A/T Fluid - Correct Applications
90volvo04SECTION GROUP NO.
43 112B
DATE FEBRUARY 1990 RE:
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATIONS
700
THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO THE U. S. AND CANADA, AND SUPERSEDES SB 43-112 DATED MARCH 1988.
REFERENCE: ALL SPECIFICATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES MANUALS
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Automatic Transmission Fluid Applications
With the various types of Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) available, it has become increasingly difficult to determine the correct fluid to use for a given application.
Correct fluid applications for various Volvo Systems are listed below.
PLEASE NOTE: Model Year 1982 and '83 AW71 and AW70 transmissions were factory-filled with "type F" fluid. It is strongly recommended that only "type F" fluid continues to be used for the original transmission. The mixing of fluid types must be avoided. However, Dexron II can be used as the fluid in rebuilt or replacement transmissions for the same model years. The customer should be advised of the new fluid requirement if the transmission is replaced.
Transmission Fluid Types
There are 2 different "families" of transmission fluids - "friction modified" and "nonfriction modified". Within these families are the following types:
"Friction Modified" "Non-Friction Modified"
Dexron(R) II type F
Mercon(R) type G
"Friction Modified"-Fluids
Dexron II - This is the current grade of ATF that is being used in recent Volvo automatic transmissions. The Dexron II standard is developed by GM, who controls the specification of Dexron fluids. Because of the similarity of Dexron II to Mercon (see below), it is not uncommon to find ATF's labelled "Dexron II/Mercon". Such fluids can be used in Volvo applications as it meets the Dexron II requirements.
Mercon - is the Ford version of a friction modified fluid introduced January 1987. It is also known as "type H" although it is commonly referred to as Mercon. Although Mercon and Dexron are similar, A FLUID LABELLED MERCON ALONE SHOULD NOT BE USED IN VOLVO APPLICATIONS.
"Non-Friction Modified" Fluid
Type F - is the fluid commonly used by Ford for its Automatic Transmissions up to the early 1980's. Volvo continues to use this in Power steering, and manual transmissions as well as older automatic transmissions referenced above. Because of its different frictional characteristics it cannot be used in applications requiring Dexron II and vice versa.
Type G - is an upgraded version of type F more commonly found in Europe than North America. It can be used in place of type F but not Dexron II.
"Universal or Multi-Purpose Fluids"
Some manufacturers have labelled their ATF as "Universal" or "Multi-Purpose". These fluids in many cases are Dexron II/Mercon, however the label has to be read carefully to determine this. There are NO ATF's that will meet the demands of type F and Dexron II simultaneously as the name "universal" might imply. Therefore there is NO ONE ATF THAT CAN BE USED IN ALL VOLVO APPLICATIONS.