Who has Geartronic??? Is my car acting normally????

[Liddo]

Hi Chaps

Ive had my Gaytronic for a couple of weeks now, and............errrrrmmmmm, Im not 100% sure I like it. Its like I cant get used to the way it changes and stuff.

It changes up and down great, it kicks down great aswell, and doesnt bang into gears, but sometimes I think the box is doing something it shouldn't. I cant put my finger on it but it just doesn't seem right. Its nothing like my old BM 5 Series box that i felt i had total control over.

For instance, when going down hill, and taking my foot off the gas, it SEEMS to me to drop into neutral, is this right??? Also sometimes it tends to hold a gear for a while, then change up to the next gear quite quickly. Maybe me not being used to it, but it feels weird at the mo

Please re-assure me

[Squirtydog]

when going down hill, and taking my foot off the gas, it SEEMS to me to drop into neutral, is this right???

Do you mean it does this in auto or manual mode? In manual it should definitely stay in gear and allow engine braking.

Also sometimes it tends to hold a gear for a while, then change up to the next gear quite quickly. Maybe me not being used to it, but it feels weird at the mo

Could be that the car needs to get used to your driving?
Mine did this for a while when I first bought it. Settled after a bit. Now, if I don't drive it for a bit, or my wife uses it for several days, it sometimes takes a short drive to get used to my 'more spirited' style.

...people who really know what they are talking about will be along soon though.

[ExternalError]

The geartronic on my car isnt to bad just watch out for shift flairs between 2nd and 3rd as these are common, apparently caused by the B3 servo cap a fix is to get a servo cap off a later car they are all interchangeable as they changed the design later on. Also check your documents if it hasnt been into volvo for a while it might be worth booking it in for a ATF change and software update I had mine done for around 200 quid and it made it feel totally different although it took a week to get used to my driving again as they reset the driving data the ecu collects when they do the update.

[Liddo]

Do you mean it does this in auto or manual mode? In manual it should definitely stay in gear and allow engine braking.



Could be that the car needs to get used to your driving?
Mine did this for a while when I first bought it. Settled after a bit. Now, if I don't drive it for a bit, or my wife uses it for several days, it sometimes takes a short drive to get used to my 'more spirited' style.

...people who really know what they are talking about will be along soon though.

In Auto mode, it seems to drop into neutral, i dunno, it just feels weird.

And yes, it used to be owned by an elderly gent who plodded around everywhere, so maybe its just a little confused

[Liddo]

The geartronic on my car isnt to bad just watch out for shift flairs between 2nd and 3rd as these are common, apparently caused by the B3 servo cap a fix is to get a servo cap off a later car they are all interchangeable as they changed the design later on. Also check your documents if it hasnt been into volvo for a while it might be worth booking it in for a ATF change and software update I had mine done for around 200 quid and it made it feel totally different although it took a week to get used to my driving again as they reset the driving data the ecu collects when they do the update.

Thanks for the info Was the £200 from the dealer???? Might be worth a visit, as I dont think its ever had a fluid change, and its now on 97k. The fluid isnt black, just a bit brown

[graemewelch]

if its brow get it flushed and reset. find a good specialist

[Liddo]

Will do Anyone know a good one Liverpool / Lancashire way???

[ExternalError]

200 quid was from the dealer that included software updates for the car my next plan of action is to sort the b3 servo cap as I occasionally get shift flairs

[dionbullock]

In Auto mode, it seems to drop into neutral, i dunno, it just feels weird.

And yes, it used to be owned by an elderly gent who plodded around everywhere, so maybe its just a little confused

Mine does that, saves fuel i guess??? I very rarely stick into "manual" mode, just keep it in auto 99% of the time as the "manual" mode changes way to slow on up & down shifts for my liking....

I'd love to do a proper manual conversion then id be happy to keep the car forever as it only done 66k miles!

[ExternalError]

Theres about a 2 second delay in the shifts you get used to it after a while and automatically hit the change before you need to. I only drive mine in Manual mode now and love it once you get used to the change delay and factor for it its not an issue.

[Liddo]

Rang around, and got an AMAZING quote of £75+ VAT from Bryn Motors near Wigan, but I also got a "Why are you wanting to do that, you don't need to" from Southport Volvo Specialists. Only if I've been towing or using the car as a taxi then the fluid may need a change, other than that, leave it alone.

Hmmmmmmm, I just want to do whats best for the car. Suppose if its not broke, then dont fix it, but also, prevention is better than cure!!!

[volvokid]

Get it flushed all fluid breaks down over time.

[graemewelch]

id be changing it. the auto boxes arnt that strong and if its changed colour its lost its goodness.

[ExternalError]

preventative measures you can take are as follows

1. Get the ATF flushed if not by a dealer then someone who knows the proper way of doing it, to many horror stories of people filling it wrong and losing a gear.
2. Software updates fixes a few issues most common being the stop neutral issue.
3. B4 servo cover get one off a 2005+ as the newer ones were redesigned as they are a known issue of causing shift flairs in 2nd/3rd
4. Auxillary oil cooler - these are recomended by vovlo if you have a towing bar fitted so they cant be to bad to have on anyway as a preventative measure.

I've also PM'd you a link that detail the above and also go into issues people have had with the geartronic box and how they have fixed them.

[Liddo]

preventative measures you can take are as follows

1. Get the ATF flushed if not by a dealer then someone who knows the proper way of doing it, to many horror stories of people filling it wrong and losing a gear.
2. Software updates fixes a few issues most common being the stop neutral issue.
3. B4 servo cover get one off a 2005+ as the newer ones were redesigned as they are a known issue of causing shift flairs in 2nd/3rd
4. Auxillary oil cooler - these are recomended by vovlo if you have a towing bar fitted so they cant be to bad to have on anyway as a preventative measure.

I've also PM'd you a link that detail the above and also go into issues people have had with the geartronic box and how they have fixed them.

Thanks very much

[wegal]

Fluid change is one of the best things you can do, it really does make a difference. Does your model still have the gear neutral software ? You might need to check and see when the gerabox last had a software update, that can also make a big difference.

[jdavis]

+1 on the fluid change recommendation.

made mine a bit smoother. no issues with mine.

[silverhorse]

Plus another 1 on the fluid change.

Also, don't be comparing your Volvo auto box with a BMW auto!! With all due respect, Volvos are not the 'Ultimate Driving Machine'!

[ExternalError]

BMW = precision engineering
Volvo = still works in the snow

I think Volvo got its priorities right

[silverhorse]

Volvo = still works in the snow

REALLY!!!!!!!!????????? I don't think so. XC90 maybe