V70 Qs

Any fluid that becomes discolored should be changed and any related filter also.

Volvo recommends changing automatic transmission fluid at 52,500 miles/84,000 kilometers, only on vehicles used for towing.

60,000 miles was a major service for your car. The maintenance schedule is at:

I recommend you get the transmission power flushed and the fluid replaced.

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-RL

Why? I have had 10 Volvos with ATs and never changed AT fluid on any of them and never had any problems. If you are paranoid, then go ahead and change everything all the time, but otherwise follow Volvo's recommendations. They are very conservative.

Right Stephen, here in the Netherlands my dealer does not want to change AT fluid, as it was mentioned here, they changed the AT fluid on my

850 I had to order it, but it was harder to do this on my V70-I and now on my V70-II so they did not do it. Volvo does not recommend it.

Robert V70-II-Jubilee-75

"Stephen Henn>

Thanks for the info. Maybe I am a little paranoid, but fluid changes seem like cheap insurance to me.

I know the owners manual says you never have to change the antifreeze, but this seems crazy. Why would a Volvo be any different than any other car? Antifreeze is not designed to last forever, and if you have ever changed coolant on a car with 60,000 miles you will see why. The manual also says only use Volvo coolant, but is this just Dexcool, or the old fashioned green stuff???

Again, thanks in advance, Tom.

The reliability of a vehicle is decreased by unnecessary preventative maintenance. That is because every time someone touches a bolt or plug, the chance of causing a problem is there. Things can be bent, moved, left too loose or too tight, etc. That is why people that work on their own vehicles usually spend quite a bit of time doing it. I have only manufacturer recommended maintenance done by the dealer and seldom have any problems at all.

Depending upon the metals and plastics used in the cooling system, the coolant can be optimized. If you use the wrong coolant you actually shorten the life of the vehicle. Using only dealer added Volvo coolant I have never had to add antifreeze between scheduled maintenance.

The tranny fluid is specific for the aw50-55 5 speed AT. Its spec is jws3309 and it is designed to go 100,000+ miles under normal operating conditions. You might want to replace it sooner, but be sure to use Volvo ATF for this vehicle or an equivalent, e.g. Mobil 3309, Toyota Type IV, etc. Do not use anything else, the ATF is formulated specifically for the friction compounds in the transmission and for an extended drain interval.

The antifreeze is similar, it is an extended change interval coolant;

100-120K miles or something like that. Most OEMs are going in that direction.

If you want more on this, search the forums at

or There has been a lot written. The coolant is debatable, but there is only one answer for ATF: JWS3309. It is not your run of the mill atf.

PS

Be carefull with cheap anti-freeze!! I buy it at volvo, also other important parts I buy OEM, like oilfilters, etc. Dont save 10$ and end up corroding your whiteblock engine (alu)