Transmission oil change

Southern80 · Post by **Southern80** » 05 Sep 2010, 20:40

Hello all:
I am planning to change the transmission oil of my 1995 Volvo 850 GLT Non Turbo. 200.000 miles on it.
Does anybody knows the best Oil to replace the old one. I tried to change it on a Transmission shop but one attendant told me that the oils they use to carry there were not recommended for cars with such mileage and mentioned the best to use was the M-matic type.

Any specific brand and specifications? I do not want to mess the transmission of my only car.

Thanks for your help!

Southern80

Post by **JDS60R** » 05 Sep 2010, 21:23

I think the consensus here is to not flush the system. Instead just drain the 4 quarts that come out and replace them. Some have reported that flushing the trans can break loose derbis that fouls the unit. I have not had this occur in my 28 years of working on vehicles. It may be that by "flush" they refer to the pressurized flush machines the back flush the system.

If your car is a 1995 with a 4 sped it take Dexron 3
I will attach the Volvo fluid specs so you can pick your trans and fluid.
Many go on to do a full flush after changing the 4 quarts (aprox) that drains from the plug with the car off.

You can search "transmission flush" in the search box above next to "Volvo parts" to see lots of comments going back and forth on the flush vs drain issue.

Post by **jblackburn** » 05 Sep 2010, 21:27

For your car, it would be best to do several "drain and fills" i.e. dump the contents of the pan using the drain plug, and then replace the amount that came out of it. You can mark off a gallon jug into quart intervals to help you read that amount.

Wait a few weeks, then repeat this procedure a few times...after 3-4 changes, you'll have mostly fresh fluid in the transmission.

At a later point, you can do a complete flush through the system if you choose.

Post by **jblackburn** » 05 Sep 2010, 21:29

This is for a 2001, but the same basic concept is the same for your 850:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/2010/0 ... -and-fill/

As JDS said, you'll want to use Dex-III instead of the Type-IV fluid, though.

Post by **JDS60R** » 05 Sep 2010, 21:31

If you were looking for a particular brand I would not worry until you did the drain and fill a few times with Store brand Dexron.

The cheap store brand fluid will get some of the sludge out. If your car truly hasn't been service in 200K miles you need to be very gentle with adding new fluid.

If it were in my garage i would introduce a flush I know works safely (many do not hold the debris in suspension well) and then replace all of the fluid with sore brand fluid. I would have you return in a month to reflush with a quality synthetic.

I use Amsoil products for flush and final fluid.
http://www.amsoil.com

Do you know when it was last flushed. Can you upload a picture of the current fluid on the dipstick so we can see.

Texas heat really needs a good external trans cooler. If your fluid is black its better to find a trans shop that will do the work properly and do it for you. Be weary of them saying " We will do it but no guarantee your trans won't lock up or blow up"

Post by **jreed** » 06 Sep 2010, 05:03

On my '97 855 GLT, I have been pumping out and refilling the transmission fluid every one to two years for the past seven years with Castrol DexMerc III that I buy from Adv. Auto or W-mart. This fluid seems to work fine and is supposed to meet the Dexron III specification. I haven't experienced the troubles that others have had with transmission failure due to suddenly changing out the ATF after not having changed it in a long while, but you can search the forum and read about it. Be cautious and good luck!

Post by **thecheat** » 06 Sep 2010, 09:24

Why isn't this technique mentioned? Is this method not advised any more?