Transmission oil change cost

[Chudy85]

Hello all,

Like in subject any of you know how much this service could cost and what is the intervals for changing transmission oil.

Tried search but I do something wrong or there isn't thread like this.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Chudy85

Hello all,

Like in subject any of you know how much this service could cost and what is the intervals for changing transmission oil.

Tried search but I do something wrong or there isn't thread like this.

There is no transmission service schedule set by Volvo. They only suggest changing the fluid if you tow or use the vehicle in arduous conditions. Take that with a pinch of salt… the fluid needs to be changed to prolong transmission life, even if you don’t use the car for towing.

As there’s no set interval specified, its really up to you. My local Volvo specialist said to me every 40,000 miles with “ordinary” use, or every 25,000 miles if towing.

The cost to do this at an independent specialist would be around £40-£70 per hour in labour, plus the cost of the fluid & resetting the fluid level/software updates. The fluid for your car is expensive, so I’d say you’d be looking around £200 plus VAT (that’s for a drain & fill or “sump dump”. A dealer (if they even do it***)would be around £400-£500 plus VAT easy, maybe even more. Prices do vary between different dealer networks, so this is a ball park figure.

***Not all dealers offer transmission servicing.

As your car is a 2020 plate, it may be okay for now (depending on the miles you do). If it has over 40,000 miles, then I’d suggest getting it done.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

There is no transmission service schedule set by Volvo. They only suggest changing the fluid if you tow or use the vehicle in arduous conditions. Take that with a pinch of salt… the fluid needs to be changed to prolong transmission life, even if you don’t use the car for towing.

As there’s no set interval specified, its really up to you. My local Volvo specialist said to me every 40,000 miles with “ordinary” use, or every 25,000 miles if towing.

The cost to do this at an independent specialist would be around £120-£150 plus VAT (that’s for a drain & fill or “sump dump”. A dealer (if they even do it***)would be around £300-£400 plus VAT. Prices do vary between different dealer networks, so this is a ball park figure.

***Not all dealers offer transmission servicing.

As your car is a 2020 plate, it may be okay for now (depending on the miles you do). If it has over 40,000 miles, then I’d suggest getting it done.

I would go along with this with the only exception being that the modern fluid oil is expensive. I did my 2012 with the correct AW1 fluid and it cost me around £100 for fluid alone. with the 2 Irving’s and gasket it will be the best part of £100-£120 just for the fluid.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

I would go along with this with the only exception being that the modern fluid oil is expensive. I did my 2012 with the correct AW1 fluid and it cost me around £100 for fluid alone. with the 2 Irving’s and gasket it will be the best part of £100-£120 just for the fluid.

That is a very good point… I’ve edited my post above.

AW1 fluid is very dear. Correct fluid is critical.

Older cars using JWS3309 trans fluid would be around £120-£150 plus VAT at a specialist. £300-400 plus VAT at a dealer.

New cars requiring the newer AW1 fluid hikes that price up a fair bit.

[Familyman 90]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

That is a very good point… I’ve edited my post above.

AW1 fluid is very dear. Correct fluid is critical.

Older cars using JWS3309 trans fluid would be around £120-£150 plus VAT at a specialist. £300-400 plus VAT at a dealer.

New cars requiring the newer AW1 fluid hikes that price up a fair bit.

Id have to check my invoices for the exact figure, but mine was closer to £200 including VAT at the dealer for a proper pump out job.

I'd love to know which specialists (and not simply indies) are charging between less than 1/4 up to 1/3 that of a dealer.

[Backinavolvo]

I did mine around 60k because that's what the gearbox manufacturer Aisin recommend.

I completed it myself, and I imported the stuff & fluid from FCP euro in the states. They offer excellent customer service and 'how to' videos. I used a thermometer in the gearbox fill port to gauge the 55c needed to then set the fill level. I would suggest 12 litres per change.. as you will need to flush several times and about 3.5-4 litres comes out each time.

Drives lovely when done. I asked the dealer to do a trans reset when it went in for normal service, and they kindly did.

[Volvocano]

You only get just over 4 litres from a drain anyway (from the approximate 12 litres in the transmission), so I drain and top up with every engine oil change which I do every 10K miles in-between services (still under warranty) coming up to 85K miles now and the fluid is getting cleaner with every "refresh". It was pitch black when I bought the car at 60K miles.

MY18 XC90 Twin Engine. I use the AW.1 spec Comma fluid. I do a transmission adaption reset after each change. I also use the Comma Volvo spec 0W-20 synthetic engine oil or Morris Eco-V (which I suspect is the same stuff - looks and smells identical).

[Chudy85]

Thanks so much for very quick respond.
Volvo told me there is no need to change it but if i want to it will cost me £418

I have done only 20k so far. I will start to look for some garage that can do it right and not be rip off

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Chudy85

Thanks so much for very quick respond.
Volvo told me there is no need to change it but if i want to it will cost me £418

I have done only 20k so far. I will start to look for some garage that can do it right and not be rip off

Ah, so I wasn’t a mile off with my estimate then.

Yes, best to wait for a while longer. Definitely change it every 40k though, or every 25k if you tow. Don’t heed what Volvo say… the fluid needs changing.

[Chudy85]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Ah, so I wasn’t a mile off with my estimate then.

Yes, best to wait for a while longer. Definitely change it every 40k though, or every 25k if you tow. Don’t heed what Volvo say… the fluid needs changing.

You should play lottery you know numbers well

I will change definitely to avoid any problems later