How to change manual TRANS Fluid

Post by **Juan62** » 20 Jun 2011, 05:51

I think its time to change my tranny fluid on my 98 S70 T-5M (manual). How do I accomplish this and what fluid should be used? Thanks.

Post by **JRL** » 20 Jun 2011, 05:57

Use Volvo fluid or the synthetic ATF equivilent (off the numbers on the bottle)
REDLINE works well

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 20 Jun 2011, 05:58

There should be a drain plug and a fill plug. Drain the old fluid out the drain plug in the bottom of the transmission and then refill the transmission until the fluid is at the threads of the fill screw.

As for fluid, I always liked royal purple or red line.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 20 Jun 2011, 07:03

There are two plugs on the left hand side of the transmission. The lower plug will drain the transmission and the upper plug is used to fill it. Just fill the transmission until the fluid runs out of the bottom of the upper plug. As I recall you will need a 22mm wrench to remove the plugs.

The Volvo fluid is stupid expensive and I tried to cheap out with the slightly less stupid expensive Royal Purple that claimed it was GL-4 compatible. In my case the shifting is kinda "notchy" until the system heats up. I'm getting ready to bite the bullet and buy the real Volvo stuff for mine.

...Lee

Post by **ThinAir** » 07 Aug 2013, 21:33

I realize this is an older thread, but I felt I should chime in on this as I just ordered my tranny oil after spending an hour verifying the right stuff to use. I am going Volvo brand, and this is where it got a bit confusing. The guys at my local shop (solid, dependable and knowledgeable) said for my car: 99 S70 T5 Manual Trans to use Volvo #31280771. I went online to check it out. On IDP's website it said that this would not "fit" my car and recommended Volvo #1161745. "interesting" I thought. So I did a bit more research and found this discussion on a UK Volvo forum: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/archive/i ... 47127.html. If you read through this discussion the upshot is 31280771 is the oil to use on a 98/99 S70 T5 manual tranny. I am not faulting IPD here, I guess that this is a word of warning to do your homework. Manual transmissions on these guys are the exception so there is not as much info out there for us. If anybody has a differing or confirming experience regarding the proper transmission fluid for T5M's please chime in.

Post by **matthew1** » 07 Aug 2013, 22:02

Manuals are such a small % of the P80 line in the US (2%? 3%), the knowledge on things like part #s is going to be... scattered. Not defending the small, reputable shop you went to, just saying based on reading MVS.

I'll help. Wanna do this at my dad's on Sunday?

Post by **ThinAir** » 07 Aug 2013, 23:44

Maybe something got lost in the translation given my wordy response. The conclusion that I arrived at was that the garage was right and IPD's website was wrong regarding manual transmission fluid for these cars. Go local knowledge! So the answer is: Volvo Manual Transmission Fluid # 31280771. But as info is spotty it would be good it one of the vets who owns one of these cars could sound off on this.

Unfortunately, my order won't arrive until next week, but I plan to do my door stop and change out the spark plugs if you are down. Let me know!

jgasn · Post by **jgasn** » 08 Aug 2013, 00:40

I have also done the legwork on this in AUS where manuals are very rare.
After speaking to reps from Fuchs. Motul, Shell, Amsoil, Elf.....I found out that the only listed compatiable is Castrol Syntrans 75-85. Was recommended I call them by local Volvo dealership. Something about Castrol were the preferred suppliers when these were produced. Was also told by all reps that suppliers are not allowed to list any fluids without the ok from car maker. So far so good with new Castrol fluid in, only changed due to new clutch.

Post by **ThinAir** » 08 Aug 2013, 08:28

The plot and tranny fluid thickens.....

Post by **ThinAir** » 08 Aug 2013, 13:14

I can't let this one go until I have a suitable answer. So after more digging here is what I have; according to IPD's website Volvo manual transmission fluid #1161745 is the proper oil to use in a 98 to 2001 M56 manual transmission and Volvo manual transmission fluid #31280771 is the proper oil to use in 2001 and on M56 manual transmissions. Did the M56 change between years? Am I ok to use fluid #31280771? This is what my mechanic recommended to me and what he and his friends use in their M56 manual transmissions so i am leaning towards this. Please help sort out this mystery!