Volvo S40 Basic Maintenance Questions

ndotym

I have a s40 2.4I the manual states 7500, I thought oil changes were every 3,000 at most 5,000 the dealer stated 10-30 castrol gtx any help or should I do every 3,000 I plan on keeping this car past 100,000 miles.

jessreds40

Yeah I want to know too. The Volvo dealership said the first one was on them. So is that 3k or in 7500mi?
I didn't ask about the oil recommendation. Any recommendations?
:confuse:

2004volvos40

I have a 2004 S40. Dealer changes every 7500 miles through first 30,000 miles per the manual. Not sure what oil they use. The 3000 mile suggestion is for really heavy driving of basic american cars particularily in dusty and city driving, or so I'm told. I also have a 2007 Mercury Mariner and that calls for 5000 miles which my dealer provides for life.

blumstein

With most cars & a good brand of oil, 5,000 is the norm. Some places say 3,000 so they can make more money :-). Volvo uses a good synthetic oil which lasts longer than so-called fossil fuel so they can get away with 7500 mi intervals.
Paul

maxload

On a related note, does anyone know how often (how many months) you should have your oil changed if you don't reach the 7,500 mile mark? My S40 is 2 years old now and I've only hit 10,000 miles so far. I assumed it was something to the effect of 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first, but when I took my car into the dealer after 6 months, they instructed me to come back at 7,500 miles. In short, my question is: Should I take my car in now for an oil change or should I wait until I hit 15,000 miles?

blumstein

It may sound weird replying to my own post, but I was mistaken and I want to keep things straight. My bad for listening to the salesman :-) I shoulda known better.

They don't put synthetic in it when it is new nor during maintenance unless you request it. (I got this from the service manager). They count on the low blowby and the large crankcase (7 qts w/filter vs 5 for most cars) to keep the oil going that long.

I still feel queasy about keeping dino oil past 5k. So, I plan to do the 1st oil change at around 3700 miles and use synthetic for all servicing after that.

The reasons that I'm going to use dino on the first change is because that leaves 3700 till the next service & dino oil will help during the break-in period.

Paul

jfrance

Does anybody know where the turn signal relay is located on a 2001 Volvo S40? Not a fuse, not the bulbs, oil in the engine lol, must be relay. Thanks for any help! Funny I can change brakes but can't find a relay!

prontohr

Hey ndotym,

I have a 2001 S40 with over 100K miles. This little pony hasalways been serviced by the dealership at 7,500m. They use synthetic oil and still going. Maybe you should try it.

ndotym

Here is a botom line answer from the service manager, non synthic castrol 5/30 recommended. I have my s40 2.4I serviced at the dealer, and to confirm they use 5/30 castrol motor oil, synthic is extra and as told not needed on a non turbo car unless reqested at a extra charge, norm is 7500 and the service light will remind you of this. I'm satisfied with this answer from the dealer. I might switch at next service, as I put about 100 miles per day in various conditions of driving 45 /50 mix. no problems and no excessive oil usage..

prontohr

To dealershop or not to dealership.

I have a 2001 S-40. My service engine light is on and I've been told that I need to replace my O2 sensor.
Dealership wants a bit of money. If I change this myself will the computer reset it self or do I need to get the computer re-set by the dealership? :confuse:

subearu

OBDII will clear the CEL when the condition(s) that triggered it are back to normal again. So, yes, it will reset itself. However, it can take several driving cycles before clearing.

The only other ways would be to use a scan tool to clear the code (can buy one for $100-$200) or pull the battery cables and reset things (however, this can cause the ECU to go back to defaults which can yield lower MPG for a tank or two, plus you'll lose your radio presets).

-Brian

2004s40hm

I'm looking for the best place to buy service manuals for my S40 without paying the dealer $760 for the entire set for year 2004. I don't like buying Chilton's or Haynes because I don't think they are complete enough for what I like to do. Any suggestions?

judybe

I have a 2003 Volvo S40 that I just purchased with 50,000 miles on it and going down the road in really hard rain the windshield wipers stopped for about 6 or 7 minutes and then started back. What could cause this to happen?

davidp158

I presume its best to use Volvo for all scheduled service. I'm wondering if the warranty is voided, or if I risk sub-standard service, if I use a non-Volvo dealer. I'm not out to be cheap, but I gather that dealer service is a major cash center, and I'm wondering if an alternative makes sense. Any advice would be appreciated.

thanks in advance,
Dave

volgirl

Yes, you do run the risk of voiding the warranty if going to an independant shop. You can but be careful who you let touch your car! The reason is if something fails on your car and you need the warranty, Volvo may ask you for your service records and if you sont have any from the dealership they will not honor the warranty. I would use the dealer for 1 you know they are certified mechanics working on your car, you have someone to go back to if something goes wrong and you know your getting what you pay for (like they are actually doing the work they say they are).
When it comes to service I have no problem laying out the cash to the right people.

krich1

I have a 2007 S40. Does anyone know how to clear the regular maintenance message once the car has been serviced? Thanks.

zaucha

This worked for my 06 XC90:
VOLVO XC90 -- Resetting the service reminder indicator (SRI)
(The text message "Time for regular maintenance" is displayed for 120 seconds each time the ignition is switched on.)

-Turn the key to Ignition position I
-Press and hold in the reset button for the trip odometer and turn the key to Ignition position II within 2 seconds
-Hold the reset button until the warning triangle flashes.
-Release the reset button for the trip odometer within 4 seconds. -The instrument panel gives an audible signal when resetting has succeeded.

tmorato

How do you replace air filter on a volvo s 40 2005 model?
It's hard to open it. Pls. help. Thanks.

uncbyu

It works for 2008 S40, too. I just tried. It works.

ecolyer

I have a question that anyone with an older model s40 can answer. My wife hit a curb and now there is a clunk in the front end when we turn or hit a bump. I jacked the car up and I cannot see any damage, but I noticed that I can swing the sway bar front to back and make it tap against the engine. Is this normal? I need to compare this to someone elses car. If you reach behind your front tire can you swing the sway bar for and aft? Or is it in a fixed position?

Thanks,

Ecolyer

fredk591

-Turn the key to Ignition position I
-Press and hold in the reset button for the trip odometer and turn the key to Ignition position II within 2 seconds
-Hold the reset button until the warning triangle flashes.
-Release the reset button for the trip odometer within 4 seconds. -The instrument panel gives an audible signal when resetting has succeeded.

This did work on my 2007 S40, be sure to close the doors, turn down the radio, and tell your wife to stop talking.

Thank You

blumstein

Edmunds Maintenance said that is is about $3 labor to replace. Our local service station charged an hour's labor (about $80) and said that their mechanic took over an hour but they charged me an hour because that is how it is listed in Mitchell's. They further said that the time was so much because the filter is under the gas pedal and they had to remove the pedal. Unfortunately, I don't have a service manual to check. Anyone replace this filter? (Note: It is not the engine air filter). I'm curious about your experience.

Thanks,
Paul

davidp158

I wonder how Edmunds Maintenance came up with a $3 labor estimate. What is the cost of the filter? Although I'm not inclined to defend dealers' high service rates, I can't imagine getting anything done at any auto dealer for $3.

blumstein

The filter is twenty something dollars. Generally something that is pop-in would be a few dollars. Most air filters are in that category. It is possible that Edmunds made a mistake. I had an Alfa and they wanted $14 for a wiper blade in 1972. When the new parts book came out, it was $4. Obviously a typo. Oddly, the dealer didn't question the price. I found that standard American blades fit and were more Ozone resistant, so I bypassed the $14 blades and never went back, even when it was priced at $4,

Pb

snead_c

Yes, in the 2006, and I think 2005-2009, the cabin air filter is in the "hump" beside the gas pedal and I watched the technician replace my first one in about 40 minutes...removed so much to get to the filter that I decided I'd just pay the shop in the future. Today I paid $130 for a filter and replacement. Very dirty after 25,000 mi.
I also have a 2009 Prius and it took me less than 5 miutes and no tools last Saturday...Amazon price for the Prius Fram Fresh Breeze filter was less than $15.
Oh well, my Volvo seats are better than those on the Prius....

s40silverman

Where is the cabin Air filter on my nonturbo 2.4L S40 2004.5 year located? instructions with the filter says on right side of gas pedal & also been looking under glove compartment all I see is fuses and FoMoCo stamps all over .....

snead_c

I'm sorry to report that if yours is located like my 2006... inside of the fixture beside the gas pedal... Mine required removing the gas pedal, several pieces of fixture and lots of "stuff". I watched mine being replaced so I could "do it myself". Afterwards I decided I'd pay over $100 to have it done. In our Prius you push 2 clips on each side of the glove box and drop the box to expose the filter slot. It takes more time to empty the box than to change the filter.

volvos40girl

For anyone who has oil life questions, I have been in the maintance business for a very long time, and even though the say 3k, Volvos can go 7500 (or 6 months), but ONLY is using a full synthetic. This is because the oil polymers in conventions shear and break down faster, no matter what car you drive. With my experience, The best oil for Volvo's is Valvoline's Synpower. The have it in a 5w-30MST, which is a long-life european rated oil. For the newer models, '06 and above, if I remember correctly, they have a 5w-40MST (again, long life, european rated) which is perfect for a european made car. This is all I've ever used in my Volvo's, and I've gotten over 300k on every one I've own. In the long run you are saving money, because you are getting twice the milage, vs. the 3k recommened for Conventional oil. Volvo actually recommends full syn in most their models, even though they out in Conventional @ the dealership unless otherwise instructed. As far as Cabin air filters, they are actually easy, and youtube has great how to videos on all of them.