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Volvo S80

2415 messages,  Last post on Feb 16, 2013 at 4:05 PM

You are in the Volvo S80 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volvo S80, Sedan

Messages Page 82 of 243

#804 of 2415 reading through by sbcooke

Dec 11, 2001 (7:52 am)

as I am shopping for a car. I am actually seriously considering a V70 wagon, but this board is making me skeptical with all of the problems associated with the S80. The V70 board does not have the same problems after 2000, at least from what I read...anyway...
 
I have seen a lot of light bulb and headlamp related problems here. There are several recalls regarding the bulbs, assemblies and headlight cabling that some of you here may want to check. Alldata.com has a list of the TSB's and Recalls for most cars. 1997-2001 Volvo's have a lot, and some of the problems that are sprinkled throughout this board could probably be fixed via recall service at a dealer.

#805 of 2415 reading through by n0v8or

Dec 11, 2001 (3:29 pm)

In theory, your advice is sound. In practice, however, I am "zero-for-three", so far.
 
My dealer claims he cannot perform the work recommended in the recall bulletin under warranty, "because my vehicle serial number does not appear in VADIS". Others have reported this same dilemma. There is a fix for their problem, and even a service bulletin that describes that fix, but they can't have it (unless they are willing to pay for it, of course).
 
All is not lost (at least not yet). My dealer advises that, if I have a letter of complaint on file with Volvocars North America, they often consent to make an exception to the serial number bounds. I have written those letters; we'll see what happens.
 
For those interested in the specifics, I have a 2001 S80 2.9 with less than 7000 miles. Problems for which there are published (by Volvo, but allegedly not applicable) service bulletins and/or recalls include:
Steering wheel play ("knocking");
Condensation in head light housings;
Short bulb life (have replaced 1 headlight and 2 tail light bulbs so far).

#806 of 2415 lightbulbs by t6toler

Dec 13, 2001 (2:43 pm)

There have been a lot of posts regarding short bulb life and how the DaytimeRunningLights may affect the life of the bulbs. Though I have not had any bulbs blow on my 2001 S80, I thought I could let everyone know about my good experience with my other Volvos. I have a 1988 Volvo 240DL that has a similar feature to DRL; the light switch can just be left in the on position and the lights go on and off with the ignition. The lights do the same 'flash' as the S80 when turning on the car (lights on, then off, then quickly on again) and I have only had to replace one headlight (in 1998) and no tail lights in the thirteen years that I have had the car. I also have a 1995 Volvo 960 with DRLs that also flash with the ignition and have only had one headlight (in 1998) and one license plate light (in 2000) go out. So apparently for me it is not a function of the DRLs flashing or the continual operation of the lights that causes them to blow. And contrary to one post (a while back) on this board, I have never seen an S80 or S60 with a headlight out, just one or two S70s, but they have been on the roads a lot longer than the S80s.

#808 of 2415 Light flicker, MPG. by t6toler

Dec 14, 2001 (11:33 am)

Jerry B., I haven't been back in for service for the flicker, but will be making an appointment soon to take care of the 7,500 mile maintenance service and will surely talk to my service manager to see if she has any updated info on the flicker problem.
Also, I remember your post from November regarding MPG for the 2001 T6; as of today I have 6,900 miles. Although I do record the miles driven and the 'message center' calculations on my fuel receipts, I haven't had the time to chart the readings to come up with and overall MPG for the total miles I have driven. But just off the top of my head, my mostly city mileage can be anywhere from 12 to 16, and my mostly highway from 21 to 25. By keeping an eye on the 'Instantaneous MPG' readout, one can really tailor their driving to save fuel. For me, freeway driving with cruise control at 65MPH gets about 29 to 31MPG, while cruising at 75-80MPH gets from 22 to 25. A huge difference no matter how much more fun 80+MPH is for the senses. I also finally found my ideal tire pressures that I feel give better road feel and tracking while providing less harsh riding than the 39PSI 'recommended' pressure. I now keep 34PSI front and 30PSI rear (Arrakis wheels). For me these pressures reduce high speed wander and crosswind susceptibility and keep the ride supple.

#810 of 2415 Tire Pressure and More by overhill

Dec 14, 2001 (6:55 pm)

My '01 T6 just turned 7000 miles. For the price its one of the most fun cars to drive that I've owned. I finally settled on 32 psi for every tire but the front driver's side tire. I run it at 30 psi and, believe it or not, the car doesn't pull to the left and feels and handles a lot like a rear wheel drive car.
Jerry, I tried my 740il at 32Ft/39Rear, but had a lot of wear on the center of the rear tread-- so I reduced the rear tire pressure.
In regard to the throttle response on the T6 you might try a K & N air filter. It didn't make my T6 any faster, but it improved the throttle response.
I find the car is not quick from a dead stop, but it is very quick from 30 to about 90. Also the long flat trunk is great and so is the drop down back seat. The front seats are more comfortable than the big BMW or the big Lexus and the stereo is better than either in my opinion. I travel about 570 miles per tankful on the highway. Of course the S80 is a fairly light automobile, but you get a lot for the price. I am concerned about the ablility of this car to hold up long term. I just brought mine to the dealer for some sort of clunk underneath the car-- hope its not the beginning of future problems.

#811 of 2415 RPMs jump while idling by rtpvolvo

Dec 18, 2001 (7:09 pm)

Two weeks after my 30k service on my 2000 model, car was idling erratically(rpms jumping). Today, check engine light comes on saying " Emission Service Required". I'm taking it in first thing tomorrow, before my road trip on Thursday. Any Ideas? Thanks

#812 of 2415 rtpvolvo check engine issue by casadecastro

Dec 22, 2001 (5:59 pm)

My emissions service message went off around 30k on my 99 T6, and the problem was the air mass flow sensor (no idea what that is, but they fixed it under warranty).

#813 of 2415 Fluid Leaks by evolvo

Dec 23, 2001 (5:22 am)

99 T6 - 16,000 mi. Month ago I had to take it in for Power Steering fluid leak. This time it is in for Transmission fluid leak (Seal). Did anybody have similar problems?
 
Had no problems with the dealer except for the availability of a loaner car. I was told to wait for four days to bring the car in to get a loaner .

Messages Page 82 of 243

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