Front Wheel Drive Newlsetter March 2010

Wanted: Your Volvo Story

We’ve increased our customer features lately and we’ve had great responses from our readers because of it. We’d like to continue to provide the Volvo community with interesting reader content so we are pleading, yes, even begging for articles. If you have a souped up 850 wagon that you want the world to know about or even if you’re in the middle of your S70 series project and want to show off your progress, let us know and we’d love to feature you and your ride. If you own a S60 series and have a great trick or tech tip you’ve discovered, send it on over and we’ll share it with our readers.

If one of the items on your bucket list is to be published in one of ipd’s famous newsletters, here’s your chance. Don’t deny it, you know it’s there; if it’s not, add it now and send in your story so you can check it off your list. Even if you think it’s not print worthy, that’s okay, let us be the judge of that because we still want to hear your story. Tell us about how you caught the Volvo bug, the remedies you’ve tried to get rid of it and what finally put you over the edge to finally just give up and let the bug take it’s hold.

Some pictures of you and your Volvo would be great to include along with how your experience with ipd went. It would be great to also include any ipd upgrades you’ve added and how our customer service staff treated you.

We look forward to hearing your story and the opportunity to share it with other sick Volvo lovers who have caught the same bug.

Send submissions to bryan@ipdusa.com

The Secrets of Long Transmission Life

By: ipd staff

If you could climb to the highest mountaintop and talk to the wise Guru about the secret of long life he would say “flush your automatic transmission”. Keeping the transmission fluid fresh probably has the greatest effect on how long your transmission will last than any other thing you can do.

Transmission fluid performs two distinct tasks inside the transmission. First it acts as hydraulic fluid to activate the various components and operate various the gears. It also provides the lubrication to keep these components from wearing. Heat is the enemy of your transmission. This is such a huge factor that it directly effects the life of the fluid. The hotter it gets the shorter its life. Heat is generated in the transmission fluid by the torque converter. This is the hydraulic coupler that allows the car to creep along in traffic or back slowly up a hill. Most modern cars have a torque converter that locks up at highway speed. In this case heat production is practicly nil. But start and stop traffic heats it up fast. Towing a trailer of any type has a great effect as well.

Many modern cars have no recommended transmission fluid change interval. We feel this is false economy. If you care about your car changing the transmission fluid between 50 to 70 thousand miles is great insurance. In most cases it can be effectively done by disconnecting one of the cooler lines and running the car. Done properly its really not even that messy. Our IPD kit gives you everything you need including great instructions.

On P2 cars (S80, S60, XC90 & the new V70) there is a filter that can also be changed. This requires removing the transmission pan which is a bit more work. Give us a call and will help you with what process and what fluid your particular car needs. What ever you do don’t overlook it, so at least you can drive to the top of the mountain.

Automatic Transmission Flush Hose Kit

Did you know that if you drain the automatic transmission fluid by removing the drain plug in the transmission, you are only draining about one third of the total capacity? Now you can flush the entire system in a matter of minutes!

Since our flush hose kit for rear wheel drive models has caught on, we decided to develop a similar kit for front wheel drive models.

Our kit is simply a five foot length of petroleum-safe hose, and we include a new clip to reconnect the transmission line at the radiator trans cooler port. With the included instructions you can safely flush and replace the transmission fluid in about 20 minutes.

* Not compatible with 6 speed auto transmission as there is no dipstick for filling.

Small Tip Funnel for Adding Automatic Trans Fluid

Our funnel has a flexible tube so it can maneuver around the hoses near the filler and has a three-inch straight section that fits in the filler tube perfectly. Properly sized tip fits into auto transmission dipstick tube securely for safe filling.

B4 Servo Cover Update

The AW55-50/51SN (5 speed) automatic transmissions in 2000-2002 models have an issue with shift “flares” and other odd symptoms related to shifting in and out of 3rd gear. Usually, this is exhibited by a “missed” shift from 2nd to 3rd gear on a random basis.

This B4 servo cover update can solve these symptoms in most cases. Other times, it may take a software update or the B4 problem has gone on too long and damaged the transmission (hard gear engagements, etc.)

Volvo has changed the design of this cover multiple times. There are numerous bulletins regarding it. The replacement cover is stock on later cars.The irony is that this inexpensive part can save someone from a costly transmission replacement.

Don’t underestimate the value of a transmission software upgrade on these early models. The software for these electronically controlled tramissions has gone though many versions over the years.

FREE ipd patch with any purchase of $50 or more.Patch measures 2.5 inches wide x 1 inch tall