2005 S60 T5 "Hard" shifts with autobox

[Skinkehunden]

Hi.

I've recently bought a Volvo S60 T5 with an automatic gearbox. I'll admit it wasn't my first choice, would prefer the manual version, but here in Denmark a good sorted T5 model are rare. Anyways, it's now been a couple of weeks since I took delivery of the car, and I'm getting used to driving the autobox, however I'm experiencering "hard" shifts under medium to heavy accelleration. Now it's not something that'll rip your head off, but I can certainly shift smoother in a manual under the same conditions. When I just driving with a light to medium throttle, the shifts are smooth. Please bear in mind, that this is my first car with an automatic gearbox, and the only other autoboxes I can compare to are the test drives of an 2009 Volvo S80 2.5T and the 2007 Volvo S80 V8 AWD, and those shift alot smoother.

Is there any software updates from Volvo that can help? -Or maybe any mods?

-skinkehunden

[benrk]

Welcome to the forum Skinkehunden,

1st off, contrary to what you in Denmark & myself in Germany have learned in school as gear box as translation for "Getriebe" the word transmission is much more common in English especially for automatics, google likely would have rewarded you with much better results using that word as these Aisin AW55-50SN had a host of problems in the earlier model years, a 2005 should be fairly safe though.

The biggest problem remaining in your model year is that Volvo still specifies a lifetime filling (no changes needed) for the fluid (oil) which unfortunately makes sense in a way, if you never change it, the transmission will surely die. Doing a full scale change or flush can be risky on older transmissions which is why most people rely on regular drain & fill procedures which changes about 1/3 of the fluid each time. Here's a link to the topic https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =9&t=26863

Greetz from the Canadian Prairies, Ben

[oragex]

It is first a good idea to inspect the engine mounts, as those are known to wear prematurely.

Like Ben mentions, this is the most common issue with these vehicles. 2005+ models had seen a little improvement, but the gearboxes are still fragile when the fluid is the original one.

I'd check in the first place the color of the fluid. The dipstick is yellow and hidden somewhere at the front of the transmission, on the right side as looking from the hood to the rear of the car. It is hidden underneath some radiator hoses. If the color is clear red, it means the fluid has been changed by the previous owner, and there is a good chance the transmission software hasn't been updated to reflect for the new fluid. This could solve the shifting issue. It's a good moment to also check the level, there are several posts over internet that describe the right procedure.

If the fluid has a dark redish color, then perhaps having the fluid gradually replaced - 'flushing' it at a garage will damage the transmission - could possibly improve shifting. If this doesn't work, then probably it needs new solenoids, a relatively easy and not too costly job - around $300 in parts off Ebay with 3 hours labor.

[abscate]

Hej, skinkehunden.

I would inspect all the motor mounts as noted above. The 2005 transmission is fine and does not suffer from the problems of the earlier P2 cars.

[Skinkehunden]

Doing a full scale change or flush can be risky on older transmissions which is why most people rely on regular drain & fill procedures which changes about 1/3 of the fluid each time.

And why is a flush so devasting for the transmission?

[benrk]

There's a lot of narrow oil channels & valves & solenoids, if the fluid hasn't been changed in a while, you're likely to have semi-solid deposits in your tranny, at a pressurized flush these deposits can break loose & then get stuck in passages or block moving parts which can result in worse malfunction than before, at a drain & fill, just like at an engine oil change, you drain all the dirt that's in the sump & add fluid with fresh additives & detergents that will slowly dissolve & wash out possible deposits if the procedure is repeatedly done.

[chrism]

It's possible the fluid has been recently changed but not with the correct fluid which would be Mobil 3309 for your transmission. It can also be purchased from a Volvo dealer (with a Volvo label) or from a Toyota dealer (labeled as Toyota Type IV). Supposedly this fluid contains "friction modifiers" so if another type of fluid is used you run a risk of harsh shifts. You might find that introducing 3309 into the transmission will slowly smooth out the shifts.

[Skinkehunden]

Cool. I appreciate the answers and the help.