First off, I'm glad to be the owner of a "new" XC90 (2006 4.4L v8), I've been browsing the site for the last week. I'm glad to see that I have a resource I can turn to for assistance and maybe I can be of some help down the road to for others. Anyways,I bought it used on Friday and so far I realy like it. I am the type to do as much work on my own vehicle myself, so of course I need to know the basics of the vehicle right away. So, a few basic questions/comments:

1. Is there a safe place to jack the vehicle OTHER than the side jack points? I come from GM cars where you can go right under the front middle and back middle to quickly raise the car and then place on jack stands.

2. I'm thinking of putting a K&N air filter in and wanted to know if it's worth the cost?

3. I'm getting 4 tires put on tomorrow (Hankook Ventus, V rated and a higher tread rating than factory Michelins, 440AA vs 300AA). Cost was a factor

4. This is odd but the drivers seat is discolored slightly where the back of the seat meets the seat itself. Any ideas? I thought about talking to a leather/upholstery shop to see about dying the leather?? I'm nervous??

5. Brake pads. Do you guys strictly recommend buying Volvo brake pads/rotors or should I be OK with an AutoZone pad? Ceramic?

The vehicle has higher mileage for the year at 61k. Is there any other service or checks I should do, other than brakes, alignment, oil change, cabin filter and air filter replacement?

Sorry for the long winded first post, but I'm anxious to learn the ins and outs of this vehicle! I drive my wife nuts with this stuff.
Thanks again!

Josh

 

Anyone? This section of the forum doesn't seem to get too much activity. Can anyone recommend another XC90 / Volvo forum that has more activity?

 

Welcome to the forum.

I am an 850 driver and am not privy to the XC90 so I can only answer part of your questions.

I would follow the scheduled maintenance in accordance with the owner’s manual.

As to the diver’s seat discolouration, I can only assume that it is due to perspiration of the previous owner. I would first try using leather treatment liquid. It probably will not remove discolouration but should restore condition.

As to parts, I would only stick to the OEM parts. Many aftermarket parts found among franchise shops are made in countries where labour is cheap and it seems to affect quality. Unless there are known defects among the OEM parts, it pays off to go with the OEM.

Wait for othersopinions to get better perspective.


JPN

 

Anyone?? Responses appreciated.

 

1) Don't know

2) I have a K&N on my '96 850 GLT with 260K miles. Have had it for awhile. I don't know that I ever really noticed any "performance" difference. It does need to be serviced occasionally (cleaned/re-oiled). If you have it for a number of years it will probably save you a few bucks. beyond that, I don't know that it's worth it. I have 3 other Volvos, all with std air filters.

4) over time, the leather "wears" and will lighten up in spots. Use tanners preserve to condition the leather.

5) OEM is usually the best however there are parts retailers out there who sell essentially the same product under the "brand" name. Beck/Arnely, Bosh, etc. These are the actual manufacturers of the Volvo product, but they don't carry the "Volvo" Branding. You can usually get these items for a bit less (sometimes a lot) and be very close to OEM specs. Autozone, who knows...They fit (most times) - if your planning on keeping/driving this for awhile, I would try to stay as close to OEM as your budget allows.

 

I order parts from here http://www.fcpgroton.com/ They have great proces and parts for Volvos. Most people on the board use them to order parts, I know I do! Brakes, most people use Volvo OEM. I had aftermarket on my 850 and had a little suqel from them, but I changed them out to VOLVO OEM (thanks to TECH!). As far as the Hankooks, when I went to the SEMA show last few years, they had some great tires and also proof to back their claims on the performance of their tires. Hankooks are good tires. I know they have been making Tractor Trailer tires for a long time. For average driving, price point wise, they are not bad. I personally like Khumos, their Ecsta Z series are exellent. Just my preference.. Tires are a subjective thing, so you will get diff. answers. Good Luck though!

 

This forum seems a little more active
http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

I've got an '08 XC V8 w/15,000 miles.

1. Can't answer. I always jack from the jack points.
2. K&N will last forever, but there's no free lunch. IOT get the higher air flow claimed by the mfgr, the filter is not quite a "fine" as the OEM unit. If you typically drive in dusty conditions you might want to rethink the K&N idea. If otherwise, it's okay and will not harm anything. Run the numbers cost wise and how long you typically keep a vehicle to see if it makes economic sense. Aftermarket filters are pretty cheap - google to find one. You can also check ebay in Parts for the XC90. There is a business in San Diego that can supply aftermarket air and cabin filters at reasonable prices. I've not used them so can't speak to quality.
3. Tires. Get a good front and rear alignment prior to installing whatever tires you decide. Go to a shop that only does alignment for a living, not your dealer. Also try to fine a shop that DOES NOT use a laser machine, only hand tools. Lasers are fine except a 1/16" at the front wheels can be 3/8" at the rear - a long way from the light source. XC90 forums indicate stop and go driving tends to shorten tread life more than would be expected and many report <20K miles between replacement. If you tend to be aggressive look for a tire with a high wear index number, at least 400. If you take longer, freeway drives and are less aggressive look for a 300 or more. I've got 18" rims with OEM tires and very little wear is evident.
4. Seats. Find a GOOD detail shop and ask them. I'd do a lot prior to dying the leather.
5. Brake pads. Due to DOT, most European mfgrs install softer pads to meet the brake pedal pressure requirement. As a result there tends to be LOTS of brake dust (if you haven't found this already). Many on the XC90 forums have had excellent luck with Akebono from Tire Rack. I intend to replace mine with these when the time comes. Rotors. Don't go cheap when replacing rotors (if required). There is a flood of Chinese rotors on the market and they are not heat treated as well as they should be. The result is early warping. Buy good ones when the time comes.
That's all I can add and it's based on personal experience, mostly on vehicles other than my XC90, except where noted.

 

Planning to add 20" BMR rims and 265/45 Toyo tires. Any advice on this?

Also been looking into the feasibility of the power subwoofer. Its pricey and few do it, but apparently those few are well satisfied. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Also trying to retrofit the new Motorola Bluetook 2.0 phone device, Volvo techs have questions re fitting harnesses together. I will let you know how this goes.

Thanks to everyone for their posts!

Larry

 

Run a CarFax history on the vehicle by VIN. If Vovlo (anywhere) serviced this vehicle is should have been reported.
1. The tires that came with my new 2006 XC-90 were horrible. I got 12,000 mile out of them. Volvo told me to go away when I questioned the fact that they should have lasted longer. They blamed me for the tires weaing out premature.
2. Recalls. Have you taken it in for all the recalls on this vehicle? Included are windshield wiper arms and tie rod ends.
3. The front brakes that came from the factory were replaced at 18,000. I have about 55,000 on the second set and they are about half done. I DID NOT use Volvo OEM.
4. How's the transmission holding up? Again, I'm at 55,000 and my transmission is toast. We have the towing package and never used it.
I've got more but I am curious about the vehicle history.

 

As far as leather is concerned, I wouldn't go dying the leather just yet! Just like JPN stated, it might have to do with the perspiration of the previous owner. I woudl buy a good leather cream conditioner/cleaner.. I personally use BICK 1 for cleaning and BICK 4 for conditioning. Most of the time the sweat attracts dirt and that's where you get the discoloraion. Being in Florida, we tend to sweat more than anyone up north as it hits 100 degrees in the summer. My tan leathers sometimes get a little discolored and I just clean and condition... Here are 2 links for the leather stuff...

Cleaner..http://www.bickmore.com/bickmore/Lea...are/Bick1.html

conditioner...http://www.bickmore.com/bickmore/Lea...are/Bick4.html

 

Did you run the VIN number? How many times has your Volvo XC-90 been reported as a repair? Did the transmission hold up? Was the "check engine light" an issue for the transmission or fuel system?