Checking tranny fluid level

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 24 Aug 2014, 14:12

2006-xc70. So I did a tranny drain and fill -2x- second one about 150 miles after #1....Now checking the level. With motor RUNNING...it's slightly below the hash mark...maybe even on the bottom one for HOT. The fluid is so clear that it's tough to tell where exactly the level is when running..
With the engine OFF...NOT running (yet very hot)...it's waaaay over the hash mark. So, just for peace of mind...check with the engine running, right? I don't want to get too nutty about the level...but I don't want any 'issues'.

Post by **JRL** » 24 Aug 2014, 15:26

Answered on SS

Post by **oragex** » 24 Aug 2014, 18:47

Engine must be running. If you barely see fluid on the stick, then it's probably that there's no fluid, just smear off the inside wall of the dipstick tube. It should be a nice thick droplet of fluid.

Have the car driven for a good 30 minutes or more. The transmission fluid needs to reach it's operating temperature.

Post by **shiloh51933** » 25 Aug 2014, 11:57

AlanS wrote:2006-xc70. So I did a tranny drain and fill -2x- second one about 150 miles after #1....Now checking the level. With motor RUNNING...it's slightly below the hash mark...maybe even on the bottom one for HOT. The fluid is so clear that it's tough to tell where exactly the level is when running..
With the engine OFF...NOT running (yet very hot)...it's waaaay over the hash mark. So, just for peace of mind...check with the engine running, right? I don't want to get too nutty about the level...but I don't want any 'issues'.

What brand ATF are you using? I recently copped another Volvo('04 XC70) and have been doing drain/fills even though 1st owner(previous owner has provided all service documents) w/atf flush service. Before I totally flush I'm doing about 5 drain/fills(did 2x), I use Febi 29934 which is JWS3309 equivalent. Have u noticed a difference yet?

Post by **precopster** » 26 Aug 2014, 05:10

Clean new fluid is hardly visible on the stick. Most people are content to see a red colour on the stick after 2 or 3 drain and fills (around 11 quarts) It actually takes around 16 quarts of drain and fill to have 95% clean fluid.

Post by **shiloh51933** » 28 Aug 2014, 09:37

precopster wrote:Clean new fluid is hardly visible on the stick. Most people are content to see a red colour on the stick after 2 or 3 drain and fills (around 11 quarts) It actually takes around 16 quarts of drain and fill to have 95% clean fluid.

I wish I had this issue of crystal clear atf...I've completed 2x drain/fills w/Febi ATF(#29934)JWS3309 compatible. I'm getting ready to order some atf from FCP for both of our Volvo's but haven't decided if I'm going to go with Aisin ATF-OT4 or Mobil ATF3309(these 2 r much cheaper than the Febi 29934). What about this Idemitsu ATF Type-TLS? The Idemitsu ATF is much cheaper than all the rest, so if it's any good it might be worth ordering some. Any feedback is appreciated, thanks.

Post by **rmmagow** » 28 Aug 2014, 11:28

I ordered 2 of these some time ago, good price I think.
https://www.amazon.com/Mobil-55221-Autom ... words=3309

Post by **regent** » 28 Aug 2014, 12:19

These guys http://www.avlube.com/mobilatf3309.html offer a case for $62.73 plus shipping (the total may even beat amazon's price plus tax for your state)

Post by **vtl** » 29 Aug 2014, 09:07

shiloh51933 wrote:What about this Idemitsu ATF Type-TLS? The Idemitsu ATF is much cheaper than all the rest, so if it's any good it might be worth ordering some. Any feedback is appreciated, thanks.

Is it cheaper? If I remember correctly, it is slightly above of what I have to pay for Mobil 3309.

Anyways, I use Type-TLS in both P2s our family has. They guy, who replaced the valve body in one of them (2002, was already problematic when I bought it 4 years ago), said he found that Idemitsu works best in AW55 in Volvo. Otherwise he uses Mobil 3309 for AW55 in the rest of cars.

Post by **shiloh51933** » 29 Aug 2014, 11:19

rmmagow wrote:I ordered 2 of these some time ago, good price I think.
https://www.amazon.com/Mobil-55221-Autom ... words=3309

Nice!! That's $5.80 a quart for some top shelf ATF, I'm sure your satisfied with the Mobil 3309 ATF. Originally when we first got our '96 850 I drained/filled w/Mobil 1 Multi vehicle ATF which was compatible with that A/T. I've done the drain/fill process on the 850 twice over the last 5 years w/Mobil 1 Multi vehicle formula but this last time I've been using Febi 29934 since it's available @ the Napa by my house. If I can get a case of the Mobil 3309 for that price I'm going w/that stuff to complete the drain/fills on our '04 XC70(2 x drain/fills w/Febi).