I have had my first Volvo for 3 days now. One of the complaints i have/had is that the a/c did not blow very hard. It is cold but on HIGH it barely reached your face.
I decided to check the cabin filter....10 minutes later i had in my hand one very dirty plugged original Volvo cabin filter with the date 10-12-02. My car is a 2001 V70. he darn filter appears to have been replaced just once since new.
The Tech had written the date on the filter with a ball point pen. (Thanks)
I started the car up without the filter in & low & behold I have Great volumes of air that almost reach the back seat!!!
Ordered filters & stuff from FCP Groton & they come in late next week.

Moral of the story = Replace the cabin filter on a regular basis!

 

They are supposed to be replaced every 15K.

 

Can you buy these filters at Autozone and are they easy to install? I have a '07 C70 and it cost me at Volvo dealer $80 to install.

 

There's a thread or a sticky either here or in S60 about this. As I recall, it is removed via passenger side kick plate with 4 torx bots/screws in maybe 10 minutes. I'm doing my wife's this weekend as price is about 1/2 or less than what dealer wants for this simple task. Knowing Volvo, its probably 2 different sizes of torx fittings, however. SPCGroton sells two types, (charcoal activated and "regular"; and warns that Volve has used 2 thicknesses for their cabin air filters -- 1" and 1.5" in the V70. So you'd better take a look first to avoid a return and new purchase.

 

You use the same size torx bit to remove the cover behind the kickplate as you do the HVAC access panel to the intake behind it. Only caution is that a torx screwdriver, with a long handle, does not have enough clearance. Too long. Plus everything is pointed directly downward or away from you, and it's hard to see to find the screws and put them back. You need a mirror, a torx ratchet and flashlight. Regarding the filter. I bought the non-carbon aftermarket and it looked fine. However, the next time I bought an original Volvo from Tasca and the difference was night and day. It fits much better, has a stronger frame to support the filter media and if you order from them they use the VIN to get the exact part. When I pulled the aftermarket out I could tell it had not seated perfectly and there was probably some garbage that got passed it. In this case I do not think that aftermarket is the way to go unless you have the volvo filter with you and can see what they are trying to sell to you when you buy it in person.