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Hello All,
I own a 2016 XC90 T8 Hybrid with just over 13,000 miles. Recently when accelerating above 30 mph, I have noticed that the transmission does not want to “shift to the next gear”. Instead the engine just races. It is the equivalent of driving a manual transmission and being stuck in first or second gear. This condition can happen at any time. It only seems to happen on flat surfaces. It happens when I have the car in the “hybrid” mode and the gear shift is in the “B” selection, which means every-time I take my foot off the gas, the individual wheels generate electricity to be stored in the onboard batteries.
This has happened about 4 times. If I stop the car and begin the acceleration process again, the car will shift smoothly. I brought the car to the dealership and it didn’t find any codes indicating a problem with the transmissions. The software that controls the transmission was “reset” and the most current software downloads were installed. The service writer admitted the new software may or may not have any impact on the shifting capability of the transmission. Still, after bringing the car in and being checked out by the dealer, this problem persists. It doesn’t happen all the time and there doesn’t seem to be any reason why the shifting gets stuck when and where it does. There is no transmission dipstick because the transmission is sealed and does not need to be serviced during the life of the transmission.
I know these cars are new, but if anyone has had a similar problem and can offer any advice, I would cheer!
Hugh
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That is a 'software' problem. Unfortunately, Volvo doesn't know how to repair these hybrids yet. Hang in there Hugh, and don't feel lonely. Last year, Volvo declared quite a few of the T8's LEMONs, and the replacements didn't fare any better.
Leave it at the dealer if you can and let them create the no shift problem. Let them know it is on flat roads and 1/4 throttle pressure. Some mechanics drive like city bus drivers, full gas/full brake.
As to the "life" of the tranny, it is as long as Volvo clearly describes. 4 years or 48K miles sounds about right.
There are a lot of cars with sealed trannies, the flush and refill procedures require a long narrow hose attached to a pump to get it out.
BTW: If you are ever parked and the parking brake will not release, remove the parking brake fuse, wait 15 seconds, put the fuse back in, and you should be good to go.
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new
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Klaus,
Thank you for your comments. As I mentioned to Chris above, I have been told by the service writer, that the technician working on my car contacted corporate Volvo and spoke with a technical adviser. He suggested that perhaps my wife and I had inadvertently pulled to far back on the gear shift lever and placed the car into the “geartronic” mode, where it would required manual shifts to up shift the transmission. I liked this theory, except that when the transmission locked up on me, I just took my foot off the gas, I did not touch the brake, and I did not touch the gear shift. Instead, I just re-applied my foot to the gas, and then the car properly shifted. If I had been in “geartronic” mode, the transmission should have remained “stuck” in the lower gear. I shared theses comments with the service writer. I did have the dealership check the transmission fluid level and it was “OK”. I have left the car with the dealership for about a week, to allow the mechanic who is working on it to drive to and from his home from the dealership (about 15 miles) to see if the condition reappears. Of course, I hope he isn’t beating on it. But that is beyond my control. I’ve asked for a loaner but was told one was not available. I just have an feeling, the dealership will say they couldn’t find anything and hand the car back to me. I have documented this problem, so if it persists beyond the warranty period, I will complain.
I hope this isn’t a fatal flaw with this car, because I do like it.
Hugh
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I assume the car is still under warranty, thus the dealer needs to fix it. They may have to keep the car for a while and drive it two or three times a day until it acts up on them. And in the mean time give you a loaner car.
"...There is no transmission dipstick because the transmission is sealed and does not need to be serviced during the life of the transmission...."
Life of the transmission or life of the car? There's a big difference. Just a sales gimmick and not really in the better interest of the transmission or the person that paid for it. Just because it's more difficult to replace the fluid doesn't mean it doesn't need to be done periodically just as much as the old dipstick cars.
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Current rides: 2005 Volvo S80 2.5T, 2003 Volvo V70 2.4NA, 1973 Volvo 1800ES (getting ever closer to road worthiness)
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Chris,
I agree with you comments. I plan/hope to drove drive this car for 10 plus years (my current Volvos I have had for 20 years - though in my gut I don’t think the XC90 T8 will last as long, no matter how diligent I am on maintenance). I have left the T8 with the dealer for several days to drive by the mechanic servicing it. Hopefully, he will be able to duplicate the condition. I just hope he isn’t beating on the car. I have asked for loaner and have been told one is not available. The dealership has had the car since last Thursday (2/16/17).
With regard to the transmission fluid, I will get it serviced, so it doesn’t expire at the same time that the factory warranty does. I like this car. I just hope it doesn’t turn out to be a “nightmare” in terms of getting it serviced.
I was told by the service writer at the dealer, that the Volvo technical rep (from Volvo Cars USA) has suggested that my wife and I may have pulled back on the gear shifted too much and inadvertently put the transmission into the “geartronic” mode, where it would be locked into lower gears, until you manual shifted. I liked this “Theory” except, that when the transmission “locked up” on me, I just took my foot off the gas, did not touch the gear shift knob and then tried accelerating again. This time the car shifted properly. If I had put the transmission into the “geartronic” mode, it should have still be locked into a lower gear. Thank you for your advice and comments.
Hugh
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