volvo 850 AT drained 5+ qts trans safest way to refill?

[cn90]

Of course, there is always the owner's manual recommendation, but one can always ask an academic question of "why ATF has to be checked with engine running?", once people do an internet search, they will realize that not all cars manuals say so.

- Honda or Volvo, the principle for operation for AT is the same, when the engine runs, fluid is pumped into the TC. When engine is off, fluid drains back into the sump. The 1998 Honda Accord: ATF level is checked with engine off b/c the dipstick was designed that way.

- "If" Volvo designed the yellow dipstick to reflect the correct fluid level COLD in the morning (engine OFF), then we would go by that and won't have this discussion.

- With the info in this thread, before a long trip, people can quickly check their fluids before going without waiting for 30 minutes to warm up engine to check ATF.

- Re: Volume expansion when HOT. ATF expands a bit, but not much (the difference is about 1-2 mm for COLD vs HOT with engine running). Do this:
1- Mark the spot on your driveway (so you can park in the same spot later in the afternoon): with engine COLD, start engine and measure the ATF level. Take a photo.
2- Go to work etc., in the afternoon, when you come back home, park in the same spot. Now the engine is HOT, leave engine running, measure ATF, take photo, you will see the fluid level difference (COLD vs HOT) is there but minimal.

- So if you ever see a big difference in the fluid levels, it is between engine OFF vs RUNNING, and not so much between COLD vs HOT.

I think people will think more when they start challenging the theory that "ATF must be checked with engine running" conventional wisdom.

[Nick44]

I'd be curious to compare what GM and Toyota have to say.
These trannys are used in GM and Toyota, and are generally considered bulletproof, but GM and Toyota have a different fluid change regime.
Volvo say " filled for life" - utter rubbish IMHO.
GM/Toyota say change every 50k.

Volvo tranny - 100,000, generally on the at out.
GM/Toyota - never seems to be an issue.

Same tranny. Asin Warner AW55.

[erikv11]

@Nick44: Actually, for your car the owner's manual recommends that you check the ATF very frequently, every 10k miles, when you should "Inspect (Correct or Replace if necessary)" (e.g. http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/199 ... .htm#pg8.4). So if the fluid looks burnt, replace it. And yes the AW-55 is considered bulletproof in these cars too. They basically never, ever have trouble at 100k so I'm not sure where you heard that. Troubles at all are rare.

[Nick44]

@Erikv. My comment was rather at the Volvo regime for tranny fluid replacement, rather than check/top up. Of course you should be checking fluid levels ( although the only likely loss of fluid is via a leak, and if you always park in the same place that would get spotted very quickly )
The Volvo service schedule nowhere says that fluid should be changed after "X" miles, unless the car is used for towing, taxi work, or harsh conditions. GM/Toyota says change every 50k.
My remarks about Volvo AW55 trannys is from experience. I have seen many boxes that are wrecked at 100,000, IMHO due to same fluid since factory fill. This was something I took up with Volvo a few years ago in my then capacity as V70 register keeper for the VOC (GB).

@CN90, My understanding of the reasoning behind method of checking fluid level, which is not just hot, but that the tranny is put through its settings as well, PRNDL etc a couple of times to ensure that all the galleries and poppets as well as the TC are full of fluid at point of dipping. The fluid is as runny as it can get when hot. Also, if the dipstick were changed to measure at cold, empty TC and galleries etc it would make a big assumption about how much fluid has NOT drained out - and lead to a false reading.
So I would guess the method is recommended for accuracy reasons.

[cn90]

- This observation is still true 4 years later for me.

- If you own a 2005 XC90 2.5T with the dipstick way down the engine bay, you will appreciate this trick (check ATF when cold).
This is bc the XC90 dipstick is way down and if you follow the owners manual (engine HOT and running), you will burn your fingers, trust me. You need to wear gloves to check XC90 2.5T ATF level, if you follow the book.

- So, for my 2005 XC90 2.5T, I check ATF when COLD (and engine OFF in my garage), it has worked great for me.
No need to burn the fingers.

[abscate]

My E83 doesn’t even have a dipstick so I have to rely on the driveway check to catch spills. I do a drain and fill every two years where I “ fill to drip” per the manual.

The P80 check is a snap

[cn90]

Someone asked me this question recently. I updated with this photo...

As I mentioned before, the P80 checking is easy bc the ATF dipstick is in the front of the engine.
The P2 (2005 XC90 2.5T, S60, V70, S80)...the dipstick is way down and you risk burning your hand if you follow the book.

This trick (checking ATF with engine OFF and COLD) is very useful if you need to check the car in the morning
(engine oil, ATF levels etc.) before a long trip...

So, this photo will serve to illustrate what I said previously.

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ATF-Level.jpg (37.44 KiB) Viewed 1040 times

[scot850]

The 2000 "R" and Base P80's have a plastic yellow dipstick as per your picture as they have the 5 speed auto trans. It is not too terrible to check on an NA but on the 'R' you had better where Teflon gloves if you can even see the dipstick. In both cases you have to remove the cold air intake pipe t get to it if at all!

Neil.