Oil Transmission Filter.

[RobertoGonzalez]

Hello folks, pleased to greet you all. I have a 1991 Volvo 3.0, sedan, 6 cylinder, 24 valve, and currently I need to change the transmission oil (Dexron IID for a 4 speed automatic gearbox), and the mechanic who must do this work in a few more days, told me that my car model does not use a transmission oil filter. So, before making the oil change, I would like to double check the information that this guy told me so I can buy (or not) an oil filter and save time. It seems strange to me that these car models do not use filters, therefore, I would appreciate any suggestion, advice or information that you guys can give me.
Excuse my ignorance, but I'm not a mechanic and I'm just getting into the automotive world.

Thank you very much.

Roberto.

[dm635]

The 960 certainly has a transmission filter.
If I had a mechanic tell me that I'd find a new mechanic.
That one would never touch my car again.

But I do my own work. Filter Is inside the pan secured by 3 bolts. As far as the filter goes on this car it's very easy to replace.

[lummert]

Mechanic is mistaking your transmission as what would be installed in a Volvo 740/760/940. Tell him to think 1992 Volvo 960.

[RobertoGonzalez]

The 960 certainly has a transmission filter.
If I had a mechanic tell me that I'd find a new mechanic.
That one would never touch my car again.

But I do my own work. Filter Is inside the pan secured by 3 bolts. As far as the filter goes on this car it's very easy to replace.

Thank you very much for your reply. Do you know what type of transmission my car has? For example, AW70. My gearshift is labeled “P R N D 3 L”. Because the car is european and was bought directly in Germany, the manual is in german, which makes it very difficult for me to understand certain things, taking into account that my native language is spanish.

To check the oil level, do you recommend putting the gear in the “N” or “P” position while the engine is running?

Again, thank you very much.

[RobertoGonzalez]

Mechanic is mistaking your transmission as what would be installed in a Volvo 740/760/940. Tell him to think 1992 Volvo 960.

Thank you very much for your reply. Maybe he believed that my car was another model, like the ones you mention. Do you know what type of transmission my car has? For example, AW70. My gearshift is labeled “P R N D 3 L”. Because the car is european and was bought directly in Germany, the manual is in german, which makes it very difficult for me to understand certain things, taking into account that my native language is spanish.

To check the oil level, do you recommend putting the gear in the “N” or “P” position while the engine is running?

Again, thank you very much.

[June]

It is a AW 30-40 electronically controlled transmission. To check fluid it should be driven to normal operating temperature, then stop on level surface, then put transmission in each gear for five seconds, then back to park and check fluid level. June

[RobertoGonzalez]

It is a AW 30-40 electronically controlled transmission. To check fluid it should be driven to normal operating temperature, then stop on level surface, then put transmission in each gear for five seconds, then back to park and check fluid level. June

Thank you very much for your answer June. If it is an electronic controlled transmission, then the oil must be a Dexron 2E, or a Dexron 2D should be fine?

Thanks.

[June]

You likely will have to use Dextron III as II might no longer be available and III is the replacement for II. I would not use the newest Dextron or multi vehicle fluid. Volvo still sells the Dextron III. My S80 has a Dextron III transmission. The dealer used BG Synthetic fluid and it disturbed the operation characteristic adversely. So I had them do a fluid exchange with the Genuine Volvo Dextron III and everything went back to normal. The wrong fluid was in the transmission for over 20K miles. The BG Synthetic fluid used was listed as a replacement for Dextron III among many other fluids. June

[RobertoGonzalez]

You likely will have to use Dextron III as II might no longer be available and III is the replacement for II. I would not use the newest Dextron or multi vehicle fluid. Volvo still sells the Dextron III. My S80 has a Dextron III transmission. The dealer used BG Synthetic fluid and it disturbed the operation characteristic adversely. So I had them do a fluid exchange with the Genuine Volvo Dextron III and everything went back to normal. The wrong fluid was in the transmission for over 20K miles. The BG Synthetic fluid used was listed as a replacement for Dextron III among many other fluids. June

Thank you very much for the complete answer. I can get here the Mobil ATF 220. It says, “Quality Level ExxonMobil: GM Dexron II/IID, Allison C-4,...etc.). Do you think that this Mobil can be used then? Or still do you recommend the DIII? What you say is very true, the wrong fluid can turn things very bad.

Thanks again June.

[June]

If it's Dextron II I don't see why not. I'm just surprised you can still get fluid labeled Dextron II/Mercon over there. It's been Dextron III over here since the 90s. Actually Dextron III is rare to find these days. Usually it's something that claims to cover Dextron and then other fluids.

Types of oil is usually a hot topic here, so I usually refrain from answering. My understanding is the difference between this specific fluid vs. Multi vehicle fluid is Dextron II, III, and beyond each have specific friction modifiers, viscosity, etc. Whereas the multi vehicle fluid will be somewhat different but likely close enough.

Somewhat different may or may not cause change in the shift characteristics. In my cars case it caused sloppy, soft shifts even at wide open throttle which is not good. June