Hi everyone. Brand new to the forums. We are picking up a 2012 or 2013 S60 for our daughter's first car. Both are around 100k miles. Looking for suggestions as far as new-ower maintenance I should jump on right away at that mileage. Also, I'd like to upgrade the stock hologens to LED's. I've done this before on our 2017 WRX without too much trouble. My question is do LED conversions on s60's require the capacitors (warning cancle/anti flicker)? I didn't need them on my Subaru. Not sure if Volvo was different. Thanks guys!
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Bump. Very quiet forum.

 

I have no experience with headlight conversions but can attest that these vehicles are extremely sensitive and will throw codes. Wife still drives an S60 T6 of similar vintage and one of her factory xenon bulbs blew and so I took it to our trusted independent who works on a lot of Volvos. Turns out it was not just the bulb but the ballast as well. When the ballast was replaced with a non OEM to keep costs down not only did it not work but the other headlight would not work either. They would turn on and stay on for 30 seconds then go out. It wasn't until we got a genuine Volvo ballast that everything worked as it should. Not trying to discourage you but just be prepared to deal with a vehicle that may require a lot of attention especially when modifications are introduced.

 

Thanks for the heads up Rick. We actually bought the 2012 tonight. I was eyeballing the headlight assembly and they don't have an integrated focus lens. I wouldn't dare slap an LED in there without some sort of lens. It would just blind everyone on the road. Looks like I'll just have to stick to halogens. No biggie.

I have a basic obd2 codereader that I used to see the data stream while we were test driving it. It's not much but it let me see that there were no stored codes and all the main sensors were reporting green. I like to do my own basic car maintenance so I splurged on a Launch CRP129E scanner so I can reset oil lights and do brake swaps. It'll come in handy for the other two vehicles as well. The only things I've seen that I probably need to do at this mileage milestone (100k) is replace the coil packs/wires/plugs and the PCV systems. I did the glove test on the oil fill cap and seemed to be getting decent suction so it's not emergent anyway. Am I missing anything as far as maintenance?

 

I think there are some folks here who use the Volvo Vida OBD2 scanner for more in-depth diagnosis but you may need a subscription. I think you are wise to not simply throw some high intensity LED's in the headlight enclosures. Really the only way to correctly do it is with a projector conversion kit. What I would do in addition to what you've already mentioned is to replace the serpentine belt as well as the belt tensioner. The bearings often times give out before the recommended replacement time comes due and can wreak havoc if it seizes up. Good you are replacing the breather box. Normally a check engine light with lean codes comes up when the breather box needs replacing. Keep an eye on your oil levels. 2012 was one of the years that had some major problems with excessive oil consumption and as a result engine failures.
My recommendations are simply anecdotal and you will find there are some very experienced and knowledgeable people here that can help you with whatever it is you need help with. Good luck to you and I hope your daughter enjoys her new car.