Now that the Polestar 2 has been revealed, we can get down to spec-spreadsheeting and feature-counting.

The CMA-underpinned Polestar 2 specs: 78 kWh option yields 275 miles, 0-60 in 4.7 sec, charge rate of 150 kW, with third-party charging network.

It will be available via Volvo’s novel Care by Volvo subscription, or by a normal purchase, meaning the usual careful blend of dealer haggling, hair pulling frustration, and hidden contract gotchas.

• 11.0-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen
• two motors, one per axle
• native Android Auto operating system
• smartphone can function as the key, unlocking and starting the vehicle

For comparison against the Tesla Model 3 — Polestar is aiming for the Model 3, no question — we bring you Model 3 specs…

Tesla Model 3: The Competitor

Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD 75 kWh gives 310 miles, 0-60 in 4.5 sec, charge rate of 250 kW, with proprietary charging network. Real-world cost is $49,900. That’s for the Long Range variant, which is the closest to this Polestar. A no-options 3 will set you back $36,200.

In Mid- and Long-Range variants, among other niceties you’ll find

• heated front seats with 12-way adjustability
• a tinted glass roof
• navigation with real-time traffic updates
• four USB ports, and docking stations for two smartphones

Tesla interiors have traditionally been panned for their lack of luxurious materials and design, and the Model 3 is no different, Car & Driver noting it has “… an interior that seems cheap and unembellished…”

Prices and Availability

Forget “launch editions” and all that nonsense. After the dust settles, the Polestar has an edge on price, plus it’s a 5-door hatch, not a sedan (yet not quite a wagon), so the utility of the Polestar 2 is greater than that of the Model 3.

At time of writing, both are unavailable for immediate delivery. However this is where Tesla has an advantage: the Model 3 is — and has been — in production and customers are taking delivery of their new cars. Polestar, on the other hand… whoo boy:

Production begins in early 2020 with deliveries to follow thereafter.

https://www.polestar.com/us/faq?

That’s an eternity in a new car shopper’s world. In fact, take all this comparison info with a grain of salt because the Tesla’s features and price can and probably will change in that time.

The $7500 Tax Credit

Here’s what the Polestar has the Tesla doesn’t, and it could tip the scales in favor of the Polestar: a $7500 tax credit.

In the US, the tax credits given to electrics and hybrid-electrics are given out on a per-manufacturer basis. Teslas’ allotment has just run out, while Polestar’s hasn’t even started. So this is a huge advantage for Polestar.

Real-world cost in the US will be right around $40,000.

The post Polestar 2 vs. Tesla Model 3 appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

IPD Photo contest details page. Six categories, one winner per category. $100 credit at IPD for each winner.

As we did last year, the winners will be decided by you, the Volvo community. 

The rules:

1. Physical photos need to be at least 5”x7” or the largest possible .jpg files.
2. If there are people in the photo, a signed release must accompany the photo.
3. Limit two entries per person, please. Only 2 photos per person will be accepted. If you send links to photobucket sites or forums etc. it will be impossible to enter your car in the contest so choose the 2 photos that you think have the best shot and send those in and be sure to let us know which category you’re submitting your photo to.
4. Entries must be received no later than April 30, 2019. There will be no extensions.

The post IPD Photo Contest! Prizes! appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

MVS Volvo Newsletter March 2019

Want these to come to you?
Subscribe to the MVS Newsletter here.

Volvo News

Volvo Announces Polestar 2

Good quick overview of Volvo… er… Polestar’s second vehicle, and how it competes with the Tesla Model 3. Here’s the MVS rundown of Polestar 2 vs. Model 3.

Volvo Goes Full “Big Brother” With Interior Cameras To Monitor You

“Volvo Cars to deploy in-car cameras and intervention against intoxication, distraction.” There are good ways to help prevent drunk and dristracted driving, but this isn’t one of them, in our opinion.

Volvo To Limit Its Cars To 112 Mph In 2020

Volvo Cars will limit the top speed on all its cars to 112 kph starting with model year 2020. “The company’s Vision 2020, which aims for no one to be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020, is one of the most ambitious safety visions in the automotive industry.”

Here’s a Fantastic Overview and Specifics of Volvo’s Vision 2020 Plan

… and for context fitting the above two news items into the broader Volvo safety picture, we ask Is it really possible to have no deaths or serious injuries across an entire brand of cars? Because that’s what Volvo is aiming for.

2020 Volvo XC90 Gets a New Hybrid System, Facelift

As the first of the SPA platform , the oldest of the new Volvo generation of cars and SUVs gets a mild update. “These new hybrids use regenerative braking for what the company calls its ‘mild hybrids’… [the] 2020 XC90 will go on sale in the United States this fall, with order books open now; pricing has yet to be released”

Volvo Cars introduces Care Key as standard on all cars for safe car sharing

The Care Key [?] will come as standard on all Volvo cars starting with model year 2021. It lets parents set max speed limits on a particular key, most likely for teen drivers.

Volvo, Bmw Invest In Child-Care Ride-Sharing Startup Zum

“Think of it as Uber or Lyft, but made specifically for your kids to get home from soccer practice.”

North Korea Still Owes $393,000,000 For Volvos It Bought In 1974

“When we ran a story a while back about the cars of North Korea, one photo in particular caught my eye. In that photo was a green 1974 Volvo 144, which made me wonder if it was part of those 1000 legendary stolen Volvos I’d heard rumors about. It was, because those rumors are true.” I’ve read the trade as low as 100 cars and as many as 1000, like the Jalopnik story above.

Volvo DIYs, Goings-On, Discussion, and Advice

• Cost/benefit calculation by MVS Forums members on when it’s time to throw in the towel on your Volvo.
• Future auto industry guy Mountainman45 wonders how to get more hp from his 2003 V70 turbo… It’s a project car so he has time to take his time. And along the way he earns, wait for it, Quote of the Month! [see below]
• 2004 XC90 rear tire smoking! “I noticed a burnt smell coming from one of my rear tires, after driving it she got so hot there was smoke.” — Forums member xyourobob.
• MVS Forums member macadood is seeking a snorkel for his 2008 XC70, for an off-roading adventure in Alaska this summer. He needs one of those black intake tubes that go up the outside of the A-pillars on Land Cruisers and other 4wd vehicles.
• Do you have a summer road trip planned? I’d like to hear from you… matthewsvolvosite.com/contact
• How rare is it? 2001 V70 T5M
• MVS Forums posting standards: if you haven’t seen it, please look it over.
• MVS Classifieds posting standards: same as above.
• Uh oh. Kallekula has a Wagon Relapse – 2001 V70
• 1/18th scale model company posts photos of their very detailed P1800.
• Outstanding P2 HID information. In this particular case, Aznav details his journey to replace HID bulbs on his 2004 XC90.

Kallekula’s Wagon Relapse wagon has bent intake valves… all of them. And, of course, zero compression.

POTM

Precopster’s 2001 T5 automatic Mistral Green Pearl, Volvo paint code 449

QOTM

“But ya know… 300hp out of a 3500lb wagon is probably more than enough to smoke any old ricer with a fart can exhaust in a street race.” Mountainman45 — in Turbo swap?

The post Volvo News – Newsletter March 2019 appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

The post 2020 XC90 Changes appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

• 2016 – 2019 XC90
• 2017 – 2019 S90
• 2017 – 2019 V90
• 2018 – 2019 XC60
• 2019 V60
• 2019 XC40

I’m a huge fan of CarPlay. It makes Volvo and other car manufacturers’ built-in operating systems look and act like the 1960s. If you’re not bought into Apple’s ecosystem and have an Android phone, try Android Auto. Same thing, but by Google.

CarPlay is an Apple standard that enables a car radio or head unit to be a display and also act as a controller for an iOS device. It is available on all iPhone 5 and later models with at least iOS 7.1.

According to Apple’s website, all major vehicle manufacturers are partnering with CarPlay. CarPlay can also be retrofitted to most vehicles with aftermarket vehicle audio hardware.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CarPlay

The post Volvos With CarPlay 2019 appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

CN90: My “new” 2005 XC90 2.5T with 82K still has factory spark plugs as the P.O. never replaced them. Since I have had good success with NGK Iridium BKR6EIX in my 1998 BMW 528i, I decided to use these NGK Iridium BKR6EIX spark plugs in my XC90.

DIY: 2005 XC90 2.5T Spark Plugs using NGK Iridium BKR6EIX

To read about the antiseize debate, torque values, and how much torque needed to destroy the spark plug in a junk engine test etc., see the BMW threads below:

BMW E39 Spark Plugs thread (antiseize debate, torque values etc.):
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showth … p?t=533613

Antiseize debate thread:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showth … p?t=405805

Replace Spark Plugs in a Volvo XC90

2005 XC90 Maintenance — Spark Plugs are a 60k Recurring Item

The post Spark Plug Replace — First Gen. XC90 appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

And the Polestar Engineered S60 sedan will return. All three will have a monsterous 415 HP.

Unlike the 2019 S60 Polestar Engineered, these new wagons and sedan will arrive in greater numbers than just 20. “…all 20 cars were snapped up in less than an hour.” — jalopnik.com. That’s right, last year’s hi-po S60 was harder to get than front row Rolling Stones tickets.

And they will be sold conventionally, instead of through Care by Volvo.

So what are these cars, exactly? Polestar, Volvo’s mission-confused performance division -slash-independent electric car brand takes a T8 plug-in-hybrid Volvo, increases the power, enhances the chassis, improves the looks with different wheels (and possibly different color choices), and sends it to your driveway.

As in other Volvos, the T8 powertrain is a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-liter inline four paired with two electric motors and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Polestar’s tuning brings the T8 powertrain to 415 horsepower and 494 lb-ft of torque, increases of 15 horses and 22 lb-ft over the standard T8, and new software tweaks send more torque to the rear wheels and give faster throttle responses. Polestar also adds adjustable Öhlins dampers, a front strut bar, and larger six-piston Brembo brake calipers.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a27032175/2020-volvo-s60-v60-xc60-polestar-engineered-confirmed/

Expect these Polestar Engineered cars to start around $70k in the US.

The post Polestar V60 & XC60 Wagons Coming This Summer! 415 HP! appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

If you bought all the items in this 2008 5-cylinder turbocharger diagram, and their correct amounts, you’d spend a wallet-vaporizing $9,707.19.

The image and data courtesy Lisle Volvo, and the reason for this post, besides making this info searchable/findable, is this Volvo forum topic Help To Identify Hoses in the Volvo V70 & XC-70 2001-2007 S60 2001-2009 forum.

The post 2008 Volvo 5-Cylinder Turbo Hose Diagram and Parts Numbers appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

The CVVT job — burn off environmentally bad gasses produced in the first minute or so from a cold engine. CVVT technology superseded fussy air pumps after it matured enough to be a dependable component of passenger cars. See Wikipedia’s CVVT page. See MVS’s how to change the CVVT hub on P2 Volvos. See all the various CVVT news and DIYs on MVS.

MVS Contributor bmdubya1198, with a strange noise in his 2000 V70 R’s engine bay:

There is this whining/buzzing noise that I’ve noticed around the area of the power steering pump. It’s very electronic-sounding, and I can’t figure out what it is. When I removed the timing cover and listened, it didn’t sound like it was related to the CVVT hub or solenoid, so I think I can rule that out.

I’m going to attach a video, and you can hear it pretty clearly in the video. It’s a high-pitched whining/buzzing noise.

MVS Contributor jimmy57 explains how how CVVT is used in Volvos:

That car wouldn’t have the secondary air pump as CVVT effectively replaced it starting with 99 year model. 

The crankcase vent nipple on intake is on that end of intake manifold and the throttle can make air noises of various pitches. In gear and a/c and headlights on should make throttle open more and affect vacuum amount and throttle opening (more throttle and less vacuum). Turning everything off and putting it in Park will reduce throttle opening and increase vacuum. The evap purge valve can make noise and would not be consistent when idling as it is not always operated at idle. It is under intake but above starter further away from the power steering pump.

They may put them in somewhere in the world but in US they dropped air pumps with intro of CVVT. The air pump only worked for a minute on cold start to pump air into exhaust to afterburn fuel in the exhaust and it sped up O2 sensor warm up and catalyst warm up.

With exhaust CVVT you advance exhaust valve opening several degrees before BDC while combustion is still going and retard ignition timing to start combustion later. These two will cause active flame exiting the opening exhaust valves which will ignite tail end of the gases of the last exhausted cylinder and assure the unburned fuel that could be there is burned to reduce hydrocarbons.

The increased flame in exhaust does the sensor and catalyst heating too. Air pump systems sucked and failed a lot. CVVT is not without issues but is way more reliable than the air pumps.

The 2.9 S80 non turbo for 99-> and the 2000-> 2.4 non turbo 5 cylinder have intake CVVT only (until they went with dual CVVT) and the intake cam is retard together with retarded ignition timing to get a little bit of the same action with no air pump

See the Volvo forum discussion where these quote originated…

CVVT vs. Air Pump

The post CVVT – What They Do & Why appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

MVS Contributor ggleavitt posts part numbers on this door handle question forum topic for interior door handles for 2007+ XC90 Volvos:

Like anything else Volvo, there are chassis breaks and model years (and interior codes) to contend with. The black part is on the base, and PN looks like this (post 2007)-
Base
Handle, left 1.00 39896654 CH -519165, Interior code: CH7X., Interior code: C00X, C70X, C90X., Interior code: CF0L, CF00, CF0D., Interior code: CB0B. 
Handle, left 1.00 39803539 CH 519166-, Interior code: CH7X., Interior code: C00X, C70X, C90X., Interior code: CBOE., Interior code: CF0L, CF00, CF0D., Interior code: CBQX., Interior code: CM00. 
Handle, right 1.00 39803542 Interior code: CH7X., Interior code: C00X, C70X, C90X., Interior code: CBOE., Interior code: CF0L, CF00, CF0D., Interior code: CBQX., Interior code: CBSB. 
Handle, left 1.00 39865867 Interior code: CU0P., Interior code: CU00., Interior code: CBSB. 
Handle, right 1.00 39865869 Interior code: CU0P., Interior code: CU00., Interior code: CB0B. 
Handle, left 1.00 39803541 Interior code: CX1X, CH2X. 
Handle, left 1.00 39865868 CH 495001-, Interior code: CU10., Interior code: CUSU. 
Handle, right 1.00 39803544 Interior code: CX1X, CH2X. 
Handle, right 1.00 39865870 CH 495001-, Interior code: CUSU. 
Handle, left 1.00 39803540 Interior code: CX5X. 
Handle, right 1.00 39803543 Interior code: CX5X.
Top
Handle, chrome-plated, left 1.00 30716085 
Handle, chrome-plated, right 1.00 30716086

Pre-2007

If anyone is interested in the pre-2007 PNs (solid, no band in the center)-
Base
Handle, gray, left 1.00 39974455 Interior code: VOR2., Interior code: CH0X, CH8V, EXC, CH0L., Interior code: CX7X. 
Handle, oak, left 1.00 39974456 Interior code: CF3L, CF90., Interior code: VOR3., Interior code: CX8X, CH0L EXC CH8V. 
Handle, gray, right 1.00 39974457 Interior code: VOR2., Interior code: CH0X, CH8V, EXC, CH0L., Interior code: CX7X. 
Handle, oak, right 1.00 39974458 Interior code: CF3L, CF90., Interior code: VOR3., Interior code: CX8X, CH0L EXC CH8V.
Top
Handle, aluminum, left 1.00 30674710 
Handle, aluminum, right 1.00 30674711

Interior code is on the metal plaque under the hood on the fender (driver side?) for early model cars, and it’s on the bottom of the black label behind the passenger side B-pillar for latter model cars. Chassis (CH) number is last 6 of VIN. The door panel PN does not change over the years so the handle “should” be a direct swap if both base and top are sourced. The door itself does note a couple chassis breaks for PNs but the breaks don’t align with any of the door handles which suggests there is probably no mounting change but you’ll only know when you try and bolt it on.

Photos of my 2005 (C070) and 2008 (CBSB)-

Where to get interior door pull handles: chrome w/ black center grab piece?

The post Interior Door Handle Part Numbers & Interior Codes XC90 2007+ P2 Series appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (May 1, 2019) – Volvo Car USA, LLC, (VCUSA) reported U.S. sales of 8,367 vehicles for the month of April, an increase of 0.4 percent from the same period last year. Year-to-date, VCUSA has sold 30,425 vehicles, an increase of 7 percent from the previous year.

April 2019 was the best April sales performance since April 2007. The XC90 was the top seller for April, up 27 percent over the prior year, with 2,700 sales recorded. The new XC40 had another record-breaking month, selling 1,824 compact SUVs.

“Led this month by the XC90, our award-winning SUV line was up 10 percent for the month,” said Anders Gustafsson, President and CEO, Volvo Car USA. “Together, the XC90, XC60 and XC40 have led to a 14 percent increase in SUV sales year-over-year.”

For sales by model click here: https://www.media.volvocars.com/us/en-us/corporate/sales-volumes

About Volvo

Volvo Car USA, LLC, (www.volvocars.com/us) is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Group of Gothenburg, Sweden.?VCUSA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States. For more information please refer to the VCUSA media website at:?http://www.media.volvocars.com/us.

The post April Sales Report – Up Slightly Year Over Year appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

These guys do so much for us owners. Want to show them you appreciate them? Donate any amount. It all goes to them, 100%. Actually, it’s more than 100% when you figure in the PayPal fees, because I split up among them what’s donated, not what I actually collect.

Here’s the running tally forum post.

The post Spring 2019 Moderator Donation Drive — On Now! appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

Bonus! 

Everyone who gives/gave this round Spring ’19 MVS Moderator Donation, you’re all entered into a raffle for the last I [heart]My Volvo sticker known to exist.

You don’t have to do anything. I’ll perform a random selection for one winner from the list of donors. 

I found two of these the other day in my basement. It was like Indiana Jones. I swapped the stickers with a small bag of sand on an altar, then got chased by a large boulder and escaped in an airplane.

I sent one to MVS Contributor paulgraz who bought two, years ago when I was out but thought I had some left. At the time I had to tell him sorry, and he graciously said to keep the money and put it toward hosting. When I found these the other day, I asked if I could send him one and use the other for this raffle and he said he’s cool with that. So here it is!

The post A Sticker for a Donor appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

Interesting news out of Volvo today. Check out the parts on after the collision…

ROCKLEIGH, N.J. (May 14, 2019) Volvo Car drivers will now have help at their fingertips in the minutes following an accident, via their smartphones.

Volvo Car Accident Advisor is the first mobile, post-accident experience that serves up emergency services and checklists, guided accident documentation and digital insurance claims and repair services to keep drivers safe, informed and in control after a collision.

Volvo Car USA worked with CCC Information Services Inc. (CCC), a leading Software as a Service provider to the automotive, insurance and collision-repair industries, to develop the service.

Volvo Car Accident Advisor will be available automatically for model year 2015.5 and newer Volvo Car vehicles via the in-car SOS communications system. Volvo Cars vehicles produced earlier than the 2015.5 model year can use the mobile service by calling Volvo Car Customer Care at (800) 550-5658 in the event of a non-injury producing accident.There is no cost for Volvo Car Accident Advisor.

“For years, Volvo Cars has been immediately communicating with drivers and passengers as soon as a crash sensor is activated in the car to accelerate the emergency response process,” said Scott Doering, vice president of Customer Care, Volvo Car USA. “Now with Volvo Car Accident Advisor, the application can guide drivers on what to do next after the driver has confirmed to Volvo Customer Care that they are safe and without injury.”

After drivers contact Volvo Customer Care and confirm they are uninjured and do not need emergency services, a link can be immediately texted to their smartphone, which opens a web-based application that takes drivers through important steps following an accident.

Volvo Car Accident Advisor will prompt drivers to capture facts and photos of the accident scene, offer them the option to digitally notify their insurer and to search for collision repair shops, helping to speed claims handling, reduce repair-cycle time, and better manage the overall post-collision process.  

“We work hard with in-vehicle technology to eliminate or reduce the impact of crashes as much as possible,” said Doering. “In the event that an accident happens, we now have Volvo Car Accident Advisor that can walk Volvo Car owners through the entire process, from data gathering and insurance claim management all the way through collision repair. This program not only provides tremendous convenience, but will also help to ensure the car is repaired to Volvo Car’s stringent safety standards.”

To learn more about Accident Advisor, please visit: volvocars.com/us/own/connected-car/volvo-on-call

The post Volvo Car USA Launches Post-Accident Guidance Service appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

After a brief hiatus, FCP Euro (Volvo parts) is back sponsoring this site… the MVS Volvo Forums specifically.

If that’s not enough…

FCP is also Sponsoring the new MVS Facebook Group

That’s right, MVS has a Facebook group — Matthew’s Group — and FCP is the proud sponsor of that. We’ll be giving away free FCP credit (hundreds!) every month there, so keep your eyes open.

The Facebook group is a natural extension of the MVS Forums, to reach a wider audience. It’ll have the effect of bringing in more ideas, repairs and Volvo solutions to MVS itself, and vice-versa. Volvo camaraderie, photos and fun too, I hope.

The post FCP Sponsoring MVS! appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

Polestar picks UK For New Development Center

Volvo’s Head of R&D Talks Touchy Safety Subjects

Rich Actor Loves And Buys $750 Volvos

Autoweek looks at Old Volvos

Cozy Family Story of Owning Volvos

Polestar 2 Getting Tons of Attention for This Feature

MVS Comings and Goings

Spring ’19 Moderator Donation Drive

Multiple Ongoing Restoration Projects

Thanks Leaders

Volvo Findings still finding Volvos

The post Volvo News – Newsletter May 2019 appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

… because some Volvo owners swear by them and they work fine.

Installed NGK IX Iridium Spark Plugs (p/n BKR6EIX) in my 2004 Volvo V70 2.5T AWD wagon (Engine B5254T2 R5 2.5L) with 233,600 miles(replacing Bosch plugs) Thursday afternoon. Within 3 miles of driving car threw P0600, P0863, P0P0571 & P0504, went into limp mode. I restarted the car and cleared the codes and it ran another 4 miles till I got it home. Next morning it prevented starting because of comm failure w/transmission – same codes plus U0073 (bus communication). Disconnected battery, checked CEM ECU and TCU connections, cleared codes again, reconnected battery and car ran 10 miles without codes. Next morning codes and limp mode returned multiple times.

I called my 2 Volvo specialists and they suspected CEM starting to fail and did not see any relation to new plugs. I decided to bring the car in on Monday but had the weekend to tinker – concerned this might be the end of the vehicle for me ($2k to replace CEM) I decided to remove the NGK plugs and re-install the old Bosch Platinum plugs out of desperation – the problems and codes disappeared. My car has run fine since I removed the NGK plugs and the codes have not returned after several days of driving. Voodoo? Is my car allergic? Do the plugs play a role in CEM communicating to ECU TCU? Ill pick up a new set of Bosch platinum plugs and go my merry way…

The post NGK Spark Plugs… Defect? Or Install Error? appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

New Volvo owner  rp2005 got the dreaded “TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT” message on his XC90’s dash:

“Fast forward to last week and my wife is driving the car to work and the dreaded “Transmission Service Urgent” message came on the dash. We had it towed into the dealership and they are saying we need a brand new transmission and they quoted it at $7k. This is very depressing since we have only put 6k miles on the car.”

I opened a claim with Volvo to see if they could provide any kind of financial assistance but that was denied. I thought maybe there was a chance since there were issues with the earlier models of XC90s but I guess not.

MVS Contributor SuperHerman:
“In an ideal world – you would take your XC90 to a shop. They would hook it up to the computer and do some readings and testing. They would then have an idea what to look for and remove the valve body. They would then bench test it and confirm their diagnosis. Next they would strip the valve body down and visually confirm and look for additional problems. Then they would repair the problems either with an aftermarket kit made to address the problems without modifications other than part exchange or they would ream out the bores and replace hard parts with new ones. But, if it is too expensive to do these repairs they would replace the entire valve body. Then they would put it all back together and bench test. Then reinstall on the car and make sure all is well. You can see this process on numerous on line videos – type of transmission doesn’t matter – it is the process. The basics are all the same.”

What follows is a diagnosing, ruling-things-in-or-out transmission problem discussion. There are amazing suggestions and tips in this, as well as simply how to go about addressing the problem without blindly throwing money at a shop. Click the link below to get to the topic in the forum and follow the thinking:

2009 XC90 3.2 Tranmission Service Urgent

The post Diagnosing “TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT” on a 2009 XC90 appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

Today Volvo introduced Tow for Life, a free program for all Volvos. Yes, even that barely-running old 1985 Volvo 240 down the block you’re thinking about…

No matter how old or new, how well- or poorly-maintained the Volvo, it qualifies for free towing. Wow!

The Catch

Of course there’s a catch. In life, there are no free lunches, and all that. And here’s the catch: the tow goes to a Volvo dealer. Not your house, not your indie Volvo mechanic’s garage, and not to a salvage yard. Yet this is fair. They pay for the tow, they get to say it goes to a dealer, where it’ll probably pay for itself many times over after you fork over for dealer service department rates.

“Tow for Life ensures that in the event of a breakdown, help is on hand no matter the age of the vehicle,” said Scott Doering, Head of Customer Service for Volvo Car USA, “It’s a commitment to all our customers that cars will be taken to experts who use genuine Volvo parts and repair methods. This will get the customer back on the road faster and provide assurance that the repair was done right.”

Towing is already included as part of roadside assistance under the car’s warranty period. There is no additional fee to use Tow for Life for post-warranty customers.  Volvo customers can call for help through Volvo On-Call or via Volvo Customer Care at 1 (800) 550-5658. Vehicle tows that are initiated through these channels will have their tow to a local Volvo retailer covered under the program.

https://www.media.volvocars.com/us/en-us/media/pressreleases/254165/volvo-car-usa-launches-complimentary-tow-for-life

Download Volvo’s Tow for Life introduction PDF here.

Discuss this in the Volvo Forum’s Tow for Life topic.

The post Tow for Life is Free Towing – For ALL Volvo Cars appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.

First, a big thanks to Swedish Motors in Boulder, Colorado, especially Sophie who contacted me to pick up these parts for MVS members. They’ve got a good Yelp rating (4.5).

Give em a Like on Facebook! They’re celebrating 45 years in business.

These parts are free to you. Claim them in the thread linked below, or contact me. Tuesday night I’ll open it up beyond MVS Contributors.

• Please don’t pick with the intention of selling it. These parts are to help you or another Volvo owner with her/his car, to get it running or to keep it running.
• No hoarding. Again, these parts are to help you or another Volvo owner with her/his car, to get it running or to keep it running.
• Please no more than two parts per member.
• You pay shipping at USPS. This can be as low as $8.
• Please understand these parts are not known to work. They are not “known working” parts. You’re taking a chance. However, they came from Swedish Motor’s parts shelf, so at that time, they were known working.
• US states and Canada.

Free Parts!

The post Free Parts, Thanks to Swedish Motors appeared first on Matthews Volvo Site.