Transmission fluid change... worth the risk?

JD79 · May 31st, 2010, 10:27

Hi all,

I'm considering changing the auto transmission fluid in my 940, with an AW71 transmission. The car has 280,000 km on it, and has not had the fluid changed as far as I know. The current fluid is brownish pink, but has no burnt smell.

The transmission is not giving me any grief, shifts smoothly, and doesn't seem to be slipping. But I'm in the process of getting this car as close to ideal in terms of reliability as possible, and would like to know that the transmission is full of good fresh fluid.

I'm intending to use the IPD kit, consisting of a hose attached to the ATF cooler oil return, and running the old fluid out as i put the new fluid in.

I have heard that volvo no longer recommends changing the ATF, and have also heard that changing the fluid in a "vehicle of a certain age" can actually cause more problems than it prevents.

Has anyone on the forum changed the ATF in their AW71 or similar, and have you had any issues following?

Edit> decided to add a poll in the interests of glorious democracy

View Poll Results: ATF change in a high mileage Auto - worth the risk?
New fluid = better function	31	86.11%
No improvement, but no new problems	5	13.89%
Fluid change caused nasty problems	0	0%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

May 31st, 2010, 10:27	#1
JD79 Member Last Online: Mar 5th, 2011 06:14 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hervey Bay	Transmission fluid change... worth the risk? Hi all, I'm considering changing the auto transmission fluid in my 940, with an AW71 transmission. The car has 280,000 km on it, and has not had the fluid changed as far as I know. The current fluid is brownish pink, but has no burnt smell. The transmission is not giving me any grief, shifts smoothly, and doesn't seem to be slipping. But I'm in the process of getting this car as close to ideal in terms of reliability as possible, and would like to know that the transmission is full of good fresh fluid. I'm intending to use the IPD kit, consisting of a hose attached to the ATF cooler oil return, and running the old fluid out as i put the new fluid in. I have heard that volvo no longer recommends changing the ATF, and have also heard that changing the fluid in a "vehicle of a certain age" can actually cause more problems than it prevents. Has anyone on the forum changed the ATF in their AW71 or similar, and have you had any issues following? Edit> decided to add a poll in the interests of glorious democracy Last edited by JD79; May 31st, 2010 at 10:32.

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