I am going to do another flush today. I find that the fluid is dark (not black) , even after approx 15K miles. The miles are in city AC on, and stop and go stuff. (I'm a real estate broker). This seems often, but the change is fairly inexpensive, sorta $26.
Does this seem too frequent, or am I possibly forgetting something else.?

I recommend going to a good full synthetic atf like Mobil1 - if you intend to keep your car. I have been using Mobil 1 products since 1988 with success and the stuff is available at Walmart.

BTW - I have very good Volvo only indy shop and they exclusively recommend Mobil 1 ATF for the 850 Volvo's. My transmission ( knock on wood) is original and functions like new at 12 yo ,121K miles, and driven hard a lot- maybe just lucky.

It is common to have to perform a full flush ( not a drain and refill) 2 - 3 time within a few months initially to get the yukky stuff out of the system. Especially true if your tranny had a few miles on it - say over 40K.

Just MHO- but rather than adding a filter, I would do the full flush ( several times) ; go to a synthetic ATF; and do a pan drain and refill every 6 months.

Good Luck.
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NateB - 1995 Volvo 850 Turbo w/120miles- original owner.. Ask me, I've probably fixed it. Mods include: Upsolute Chip; 2.5' custom Cat-Back w/MAgnaflow muffler; Silicone Vacuum Hoses; SAMCO Silicone turbo hoses.

Do a flush so you have clean ATF. On fwd, not a bad idea to do at least what is in the pan every year or 15,000 miles.

Then do yourself a favor and do a flush with a good synthetic ATF. I've been using AMSOIL ATF for about 25 years now. Will last 2-3 times longer than the non-synthetic, run cooler, resist oxidation.

That is "severe" driving conditions. I would not wait until 25K miles in your situation. Just buy a new line clip once in a while. Think of it like an oil change, only better.

Klaus

Yup. Been doing it every year. Can be as low as 12K.

At what point does a vigilant maintenance schedule become a detriment to the environment?

The Haynes Manual suggests atf change every 60k stating that it is not a"normal service" requirement unless a problem is indicated. I just changed mine last week(flushing 13 quarts of atf through the system) after 25-30k and only a slight amount of brown color was noted. I do a lot of stop and go also.

I suspect frequent changes of atf are like changing your motor oil at 3k intervals---admirable, but not necessary. The volvo manual suggest a 7k iterval, 3k is too often, 5k is about right.

The personal cost saving and lessening the need for unnecessary atf recycling should figure into your calculation given that there is probably no detriment to your transmission's longevity.

Dan

and buy an inline trannie filter from ipd while you are at it. Remember that these fwd trannies have NO INTERNAL FILTER. How much more unVolvo-like could this slushbox be?

I have heard mixed feedback on the in line filter. If I am correct, the in line is on a low pressure line, and actually doesn't flow if there is any load on the engine, ie climbing a hill, etc.