Transmission Fluid Update Topic is solved

charleskennedy23 · Post by **charleskennedy23** » 30 Aug 2016, 04:39

9,000 miles ago I did a transmission fluid exchange in my 98 v70 T5. To perform this maintenance I did the three drain and fills over the course of three weeks. I used valvoline Maxlife Dex/merc full synthetic. My plan moving forward is to do a drain and fill every 9-10k to keep the fluid fresh. I took a picture of the drained fluid in a glass jar next to a pict of new fluid in a glass jar so you guys could see what it looked like. I thought it looked a bit dirtier than I expected but the color of the dip stick looked bright red. Any thoughts?

charleskennedy23 · Post by **charleskennedy23** » 30 Aug 2016, 04:42

Here's the pic of drained fluid and fresh fluid

Post by **erikv11** » 30 Aug 2016, 06:59

I agree that the flush is not yet complete. But getting there!

Post by **dyn blin** » 30 Aug 2016, 10:57

When we picked up our current daily driver at 170k miles a decade ago (the P80 in my signature), I suspected the fluid had never been changed and did the same thing (3 drain and fills) . When I checked at 5K miles later, it was again discolored. As a result, I started a drain and fill when I have the car up for an OCI. It may be overkill, but it's not terribly expensive if you source the fluid in gallon units at Wal-mart (I use the same Valvoline Maxlife), and we've been able to keep the original transmission (we're at 265k miles).

We've done the same thing on the "project car" P80 starting at 110k, and 25k+ later the transmission that I feared was knackered has become progressively smoother. I believe that puts us at 2 full fluid swaps on her-I'll try to trade the extra $60 in fluids for another year's delay on a transmission swap as long as she'll let me.

Covert · Post by **Covert** » 30 Aug 2016, 13:09

Manual says to replace with dexron iie is there an alternative that is suitable ?

Post by **erikv11** » 30 Aug 2016, 20:59

I use cheap, Dex III for all of my P80 cars. Supertech brand over here in the US.

dorvin · Post by **dorvin** » 30 Aug 2016, 21:14

I'm beginning to think I should do the same maintenance with my car. I've put on about 30,000 miles since I did a three part flush @ 150k

Post by **erikv11** » 30 Aug 2016, 23:24

30k is the interval between flushes I subscribe to, either that or the 3.5 quart drain and fill every 10k.

Post by **scot850** » 30 Aug 2016, 23:41

I did a drain and fill when I changed the axles a couple of weeks ago. Dam thing nearly drained 5 litres out as that is what it to refill near enough. After only 100km, I can see the oil is already darker than after the fill. I will try to do 1 more flush and fill before heading to California in a couple of weeks.

Other than being a pains, and the danger of stripping or damaging the trans drain threads, I don't think you can drain and fill too often. Erik's suggestion of a drain and fill ever 10k miles sounds reasonable.

Remember you are only removing maybe half the trans oil in a drain and flush so it could take many flushes to get it cleaner. That is why they suggest the flush method a you use about 12 liters, but by then the fluid is flushed through all the parts of the trans so it looks cleaner.

Neil.

Covert · Post by **Covert** » 31 Aug 2016, 05:13

I have no time or mileage if this has been done on my car so I think it's a must . If you take the drain out. how much fluid comes out in litres ? Don't want to not have enough to go back in !