clutch slip just on first cold pull away?

Manual transmissions as a general rule don't slip, any slippage would be the clutch. Perhaps the slave cylinder is sticking?

If this is an automatic, it's probably time for a transmission rebuild.

Yes, forgot to mention this is an automatic.

wish i could help. this is a very year specific question. it is not that brand specific. a BMW, Saab, Audi, even Fiat might have the exact same tranny. you see the EU works together - nuff said.

there is still a decision strategy that i can suggest. how important is a catastrophic failure compared to the cost of a new clutch plate?

i don't think you have a 3rd millennium tranny. so i will give you the old school answer. how difficult is flushing the tranny? do it! but

170k it sounds like the clutch plate -- it's just a glorified brake pad. they wear-out. until then warm your clutch by letting it out slowly (if you still can, your yr may be a little late to do that) or depress the clutch a afew times, let it out & wait for the clutch to warm up. you see, what is happening is that parts expand when they heat up. so parts that don't quite meet (& don't transmit power) begin to touch. then again you said fluid & not 80 wght, so what do i know?

Flushing it is not a bad idea, it might nurse it along a bit longer. If a clutch pack is worn out it would be silly to go through all the trouble of removing and tearing down the transmission to just replace that one clutch pack. If that's the issue, either rebuild the whole thing or replace it with a good used transmission.

Whats the chance you need to adjust the kick down cable as well as a good clean out work the manual selector as well as they often get a groove in them from lack of use .Low oil was a problem with my old Fairlane in cold weather doing left hand turns .Adding a little extra over the full mark fixed that up .Left hand sharp turns up hill would throw it out completely .I would love to know if that fixes it .I used to give my tranny a bit of a work out sometimes so it didn't sludge up .Give it a good clean out as well .

an automatic? well then. yes it's beginning to go. so buy a replacement or a cell phone (so you can call someone when it stops moving).