S-70 AWD transmission

Post by **JRL** » 03 Apr 2006, 21:16

MadeInJapan wrote:If you drive an automatic and on the gear shift there is a "4" as the top number before the "D" (drive), then you have a 5 speed automatic and will need the special 3309 forumlated ATF. If it has a "3" as the highest number before the "D," then you have a 4 speed automatic and will need the older Dexron/Mercon ATF. It's really that simple.

Evidently some '99's built in the first quarter of '98 still had the 4 speed automatic, so make sure and check your gear shift. I'm sure that is why your service dept. and Volvo in general didn't have a clue until they "officially" checked. Did they check everything against your VIN# ?? If not, I would still check my gear shift.

ALL 99s have a 4 speed, tranny, give this guy a break and give him correct info

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 Apr 2006, 22:09

Thank you Jim, you are correct....somehow I was thinking year 2000 and of course I don't want to give false information. I have edited my post above to reflect that. So, on year 2000 the tranny went to 5 speed, but you have to check your chassis number like the offical service bulletin further up in the post indicates.

harrych · Post by **harrych** » 04 Apr 2006, 16:28

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.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Apr 2006, 18:27

Gee, I'm not sure....But why would you want to switch to the "newer" ATF in a car that you have not indicated to be having the issues that the bulletin was written for, and which obviously came with Dextron/Mercron ATF in the first place?

The bulletin says for 2000AWD. Is that what yours is?
I know for a fact that the 3309 formulated ATF is for 5 speeds.
Please read what Mobil Oil company has to say about it in their data sheet (specifically, please read near the bottom when it mentions Volvo- all 5 speeds): http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/ ... F_3309.asp

I have a 4speed '98. I've flushed it with Mobil-1 synthetic almost 30K miles ago and my transmission is as smooth as can be. It is compatible with DextronIII/Mercron but not the 3309 (which I plan to flush my wife's '04 5 Speed V70 auto with).

Of course, it's your car... you are free to do as you wish. I would just do a double check again at the dealer before you do the service. In other words, make sure it's okay to use the 3309 formulated ATF on a 4 SPEED.

Edit: I guess the real question is whether or not you have the AW transmission in question (In green letters above: AW 50-42).

Sorry for my lengthy post...I'm just being concerned for you (thinking, what if this was my car)....But I guess what I don't know is whether the 3309 ATF will mess up a transmission that normally doesn't use it. I know that when a 5 speed transmission that should use the 3309 has Dextron/Mercron put in it , it will lead to transmission failure. It may not be the other way around, but this I don't know. Maybe others can answer this question, or maybe Mobil can. It appears that Volvo has already answered it for you, but to be honest, I'm not real trusting of Volvo myself.

Please keep us informed of how things go.

harrych · Post by **harrych** » 04 Apr 2006, 21:36

Thanks for the tips and your concern. What is for sure is that my S70AWD is 1999 model year. According to carfax history of the car it was made in 09/1998, shipped to USA in 06/1999 and the first owner was registered in 09/1999. I am the third owner. I did some research and found out that the only transmission for this year on AWD is 4speed auto and I DO have 4speed auto because gear selector reads PRND3L Now the real question is what kind of fluid was the transimission filled at the factory on the first place? If it was Dexron/Mercon I do not see any trouble keeping using it. If it was 3309 then is a different story. Reading through your notes and comparing the information I notice some strange facts. If you read the Buletin more closely it says S70/V70AWD/V70-XC-2000 on the top of it and then in the lines of vehicle affected S70AWD chasis 560000-(including mine which is 583577) and next line V70AWD-2000 chasis 395000. then is the problem: Autom. Transm. S/V70AWD AW 50-42 harsh lock up engagement and disengagement. Which I translate it as all years S70AWD and all chasis 560000 and up, while V70AWD and XC70 are only model year 2000, which does not make sense to me because I guess they S70AWD and V70AWD should be with the same transmission.
I would like to stress that I did not have any of the problems indicated in this buletin, nor I am having any problems after I flushed the tranny. As I said above If the trasmission was filled with Dexron at the factory this is the end of the story. But there is a big but. If you read the second post from White850Turbo he says quote" Starting in 1999, the clutch materials in the Aisin Warner tranny used in the S70's were changed. For proper operation, they require a special type of fluid with proprietary friction modifiers, which can only be found in Mobil type 3309 fluid or the Volvo fluid made for the car, which will run you $18/quart. Normal Dexron III / Mercon fluid will lead to transmission failure. The special type of fluid is supplied in these cars from the factory and should be the only fluid ever run in them". I do not know where he got this information from but if this is true I should put this 3309 back in the tranny ASAP as I was advised by Volvo (I spoke with dealer's master technician)
I have concerns and some of them I share with you and thanks once again for your involvement.
First I don't want repeating of the scenario of sarawgi which opened this discussionon on first place. They changed the fluid with Dexron at 70K without those lock ups present. At 90K the transmission was gone. I changed my fluid at 72500 with Dexron, I do not have any lock ups too right now but I do not want to change transmission at 90K.
My second concern is whether 16liters would be enough to flush the transmission and how the inevitable mixture of small amount of Dexron left in the transmission with 3309 will efect the future operation.
I do not trust Volvo very much either and I definatly need a double check
I feel another long day on the phone with the dealer tommorow and insomnia tonight. I'll keep you posted of the outcome

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Apr 2006, 21:50

Sorry to contribute to the insomnia.
It would be good to know where White850Turbo got his information and if the original poster's '99 AW tranny died of other causes than the wrong ATF.
I wish I could be more helpful here, but it is very confusing.
Please keep us posted what you decide and why. This issue needs clarifying.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Apr 2006, 22:22

Just found where Amsoil has a "universal" ATF that is DextronIII, Mercon AND JWS 3309 compliant. If I find anything else I'll post it. Maybe the 3309 is just a higher level ATF that supercedes the others, so you can go up to it but not back from it...if this makes sense. Anyway, I was trying to find something to help you sleep better. http://www.thebestoil.com/atf.asp
I also read this next thread which (if you read the very last entry) seems to confirm what I may suspect here: http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ult ... 012#000002
When I keep reading on this same board, I find that many claim that the Dextron/Mercron ATF CANNOT be mixed with the 3309, not even to top it off, so make sure you get a THOROUGH FLUSH if you still decide to do this.

Post by **mom** » 05 Apr 2006, 13:02

Just want to be sure...I flushed my tranny with mobil 3309 but bulletin said s70 awd, mine is a s70 GLT only and dealer said it is a 4 speed so am I using the wrong ATF?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 05 Apr 2006, 14:25

That's what we're not sure about either. I had always thought the 3309 was ONLY for 5 speeds, but maybe it aint so. Does your chasis number (last 6 digits of your VIN) correspond with the Service Bulletin above? If so, then you have a good chance that things are correct, but still I'm not sure. How does your transmission shift now?

You might want to call your dealer while they're still open and ask them if it will hurt to use their "special" ATF forumulated for later model 5 speeds in your 4speed transmission and see what they say. It may not hurt at all, but no one seems to know.

Post by **mom** » 05 Apr 2006, 14:36

I called my dealer and they said it is a 4 speed and the oil part number is 1161540 so it is ATF 3309. He didn't know about the specs of 1161540 but if you look the SB it is 3309. I think it's a higher standard and that's all.