AT fluid compatibility question

Post by **JimBee** » 29 Jun 2016, 21:37

Today I stopped at a long-established transmission repair shop to chat. We checked the trans fluid level and it was a little low. The shop manager offered to top it up. His mechanic came out with some pink slushy looking fluid and had a pint in before I could stop him. I asked what that stuff is and he said it's the old style fluid. This is an old car so that's what should be used.

I have been using Merc III ?? I think ?? which is what is mostly sold at auto supply stores. Is it going to harm anything to have the slushy looking stuff in there? Might I be advised to do a few drain and fills to get out as much as I can?

Post by **tryingbe** » 29 Jun 2016, 22:41

Year, make, and model?

Post by **JimBee** » 30 Jun 2016, 08:12

This car is a 1996 850 auto transmission.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 30 Jun 2016, 09:43

It is the old stuff- Merc or Dexron III.... but "slushy stuff" worries me.

Post by **JimBee** » 30 Jun 2016, 20:24

Today I called the local Volvo dealer. The service guys held a 5 minute conversation on this question and came back with "the transmission holds 20 (twenty!) quarts of fluid, type recommended is Dex III, but a little of the older style in there is not likely to make a difference. Life goes on.

Post by **tryingbe** » 30 Jun 2016, 22:50

JimBee wrote:Today I called the local Volvo dealer. The service guys held a 5 minute conversation on this question and came back with "the transmission holds 20 (twenty!) quarts of fluid

NOPE! 8 qt only!!

Here's the owner manual.

http://volvo.custhelp.com/app/manuals/O ... om_id/1024

Automatic transmission fluid

Quality: ATF Dexron IIE/ III and Mercon

Capacity: 8 US qts. (7.6 liters)

Post by **JimBee** » 01 Jul 2016, 15:35

: )
And that was from the Twin Cities' major Volvo dealer. I thought that sounded ridiculously high, but they insisted that was the number and I don't think they were teasing. Sheesh. Maybe the guy who came up with the number worked on Volvo tractors, then it might be more accurate.

I called the AT shop to ID the fluid they used and was told what they have is lighter pink than the store brands and will work with either Dex II or Dex III applications.

Post by **MrAl** » 01 Jul 2016, 16:06

Hi,

20 quarts sounds pretty high. Mine (v70 1998) takes 8 quarts.

I suppose it is possible, as 5 gallons of liquid can be contained in a space very close to:
12 inches wide by 24 inches long by 4 inches high,
which would be a large rectangular pan size.
Alternately, 5 gallons of liquid would fit in a square pan 18 inches by 18 inchs by about 3.6 inches deep.
Just sounds like too much though compared to my vehicle which as i am told was derived from the 850.