Volvo Geartronic gearbox

PhilDK
PhilDK Forum Participant Posts: 49
edited February 2023 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hello 

I have Swift Sprite Major 4EB Caravan and plan to tow it with my Volvo V70 D4 164 hp. The weight percentage is okay at 87% and the towing limit for my Car, according to the Vin plate id is 1600 kg.
The Volvo has a geartronic automatic gearbox and I'm finding all sorts of comments about this when towing.
Has anyone has or has had experienced any issues especially going downhill or uphill.

Thanks very much for any advice.

Phil.

Comments

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2023 #2

    It was one of the better features of my Volvo, incredibly smooth changes especially after I had it Polestar remapped 😄 I suggest you find an independent Volvo or auto transmission specialist to change the fluid (the dealer will probably not do it) otherwise shouldn’t be a problem. 

  • PhilDK
    PhilDK Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited February 2023 #3

    Hello flatcoat,
    Did you find you had to drop it into manual going downhill or up long inclines ?

    Phil.

  • ChocolateTrees
    ChocolateTrees Forum Participant Posts: 432
    edited February 2023 #4

    I towed with the Volvo 6 speed geartronic gearbox on XC90 D5 185ps (2008) and V60 D6 220ps (2016). It was silky smooth on both. On the XC90, I would use manual mode if coming down a long incline (M6 south at Shap) just to control speed. It was very good. 

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2023 #5

    I simply braked a bit to trigger a downchange  going downhill and pressed the accelerator a bit more going uphills. 

  • PhilDK
    PhilDK Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited February 2023 #6

    Thanks for the guidance Chocolate Trees.

    Phil.

  • PhilDK
    PhilDK Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited February 2023 #7

    Thanks for the guidance flatcoat,

    Phil.

  • watto64
    watto64 Forum Participant Posts: 162
    edited February 2023 #8

    We are towing with an XC90 with the 8 speed geartronic, super smooth seamless gear changes both up and down even when under towing loads with cruise on, i've not used manual selection  at all. On long downhill  gradiants i usually kill the speed by braking  before it builds up.

    Our previous towcar (Santa Fe) was not good at auto gear selection when towing with cruise control and would buck around between gear changes making it quite un-nerving, so cruise was hardly used when towing.

  • Martyn6073
    Martyn6073 Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited February 2023 #9

    Have now towed with three diferent  models of Volvo XC60, V90 and now a V60 all with a Geartronic gearbox and all have been great. first two diesel and the V60 is petrol. Use cruise control on motorways and the gearbox is always in the correct gear. Highly recommend, 

  • PhilDK
    PhilDK Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited April 2023 #10

    Well, I just got back from a short drive and a two night stay. My volvo with its geartronic gearbox performed better than I thought. Going uphill was not much of an issue and coming down inclines I didn't have to switch into manual mode.

    Happy caravanner.

    Phil.

     

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