Do we change tranny fluid in M56s? Topic is solved

Post by **Clemens** » 10 Sep 2018, 12:15

On my 94 T5M the gears go in alright, but slow shifting is the key. Would the gears go in smoother and quicker with new fluid or would I rather risk ruining the tranny?
I guess Volvo claims a lifetime fill.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Sep 2018, 12:48

I changed mine about 2 years ago. I think it did make shifting nicer in winter.

I used Valvoline synthetic gear oil - its a pretty big odd size bolt - maybe a 21 or 22mm?

Post by **E Showell** » 10 Sep 2018, 13:11

I changed mine with an engine swap at about 229 k. Oil that came out was, according to my mechanic, pristine. He said he wouldn't have changed it. I don't think you'll hurt anything (but I used the ridiculously expensive Volvo gear oil) -- I would have sold Steve my used stuff. . .

Post by **Chuck W** » 10 Sep 2018, 13:13

When I did the clutch replacement in my old '96 GLT, I used Redline MTL in the trans. I've had good luck with it in other vehicles in the past, and it seemed happy with it.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 Sep 2018, 13:48

I had about 230k on mine when I changed the clutch and changed the fluid at the same time. Volvo wants a GL4 and I used a Royal Purple that said GL4 on the bottle but it was actually GL5 that covers the GL4 spec. The only issue I had was that it was "notchy" when it was cold and I think the issue is that GL5 is actually too slick and it doesn't give enough drag for the synchros to work as they should. It wasn't bad but if I had to do it over again I would go ahead and bite the bullet and buy the Volvo stuff.

One suggestion that was provided a couple of years ago, remove the upper fill plug first. I think the suggestion was from experience on that one and if you can't get the fill plug loose, and you have already drained the transmission, then you are a bit screwed.

...Lee

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 10 Sep 2018, 18:55

I'm about to replace my clutch. Thinking about replacing the gear oil since it has 265k miles on it. Was looking at buying gear oil, and volvo's stuff was just as "cheap" as whatever you could buy at an autoparts store. I wouldn't consider $18.78 per liter expensive for gear oil.

Post by **Clemens** » 11 Sep 2018, 00:19

How many liters or quarts or pints or whatever go in there? My VW bus has only 2 and something liters in there, so I guess 2-3 liters.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Sep 2018, 03:04

I don’t think I used 2 whole liters, Clemens

Bumped the thread, under 2 liters

Post by **850 LPT** » 11 Sep 2018, 06:11

I replaced the gear oil on my P2 a while ago with Redline MTL, which is GL-4. I was hoping that this change would make shifting in cold weather a little easier but it made no difference. Especially going into reverse is hard to do on this car, even when it's warm.

Anyone know what's going on or how to fix this?

Thanks, Dirk