The Bentley manual and the Haynes both say to use Dexron II type D or type E I believe and the owners manual says something about some kind of type G fluid. I imagine that this is some European spec. fluid. My question is this: Is Dexron type III okay to use in this application? If not then what can I use? As always, Thanks in advance.

Dexron III E is the modern replacement for all earlier variations of Dexron.

Your owner's manual says this: "...type G (FLM)". I don't know what the letters in the parentheses mean. I could not find the word "Dexron" in the 83 manual, so probably best to stay away from it. The clutches and brakes in those automatics are designed for the frictional characteristics of a certain type of ATF, and you may get strange behaviour if you don't use the right kind.

Sounds like Volvo (Aisin-Warner, really) made some internal changes to the automatics in 84, hence the change to Dexron fluid.
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Bob (son's 81-244GL B21F/M46, dtr's 83-244DL B23F/M46, my 94-944 B230FD and 89 745 (LT-1 V8); hobbycar 77 MGB, and a few old motorcycles)

Ford Type F trans fluid is far less refined than Dexron. Case and point, numerous mid 60's Ford trans rebuilders are recommending Dexron fluid. So, what is Ford type F still good for??? Simple answer, power steering... it has enough "goo" in it to lube the linear slip seals.

jorrell

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92 245 245K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently in pieces

Er - not so, Jorrell. Type F is no less (or more) "refined" than Dexron, it just does have a different chemical makeup. The clutch/band material used by Ford in their automatics worked best with certain frictional characteristics in the hydraulic fluid - and that's Type F fluid. Rebuilders may now be using different materials when they rebuild the Ford boxes and figure that Dexron is the right stuff.

Our 83 owner's manual (only one handy at the moment) calls for the "Type G(FLM)" for the auto trans but just says "ATF" for the PS system.
--
Bob (son's 81-244GL B21F/M46, dtr's 83-244DL B23F/M46, my 94-944 B230FD and 89 745 (LT-1 V8); hobbycar 77 MGB, and a few old motorcycles)

I've been using Castrol Type F in all 240's thru 1993.
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-Cool Volvo- 1982 240 4 Spd OD w/ 246K, 1989 240 5 Spd w/ 237K. Past proud owner of 1966 122, 1968 144, 1970 145, 1972 144, 1980 245

Your car is either just before or just after the change to Dexron from Type F. Use the owners manual or transmission dipstick as the proper guide.

If it says F, the replacement is FA
For D, G, H, or Dexron spec, the current label is Dexron III / Mercon (Ford's name)

I use type F in my 83

I have run Dexron III in an 89 and 90 AW70, no problem. Currently running Dexron IV in a 92 245 and it works fine as well.

jorrell
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92 245 245K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently in pieces

Volvo changed the type of tranny fluid that's specified somewhere in the early '80's. We had an '83 once; I think it took something different from Dexron II/III.

The correct type for your car would be spec'd in the owner's manual. Or it MIGHT be in the brickboard FAQ.

If you don't have the manual, you can look it up on line at
http://www.volvocars.us
Within the site, go to Owners' Info, then Owner's Library.

You'll need to "register" but all you need is an email address. No password or other stuff. I have rarely if ever received any email from the Volvo site. I gave them my "junk mail" address, the one I use for on-line transactions and other such needs.
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Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, open-front airbox, E-fan, 205/65-15's, IPD sways, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors. Wifemobile '89 245 NA stock. 90 244 NA spare, runs.