1995 850T How long do the 95 trannys last?

2012 · Post by **2012** » 26 Jan 2015, 14:05

I have a 95 Turbo, and the transmission still works excellent with 155000 miles. How long can these last? Obviously when the tranny goes, so does the car because the cost will far exceed the car's value, but can they last over 200000 miles?

Post by **misha** » 26 Jan 2015, 14:36

They can last forever if they are not abused.

Post by **tryingbe** » 26 Jan 2015, 14:40

misha wrote:They can last forever if they are not abused.

And maintain, ie its fluid gets change.

Post by **misha** » 26 Jan 2015, 14:48

Actually....Volvo doesn't recommend transmission fluid change if there wasn't some kind of intervention on transmission.

It's in the owners manual.

Post by **FLXC90** » 26 Jan 2015, 15:31

My 98 S70 has 224k on it now, Car was not taken care of for at least a few years before I got it (cabin filter was 12 years old!) I performed a partial drain and fill-the fluid that came out was black and watery, like dirty brake fluid, but the trans still shifts fine and does not slip at all. As Misha stated, the mfg. does not recommend fluid changes, but anecdotal evidence from the forum suggests that, if done carefully (no power flushes) it can lengthen your transmission's service life.

Post by **abscate** » 26 Jan 2015, 16:56

I don't know any trannys born in 1995, but I'm guessing statistically they last about the same as others.

They can last forever if they are not abused.

Indeed.

Post by **Ben850** » 27 Jan 2015, 00:05

I am going with forever in the '93-'98 Aisin in the vehicles I have. A drain and fill to gauge the deterioration of the fluid, and/or burning shiny metal pieces.

Rinse and repeat if needed and I am amazed at the recovery. Smooth shifts on hard acceleration.

Edit: One of which is a '95 T-5R and was abused. It still shifts effortlessly solid.
We are still speaking 4 sp. At.
I am still learning what a clutch does...?
My left foot plays Hi-Hat.

Muncie M22 rock crushers to Big Block Chevy were fun as well.

Post by **rspi** » 27 Jan 2015, 01:56

misha wrote:Actually....Volvo doesn't recommend transmission fluid change if there wasn't some kind of intervention on transmission.

It's in the owners manual.

I'm usually an "Owners manual rule" kind of guy but not here. To many tranny failures. I can see why Volvo recommended leaving the fluid alone. It would usually last far past the warranty. However, there is also statements in there about checking the fluid and changing fluid if towing is involved if I'm not mistaken.

My point is... if they were so confident in not changing fluid, why didn't they give it a lifetime warranty? Mine was toast when I purchased the car. Fluid was like dirty pond water. Did 3 drain and fills and was able to drive the car with no 1st until I had it replaced with a used one. Now I do drain & fills every 25k because I tow with it. If I didn't tow I would do it every 50k.

Post by **abscate** » 27 Jan 2015, 04:05

BMW refused to change my ATF on my X3 slush box, citing the usual lifetime warranty mantra.

I did two drains while feeding in fresh. Messy ugly job as you have to get the car up to access the ports and level as it is a " fill to overflow at idle"

Very small amount of residue on the magnet at 120k miles...kudos to BMW engineers and builders...ok, actually it's a GM transmission!

SWMBO likes how it shifts now, smoother and silky.

Post by **jreed** » 27 Jan 2015, 05:02

I recently replaced the ATF in my '97 855 GLT at 178k miles. I have been doing it as preventative maintenance every two to three years since I got the car about 10 years ago, but this may be too frequent a change interval. I use Castrol "Dex/Merc" which they recently also started labeling "Domestic" as opposed to "Import". The transmission still works fine and shifts smoothly so far with no problems.