I have a 2000 V40 with 19k miles that I bought new in July. I get the feeling that my transmission isn't shifting into 4th (overdrive)anymore.

The symptoms are:

1. Gas mileage suddenly reduced from ~28 to ~26 mpg (all highway driving).

2. RPM doesn't "jump up" slightly when accelerator is pressed at cruising speed. It just kind of gradually increases until I feel it downshift to what seems to be 2nd.

3. Rev's seem a little high for the speed I'm going. Don't remember the exact numbers.

4. I think I should be able to notice 3 distinct shifts when accelerating from 0-60. I only feel and see (on the tach) 2.

The service guy looked at me like I was nuts when I explained it to him. He said the only way they could check it was to compare it to another car on the lot. (I've heard this one before - "Oh, they all do that"). I would think there would be something that could check transmission performance while the car's being driven.

Anyhow, the service writeup came back saying "couldn't simulate condition". Does anyone out there know if this can be verified by some piece of equipment. I believe there's something wrong - I just hope I'm noot looking at a long battle to prove it.

TIA

Mike