Transmission Gear Ratios

Volvo has used many different transmission types, and their internal gear ratios vary according to engine and model year. Particularly in the newer M90 transmission, there are significant differences between different versions.

Gear M40/41 M45/46 M45WR M47 M90 (L/L2) 1. 3,13 / 3,41 3,71 / 4,03 4,33 4,03 3,91 2. 1,99 2,16 2,32 2,16 2,20 3. 1,36 1,37 1,47 1,37 1,38 4. 1,00 1,00 1,00 1,00 1,00 5. / OD 0,80 (OD) 0,80 (OD) -

The M90 transmission (used in 940/960/S90/V90) comes in four main types. Differences are particularly evident in first, second, and fifth gear ratios: Version 1st gear 2nd gear 5th gear Typical Use M90H 3,54 2,05 0,81 B6304 (6-cyl) M90H2 3,54 2,05 0,70 B6304 (Desert 5-speed) M90L 3,91 2,20 0,81 B230 (4-cyl) M90L2 3,91 2,20 0,70 H-model (High): Longer initial gears, designed for torque-rich six-cylinders. L-model (Low): Shorter initial gears, designed for four-cylinder engines. 2-version: Features an "economy 5th" (0,70), which significantly drops revs on highway driving.

The most popular four-speed automatic (Aisin-Warner), used in 700 and 900 series: 1st gear: 2,45 2nd gear: 1,45 3rd gear: 1,00 4th gear (OD): 0,69 The AW transmission's overdrive (0,69) is significantly longer than most manual transmissions, making it excellent for highway driving.

In race-oriented Getrag boxes (A-Group Turbo-240), gear ratios are extremely "tight," meaning the differences between ratios are small to maintain optimal power delivery: 1: 2,328 | 2: 1,675 | 3: 1,353 | 4: 1,145 | 5: 1,000 (Direct)

M46: 4 gears + electric overdrive (button on gear stick). M47: Traditional 5-speed manual. M90: Newer and more durable 5-speed, with 5th gear in "lower right" position (below 5th).