S-70 AWD transmission

davvver · Post by **davvver** » 22 Dec 2010, 06:11

Thanks jimmy57 for clearing some of those things up... Theres alot of stuff I didnt know.

My tranny the AW50-42 has dexron3 in it now and was changed every 30k miles but i want to do a drain and fill now and after reading on multiple forums it seems like draining half the oil and replacing it with a Mobil 1 synthetic ATF of a Valvoline Synthetic ATF would be fine. The toyota and lexus forums say they have done this and have no issues.

Also I read on the Valvoline FAQs the following:

"Is ok to mix synthetic ATF with a conventional and/or synthetic blend ATF?
Yes. Synthetic and conventional fluids are 100% compatible to each other."

So I think I am going to go with Mobil 1 syn. ATF and do a drain and fill and repeat this process three times over the summer as I only drive the car in the summer.

There must be other volvo owners who have done the process of draining and filling a previous dexron 3 tranny with Syn ATF?

Post by **JRL** » 22 Dec 2010, 06:46

Agreed.
After many years with these transmissions, 3309 is not necessary unless ....you have a hard shift problem, THEN Volvo states you can TRY 3309 to help this.
Dex3 is still the preferred fluid, with of course a good synthetic such as Mobil 1 being fine.

Bear in mind that to use one of these synthetic fluids you need to do a full flush and THAT I do not recommend with most of these trannies having north of 125K miles on them by now!

I just do continual drain and fills on older tranmissions every other oil change using the original type fluid

Post by **jblackburn** » 22 Dec 2010, 06:51

They are compatible and you can do it that way, yes, but in reality you are just diluting the expensive synthetic fluid by mixing it with all the normal stuff which is just a waste of money. With a series of drain and fills, you are increasing the percentage of it in there, sure, but it's still not 100% that stuff.

To switch it over, I would do a couple drain and fills with regular Dexron-III and then do a full flush to convert it to the synthetic.

If you don't have hard shifting issues or anything, there's really no need to use a different fluid in the gearbox.

davvver · Post by **davvver** » 22 Dec 2010, 07:01

I dont have a hard shifting issue... its running fine. I just like staying on top of the maintenance... I know the history of the car since day one.

I agree with the synthetic bit about diluting and being a waste of money. Perhaps I should just keep using dexron and changing it frequently... I would prefer to keep doing drain and fills... I dont think dex3 is really around anymore eh? I suppose the best method would be to use dexIV and keep draining and filling unless $ wasnt the issue and synthetic could just be a slightly better option for the tranny...?

Post by **jblackburn** » 22 Dec 2010, 07:09

Every other oil change (assuming you don't stick to 3,000 mile intervals) for the transmission is a good interval. They still sell Dexron-III all over here; I don't know about Canada. IV is perfectly fine to use too.

I wouldn't have switched to a synthetic fluid had mine not been acting stupid during the hot summer months. That alone seems to have solved my issues for 2 years in the running. Synthetic engine oil, on the other hand, is amazing

davvver · Post by **davvver** » 22 Dec 2010, 07:17

I do use synthetic engine oil as well... Mobil 1 with a mobil 1 filter... I change it every 6000km so about 3750mi...

So I will drain/fill the ATF when I do my next oil change and then every 7500mi after that with either DexIV or Mobil 1Syn and I should be good to go for the life of the car I suppose?

BTW! I just want to add... getting the advice of alot of you on these forums is nice... Ive asked many service managers over the years at dealers and they don't know what they are talking about sometimes... The odd time you get a good on... I have to say though that Volvo service managers seem better and more conistant.... dont get me started on VW! I will never drive a VW every again!

Post by **JRL** » 22 Dec 2010, 13:38

Of course Dex 3 is around.
You can buy it anywhere, $2.50-3 bucks a quart... TOPS

davvver · Post by **davvver** » 23 Dec 2010, 06:42

What is everyone's thoughts on Castrol High Mileage ATF for our cars (specifically the AW 50-42)?

I can get a 5l jug of this stuff at Walmart for $18. Seems economical if i were to do drain and fills often.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiong ... Id=7033928
There is a product data sheet at the bottom of the page on their website.

The data sheet says for all Volvo Specifications... it even says for Toyota iv... hmmm? And yet this is not their 3309 formula. If I am correct I think their import multivehicle blend is their 3309 formula?

If you guys think this is a good oil I may use it in my car because of the price and the availability.

davvver · Post by **davvver** » 02 Apr 2011, 11:43

The weather is finally good enough to pull the car out and I would like to change the tranny oil. I was going to take the advice above and do a drain and fill every other oil change with Dexron VI. I went to pick up a big jug and noticed the JS3309 is the same price. I have read that some owners have been using this in the four speed AW tranny. Since it is the same price do you think I should go with this? Will it mix with Dexron III?

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 02 Apr 2011, 12:17

harrych wrote:Yes the dealer asked me for the full VIN # and they checked against it and said it is covered in the service buletin. I can see it myself. The above buletin says S70 serial# 560000 and up, mine is 583577. It is 4speed automatic but this does not matter according to the buletin. I have picked up the fluid today and I am going to change it tommorow.

In light of the POV's here, I would suggest checking with at least several
more known good tranny shops/dealers before making your fluid change.
Measure twice, cut once, eh?

EDIT: Wow...
Did I really just respond to a 5 year old post?
Where did I leave my coffee...

S-70 AWD transmission

drain and fill using Synthetic ATF w/ Dex3 already in Tranny