I have a 2004 XC 90 FWD 5-cyl turbo with 205K+ miles on it. I plan to replace this vehicle next year and am taking some PM steps to ensure that it's in the best operating order before I hand it down to my son.

One step I thought I'd take was to change the ATF. I noted on the ipd site that they had an AT flush kit that passed all the fitment for my vehicle.

Problem is, I cannot, for the life of me, find the ATF dip stick, which is where you are instructed to re-fill the ATF during the flush.

I had read that the XC 90 was a "sealed" system, but also saw several opposing posts that indicated otherwise.

I am suspecting that my system is one of the sealed variety and I may soon discover how good ipd's "guaranteed fitment" return policy is.

Can anyone confirm that the 2004s were, in fact, sealed "for life"?

Here is the link to flush kit: http://www.ipdusa.com/products/4808/107945-automatic-transmission-flush-hose-kit

Thanks.

You do have a tranny dipstick - yellow pull handle, under the air intake on the driver's side. Not only is it hard to see, it is also brittle with age so be careful that you do not break it off!

The fluid is 3309 and Toyota dealers probably have the cheapest price. If you are going to flush using a hose, might I suggest that you first start the engine and check the level on the cold side of the dip stick. Removing the fresh air duct is required to add ATF, so pull that out of the radiator housing first.

I would modify the procedure a bit. Get an aluminum crush washer, same as for the oil drain plug. With a cold engine and well rested tranny (do not start the engine), check the ATF level and mark the dipstick at that seemingly high level. Drain the ATF from the sump, close it back up with the new crush washer, measure (usually 3-4 quarts) what you got out of the tranny, and add back the same amount of new ATF. Then, if you want, flush the system with the IPD kit - 2 quarts at a time only, until the flushed ATF looks nice and pink.

I forgot which year, but the ATF to cooler lines were switched from the top to the bottom of the radiator. Be prepared for a little mess if you get it wrong!!
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Cars built for the U.S. market for the model years through at least 2007 did NOT have a V.I.N. designation for the transmission. Also, M-47 is a RWD trans. That said, your 2004 should have a 5 speed auto with a dipstick on the drivers side. hidden by the intercooler and fresh air hoses. It's yellow, and very short, and well hidden. Like I said, it's short, about 8-10 inches long and well hidden. Not sure what year they switched to the sealed trans but it is a 6 speed.

I believed the same as you did originally and searched at least three times quite thoroughly for a dipstick. I finally located it hidden by several hoses. This is on an 06 2.5T.

I'm seeing a lot of conflicting information regards the "sealed" transmissions on some 2004 XC90s.

I took overseas delivery on this vehicle at the Gothenburg factory. The engine is notes as "5-CYL; INJECTION 2521 CC 208 HP ECE" on the original Bill of Sale.

Even more curious, my VIN indicates that the transmission is the M47 Manual, which it obviously isn't.

I should note that this is a FWD vehicle.

I'm going to take another look for the dipstick and may post a video if it's nowhere to be found to demonstrate that there may, in fact, be a sealed version of this transmission.

I appreciate any advisory posts.