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Volvo V70 d5 Is my AW55 slipping/unhealthy ?

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Riass
Posts: 12
Joined: 02 Jun 2026, 10:09
Year and Model: 2005 V70
Location: France

Post by Riass »

Hi,

I recently bought a cheap 2005 v70 d5 with the aw55 box.

Trans atf was wayyy too low. I topped up with correct level checking procedure.

But it shifts fine, no flare no jerking, all gears. Lockup converter happens smoothly in 5th at around 80kmh
Flat out it goes really well.
But i cant help but feel like the car isn't pulling as it should for a d5. Flat it's alright but i feel like i need to press too much on gas to get at a decent speed quickly. Uphill, i feel like it barely move while instant fuel consumption sky rocket... It's my first automatic car so i'd appreciate if someone could give their opinion. Heres 2 videos of gauge cluster when flat ground from a stop to 80kmh and uphill.

Flat ground :

Uphill (quite steap) :


Thanks in advance.

Riass

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jonesg
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Post by jonesg »

It has a turbo no?
I would put a boost gauge on it and see if its boosting.
https://www.amazon.com/DriSentri-6032BL ... tdGY&psc=1

Riass
Posts: 12
Joined: 02 Jun 2026, 10:09
Year and Model: 2005 V70
Location: France

Post by Riass »

jonesg wrote: 02 Jun 2026, 14:51 It has a turbo no?
I would put a boost gauge on it and see if its boosting.
https://www.amazon.com/DriSentri-6032BL ... tdGY&psc=1
I'll try to see with vida but as i said, flat out car pulls really good, Just it feels like the automatic trans is slipping at normal speeds.

vtl
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Post by vtl »

Unlocked torque converter wastes about 30% of engine power into heating transmission fluid. On top of that, AW55 is weak for this engine in first two gears, so engine power is limited even further.

Videos look good to me, this is how classic automatic transmissions (with torque converter) work in general.

Riass
Posts: 12
Joined: 02 Jun 2026, 10:09
Year and Model: 2005 V70
Location: France

Post by Riass »

vtl wrote: 03 Jun 2026, 05:57 Unlocked torque converter wastes about 30% of engine power into heating transmission fluid. On top of that, AW55 is weak for this engine in first two gears, so engine power is limited even further.

Videos look good to me, this is how classic automatic transmissions (with torque converter) work in general.
Hi,

So it's reassuring and at the same time disappointing, kinda regret getting an auto. :)
I guess when the transmission will go out, i'll try to manual swap it.

Thanks for the help Vtl.

Riass

vtl
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Post by vtl »

Riass wrote: 04 Jun 2026, 00:41 So it's reassuring and at the same time disappointing, kinda regret getting an auto. :)
I guess when the transmission will go out, i'll try to manual swap it.

Thanks for the help Vtl.

Riass
No, you sell the car and buy the one you want. It will be cheaper. Unless you are into car projects and do it for fun.

Riass
Posts: 12
Joined: 02 Jun 2026, 10:09
Year and Model: 2005 V70
Location: France

Post by Riass »

vtl wrote: 04 Jun 2026, 05:29
Riass wrote: 04 Jun 2026, 00:41 So it's reassuring and at the same time disappointing, kinda regret getting an auto. :)
I guess when the transmission will go out, i'll try to manual swap it.

Thanks for the help Vtl.

Riass
No, you sell the car and buy the one you want. It will be cheaper. Unless you are into car projects and do it for fun.
I like projects, it's a third car, only for transporting large objects, paid 1700€ for it. I have my 98 C70 T5 and an 03 S40 for daily usage. Also in my country, manual V70 D5 are really expensive and beat up, like 4k € and 350000km or more, and most are poverty spec. So i was thinking that i could get a manual d5 v70 parts car and use her parts to swap the one i have as the engine seems very healthy and it is very well optionned out. But maybe i'll just sell it for parts if i end up not motivated for a project. Anyway, thanks for the help.

Riass

Riass
Posts: 12
Joined: 02 Jun 2026, 10:09
Year and Model: 2005 V70
Location: France

Post by Riass »

Just for info,

I did a partial oil change (not a flush) with fresh fluid, the old fluid was very dark. the car feels better, shifts are even more smooth and it feels like it pulls better on up hills.

Gonna do 2 more drain and hopefully have nice fresh fluid all around in the gearbox.

So yeah if anyone reads this and have similar weird feel about the gearbox, try doing some partial oil changes.

vtl
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Post by vtl »

Riass wrote: 14 Jul 2026, 11:43 Just for info,

I did a partial oil change (not a flush) with fresh fluid, the old fluid was very dark. the car feels better, shifts are even more smooth and it feels like it pulls better on up hills.

Gonna do 2 more drain and hopefully have nice fresh fluid all around in the gearbox.

So yeah if anyone reads this and have similar weird feel about the gearbox, try doing some partial oil changes.
Add 30 ml of Lubegard HFM, drive around for a bit, let it soak into frictions overnight. You'll be surprised. Reapply annually. One bottle will be good for many years.

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