Garage - Nordic Cruiser
Kanowakeron
September 4, 2010
Year:
2008
Make:
Volvo
Model:
XC70
Vehicle nickname:
Nordic Cruiser
Generation:
3
Current odometer reading:
31700
Driving Environment:
suburban
Transmission:
auto
2WD/4WD:
4WD
How fast do you drive?:
20
Highway / City %:
90
Tracking started on:
0000-00-00 00:00:00
Tell the world a little bit about your vehicle
The usual: AWD, 3.2 litre, 6-speed auto, BLIS, Hill Descent, TPS, sunroof, no IAQS, no sat/navigation, Barents Blue/Beige leather, Frt/Rear skid plates, fog lights, rain-sensing WW, useless (to me) child seating, Performance sound system.
Fuel economy for me has averaged an astonishing 25.4 mpg... premium unleaded (always) on mostly highway driving. Anyone familiar with Canadian superhighways knows that 80 mph is keeping up with the flow of traffic, so the six-speed automatic is a good reason why the fuel mileage is so outstanding. That, and because Canadian premium unleaded is like rocket fuel.
Maguire Carnauba Wax. I use it everywhere: door sills, jambs, rear hatch, exterior mirrors, windows, sunroof, interior parts. Even used it on my new porcelain enamelled applicances - fridge, washer/dryer, stove. Does a remarkable job on shower/tub enclosures as well.
Black Magic Tire and Trim Shine (AKA, silicone gel): engine plastic, body cladding, (especially) weatherstripping... ArmorAll is silly nonsense compared to this stuff.
Finally smartened up and ditched the WD-40 and got a spray can of white lithium grease.
Engine/Drivetrain Modifications:
Uh, no. Maybe some new plugs, wire set and other maintenance. This is a workhorse, not a racehorse.
Suspension Modifications:
Still researching feasibility when needing replacement: OEM Volvo front struts; Bilstein rear shocks. Have read where Bilstein front struts create a harsh ride but I'd like a more solid rear handling.
Wheels/Tires Modifications:
Vehicle came equipped with standard Pirelli Scorpion ATR 215/65R16 (UTQG: 400) with Ceccina wheels.
Have had Michelin HydroEdge on past two cars (UTQG: 800). Even with FWD Olds, these Michelin's were incredible for handling, wear and quietness. Got no less than 82,000 miles on any of the tires.
If I get 20,000 miles out of these Pirelli's, I'll consider myself lucky.
Interior/Exterior Modifications:
Debating whether to get Hella Micro DE Xenon DRIVING lights to replace the fog light assemblies.
Rationale: I drive at night more than I drive in fog.
Main drawback: At a minimum of $700 parts and labor, these Hellas are hella expensive. Also, don't want to cut body parts in order to have them installed.
Future Modifications:
Adding OEM iPod interface, harness and connector to present sound system. I know... we're talking about a minimum of $500 simply so I don't have to use a basic cable, power cord and the Accessory outlet which works fine as is.
I'd love tinting but NYS has one of the strictest tinting laws in the States: no less than 70% VLT on all side windows (wagons included), no reflective film, any darkness in rear window.
Drawback: In some other states, it doesn't matter what the home state regs are; if the rear window is too dark, you get a ticket. Also, any metallic films (most of them) interfere with electronic transmissions (ie. radar detectors). The cost of high-end non-metallic films, combined with a barely noticeable 70% VLT means I'm probably going to go with the Volvo OEM sunshades on the sides and rear window. That way, I get the privacy and ability to remove them when in provinces/states with ticket-crazed cops.
2008
Make:
Volvo
Model:
XC70
Vehicle nickname:
Nordic Cruiser
Generation:
3
Current odometer reading:
31700
Driving Environment:
suburban
Transmission:
auto
2WD/4WD:
4WD
How fast do you drive?:
20
Highway / City %:
90
Tracking started on:
0000-00-00 00:00:00
Tell the world a little bit about your vehicle
The usual: AWD, 3.2 litre, 6-speed auto, BLIS, Hill Descent, TPS, sunroof, no IAQS, no sat/navigation, Barents Blue/Beige leather, Frt/Rear skid plates, fog lights, rain-sensing WW, useless (to me) child seating, Performance sound system.
Fuel economy for me has averaged an astonishing 25.4 mpg... premium unleaded (always) on mostly highway driving. Anyone familiar with Canadian superhighways knows that 80 mph is keeping up with the flow of traffic, so the six-speed automatic is a good reason why the fuel mileage is so outstanding. That, and because Canadian premium unleaded is like rocket fuel.
Maguire Carnauba Wax. I use it everywhere: door sills, jambs, rear hatch, exterior mirrors, windows, sunroof, interior parts. Even used it on my new porcelain enamelled applicances - fridge, washer/dryer, stove. Does a remarkable job on shower/tub enclosures as well.
Black Magic Tire and Trim Shine (AKA, silicone gel): engine plastic, body cladding, (especially) weatherstripping... ArmorAll is silly nonsense compared to this stuff.
Finally smartened up and ditched the WD-40 and got a spray can of white lithium grease.
Engine/Drivetrain Modifications:
Uh, no. Maybe some new plugs, wire set and other maintenance. This is a workhorse, not a racehorse.
Suspension Modifications:
Still researching feasibility when needing replacement: OEM Volvo front struts; Bilstein rear shocks. Have read where Bilstein front struts create a harsh ride but I'd like a more solid rear handling.
Wheels/Tires Modifications:
Vehicle came equipped with standard Pirelli Scorpion ATR 215/65R16 (UTQG: 400) with Ceccina wheels.
Have had Michelin HydroEdge on past two cars (UTQG: 800). Even with FWD Olds, these Michelin's were incredible for handling, wear and quietness. Got no less than 82,000 miles on any of the tires.
If I get 20,000 miles out of these Pirelli's, I'll consider myself lucky.
Interior/Exterior Modifications:
Debating whether to get Hella Micro DE Xenon DRIVING lights to replace the fog light assemblies.
Rationale: I drive at night more than I drive in fog.
Main drawback: At a minimum of $700 parts and labor, these Hellas are hella expensive. Also, don't want to cut body parts in order to have them installed.
Future Modifications:
Adding OEM iPod interface, harness and connector to present sound system. I know... we're talking about a minimum of $500 simply so I don't have to use a basic cable, power cord and the Accessory outlet which works fine as is.
I'd love tinting but NYS has one of the strictest tinting laws in the States: no less than 70% VLT on all side windows (wagons included), no reflective film, any darkness in rear window.
Drawback: In some other states, it doesn't matter what the home state regs are; if the rear window is too dark, you get a ticket. Also, any metallic films (most of them) interfere with electronic transmissions (ie. radar detectors). The cost of high-end non-metallic films, combined with a barely noticeable 70% VLT means I'm probably going to go with the Volvo OEM sunshades on the sides and rear window. That way, I get the privacy and ability to remove them when in provinces/states with ticket-crazed cops.
