Volvo XC90 SUV

19294969798

Comments

  • pglinpglin Member Posts: 10
    I just bought a Weathertech cargo mat and it works great. Now I'm looking for a mat for the third row since we have been using it more recently.

    Any suggestions out there for the third row for a custom fitted mat? Any pros/cons based on experience with carpet versus rubber? I was also thinking of changing out the factory mats in the first two rows but it seems like a waste of money since we just recently got the car.

    Any feedback appreciated. Thanks.
  • jcrotjcrot Member Posts: 1
    Just purchased a 04 volvo xc90 and have had it two weeks. I am really struggling with the hesitation in the gas pedal. You depress it slightly, nothing happens, so you depress it more and it shoots off...its a pain and its a hazard in the snow. Also the brakes seem like you have to mash excessively to stop. I have an ABS car and it isnt like the volvo brakes.
    Also just took it in for the recall on the steering and cv's or something like that and was told the vibration was due to it needing the axle replaced. Can that recall item cause a part in the axle assembly to go out? The dealer said its unrelated, but I find it hard to believe.
  • jccai1jccai1 Member Posts: 113
    The hesitation you feel is the turbo lag. It's not the gas pedal. It took me a while to get used to, since I've never owned a turbo car before. But after a couple of months, I was able to modulate the throttle quite effectively in city traffic.

    You might want to have the dealer check out your brakes. I have an 05 model, and the brakes are very powerful. When I first got the car, I actually felt the brakes were too grabby. Keep in mind this is a very heavy vehicle, so it will take longer to stop than a compact car.
  • bigeddybigeddy Member Posts: 181
    There is no real turbo lag in the low-pressure unit used by the XC90. What you feel is mostly the programming designed to protect the tranny and to some extent the drive-by-wire response. The initial sluggishness has been more noticeable with the T6, less so with the 2.5T (you don't indicate which you have), but there were programming updates for both designed to improve response. Has this update been done?

    Which axle is bad? Some rear axle seals were defective which caused problems. Front ends have seen several fixes including axle splines. Which recalls and TSBs have been performed? I assume you checked these things before buying used.
  • merk850merk850 Member Posts: 14
    Hello,

    I would to install the Parrot 3200 buletooth myself. Has anyone instlled the Parrot 3200? I am told there is a wire harness made for my 04 xc90 that will make this as easy as, plugging in the harness to Parrot and radio? Does the fact that the radio uses fiberoptics matter in this install? They make a harness that goes in line between car and radio.

    Does anyone have specific directions on how to remove radio (non-premium) I have a general idea of removing shifter trim and screws under climate control. However I read " Do not remove connectors before turning the ignition off"

    When should I turn ignition on during this removal process and when should it be off? Is battery always disconnected first. I am new at this but want to give it a good try.

    ANy specific info would be greatly appreciated.

    Links to a remaval page would be great. I have not come up with a detailed one yet.

    Thanks,

    Wayne
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    My advice would be to let a professional install your bluetooth.
  • merk850merk850 Member Posts: 14
    Volvomax,

    Can you tell me if that recommendation is based on you having experience doing it and it was difficult? Believe it of not an installer told me that it was not a big job and could be something I could do. I am looking for some guidance maybe from people on this forum who have taken the radio out. I would think that would be a fairly common thing for various reasons.

    Thanks
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Removing the radio isn't the problem.
    Getting a non Volvo piece of equipment to interface w/ a new Volvo is difficult.
    Installing the factory approved Bluetooth involves more than just pulling the radio.
  • dan_zdan_z Member Posts: 8
    Anybody out there have issues with leather wear? We have an '05 with 42K miles on it. I just noticed that the leather on the lower/outside portion of the drivers backrest is showing what I would consider excessive wear. The leather has appeared "broken in" for some time, but the white fabric underneath has begun to appear.

    We don't abuse the vehicle in my opinion. I'm not obsessive about treating the leather, but it gets the standard armor all treatment 3-4 times a year.

    Any thoughts? Anything special I should be using to treat the leather?

    Also, Is this an issue that I can raise with Volvo and hope for some help?
  • nicevision2020nicevision2020 Member Posts: 10
    Hi

    Has anyone installed the Navigation systems after the delivery. I am from boston area. Any portable good navigation system with 6 - 7 inch screens. Thanks in advance.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Volvo should be able to warranty that.
    It doesn't sound normal.
  • bryangmdbryangmd Member Posts: 27
    How many MIC's do they install in the factory option and where are they placed? I have heard that it can sometimes be difficult for someone to hear me if it is not optimally place.

    Thanks,
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    1 mic, installed by the rear view mirror.
  • dcjmedcjme Member Posts: 6
    I'm about to sign a 24 month lease on a 3.2. Really happy with the deal I got and thrilled with the dealer, but I was disappointed to learn that neither bluetooth nor sirius, as dealer installed options, can be residualized. Dealer is quoting me about 1400 installed on both options, which is steep for a car I may not have past 2 years. Does anyone (volvomax, perhaps) know whether either or both options can be installed aftermarket in the same seamless and integrated manner that the dealers offer? Kind of want to avoid the satellite radio on dash with wires protruding everywhere look. If so, is there any adverse impact on warranty having a non-Volvo entity mess with the factory installed radio?

    Thanks
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Bleutooth can be done aftermarket, but I doubt you will save much if anything.
    You can plug a sirius unit into the XC90's AUX port.
    But, there is no way to integrate an aftermarket Sirius unit directly into the factory radio.
  • krm3krm3 Member Posts: 1
    I'm planning on purchasing a 2004 XC90 tomorrow and I've noticed the doors don't auto lock when the car is in gear. Is this normal for the Volvo? I'm coming for BMW that has this feature and I really want it, can it be fixed?
  • buroskyburosky Member Posts: 90
    The auto lock can be easily programmed by a Volvo Tech. My Volvo didn't have this feature programmed when I got mine. I had to go back to the dealer to get it programmed.
  • aveghteaveghte Member Posts: 68
    Is the V8 XC90 more reliable than the V6?

    I test drove the V6 and liked the vehicle except that the engine seemed underpowered for the car.

    I have read negative comments about the reliability of the XC90 transmission and was wondering whether the straining engine and transmission for the V6 engine might be improved by the V8 engine.

    Has anybody had transmission problems with the V8?
  • guyfguyf Member Posts: 456
    The transmission problems are related to the 4 speed (GM made) used with the T6. No problems reported with the 5 speed (Aisin made, Japan). the same manufacturer builds the 6 speed used with the V8 so it should be reliable too.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    First of all,the 3.2 is an I6,not a V6.

    Reliability of both engines has been excellent.
    The 3.2 is perfectly capable of moving the car, the V8 is faster.
  • aveghteaveghte Member Posts: 68
    I knew somebody was going to get me on the V6 error!

    I have read about transmission problems for earlier model years in the XC90 and during my test drive of the 2007 I6 XC90

    I noticed that the 3.2L engine was under some strain moving the car because of noticeable noise levels with little throttle response compared to a sports sedan.

    I don't know whether or not this noise and lack of throttle response translate to transmission problems down the road or not.

    Would the V8 engine be a better choice or does the added weight of this engine and drivetrain offset some of the performance benefit of the extra horsepower and torque?
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Well,the XC90 weighs 4500 lbs,your average sport sedan is over 1000 lbs lighter.
    It is simple physics.
    Most SUV are slow comapared to the average sedan.
    Now,the V8 is very quick,but it is also alot more money than the I6.
  • pluto168pluto168 Member Posts: 44
    I lost my 2006 XC90 key and want to replace it. My local deler is asking for $300 for the full key (with key, remote, SW, and SW dowload) and $150 for the valet key. This seems to be too much for just one key. :mad: Does anyone know where to find a reasonably priced key? Thanks
  • guyfguyf Member Posts: 456
    Well the lease was up on my XC90. Since I don't really need the 3 row seat and Volvo has great deals right now on the XC70, I moved on to the 70. Active bi-xenon's, active 4C suspension and all the options I had on my 90. It has just as much luggage space and acceleration and handling are noticeably better. Adding about 10 -15% better fuel economy sweeten the move. The XC90 was great, 50,000 miles and my only cost except regular service and tires (1 set of winter's) was a front brake job. The rear brakes were never touched. A couple recalls, 3 rear wheel bearings replacement under warranty and that was it. Not bad for a vehicle as complex as the XC90.
  • lkarlkar Member Posts: 2
    You can probably save a bit on the sirius installation if you really want to work at it. The part itself has a dealer cost of about $320. You can find it on the internet for about $360 if you shop around. If you buy one at that price, you may be able to find a dealer that will install it and simply charge you labor and the cost to download the software. Maybe $600 or so total.

    It's actually a pretty easy install. The 2007 XC90s are completely sirius ready. The radio unit comes with a bracket that screws directly into metal frame of the car in the rear, pretty much right behind the tail light assembly, inside the body. (I believe this is how it works. You can actually download the instructions for installation from the volvo web site.) The radio is already hard wired back there and it's a simple plug in. From there, you simply route the antenna up to the roof, which also is pretty well explained in the instructions. A dealer with the right tools should be able to do it in an hour or hour and a half, tops. No cutting, retrofiting, bending, drilling, wiring, etc. Once installed, the radio runs through your factor-installed radio and is completely integrated. YI believe you'll just have a new option on your selector for satellite and can tune and control it using your regular radio and steering wheel nobs. That's how it's supposed to work anyway.

    Bluetooth is a bit more complicated, although the part is cheaper.
  • xc90sportxc90sport Member Posts: 10
    My '07 V8 Sport did not come with a Back Up Camera though Volvo shows one on their web page and in their brochure. I already have the Navigation System (factory installed) as well as the Rear Parking Sensors (also factory installed) on my SUV. I was considering purchasing it from the dealership parts department and have them install it.

    Has anyone seen it work before?
    Does it work pretty good?
    Has anyone ever had their dealership add it and how'd that go?
    Is the camera small and discrete like a Lexus/Infiniti or is big and ugly like on the Honda Pilot?

    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Backup camera is only available as a dealer add on.
  • jim314jim314 Member Posts: 491
    The window sticker on my wife's 2007 XC-90 3.2L states "Geartronic 6-Speed Automatic Transmission w/Adaptive Shift Logic and Winter Mode". Presumably this is made in Japan. Who exactly makes it, and what's the reputation? Does it have a tranny dipstick? The 2.4L I-5 in the 2004 V-70 does. Is this the same transmission as the one used with the V-8 XC-90?

    I gather that in 2008 the SI6 will be used in the V-70. Will it be the base engine? It has plenty of power for me in the XC-90 so it ought to make the V-70 move.

    This I-6 is called the "SI6" or "short inline-6" because the engine or the engine and tranny together are almost exactly the same length as the 5-cyl it replaces. One way they do this is by putting the serpentine belt driven accessories on the back of the engine (driver side)above the transmission. The alternator is not driven by the serpentine belt but by a separate internal gear and it is located on the side of the engine (front of engine bay) under the intake manifold.

    What I wonder about is whether the tranny in in SI6 has been made more compact or is it the same tranny as in the V-8? I prefer inline engines because of reduced complexity (half the number of cam shafts, and only one head gasket) and changing spark plugs should be a breeze, compared to a transverse mounted V-8 or V-6.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Aisin-Warner makes the 6spd tranny. They have made transmissions for Volvo for years.
    It does not have a dipstick.
    It is the same tranny as in the V8.
    The SI6 engine series is approx the same size as the old I5 engine.
    The 3.2 SI6 engine will be the base engine in the 2008 V70.
    The optional engine will be the 3.0L SI6 Turbo,at 281hp.
    This will only be available in the AWD configuration.
  • jim314jim314 Member Posts: 491
    Wikipedia on the SI6.

    For reasons I can't elaborate, I'm under the impression that today's autodiesels should all be turbocharged, but for me personally a normally aspirated gasoline spark-ignition engine is adequate and preferable. A NA inline-6 is just right for my needs in every way.

    I have wondered about the octane requirements for the NA 3.2L SI6, which has a compression ratio of 10.8:1. The manual states that AKI 87 is the minimum acceptable, but that 91 or above is recommended for optimum performance (or something to that effect).

    Where I live, gasoline comes in AKI 87, 89, and 93, so the straightforward procedure would be to just fill with AKI 93. But what I sometimes do is make a quick cal'n of the amount of fuel that the vehicle is going to take to fill the tank, then sequentially deliver equal parts of 93 and 89 or 2 parts of 93 to one part of 87. Both give AKI 91 assuming the effect of the octane additives is to combine linearly, which I am confident is true enough for this purpose.

    This is not as much trouble as it might sound. The idea is not so much as to save a dollar or two per 20 gal of fuel as it is to get the highest mpg, consistent with complying with the mfgr's recommendation and protecting the engine for the long haul.

    Here is the basis for going to this extra trouble, which I admit I have not fully researched. AKI 87, 89, and 93 gasolines all have the same gasoline "base", but the progressively higher AKI fuels have higher levels of octane boosting compounds (like ethanol). Some, or all, of these octane boosters actually have a lower energy content than the gasoline base. Therefore, you might actually get higher fuel economy with AKI 91 (mixed on the spot) than with AKI 93 octane.

    Could this give rise to a detectable increase in mpg?
  • carguy39carguy39 Member Posts: 9
    I received a copy of my lease agreement today and noticed a a "lease termination fee" charge of $395 which is due when my lease expires. It has nothing to do with early termination - it is a charge at the end of my contract.

    Is this standard in lease agreements as this is my first lease?

    Regards.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Try Lease Termination Fees and other costs too.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • jim314jim314 Member Posts: 491
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating confirms the hypothetical possibility of what I have suggested above, but doesn't give much hope that it would be the case in practice.

    "A premium motor fuel will often be formulated to have both higher octane as well as more energy. A counter example to this rule is that ethanol blend fuels have a higher octane rating, but carry a lower energy content on a volume basis (per litre or per gallon). . . . it is possible to formulate high octane fuels that carry less energy per liter than lower octane fuels. This is certainly true of ethanol blend fuels (gasohol), however fuels with no ethanol and indeed no oxygen are also possible."

    So this doesn't give much hope for any significant mpg improvement by mixing AKI 89 and 93 to get 91.

    There would be a slight savings in fuel cost, but this would probably be overbalanced by the environmental drawback that this approximately doubles the possibility of fuel spillage and evaporation losses by doubling the fueling operations.
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    i doubt the fuel labelled with 93 octane is really 93. i bet it's just 91. imho you should try the 87 octane and if the performance loss is not objectionable, and no mpg loss is detectable, stick with 87.
    with our 5-cylinder xc90 we use 87 octane except during summer months when we use 91+: in the heat is when the power loss due to 87 is most noticeable and the mpg loss becomes measurable, and is maybe about 10%.
  • jim314jim314 Member Posts: 491
    According to the Wikipedia article, the lowest grade of gasoline commonly sold Europe is AKI 91, but in the US it is AKI 87. The Volvo manual states that the Volvo engines will run on AKI 87 (run without damage is implied IMO), but that they are designed for optimum performance to use AKI 91 or higher. Also I believe the manual states that higher octane should be used under heavy loads such as towing, or towing in hilly or mountainous regions, etc.

    I interpret this to mean that, except under the most demanding operation, the knock sensor and timing controls can be expected to protect the engine using AKI 87, but I'm still unwilling to use AKI 87 as a matter of course. I am near sea level and it is hot here. The savings in fuel costs are to me not worth the chance I could damage the engine. Usually I take such good care of the engines in my cars that the engine outlasts the car as a whole, but I just can't stand the thought of abusing an engine. I change the oil at mrgr's recommended intervals, but not more frequently, but I use full synthetic oil even though it costs three or four times as much as "dino" oil.

    I believe the oil companies when they claim on the pump that their fuel is 93 octane. I just wish they would offer 91 octane as well. But maybe they know the market and maybe it is only marginally more expensive to produce 93 over 91 and significantlymore expensive to offer a fourth grade of fuel at the retail outlet.

    Ethanol used to be added to fuel as an "oxygenate" which lowered the exhaust stream levels of some pollutants, but ethanol is also an octane booster and no doubt that property is taken into account in the formulation of gasoline. Engine controls in gasoline engines are now so good that oxygenates are no longer needed to meet emissions standards, and the much vilified oxygenate regulation was removed in, I think, 2006.

    But now there is a requiement that ethanol be present in fuel, supposedly to reduce our dependence on forign petroleum sources, and under the dubious claim that ethanol is a "green" fuel and a "renewable resource". This is mostly bunk and the ethanol mandate is mainly a subsidy to big agribusiness in the corn belt, but that is the way our representative democracy works.
  • jim314jim314 Member Posts: 491
    I noticed a piece of rubber hanging out of the metal skid plate under the radiator on my wife's new XC90 3.2L I6. I tugged on it and it came right out. The parts dept staff at the nearest dealer couldn't find this part on the computer. I looked at another XC90 on the showroom floor and the rubber seal was pressed onto the bottom of the radiator, but was loose. I could see it was not going to stay in place.

    The sales staff said they had reports of this piece coming out of a number of new XC90s and they suggested that it is a "shipping seal" which should have been removed at the distributor. But the seal looks too durable to be shipping packing. It has no part number on it. It looks to me like it is supposed to be fastened to the bottom of the radiator, but that the fasteners were never installed during assembly.

    What is status of this part? It is the same length as the radiator is wide, and fills the gap between the bottom of the radiator and the metal front skidplate.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Probably justa deflector.
    To cut wind noise and turbulence
  • detourlovesjandetourlovesjan Member Posts: 1
    So my 2004 XC90 T6 drives like a gem. Lotds of stupid warranty-covedred items up to 44,9K. tHIS WEEKEND I drove from Atlanta to Hilton Head and accerlation feels weird. It's like a Car acts when driving up a steep mountain in th I set the cruise control but it holds the speed iles lower. Then tghe turbo makes noise. I pull over and tons of white smoke pour out of the dual exhausts. Ended up towing to Savasnnah. I'll know tomorrow but I suspect Turbos are blownespite careful driving and perfect maintenence. Anyone experienbce this.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Hmm, if the turbo's went(highly unlikely) you would hear a bang if the seized up, or a grinding noise if the bearings went slowly, also blue smoke(from the oil) would issue.
    white smoke sounds like an FI or MAF issue.
  • memphistlcmemphistlc Member Posts: 10
    I found a 1 owner, super clean, 2004 T5, FWD, with only 37K miles. Dealer is about 3 hrs away but Carfax is clean and pics look great. What problem areas should I carefully check for this model? Dealer says it's still under warranty..how long? THanks.
  • tgkoenigseggtgkoenigsegg Member Posts: 52
    What options does it have?
  • tgkoenigseggtgkoenigsegg Member Posts: 52
    So far, all I can tell you is that the bumper to bumper and powertrain warranties are 4 yrs/50,000 miles and Corrosion is 96 mts and unlimited miles.
  • volvo5volvo5 Member Posts: 7
    The only issue I had with my 2005 is the tires. The Pirelli's wore quickly and unevenly before reaching 15K and made a humming noise.
  • memphistlcmemphistlc Member Posts: 10
    it is loaded with all standard equipment, but no navigation. Asking price is $22K even. I just wanted to know if there are any problematic areas like brakes wearing out quickly or components needing premature replacement. It's a one owner vehicle.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Well, its a 4500 lb vehicle that stops like a 3500 lb vehicle,so brakes and tires are going to wear quicker than you might think.
    Major service is every 30k.
  • lev_berkovichlev_berkovich Member Posts: 858
    I assume it is 2.5T, because if it is T6, then you might want pass on it, or, at least get an extended warranty.

    2.5T should not have any problems, I have mine for 61K already with 0 defects.

    T6 on other side has known issues with a transmission and have horrible gas mileage.
  • tgkoenigseggtgkoenigsegg Member Posts: 52
    Doesn't the T6 have the 4 Speed from GM?
  • lev_berkovichlev_berkovich Member Posts: 858
    Yes it does.
  • volvohnovolvohno Member Posts: 40
    I have a 2007 XC90 3.2 and am having the same problem. My wife took it to the delaership one time , and they put the piece back on. She said the techs thought the piece served as some sort of "heat barrier" (I'm getting this second-hand, mind you).
    Unfortunately, I did not look at the piece once it was "reinstalled" to see how secure it was. The piece began dangling again yesterday, and when I got under the car to replace it, it fell off in my hand.

    What is this thing? Is it really important?
  • bryangmdbryangmd Member Posts: 27
    I have a 2007 XC90 VB (12K mikes). Recently I have heard a sound like something is swinging (like a pendulum) and rubbing on something behind the dash. I would say the noise comes from between the upper right corner of the stereo to the steering column. I thought it was only when I hit the brakes, but it is also from when I hit the gas from a stop. I know it sounds strange, but anyone had anything simular?

    Thanks,
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