V70: Gearbox Geartronic new software

[Greyhound Hugo]

Good afternoon All, just a little information for anyone experiencing any geartronic 'clunks' or strange gearshift.
My V70 D3 has been 'thudding ' when changing from reverse into drive when manoeuvring, only going into drive no other gear, particularly when car is hot. Also behaving as if it couldn't make its mind up which gear to select at around 40-45 mph, a sort of hesitation. Anyway, thus morning I took the car to the Volvo specialist in Wickford Essex, while I waited, they hooked up the car to Vida, changed the gearbox oil, reset the module and installed the latest gearbox software update. I can honestly say they have transformed the car, it now has beautifully smooth gear changes and no clunk's or thuds. It has never been this smooth in my ownership, if you're within distance of Wickford, I cannot recommend Simon and John highly enough, just Goo**e Volvo Specialist Essex, superb service with a cup of tea

[bananarama]

Good to know! Didn't realise Volvo Specialists had access to software updates, for some reason I thought it was just Volvo Main Dealers.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Greyhound Hugo

Good afternoon All, just a little information for anyone experiencing any geartronic 'clunks' or strange gearshift.
My V70 D3 has been 'thudding ' when changing from reverse into drive when manoeuvring, only going into drive no other gear, particularly when car is hot. Also behaving as if it couldn't make its mind up which gear to select at around 40-45 mph, a sort of hesitation. Anyway, thus morning I took the car to the Volvo specialist in Wickford Essex, while I waited, they hooked up the car to Vida, changed the gearbox oil, reset the module and installed the latest gearbox software update. I can honestly say they have transformed the car, it now has beautifully smooth gear changes and no clunk's or thuds. It has never been this smooth in my ownership, if you're within distance of Wickford, I cannot recommend Simon and John highly enough, just Goo**e Volvo Specialist Essex, superb service with a cup of tea

Just for interest if this car had been serviced properly you wouldn't have had this problem as you get a free car software update at every service..

If you have done over 70000 miles it would be a good idea to get the gearbox oil changed..

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by bananarama

Good to know! Didn't realise Volvo Specialists had access to software updates, for some reason I thought it was just Volvo Main Dealers.

Some do, not all. Its worth asking the Volvo Specialist of your choice if they have the facility to do software updates.

Originally Posted by Clan

Just for interest if this car had been serviced properly you wouldn't have had this problem as you get a free car software update at every service..

If you have done over 70000 miles it would be a good idea to get the gearbox oil changed..

The garage the OP mentioned did change the gearbox oil. Many Volvo main dealers don't offer transmission fluid changes... they tell you its "sealed for life". Well, the ones near me don't offer transmission servicing anyway. I've phoned, asked, and was basically fobbed off.

[Greyhound Hugo]

Hi Clan, I never knew that, 10 MD service stamps and invoices up to date, but no mention of updates, I had the gearbox oil changed at the same time , its made it a different car

[GrahamBrown1]

I was also fobbed off by dealers for gearbox oil service. If they don’t do it do you really want them trying to and getting it wrong? Independent is the way to go. As for updates, well how do you know if it’s done or not. I think a lot depends if you have a good dealer or a bad one.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by GrahamBrown1

I was also fobbed off by dealers for gearbox oil service. If they don’t do it do you really want them trying to and getting it wrong? Independent is the way to go. As for updates, well how do you know if it’s done or not. I think a lot depends if you have a good dealer or a bad one.

Its not the dealer who does your service it is an individual human.. It is mandatory to do the software update on a service and there is a "paper" trail right back to the factory. do you think a technician would risk loosing his job for not doing something which goes on in the background whilst he changes the oil etc ?
Also the transmission fluid change is an optional service item, if you ask for it you should get it, easy money for them :-)

[GrahamBrown1]

Originally Posted by Clan

Its not the dealer who does your service it is an individual human.. It is mandatory to do the software update on a service and there is a "paper" trail right back to the factory. do you think a technician would risk loosing his job for not doing something which goes on in the background whilst he changes the oil etc ?
Also the transmission fluid change is an optional service item, if you ask for it you should get it, easy money for them :-)

Well I asked 2 dealers and they said there was no need to do it. One even told me it would lead to problems and that it does not require changing. I bought my S80 as a Volvo selekt car. I wanted to keep the Volvo history. This and another issue caused me to go to the Volvo independent 15 mins up the road.

I assume you clan work for a dealer or have done, if all of the dealers had staff with your knowledge/ experience I’m sure things would be different but the fact is they don’t. If you have an older car they just don’t want to know but perhaps this is a local issue to me.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by GrahamBrown1

Well I asked 2 dealers and they said there was no need to do it. One even told me it would lead to problems and that it does not require changing. I bought my S80 as a Volvo selekt car. I wanted to keep the Volvo history. This and another issue caused me to go to the Volvo independent 15 mins up the road.

I assume you clan work for a dealer or have done, if all of the dealers had staff with your knowledge/ experience I’m sure things would be different but the fact is they don’t. If you have an older car they just don’t want to know but perhaps this is a local issue to me.

well that's quite shocking and utter rubbish what they told you. what problems are they expecting just changing oil .. It needs exposing, of course there is a new generation of employee now who have no interest in cars . It needs reporting to volvo uk though. they cant pick and choose what jobs are the most profitable for them..

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by GrahamBrown1

I was also fobbed off by dealers for gearbox oil service. If they don’t do it do you really want them trying to and getting it wrong? Independent is the way to go. As for updates, well how do you know if it’s done or not. I think a lot depends if you have a good dealer or a bad one.

It wasn't even an option. The dealer didn't say they would "try" and change the fluid, they point blank refused to do it and gave me the "sealed for life" blurb.

Any garage that says they'll "try" to change the transmission fluid or other items would ring alarm bells with me. I'd go elsewhere.