Herb, thanks for all that info!

I contacted my dealer (again) this time I throught I would try someone in the parts department to see what they said about the parts you mentioned.

They looked into it a little and they basically told me that the Service bulliten #43-0029 is old - Jan. 2001 and it was for a particular problem "lockup at high speeds" He asked the shop foreman and the foreman has never heard of anyone switching over to synthetic without a definitive reason for doing so and not just for preventative measures. Keep in mind that where I am located the overwhelming majority of people are not do it yourselfers. I would be willing to bet that I am one of a handfull of people who ever attempt to work on their car.

He also said that the service bulliten is vague and confusing in that the title talks about AWD but the text is about AW 50-42 but then the VIN numbers specified include AWD models.

He feels that switching to synthetic will not prolong the life of a tranny AND (the real kicker) is that Volvo does not consider a Tranny failure at 87K to be a problem - afterall they are warrantied for only 50K.

Do you know if there is any risk of partial Dexron III left over after a synthetic flush? Are the two fluids compatible (even in small amounts?)

They simply say to use whatever is on your dipstick. So newer models may say synthetic where as mine does not.

I also inquired whether or not any possible improvements have been realized in this transmission model - in other words is it possible whatever led to mine failing may have been improved in the new one I received? They do not know.

Thank you for your help.