New xc90 owner question. Transmission fluid chk

The Blue Whale · Post by **The Blue Whale** » 05 Dec 2010, 10:36

I can't seem to find the auto trans dip stick.
I read in a related forum that it may not need checking.
Is this true?

Its an 06 T5 FWD

Post by **JDS60R** » 05 Dec 2010, 14:11

Interesting that the owners manual doesn't show anything. It appears you have the normal 5 speed automatic that hides the dipstick low, near where the motor and trans are joined, in the front of the motor.
Open hood
Put hands on left and right side of rad.
use right hand to follow straight down between engine and rad.
Look for dipstick where motor and trans join at almost bottom of radiator

The stock non synthetic fluid is not good for more than 30K miles. Change it often with quality fluid. Switching to a full synthetic that meets the JWS 3309 spec is highly recommended. Asking which brand to use always starts a huge heated discussion so I suggest against it. Pick someone with proven expertise and privately message them for their opinion.

If you stay with the stock fluid which is made by Mobil you should change it at least every 30K miles. My friends who use the stock oil do a drain and refill ( about 3-4 quarts comes out) every other oil change.

Volvo will tell you it never needs changing. Experience here shows otherwise. Especially in a vehicle as large as the XC90
There are hundreds of posts for you to check out on the subject. Just use the search box above next to "Volvo Parts"

Post by **stone36** » 09 Dec 2010, 17:44

Check this post
it is pinned at the top of the xc90 forum. scroll down to the trans flush PDF and I am pretty sure I put a picture of the dipstick. It is WAAAAYYYYY out of the way, I don't think Volvo wants you to find it...

BlackXC90T6AWD · Post by **BlackXC90T6AWD** » 15 Dec 2010, 07:33

facing the engine bay to the top right by the right of the right hand side motor mount yellow dipstick marked ATF.

9394volvo850s · Post by **9394volvo850s** » 26 Jan 2011, 22:22

the T6 and 2.5T have different dipstick locations. the 5cyl trans dipstick is located in the front of the trans on the driver side under the intercooler pipe that goes into the intake manifold. it can be seen clear as day from underneath once air guide is removed. popping the cold air feed tube off that goes into the airbox offers a little more room to access the dipstick. and yes its yellow.