto and have now got some concerns as i will be towing a new sprite major 6 (1400kg). I asked volvo re the below passage from the honest john website. they said no alterations are recommended by volvo uk. they are fitting the towbar for me. any help or advice would be appreciated. "Geartronic autobox failures increasingly common, particularly on cars that have been towing. The transmission oil cooler on these cars is modular and can be increased in capacity by adding modules. This is ESSENTIAL for towing (though often overlooked) and may also be necessary for other types of use" Jim

Apr 30th, 2010, 00:41	#2
60041 Premier Member Last Online: May 23rd, 2024 21:01 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: North Northumberland	As I have said before on this forum, I have been towing (Bailey Pageant 1350 kg) with our XC70 D5 auto for over 5 years without problems. We have been all over Europe with it including driving through the Austrian Alps in 38 deg heat, and going through the St Gothard tunnel where the temperature is in the high 30s. I have never experienced any signs of overheating or stress with either the engine or transmission. I am careful about loading, and try to drive sensibly and not thrash the car. There are firms such as Kenlowe who do transmission oil coolers which are not too expensive, but I have not yet felt the need for one. A friend of mine used to tow a very heavy 4 wheel trailer with an old 740 diesel auto, and he experienced overheating at times, so fitted a cooler which he said greatly improved matters; but that was many years ago and was an old car being abused; your car should be well within its limits.

Apr 30th, 2010, 09:18	#3
Stevepvolvo Member Last Online: May 22nd, 2024 10:58 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northampton	Currently I tow a 1500KG twin axle with an 07 XC70 D5. Have towed this van for two years with this car with no overheating issues. I did have issues with this van on my previous petrol XC70 auto and ended up having to replace it. The Diesel Auto box is much more resilient due to the massive extra torque it has to cope with. I did look into an extra oil cooler for the previous XC70 petrol but Kenlowe advised that there was no retrofit for this vehicle at the time. Volvo advised that there was an inbuilt additional oil cooler and no additional could be fitted. I think that as the previous replier said, with the D5 you should be fine. Happy towing Regards

Apr 30th, 2010, 12:48	#4
Westyman VOC Member Last Online: May 5th, 2024 20:57 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Derby	When I got my 2005MY V70 D5 AWD geartronic, I e-mailed Volvo so-called customer care with the details of my caravan and I had an e-mail back from them saying a transmission oil cooler was not necessary for areas of intended use. I kept that somewhere.......

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