Hello everyone! I am a new Volvo rookie. I just bought a 2002 S60 2.4T for my new commuter vehicle. I have lived in chevy's, dodge's, and Fords all my life. I've had the Volvo for 2 days now and I love the car!

What I would like to know from you owners that have more experience than I is, is there any special maintenace issue I need to keep an eye on? How hard is it to change the oil? Do I need to use any special oil?

 

Look out for your transmission, they tend to be more problematic in the 2001 or 2002 model years. Oil changes aren't too bad, you may need a special Volvo filter wrench. To do an oil change, you take off the belly pan, then everything is easy to access. You can just use 5W30, about 6 quarts. I recommend synthetic because it is a turbo engine. Welcome to the Volvo world!

 

Thanks for the help. I found the filter wrench after I posted this yesterday, probably will order one today. I was also thinking of starting out with Amsoil right away. How often do you change oil? the owners manual recommends 7500 miles, but that seems high for conventional oil. When I run the Amsoil I change filter at 10,000 miles and oil and filter at 20,000 miles. What are your thoughts?

Also I need to get a second keyless entry button. Can you program them yourself or do you have to get a dealer to program it?

 

I'm not sure about the key fob for a 2002... but after getting my 2007 S60 2.5T, I checked about getting a second key fob. The dealer needs to program it, yes.. I imagine a certified Volvo shop could too.
It is probably done with the Vida software while the car is hooked up to the computer with the Volvo DiCE unit through the OBDII port.
I didn't get one because the cost was so high. I forget the price, but the key fob itself was priced somewhere between $185-$265... plus programming made the total price well over $400. I'm going to look again for the fob and see what a non-dealer shop can do about programming it.

 

the white 5 cyl volvo engines DO NOT TAKE very well to oil changes at 10k miles, even with synthetic. Do a search on sludge build up on volvo engines.

I would say 6-7k miles synthetic oil change, with filter change is about right.

 

I'd recommend 5 to 7K for oil changes. But if you want to go for long intervals, start at 7K and get your oil analyzed by Blackstone. When I had my car serviced by the dealer, we changed the conventional at 3,750 mile intervals.

And for the keyless remote, find one on ebay from a reputable place, and make sure it has the necessary matching serial numbers, should cost $50 or $60 per remote. You would just need to pay the dealer to program the remotes.

 

"Is there any special maintenace issue I need to keep an eye on?"

Maintenance: Keep a check on suspension and steering components, seems they wear prematurely. Check the transmission fluid for discoloration and plan on replacing it at 30,000 mile intervals, if not sooner. If a turbo, check the PCV system for clogging. No mention whether or not the cam belt has been changed (recommended change no longer than 10 yrs/105,000 miles, better to do even earlier).

Key fob: expect $80 for the fob and as much as $80 more for programing.

 

I checked with the dealer on the key fob and they said it has to be programmed by the dealer, and the fob needs the matching serial numbers, and the programming is another $89. A new fob from the dealer is $130, so I think I'll wait a bit before I get a second remote.

As for the oil I think I'll shoot for changing at 7500 miles. I got 5w-30 Amsoil Synthetic oil and matching filter on the way, so I will tackle that later this week. The S60 I bought was drove by the dealers wife for a while, and he replaced the struts, tires, plugs, 4 wheel alignment, he had the timing belt checked to make sure it was good, and then had the dealer give it a full tune-up. Hopefully I'm good for a while, but I think I will get one of the chilton's type manuals on the car so I can check some of this stuff myself. The nearest Volvo dealer is 90 minutes away.

 

Don't go to the dealer direct and pay $130 for a fob. Use a Volvo online website instead. You will save money. The fob will still need to be programed at the dealer or authorized shop, no way around that. The fobs are serial number/year specific so to help you out here is the fob for your model/yr.
"Volvo remote for S60 2001-2003. No return on remotes. Software download required at your local Volvo dealer or authorized shop. Pin number included when required."
Item # 8685150 VolvoWholesaleParts.com sells Genuine Volvo parts. Note that you have the choice of a fob with or without a panic button. Fob without panic button is $10.00 more (strange). MSRP: $100.81 - Your Price: $81.66

 

I'm all about saving money. Thanks for the help!

 

Then you should be ecstatic to know that you will you an extra $2.00 by ordering a fob from the accessory catalog: http://www.volvowholesaleparts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=AccessoryCatalog&catalogid=3197&s iteid=213784&categoryID=96057&subcat1=99265
instead of the parts catalog: http://www.volvowholesaleparts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=searchCatalogOEM&siteid=213784 LOL!
A little heads up, Volvo is having a modest price increase for all parts in May.

 

Don't forget to check the Power Steering Fluid, most people don't even look at it.

 

Also if you want a new remote, this is one from ebay, only $59.92, it's a reputable seller of keys and remotes, just make sure the numbers match.

VOLVO KEY KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE FOB 8685150 LQNP2T-APU | eBay

 

Well according to [ VolvoWholesaleParts.com ] it is the correct part number, 8685150, for the 2001-2003 s60. When I bought mine I went through the dealer mentioned above, I also supplied the VIN# to insure it was the right part.

 

Yeah, I think it is best to have your VIN checked with the right part number at Genuine Volvo Parts, then buy from ebay if you want to save money.

 

I too am new to Volvos, just purchased an 01 S60 T5 a few weeks ago. So far I love it, seems to be a great car. As far as what you mentioned with the trans, mine feels like there is an elongated shift between 2 & 3, which I have never felt before in any of my cars. Any suggestions to what that might be?

Also, I was wanting to know if anyone has suggestions on programmers. I did a quick search and didn't find too much. Figured that would not only help with the power, but could also help with the shifting stiffness and fix that shifting problem.

 

Try this for the 2nd and 3rd shifting, it should fix your problem.
B4 Servo Cover Update