Well, this is a nice outcome to changing the transmission fluid. Before I changed it I was getting a small but noticeable thump when I accelerated from a stop. With the change of fluid it has gone away and the transmission feels noticeably smoother. So much for that BS about never having to change the transmission fluid....

 

Yes, same experience a few years ago.

I think for every fluid which LR says is "lifetime fill", volvo specifies a service interval. In LR's paradigm they expect their customers to trade-in for a new model every three years (maybe five at the most), so that's "lifetime".

 

That's probably 100% accurate.

 

We are lucky to have an Aisin-made six-speed transmission on our 08's. Aisin has a reputation for being one of the most reliable trannys. And only six speeds makes it less complex than other trannys with more speeds which get better fuel economy but suffer in reliability.

I don't know if LR kept the Aisin for all future model years.

 

Folks, did you replace it with a synthetic or the Aisin OEM?

 

Synthetic.

 

I didn't, my mechanic did, and he knows these inside out so I just let him decide. The receipt says he used "auto trans fluid type tls (t-iv)". Could be Aisin or Idemitsu.