Omg! What does the dark transmission fluid color mean?

natural4reelz · Post by **natural4reelz** » 31 Jan 2019, 05:01

Just drained some transmission fluid out and the color is almost dark like engine oil...

Who ever had it b4 me never changed it obviously...
Does this mean my transmission is gonna be messed up now??

Is there a certain order for me to run the gears in so the newer fluid blends into it

I put full synthetic and 1161540 valvoline in it...

natural4reelz · Post by **natural4reelz** » 31 Jan 2019, 05:03

I took a picture of the fluid but dont know how to post it up here.....

ignatz · Post by **ignatz** » 31 Jan 2019, 06:00

The fluid does get dark in these cars. I just drain, measure the amount and refill. My cars are on a once a year "drain and fill" schedule I do every Thanksgiving. I have chosen Aisin Type IV transmission oil for my fleet. Many use Mobil 3309 or Toyota Type IV.
Most people on Volvo forums use the specific oil, like I mentioned above. On websites like "Bob is the Oil Guy", there you read about people using Valvoline oil, or synthetic oil in these Aisin transmissions.
I use the oil the manufacture says to use. Gets to be a grey area about a specific oil, and a oil that's compatible. Again, I chose to use the non-synthetic Aisin Type IV.

natural4reelz · Post by **natural4reelz** » 31 Jan 2019, 06:04

What kind of transmission do i have and what do i do as far as what gear to put it in is there a certain order to blend this new fluid into the old

Post by **Rattnalle** » 31 Jan 2019, 06:38

Just replace the same amount then drive. When car is properly warm check level on dipstick with engine running and transmission in neutral.

EngineeringBloke · Post by **EngineeringBloke** » 31 Jan 2019, 10:28

I don't think that color looks so bad. It still appears to have some red to it.

You mentioned some issues with the transmission. Do you have a code reader, or go to an autoparts store and have them read out the check engine light codes. Then let us know what they are.

Post by **E Showell** » 31 Jan 2019, 13:34

Does it smell burnt? If not, you may have avoided serious trans problems if you begin a drain and fill program now.

natural4reelz · Post by **natural4reelz** » 31 Jan 2019, 20:01

I HAD a CEL CODE of PO700 And this was after i did the fluid drain and fill.....

But i deleted the code this morning like 530am LAS VEGAS, NV time and been driving it and the CODE hasnt returned.... and i didnt think it smelled burn but another friend of mine said it kinda did...

It drives fine now and has a little less pep but i hope
For the best...

When should i do another drain and fill again.... ???

Post by **E Showell** » 31 Jan 2019, 20:09

Some people like to put a few hundred miles on between, but you can probably do it much sooner. You want the old fluid and new to have a chance to mix to dilute the old with new.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 01 Feb 2019, 01:32

Just driving around the block will be enough to mix the oils. So do it whenever is convenient after driving few trips. The next week or a month later really doesn't matter that much.