Transmission fluid 2002 V70XC

snark · Post by **snark** » 26 Jul 2007, 19:30

Been feeling a little shifting slip or slam when using the automatic transmission mode, but not when using the manual shift mode, and wonder about the transmission fluid level but........I can't find a transmission fluid dipstick; is there one? if not how is the fluid level checked. Also I have read some differing opinions in other forums about the corrrect type of fluid...your fluid recommendation please and can I have the fluid changed or added at a oil change shop or is it a dealer job?
Thanks for helping

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Jul 2007, 23:08

Fluid type is Volvo's own or Mobil-3309 Don't use anything else. There is a small yellow dipstick under the turbo hose right next to and quite a bit lower than the battery...it is hard to see and very short...also has a latch on it that you have to pinch...it won't come right out by pulling. Make sure and check your level with your car running and hot...follow the procedure of shifting through all of your gears 3-5 seconds at a time with a foot on the brake...then back to P and then pull the stick and check it. Hot means that your car has been running on the highway for at least 20 minutes at a decent speed.

snark · Post by **snark** » 27 Jul 2007, 05:54

In fact I can't find the battery in the engine coompartment (it is under the trunk floor)...this is a XC AWD engine with automatic and manual modes (Geartronic); any other places Volvo may have hidden the transmission dipstick. It's not in the glove box!
Thanks again

Post by **JRL** » 27 Jul 2007, 06:13

Look harder, it's there

snark · Post by **snark** » 27 Jul 2007, 08:59

WOW, they sure put it in a convienent spot. A bit dangerous to get in there while the engine is hot. The fluid looks brown...72,000 miles...change it? Can I trust my regular mechanic to do it or is this a high-priced dealer operation?
Again thanks

Post by **JRL** » 27 Jul 2007, 12:06

snark wrote:WOW, they sure put it in a convienent spot. A bit dangerous to get in there while the engine is hot. The fluid looks brown...72,000 miles...change it? Can I trust my regular mechanic to do it or is this a high-priced dealer operation?
Again thanks

If you're just doing a drain and fill sure.
If you're flushing it, just make sure that whoever is doing that knows whtr they're doing
AND USE THE CORRECT FLUID, Volvo 3309 fluid (expensive) or Mobil 3309.
You can also pick it up at a Toyota dealership at less than 1/2 the price of Volvo's, same stuff. Just make sure it says 3309 on the bottle.
As long as it says 3309 on the bottle you're OK.
You may want to get this done at Volvo, spend the money and have them also download the latest software