I just bought my first Volvo and I would like to take care of it properly. I want to get what's best for normal use, regular driving on streets and highways.

The following is pretty much all the info and knowlege I have gathered from the Manual, forums and the Maintenance/Service Items For FWD/AWD. Theory is one thing and practice is another, so I would like some help from the experienced Volvo owners. Please correct me if I have wrong or missing info, recommend Brands, Specific parts and fluids and please give links if possible.

Year: 1998
Model: S70 2.4L Non-Turbo 5 Speed
Miles: 115,000
Engine Type: B5254S
Location: TeXas

Engine Oil: 6.1 qts(5.8 L) - 10W/30 Castrol Syntec Blend or Full Synthetic | 5W/30 Castrol Syntec Blend or Full Synthetic
Oil Filter: Every 5,000 miles or 12 months - Mann P/N: 3517857
Air Cabin/Pollen Filter: Every 15,000 miles - How To - Mann P/N: 9171296
Air filter: Every 30,000 miles - Mann P/N: 9186262
Coolant/Antifreeze: Every 30,000 miles or 2 years - 7.6 qts(7.2 L) - 50/50 - 2 Gallons of Prestone or 1 Gallon Volvo+Distilled Water
Brake(Clutch) Fluid: Every 30,000 miles or 2 years - DOT 4+ - 0.64 qts(0.6 L) - ATE Super Blue
Spark Plugs: Every 30,000 miles - Gap: 0.028" (0.7 mm) - Bosch P/N: FR7DC or Champion RC9YC
Distributor Cap and Rotor: Every 50,000 miles - Bosch P/N: 3501944 and Bosch P/N: 1367783
Power Steering Fluid: Every 50,000 miles - ATF - 0.85 qts(0.8 L) - Redline
Manual Transmission Fluid: Every 50,000 miles - M 56 H - Volvo synthetic gearbox oil 1161423 - 2.2 qts(2.1 L) - How To - Redline
Fuel (line) filter: Every 60,000 miles - How To - Bosch P/N: 3507416
Engine Drive Belt (accessory belt): Every 60,000 miles - Continental P/N: 9186352
Timing Belt: Every 70,000 miles or 5 years - How To - ContiTech/Continental P/N: 272327 or (Kit)
Ignition Wires: Every 100,000 - Bougicord P/N: 9135700
Windshield Washer Fluid: Top up when Needed - 3.2 qts(3.0 L) - Prestone
Tires: Rotation every 3,000 miles or at Oil Change - Directional Tires, Keep tires on the same side of the car - 195/60-R15 - Goodyear
Radio Antenna: Clean every 10,000 miles with WD-40
Hinge Lubrication: Every 5,000-10,000 miles lubricate the hinges on the hood, trunk and doors. - How To
Throttle Body: Clean at least every 20,000 miles

Questions:
- Manual Transmission Fluid: How to check it? How often? (Not sure but I think this refers to Automatic Transmission only, right?).
- How to Flush the Power Steering(and how often?) and Brake Fluids? Any Special Tips?
- What parts/fluids are really worth buying "Volvo Brand"?

I checked all the receipts that were in the glove box of services/parts from the Volvo dealer.
The Volvo dealer was putting 5W/30 Castrol Syntec Blend but the last 2 oil changes were at some other place, in one they put 10W/30 Castrol and then the last change was 3 months ago(114,367 miles), they put 10W/30 Conoco and a Penzoil oil filter...
- So what should I do, go back to Castrol Syntec Blend 5W/30 or use Full Syntethic Castrol/other Brand 10W/30?


Thanks

 

Issues:
-Uh...yeah...the coolant should be green...
-Yes, the antenna is supposed to be electrical. It should retract until the black tip is about even with the rest of the panel.

Tips:
-Get a Chilton manual
-I prefer to buy most of my parts from ipd instead of OEM/local store. ipd sent me a kit to replace my belts/water pump/thermostat, I have also gotten sparkplug wires, a turbo control valve, vacuum elbows, and a nice grille and the closest thing to a problem I've had with them is when they had a part on backorder. Two other sites I would look at are FCP Groton and Euro Sport Tuning.
-Be sure that all of your tools are metric
-Make sure you have your radio code written down somewhere because the Anti-Theft will kick in after you've disconnected the battery to work on...whatever it may be that you work on.

 

You are getting yourself too worked up here.

PS fluid, any Mercon/Dextron is fine
Engine oil: Conventional oil 10/30 for summer, 5/30 winter, it's not a turbo; and DO NOT use HM oil. Can you say seal swellers?

You have to have owned cars before? Right? When you get the car, change the Plugs, clean the TB, unless you know the Timing belt history, then change that too. Change serpentine belt, with tensioners of course on both belts. Get ready for some front end suspension and steering work and a radiator replacement I guarantee that. Have that checkbook handy, it's your best tool.

the rest is common sense.

 

Volvos seem to be very picky on parts you put in them. Some will use aftermarket, some use Volvo. IMO use Volvo parts if you can afford them. There are other sources for OEM parts besides the Stealership and the inflated price that pays for the lavish waiting rooms at the service drive. A lot of folks on here use this site to order Volvo parts at a substantial discount!http://www.fcpgroton.com/ You can use aftermarket, but I have seen hose make more headaches later on. As far as what oil to use! That really is a subjective question. Some say it doesn't matter, some may say switch to what was originally used. If it was my vehicle I wouls go back to the Castrol Sytec 5w30. If you are going to go semi synthetic, why not go FULL synthetic. I am partial to Castrol Full Synthetic 5w30 and is what I run in my 850. Again, subjective... I think the real issue here is to make sure YOU keep on the oil change and other service intervals too. We could talk all day about oil, but if you aren't consistant on the change, then what good is the oil. Also, I live in Florida. Most car manufacturers consider it an "extreme temperature zone". Because of that and it's a turbo, I change my oil every 3500 miles with full synthetic. Some say it's a waste of money, but IMO since changin the oil is such a low cost thing it doesnt bother me. Plus I have read of people changing oil at 5k on full synthetic and still having sludge! So I would say do your homework, and then figure out what interval you want to do with the oil you like. Good luck!