Volvo 8-speed TG81SC transmission fluid change DIY (V40 and other models)

Just going through the transmission fluid change of my recently purchased V40. The process should be applicable to other TG81SC models (V/S60, V/S90, S80, XC40, XC60, XC70, XC90).
There isn't an official oil change interval defined by Volvo, however the practice is to refresh it every 60-80,000km if you want your gearbox outliving the car's warranty. The car needs to be levelled when setting the fluid level at the end. In addition, you would need an OBD2 reader (not necessary a DICE), capable of showing you the transmission oil temperature.
The oil capacity differes between diesel and petrol engines - 7.5L and 6.6L respectively.
!! Note !!
Regarding the adaptation reset, there is a contradictory information about whether it's recommended to be performed after oil change or whether it will affect the shifting negatively. If you decide to perform the procedure, do it at your own risk and make sure to read the procedure steps on your diagnostic tool carefully prior initiating the adaptation, because performing it incorrectly may result in incomplete reset on the adaptation parameters, which may cause worse drivability. The video skips these details.
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Part numbers:
ATF oil number: 31256775 (2010 - );
Fill plug O-ring - 30735186;
Drain plug O-ring - 3520718; (30713220 on 6-speed only)
Level plug O-ring - 1233068;
Engine undertray front screws: 31479387;

[@NathanFrench]

Qualified ZF technician here for 40+ years and have built many of these transmissions. Service schedule here is mostly correct, but a couple points... 1. NEVER reset adaptions on any automatic transmission unless its had a rebuild. Resetting adaptions forces the computer to look for a certain tolerance of pressures and/or friction disc widths. If you reset adaptions on a transmission that has covered mileage, theres a high chance the tolerances will never adapt to the correct level as things like friction discs etc will be slightly worn. Theres also the fact that after resetting adaptions, the oil pressure inside the transmission will be higher than normal during its learn period. High oil pressure on a "used" transmission will usually result in catastrophic failure. Even ViDA says to NOT reset adaptions unless the transmission is rebuilt or brand new. 2. I noticed you drained the transmission and then added 1 litre of oil to essentially flush out any old fluid. Whilst i get what you were trying to achieve, this is still a very bad idea for any transmission but especially the TG81. The TG81 sits upright and even when full of oil, doesnt sit fully submerged in oil (hence why the valvebodies of these fail a lot due to high temps), but with just 1 litre or so of oil in the box, i can guarantee that valve body would have been dry and hated being ran whilst so low on oil. Just a simple drain and refill is all you need to do on these transmissions

[@GSAuto681]

Hi, the adaption reset on this tranmission has been a topic for discussion in many places. I believe the confusion was caused more or less due to a precedure on the previous gearbox generation, which suggested resetting the fluid counter after fluid is replaced. On the following gearbox, this procedure is no longer present, and there has been an assumption (not necessarily 100% correct) that the adaptation reset will do similar job. I'm not a volvo professional myself, but have heard the following statement from volvo technician, thus applied this practice on my own car. What doesn't help either is the description of the gearbox reset procedure in VIDA, which states that it should be performed if one or more of the components in the tranmission have been replaced. Doesn't explicitly say rebuild/replaced, and that abusing those conditions will cause issues with the gearbox. I'm taking your comment and will make a note in the video description to advise people to perform at their own risk! On your second point, it's been a while since I posted the video, but I don't recall having shown a fill of the gearbox with only 1 litre. It's fairly obvious that leaving gearbox dry will be an extreme condition for it and potentially causing more wear, so I wouldn't see a reason to do it. What I've done is 2-3 filling/drainings of the gearbox. Each of which is done with 4l of oil, which is about the quanity you can drain from the drain plug , discounting the other 4 liters which remain in the torque converter and the system in general. After final fill, excess oil is removed by smallest drain plug. Regards.

[@asabadsab9160]

Hi thanks for the video. What is the recommended frequency to change the transmission fluid? Also any change is required for the transmission filter and joints? thanks

[@erikson024]

The filter on these is internal, only replacable when transmission is takem out and being repaired. However, routine oil chnages will keep that internal filter in relatively good condition. I believe the interval is 60k km but might be a bit more or a bit less depending on how you use the car.

[@douwekooistra8058]

Is the first fillup meant as a system flush?

[@GSAuto681]

It's more like oil refreshment. As you can't drain more than half of the oil from the plug, the first filling gives you 50% mix of old and new, thus you wanna do it at least 2-3 times, to get the closest to new oil in the system. :)

[@jerryx2000]

In a 4w drive Doesn’t the rear wheel also have oil to be changed?

[@GSAuto681]

Awd has haldex pump oil and rear diff oil. The haldex one is the more critical ones, although both are good to be replaced occasionally.

[@andersondossantoscruz3685]

Do you know if this gearbox has filter?

[@NathanFrench]

It does but its internal to the transmission. Requires a full strip down to replace.

[@andersondossantoscruz3685]

@@NathanFrench Thanks! I did a quick and search and found the same info. This also matches with ChatGPT's answer 😃. I'll do just an oil replacement then, my car has only 80K km driven, not much I guess for an gearbox oil.

[@joseduranjr4963]

What was the mechanics name

[@clewis5220]

Great video of a proper job, I don’t think my garage did all those refills and I see why it’s done from your replies to comments. What is the gearbox adaptation for please.

[@GSAuto681]

Hi, the idea of that "adaptation reset" is to speed up the relearning process of the transmission module to the new fluid (which will build different pressure than the old oil). The adaptation will inevitably happen, but still by forcely doing it you minimize the chance of initial jerky shifting, etc.

[@NixonPictures]

not quite correct - if you read up what adaption is actually for, it should only be activated if internal parts have been replaced or in extreme cases where the fluid for whatever reason is very dark/contaminated or has a 'burnt' smell. A general fluid change doesn't require it at all as it's a 'learning' transmission anyway. As VIDA states - if performed incorrectly an adaption reset will lead to bigger problems@@GSAuto681

[@GSAuto681]

Thanks for the comment. Whatever you've read in Vida about the harmful effect is related to not performing the reset procedure itself correctly. In any case I've mentioned in the video that this step is optional and I personally never had issue from doing it. Regards. @NixonPictures

[@NathanFrench]

​@@NixonPicturesyou're correct (see my comment), adaptions should NEVER be touched on a transmission unless it's rebuilt OR if it's been severely neglected with servicing and is still driving poorly after a service and so you can reset adaptions as a last resort, but most time will result in catastrophic failure of the transmission

[@QuattroBajeena]

I have a 2018 s90 d4 2.0 diesel. I cant find any videos on how to change the gear box oil. Does that car also have a similar location to drain that gear box fluid or does it even.need changing

[@GSAuto681]

It still has the 8-speed aisin, so fairly confident the procedure is applicable.

[@alaadam1049]

I have volvo xc40 2020 automat but i cant find how many liters the gear box take ,, can please help me 🙏🙏💐💐

[@GSAuto681]

If you are going to be doing partial drain/fills as I did, you can easily pour 4l after each drain and at the end do the leveling so any excess will be gone.

[@jaydeeplashkarijaydeep8851]

Thank you for this best video with completely knowledgeable video provide as.... I'm from India need your help for... I'm need a volvo vida diagnosis scanning Software tool kit after all volvo car model 2015 .. Any ideas pls ask n help thank you

[@GSAuto681]

You need to buy vida subscription to be able to scan on SPA platform (2016+).

[@jaydeeplashkarijaydeep8851]

@@GSAuto681 yes right

[@naughtyblonde69er]

Hi is this the same gearbox drain procedure as the Volvo v90 8 speed

[@leZigoute]

Do you remove the level drain plug while the engine is running?

[@GSAuto681]

Correct, engine needs to be running and car leveled.

[@leZigoute]

@@GSAuto681 Thanks ! :)

[@alaadam1049]

The capecity for this transmission i think its 2 liter because i but 4 liter and come out 2 liter is that normal ???

[@inspectorjavert5563]

any idea what the part number for the fill plug itself is?

[@PisaPis-bc9up]

How much oil flowed when the level was done?

[@nikolavangelov568]

+

[@codexgigas7563]

Is the processes same as V40 T4 1.6?

[@GSAuto681]

True, as long as it's equipped with 6/8 speed Aisin.

[@tfaccountant]

Great Work, GS! 👏

[@GSAuto681]

Thanks, bud!

[@robertmark4233]

What is the VIDA program version?

[@kishenraj5156]

What level gear need to put when check oil level?

[@erikpristic966]

Park

[@zoochini3447]

How do you change the trans filter??

[@looncraz]

You don't.

[@madirodi8813]

Hi, nice video how many litre on last filling?

[@GSAuto681]

Hi, I had 4 liters in both fillings. It's not a problem as when you do the levelling the excess 500ml will drain anyway.

[@PaulMarcu-bn3rb]

What fluid did you use? Thanks

[@GSAuto681]

Hi, it's a genuine volvo oil with oem number 31256775. It's generally compatible with 6 speed aisin (2010+) and the 8-speed one. This oil you should be able to find as Aisin Warner branded, but there're also other cheaper brands which suffice this oem number. 🙂

[@alexandery8508]

​@@GSAuto681Hello. I just come across your channel and this video is very helpful to me and I am sure it will be shown in the weekend. I just wonder how many liters, 8l. Cuz another guy uses additional of 4l to get an extra clean mixture.