High mileage tranny fluid drain/fill

iamhives · Post by **iamhives** » 29 Jan 2018, 21:06

I recently bought a 2006 V70 2.4 NA automatic with 188k for my son to learn to drive on. I wanted something safe, economical, reliable, utilitarian, uncool and slow! Car was in pretty good general condition. I know for sure that the majority of the miles are truely 'highway' (!) since I know the prior owner and the fact that he has a long highway commute that he has done for years.

It needed the PCV to be done (not blocked but lower hose perhaps 1/2 full - opening to pan open) and a few other typical maintenance things - rear disks and pads, a CV boot, general clean/tune up, plugs etc which I've taken care of. The only maintenance item left to complete would be the transmission which has no major problems and in general shifts fine. Only thing I can identify is perhaps a very small flare in low gear (which occurs at the exact same point in my commute) when its very cold out and tranny hasn't warmed up - but you really need need to be looking for it vs it being obvious (my wife doesn't notice it at all). I strongly suspect the fluid hasn't been changed. The fluid is a clear light brown (perhaps with a tiny tinge of red left) but not horrible - I've seen much worse.

I know this will stir up a variety of opinions but do you think I should do a drain and fill? I bought a case of Mobil 1 JWS 3309 from Amazon but am now getting cold feet. I was planning on doing drain and fills spaced a few hundred miles apart. I know there are some that suggest against changing transmission fluid at such a high mileage while others seem to think it can't do any harm. I'm trying to get a concensus. I guess my attitude is that since the transmission seems to be doing OK in general and doesn't have any major problems that it might be OK to drain/fill.

Also, I have Vida so should I reset the transmission oil 'counter' etc if if I do end up draining/filling?

Thoughts?

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jan 2018, 02:30

Drain and fill is perfect for such a car. If you pop the hose from the radiator you can do it from up top!

The dipstick is a pain to get to, see recent thread.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 30 Jan 2018, 03:56

Power flushes on a transmission of unknown history or one with a known history of poor preventive maintenance is a no no.

If a Drain and Fill reveals problems, the DaF is not the cause. Your gain an opportunity to deal with any problems now not after your kid has a on the road breakdown. Goes hand in hand with buying a slow version of the safest brand of car for him. You got to do a DaF sometime, procrastinating is asking for trouble.

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jan 2018, 05:42

188k highway miles on a P2 is a teenager in terms of transmission life. That’s a great ride for a kid! One mine is eyeballing my P2 and it’s hard to tell a kid who learned stick no.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 30 Jan 2018, 07:26

To iamhives (lovely username, by the way): You're looking for a "consensus". Do a drain & fill.
Your case of 3309 is good for 3 of them.
If you raise the passenger's side higher than the left side you'll drain closer to 4 quarts.
Let us know how it goes.

iamhives · Post by **iamhives** » 30 Jan 2018, 11:04

Thanks guys. Looks like I have actually got a consensus so far - I was expects as many opinions as I got replies

This gives me more confidence of doing drain and fill(s).

Final question. Should the transmission oil counter be reset with VIDA for drain and fills ? How does that counter actually get used and what might change (if anything) based on resetting it. (I don't plan on resetting the transmission adaption since that seems to be for when the transmission is replaced)

I'll report back how this goes.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 30 Jan 2018, 11:44

Should the transmission oil counter be reset with VIDA for drain and fills ?

Us it as you see fit. The counter is just a electronics version of the service stickers they put on the windshield.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 30 Jan 2018, 11:47

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑30 Jan 2018, 11:44 Should the transmission oil counter be reset with VIDA for drain and fills ?

Us it as you see fit. The counter is just a electronics version of the service stickers they put on the windshield.

Agreed. It has no bearing on adaption or performance. It's simply a X seconds above Y temperature stop watch.

Also I agree with doing a drain and fill as well. I did mine for what was probably the first time on this car at 280 k km. It improved though it still doesn't feel quite as smooth new.

Post by **SuperHerman** » 30 Jan 2018, 20:47

As I understand the transmission reset function it is tied into transmission fluid overheat. After, if I recall correctly, 3 overheats one gets a service message. Resetting erases prior overheats and starts you again at zero. Assuming my understanding correct I would leave it be until you have done a few drain and fills. Overheated fluid is not as good as new fresh fluid and the system is set up so that if the "X seconds above Y temperature stop watch" reaches its max the designers feel the transmission fluid should be replaced.

I also concur - do a drain and fill.

I would leave the adaptations alone on a drain and fill unless you are replacing all of the transmission fluid, which a drain and fill does not. Usually only one gets 3-4 quarts.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 31 Jan 2018, 06:36

To Rattnalle: If you realized improvement after one D&F I suggest you do at least one more.
At 280,000 km (175,000 mi.) wasn't the fluid black? Surely one D&F didn't return the system fluid to clear red.

I know how expensive things in Sweden can be but do give additional D&F's some thought.