G/box: 850 Auto: ATF Change Frequency

[Peteodell]

Hi All....

Looking for advice.... At what frequency should I change the ATF on my 1996 T5 ? It has been Chipped and decatted, so is running around the 300 Bhp mark...

I have heard that you should change more frequently with the Higher Horsepower cars, but how frequently??

Cheers Pete....

[charlotte001]

It's a good idea to change the ATF every two or three years anyhow. Volvo don't specify the change time but in my experience of 17 years of autos 2 to 3 years will keep the autobox in good condition. 300bhp for the electronic autobox is about it's maximum on standard fluid changes it might be worth going upto the next ATF bracket up or stick Mobil in it if your pocket is deep enough the cheaper ones will break down faster and go black such as Carlube or Comma [about the cheapest you can buy]

If you like the fast pedal a bit too much you could bring that 2 years down to 18 months and if you want to start putting 400+ bhp in then every year. My DB9S I have the fluid changed every 8 months to give you some idea

[DSK]

I change mine anually regardless or car make and model. All of my boxes have performed efficiently with no noises or slow reactions.

My auto fluids are always changed at garages that I trust and are either independant or specialists. As a result, the fluid used are to teh correct specification and also the boxes are filled and checked the correct way.

[RollingThunder]

While Volvo don't recommend a regular ATF change, the manufacturers, Aisin Warner, do - they recommend a 50k mile change, as do Toyota who use the same gearbox.

Personally, I'd advise a 50k change if you can afford it, or else a 100k max change interval. Use Dexron III for std cars with this (AW52-40) gearbox, or use AMSOIL for cars with modified engines. Mobil1 isn't actually a fully synthetic oil, whereas Amsoil is, and so is better resistant to heat degradation, sludge dropout, etc etc.

Hope this helps