Hi. Long time lurker. This is my first posting.
I spend several hours recently trying to find an alternative to paying ~500$ US for a 5 gallon pail of Volvo branded iShift Transmission fluid. I have a 2020 Volvo VNL 860 for reference with ~480K miles.
As the original poster mentioned, there are several alternative fluids that can be used, but are nearly un-obtainable to the individual consumer. Here is what my research has found. A few FYIs just in case others may view this post and are also looking for a semi-one page synopsis.
Sorry this will be a long post and waaayyy in the weeds for some readers. I embedded a few links to other web sites for reference.
In case you just want the Cliffs Notes version of the Readers Digest version...
Unless I am interpreting the tech bulletin and all other info incorrectly, it seems that Volvo is implying that using a GL-5 75w90 transmission fluid will suffice. It also seems that if you can use 97319 (75w90) fluid in all iShifts built 2015 or later. If you have a 2010-2014 with the radiator mounted oil cooler where then you should us 97318 (75w80). All the other mumbo-jumbo with approved alternative brands is just a way for Volvo to have a way-out to void a warranty.
Now to dig into the overgrown weeds and for your reading entertainment.
FYI - 1
Volvo iShift and Mack mDrive are the exact same transmissions. Both are automated manual transmissions. There is a clutch actuator that does the gear shifting and the truck computer tells the trans when to shift...unless you have the seat or dash gear selector in manual mode. Hence, these are not
automatic transmissions but rather
automated. They are manual (gear driven) not torque converter transmissions.
FYI -2
for 2017-2020 model years, Volvo
recommends changing the transmission fluid and filter at 500K miles for normal and heavy duty applications and 250K miles for severe applications.
FYI - 3
For 2017-2020 year models the recommended oil is
Volvo Transmission Oil 97319. It take almost 5 gallons to do a fluid change. This fluid is over 500$ US for a 5 gallon pail at the dealer and about 100$ US per gallon. Yeah...outrageous pricing.
Here is a snippet from the Volvo Genuine iShift Transmission Fluid Product brochure
Volvo I-Shift Transmission Fluid 75W-90 (97315, 97319)is a high-performance transmission oil designed for automated manual transmissions and extending drain intervals. Can be used in all overdrive I-Shift transmissions and severe applications. In automated manual transmissions in applications considered normal or heavy, the 75W-80version can also be used.
FYI - 4
Other model year Service Maintenance pdfs. I listed the transmission fluid recommendations for reference and quick view.
FYI - 5
The fluid is manufactured by Exxon-Mobil and rebranded to Volvo/Mack packaging. The Exxon-Mobil labeled product is:
Mobil Delvac 1 Transmission Fluid V50. This fluid is API GL-4 and 75w90
Here is a snippet from the
product data sheet
Mobil Delvac™ 1 Transmission Fluid V50 is a fully synthetic, heavy duty manual transmission lubricant engineered to meet demanding requirements. Recommended by ExxonMobil for year-round lubrication of manual transmissions requiring Volvo 97315 or Volvo 97319 type oils (refer to owner's manual recommendation) for on-highway commercial medium and heavy duty trucking, including vocational applications, heavy load hauling, and frequent PTO usage.
FYI - 6
Volvo released a
Tech Bulletin in 2014 which lists alternative transmission fluids that can be used in lieu of the Volvo Branded fluid. If you get into the weeds on this bulletin you will see that there are only six fluids that are approved for extended service (500k interval changes). There are 25 fluids that are approved for normal service (250k mile) changes.
FYI - 7
Prior to 2017 Volvo had a different recommended transmission fluid. This was
Volvo Transmission Fluid 97318. This fluid was also manufactured by Exxon-Mobil and repackaged. The differences are:
Fluid 97318 is 75w80
Use in all automated manual I-Shift transmissions and older VT-type gearboxes. NOTE: not to be used in overdrive transmissions (ATO) for which the higher viscosity version (75W-90) must be used.
Fluid 97319 is 75w90 and
made for iShift with ATO (overdrive).
Now down the rabbit hole...
There are many alternative fluids listed in the tech bulletin, but most fluids are not obtainable in the US. Fluids that
may be obtainable in the US are available to a oil distributor only and not sold to the individual consumer. Searching the interweb for any/all of these alternative fluids leads to hours of reading, web sites that point to a oil jobber, worthless redirects to lesser fluids, etc.
I even called several of the oil jobbers hope to find a local solution and all I got was "search our web site" or "we do not stock that".
I finally found on Amazon the
Mobil Delvac 1 Transmission Fluid V50...I think. I have messaged the sellers to confirm this is the proper oil. Here is where even more confusion is caused...
This
Amazon listing is for > MOBIL DELVAC SYNTHETIC GEAR OIL 75W-90 - 38 lb. pail
This
Amazon listing is for > Mobil Delvac Synthetic Transmission Fluid 50 - 35 lb. pail
See the difference?
One states Fluid 50 transmission fluid. I assume this is v50 and 75w90.
The other states 75w90 gear oil I assume this is also V50 transmission fluid. (
technically all of this is gear oil).
Plus the weight is different. 38 vs 35 lbs. Hmm...Shouldn't 5 gals of the supposedly same fluid weigh the same?
Is this the same fluid, just a different description? I hope to find out once the seller return my message.
I read somewhere and did not save the link (sorry), that the ATO (automated overdrive transmission) on the newer iShift has a different oil cooler than the older versions. Beginning 2015 the transmission oil cooler was redesigned/moved. Volvo recommends using 75w90 in the 2015-newer transmissions as to have a bit thicker fluid to dissipate the heat better and make the ATO a bit more efficient.
To make things even more head-pounding confusing is that the aforementioned tech bulletin states that the original fluid used at the factory meets Volvo STD 1273, 18 which is Volvo fluid 97318. Yet you can use fluids meeting Volvo STD 1273, 19 which is Volvo fluid 97319. The way I interpret this tid-bit is that if your iShift is supposed to use 97318 fluid and you can't get 97318 then you can use 97319 fluid. So, does this mean that the older iShifts and/or non-ATO can use the same fluid at the newer iShifts / ATO?
It gets better.
The bulletin also states: for service fill use 75w80. So does this mean that the newer iShifts / ATO can use 75w80 and not the specifically recommended 75w90.
Conjecture...
Unless I am interpreting the tech bulletin and all other info incorrectly, it seems that Volvo is implying that using a GL-5 75w90 transmission fluid will suffice. It also seems that if you can use 97319 (75w90) fluid in all iShifts built 2015 or later. If you have a 2010-2014 with the radiator mounted oil cooler where then you should us 97318 (75w80). All the other mumbo-jumbo with approved alternative brands is just a way for Volvo to have a way-out to void a warranty.
However...the little voice in the back of my mind keeps telling me to get the fluid that is "approved" for use and not an off brand GL-4 75w90 which can be purchased from Amazon and most any auto parts store for 150$ US for 5 gallons.
IMO...and all it is >> is my opinion, the approved listing of fluids just may be a wee bit better quality and give better service in the end. The way I look at it, If I have to, I would spend (but would not be happy about it) the 500$ for a pail of Volvo branded transmission fluid from the dealer
IF using that fluid prevents a transmission related issue going forward. Kinda like the old Fram commercials...Pay me now or pay me later. If I can get the verified Mobil fluid from the Amazon seller then that I the way I am going. If not, then I will dish out the 500$ to Sir Volvo. 250$ extra for the Volvo fluid isn't going to make or break me and may prevent a 10K$ transmission repair for using the "wrong" fluid.
I hope some of this info helps others.
