I just got an 2017 S60i T5 and was looking on the internet for how to do a drain of the fluid given that its supposed to be lifetime according to Volvo.

One author pointed out the following:

Remove the T40 Torx bolt. Approximately 1L of fluid escapes.

Next, remove the 17mm Hex. Approximately 2.5L of fluid escapes.

In this scenario since I dont have a picture I could see from the website image that the T40 torx bolt was bolted into the larger 17mm hex bolt. I have never seen that and dont know how it works? I would think that if any bolt was removed from the drain you would lose fluid? But according to the text I copied you dont. You then remove the 17mm Hex and more fluid comes out. Apparently the T40 is called a leveling bolt.

The refill procedure is fill the transmission with specified amount, start engine and run thru each gear for 2 second, repeat again and put transmission in P. Then remove the leveling bolt only and run engine until ATF is 50Celsius. Stop engine, switch ignition to OFF. Remove the leveling bolt, and fill transmission with 0.5 litre until ATF drips from level tube. I assume that means when the level bolt is removed it will drip at some point when you fill transmission fluid? After it starts to drip stop adding fluid and let it stop dripping then put back the level bolt. Note that the instructions didnt say remove the 17mm Hex.

Can anyone tell me from this write up how the 17mm Hex and T40 bolt work together to hold fluid in the drain hole and how the T40 torx works to level the fluid level given there is no longer a dip stick?

Its really simple, but you can no longer drain the tranny by putting the car up on ramps. The car must be completely level!

The T40 does not drain if the fluid is hot and the tranny has been in use. It will drain if the car hasn't been moved and the ATF allowed to drain into the sump.

The biggest reason to remove the T40 first? To get it out of the larger plug before that is removed and the ATF drained. A stuck T40 on a spinning cover would not be something to play around with.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Hi Klaus,
I am starting to understand. The author of the article probably should have said the car has to be level and raised so use a level on the floor of the car.

Why does the T40 not drain if the fluid is hot and tranny has been in use? That is a tough one. I have never heard of something like that. I still cant figure that one out?

After reviewing the website I can see that, yes, you have to get the T40 out of the 17mm Hex or you cant get a tool in to it to get it out. I think I you got me thinking about why a T40 is inside the Hex bolt now.

If you have to do the draining and filling of the tranny the parts are going to be hot. Putting a T40 inside the Hex bolt is going to relieve pressure on the Hex bolt and make it easier to come out. If you just had the Hex bolt by itself then it would be hard to get out given all that heat on potentially soft metal.

Apparently someone knows that if the tranny is serviced hot you need a way to work with the bolts without stripping them out. I suspect that the T40 should not be screwed in really tight? The Aisin pdf file I got from a product specialist shows that the torque should be 8 Nm which doesnt seem like much. The Hex bolt is 35 Nm which is alot more.

Andrew
2017 S60i T5 1,000 miles Mussel Blue
BLIS, Technology, Convenience Packages

It takes a while for the ATF to drain back to the sump after the engine is turned off. If you were to drain it when cold, the T40 would pour out about a quart or more. Remember, the T40 is not a drain plug, it is a fill plug.

Fortunately, you have at least 59,000 more miles to go before you go through the process.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

The intended purpose of the T40 in the center of the drain plug is neither as a drain nor fill port, although I suppose you could use as an alternate way to fill the sump. Rather, it's known as a leveling plug. It caps off an internal stand tube used to gauge proper (warm) fluid level, I assume while the engine is idling. Basically you add fluid until it starts to drip out of the inner (stand tube) port, then you screw the T40 into the outer drain plug.

If you have time to kill, check out this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehgwf_C5zgY

At about the 4 minute mark he starts describing the drain and leveling plugs' functions. It's a pretty interesting video if you like in-depth tranny talk.
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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)

Hi Chris,
Many thanks for finding that transmission video. Now i know what the leveling plug is for and how it works!
Andrew

What a great video! Thanks for the link. I quit after the 13 minute mark, just not wanting to go for an hour longer. 3 fill ports?
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Keeping it running is better than buying new