Taking over basic maintenance for g/f's car, and I know squat about Volvos (but can see they're very well made!)

Went to change the oil (I'm no mechanic -far from it - but can do that on the cars and motorcycles I've owned) and was stumped. I was only able to see what I could from trying to climb underneath on a flat surface...

1) The drain plug: It is the silver nut on the VERY bottom of the pan, yes?
Nut is big, bigger than any wrench I own. What size is it? Metric, I assume ...yes? I'll buy a wrench to fit, but what size? I have a 19mm socket, and its bigger than that...22mm? I have no clue. Rather not buy a full set of large metric wrenches (which I haven't needed before now) 'less I have to. Tried to use large adjustable wrench, but wasn't working well. Don't want to strip it.


2) Oil: Car has 197K miles. Maybe use some high-mileage stuff? Syn? Amsoil? (which is my new favorite oil for the Harley)

Thanks!

 

Hi!

I purchased a one inch (1") socket for the oil pan drain nut that works on my 91 740. Fits just right.

Still like to burn, as my mech. says, Castrol for the oil.

Good luck!

 

Yes, I use 1" also... As far as oil, 10w-30 is fine too... these cars are very forgiving when it comes to oil-high mileage oil is probably not necessary.

 

Castrol GTX 10w-30 running it for years in the 745T

 

Thanks, guys, very much!
Will give it a try.
(slow response due to wireless outage)

 

Dont know why it has taken me so long to think of this, but I take a sharpie and write somewhere (coolant bottle) what wrench I need and do I get to filter from the top or bottom. With several vehicles, I never remember, saves some running to the toolbox time. Dave

 

LOL....smart