The tranny of my wife`s XC70 is occasionally slipping & oddly(?) enuff seems to only do it when we have sub zero temps.
My wife just called me from the dealership to tell me that it "likely" needs a tranny flush. Would a flush help at all or jut delay the inevitable?
The car runs great, we`ve had it for 6 years & are very happy with it.
So do we put money into an 11 yr old car or start thinking about replacing it?
We welcome differing perspectives on this issue.
Thanks,
Rich

Does it 'slip' in 1st or R? Yes is not a valid answer.

Check the color yourself. The yellow handled dipstick is under the air intake on the driver's side. Just make sure you pull it straight up and not bend it much as the old yellow plastic can break off.

Remember, the fluid is 3309. Get replacement fluid from Toyota, much cheaper.

BTW, was a neighbor of yours in Maui, Hawaii last week?

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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Hi KlausC,

Welcome back! I am sorry if I sound weird. :D

Klaus,
Infrequently slipping in 1st.
As an aside. Wife was reading me the diagnostic print out later that pm & on a separate page was: Corroded cracked front brake hoses:replace immediately: unsafe to drive. No mention had been made of that issue by service adviser. Wife called to talk to service adviser & was told that it must be a mistake. Today got a call back saying it was NOT a mistake! OK, so taking the car to the local indie shop tomorrow. Dealer is 50 miles awsay & expensive @ $150/hr shop rate.
BTW, a friend of a friend was recently here for dinner & mentioned an upcoming trip to Maui. What`s up?
Rich

Your wife's car is still save to drive. The outer protective sleave is is made of rubber and will crack after 8-10 years. It is the steel casing under the rubber that can then corrode, usually with a lot of salt mixed in, and eventually break.

Easy repair, but do both sides. Have your mechanic flush the fluid for the rear brakes as well.


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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Just had a call from my wife who relays that the brake hoses are fine in the short term as you suggested, Klaus. Whenever it comes to dealership diagnostics, I always want a second opinion This buys us some time to order parts from IPD.
Thanks to all for feedback!
Rich

How many miles since the last flush? If it hasn't been flushed in the six years you've owned it, then it's surely high time. Is the fluid looking fairly dark on the dipstick? If it were me I'd try a flush before dumping the car, however I would probably buy a case of Mobil 3309 and do it myself vs the dealer.

Also, those transmissions seem to be finicky in terms of the fluid level. They sometimes want to slip if the level isn't right up to the full mark. Check both the cold level and the hot level.

Even the AW-70 tranny in my 240 would slip with low fluid. Fluid level is crucial!

I too advocate trying a flush before giving up on the car.

Just talked to my wife after the dealership visit. Apparently, the tranny fluid is right up and more importantly, very clean.
I suppose we`ll just keep an eye on the situation since it doesn`t seem to slip on any kind of regular basis. My wife commutes 100 miles round trip 4 days a week so LOTS of hiway miles. As I mentioned in my first post, this has been an excellent car despite a few issues early in our ownership....DIM & ABS module.
thanks for your responses.
Rich