I´ve been a happy S80 owner for two years now. There is a minor problem with the automatic 5-speed transmission. Having been braking with the engine for several seconds and pressing the gas pedal only slightly in order to keep driving with a constant speed again, the system seems to lock and continues to keep the gear direct-coupled. The only way to get the car moving with a constant speed or accelerating slightly is to give it more power. As a result I get an unconveniently hard shifting-up and ´a kick in the ass´. The head-box of the transmission has been replaced and the software updated (late 1999 versions). I think it must be a bug in which the control software doesn´t cope with following situation: transmission direct-coupled -> engine braking (-> low revs) -> soft acceleration. It seems to calculate and think of the situation for too long time, then suddenly gets awake and abruptly shifts up.

Any others with a similar problem?

I´ve tried to find the manufacturer´s website but haven´t succeeded yet (I think the model the automatic transmission box is AW-5). It would be very interesting to find out how the box adapts itself to different driving styles, how often this information is calculated and adaptive memory updated (the time span). When the software resets itself (every time the engine stops?) etc. Any sources for this information?

There's new software available now that "might" address your concern with its shifting. You'll have to take the car to your dealer.

Hi Hannu,

First, the upshift functions of the trans are adaptive, so if you tend to be an agressive driver the up-shifts will come more easily.

Second, the trans does not have a "kick-down cable" so the computer relies on the accelerator pedal module input to determine if the driver wants rapid acceleration. It doesn't matter how far you push the accelerator, just how fast you push it. Push slow and steady and the kick-down will not come as quickly, push it quickly, no matter how far and it will downshift.

I dont think what you are describing is a bug. Just a little different way of controlling the trans.

P.S. The trans in a S80 is a 4-speed GM4T65.

Larry

Sorry, but mine is a 5-speed AW5 with L-2-3-4-D-N-R-P positions and a Winter button. This trans have been installed in the 5 cylinder S80 range only. Have you got any idea of where to get detailed information or technical specifications?

I agree that the whole thing can just be a ´feature´ (like the frequent crashes of the Windows operating systems, ha-ha!). But I have driven all the competitors - M-B, BMW, Audi, Saab - and none of them have a similar feature.

And I know that every company improves the quality of it´s software continuously. Fair to say that in all other situations the trans works very well, indeed. Most of the time it shifts up and down smoothly, is very well balanced with the engine and doesn´t learn/adapt too much, either, like in BMW.

Regards,

Hannu

WHAT!!! "This trans have been installed in the 5 cylinder S80 range only." Since when did the S80 come with a I5?!?! I thought it only came in I6's.

The manufacturing of 5 cyl models started 1/1999. Many testers say that the road handling is better with a L5 engine under the hood because it is 100 kg lighter than the L6 engine. I have driven both of them and I must say that the difference is quite marginal (170 hp l5 vs. 204 hp l6). Both of them are short of torque on lower revs. But this problem has been totally cured when Volvo introduced S80 with a low pressure turbo line 5 engine (200 hp) last summer. It is by my knowledge the best alternative of all engines. Of course it doesn´t deliver the rocket like power of T6 if you need that...

Hannu M

By the way the 5 cylinder is not offered in North America (may be the cause of the confusion)

scott martini wrote:

> By the way the 5 cylinder is not offered in North America (may be the

> cause of the confusion)

While North America may represent one of Volvo's largest markets, it hardly comprises the majority of sales worldwide. I have to laugh when I see posts like the previous one questioning the use of an I5 in the S80 because they're not imported to U.S. soil. 3 out of every 10 Volvos sold last year landed on U.S. soil and yet the mindset of some seems to evoke images of the U.S. being the only market into which Volvo sells. Many of you would be floored if you knew just how many powertrain variants Volvo produces worldwide. Like the sales themselves, the U.S. may see a third of the total powertrain options offered worldwide in each model line. Maybe less.

> ... yet the mindset of

> some seems to evoke images of the U.S. being the only market into

> which Volvo sells. Many of you would be floored if you knew just how

> many powertrain variants Volvo produces worldwide. ...

You'd be surprised to know how little most Americans know about outside world. Maybe - a little about Canada (in form of Molson/Moose/Labatt Blue) and Mexico (Corona), but most couldn't care less. Europe is no different than Mars or Jupiter.

From a car owner standpoint, the US is a mixture of heaven (low prices on cars and gasoline and relatively low taxes; powerful engines compared to other coutries) and hell (ridiculously low speed limits, awful drivers' skills and manners).

Cheers,

Vadim.

...like in BMW - very observant (I'm not sure I would have noticed the similarities myself). The BMW automatic is a GM unit just as it is in the 6-cylinder S80. I think the 5-cylinder is an Aisin-Warner (sp.) unit but I could be wrong.

It is too bad the 5 cylinder low pressure turbo engine is not available in the U.S. cars: we have a S80 and a V70 with the turbo, which has a much more enjoyable acceleration due to the high low-end torque being instantly available, instead of having to run the engine up above 3000rpm as in the S80. The 6 is a smoother engine, however. If I were buying a S80 again, I would opt for the turbo model.