Flush or drain and fill? - 170k miles, never changed the transmission fluid

Csummers · Post by **Csummers** » 05 Nov 2025, 09:43

I have a 2016 XC 60 that I have owned since new. Runs great. Never had significant issues. However, I have 170k miles in the car and have never changed the transmission fluid. Please advise. I would like to get it back on a maintenance schedule to make the transmission last as long as possible.
Thanks

Post by **Krons** » 05 Nov 2025, 18:59

I have a P1 and P2 I did a flush on at 150k miles (5-speed Aisin). One shifted a bit funky but came around and has shifted fine ever since. The other one was ok.

I’d drain and fill, then in 30k do another. Probably could do a cooler return flush without a problem but up to you if you want to exchange it all. Color is a good indicator…if some red vs black probably ok to flush, if dark brown just drain and fill.

Post by **erikv11** » 05 Nov 2025, 21:24

Be sure to reset the fluid counter after you flush, it matters.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 06 Nov 2025, 07:11

170k is a long long way for transmission fluid. I would only do drain and refills. When doing drain, make sure you are draining the fluid into clean container. There is a possibility that transmission will be not happy with new fluid(less viscosity due to less worn particles inside of it) and you might need to drain it again and put the old stuff back. Given 2016MY you likely did a lot of highway driving so you should be fine. After 1st drain and refill, I would drive 5k and do 2nd with the next oil change. After that-once per year. Make note that you will need to have scanner to monitor fluid temperature to set the level right. Look fcp euro video on this procedure. Icarsoft scanner is a budget option that gives you availability to see temp.

Post by **chrism** » 06 Nov 2025, 17:11

Krons wrote: ↑05 Nov 2025, 18:59 …..Probably could do a cooler return flush without a problem but up to you if you want to exchange it all.

I believe the 2016 xc60 has the 8-speed trans which means there is no external cooler or associated hoses. The “cooler” is a small, finned gizmo on the front side of the trans not much larger than a tuna can which means drain-and-fills are your only option. At least that’s the way our 2018 S60 8-speed is.