Has anyone actually had issues after a gearbox service?

[GrahamBrown1]

Originally Posted by Lancee

Do automatic boxes constantly adapt when in use ? Do they self adapt in relation to the age/condition of the gearbox fluid ? If the fluid is renewed does the gearbox need a reset or a period of time to adapt itself to the new fluid ?

There is a fluid counter in Vida which technically should be reset when the fluid is changed. However many people don’t and have no issues and you probably wouldn’t notice it either if it was reset. You can also reset the shift adaptions which the gearbox will then relearn but this isn’t nessessary really if your only changing the fluid and have no shifting issues.

[Lancee]

Originally Posted by Lancee

Do automatic boxes constantly adapt when in use ? Do they self adapt in relation to the age/condition of the gearbox fluid ? If the fluid is renewed does the gearbox need a reset or a period of time to adapt itself to the new fluid ?

Anyone have a definitive answer to each point ? Thanks.

[RDesign4Life]

Originally Posted by Lancee

Anyone have a definitive answer to each point ? Thanks.

Yes allegedly the software adapts certain aspects of control to your driving type and style over time.

Yes we are told the software also makes some allowances for the age of the fluid.

Yes the adaptation can be re-set/forced through Vida following a major intervention such as repair/fluid change or software update.

I believe the most important thing is to ensure you have the latest TCM software installed as a starting point as this has had some significant updates/modifications since the car first went into production and can change/optimize some fundamental things like internal operating differential pressures and hence have far more impact to how a car drives than than any subtle adaption process applied over long periods of time.

The auto transmission software update is separate to the usual software updates applied by dealers at services. Even though mine had been main dealer serviced it was behind on TCM software version when I queried it.

[Lancee]

Originally Posted by RDesign4Life

Yes allegedly the software adapts certain aspects of control to your driving type and style over time.

Yes we are told the software also makes some allowances for the age of the fluid.

Yes the adaptation can be re-set/forced through Vida following a major intervention such as repair/fluid change or software update.

I believe the most important thing is to ensure you have the latest TCM software installed as a starting point as this has had some significant updates/modifications since the car first went into production and can change/optimize some fundamental things like internal operating differential pressures and hence have far more impact to how a car drives than than any subtle adaption process applied over long periods of time.

The auto transmission software update is separate to the usual software updates applied by dealers at services. Even though mine had been main dealer serviced it was behind on TCM software version when I queried it.

Hi, thanks for the great reply. However the "allegedly" is a little ambiguous ?!

[GrahamBrown1]

I think all that most people can offer is there own experience either from working on them or owning them. If you want definite answers then aisin warner are the people who made it. Clan can probably offer the most professional opinion from a Volvo stand point since he has worked on them for years.

Have you tried researching via other channels. These boxes were fitted to a lot of cars however the software will more than likely be volvo engineered to suit there vehicle but could be worth a look. Again only my own speculation drawn from experience with ag machinery. I’m sure aisin will have something on the web, could be worth a look.

[Cloth Ears]

I had a similar experience. Took my V60CC AWD into Rybrook Warrington for the annual service, and asked them to change the gearbox oil at the same time (it's on 66k miles). They declined to do that.

So I've just had it done at Hallmark in Stockport, a Volvo specialist with a good local reputation. They were quite happy to do it, charged me an hour's labour, and £12.50 for the oil. The invoice says they reset the counter too, so it's obviously something they're used to doing. I've only driven a few miles since, but it already feels smoother and lighter. I think I'll be switching to Hallmark for ongoing work, and will forego the Volvo Assist servicing benefit. Green Flag is cheaper than the extra the dealer charges, anyway.

[Cloth Ears]

On a related note, is there any recommended interval for having fluids changed in any of the diffs, esp the Haldex?

Edit: seen this thread in AWD https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=295686

Doh! Should have looked first!

[johnnyoro]

Originally Posted by Cloth Ears

I had a similar experience. Took my V60CC AWD into Rybrook Warrington for the annual service, and asked them to change the gearbox oil at the same time (it's on 66k miles). They declined to do that.

So I've just had it done at Hallmark in Stockport, a Volvo specialist with a good local reputation. They were quite happy to do it, charged me an hour's labour, and £12.50 for the oil. The invoice says they reset the counter too, so it's obviously something they're used to doing. I've only driven a few miles since, but it already feels smoother and lighter. I think I'll be switching to Hallmark for ongoing work, and will forego the Volvo Assist servicing benefit. Green Flag is cheaper than the extra the dealer charges, anyway.

Hi is your car a manual transmission as £12.50 would only buy around 2 litres of oil and the auto 6 spd holds 7 litres to fill

[Tannaton]

Back to the OP's question - has changing the fluid caused problems - I would say, based on reading these threads for 10 years and my own experience - they only time you would have a worse gearbox following a fluid change is if that gearbox was worn/faulty to start with, and the thicker contaminated fluid was masking the symptoms.

As has been pointed out Volvo do not claim the box is sealed for life and recommend changes if it is used as a taxi, towing etc. - Clan has previously shared the Mk1 XC90 service schedule in another thread which states this.

Also building on earlier comments, the TF80 is used in a raft of other vehicles including Jaguar, Land Rover, GM/Saab, Toyota and Audi/VAG/Skoda. Most if not all of those have trans fluid changes in the standard service schedule.

[Cloth Ears]

Originally Posted by johnnyoro

Hi is your car a manual transmission as £12.50 would only buy around 2 litres of oil and the auto 6 spd holds 7 litres to fill

My mistake - thanks for picking me up on it. The unit price was £12.50, I read the wrong column. I was charged £50, so all good!