5 Lesser Known Volvo Maintenance Items & Tips (P80)

The Volvo S70 is a legendary cult-classic vehicle, not because of its looks, not because of the quality of the interior, but because of the bulletproof powertrain that sits between the front wheels. Any Volvo with a whiteblock 5-cylinder is going to last a long, long time, and despite the rest of this chassis' downsides, there are ways to extend the useful life of the vehicle's features for maximum enjoyment and value.

No 850, S70, or V70 Requires Premium Fuel

Starting with a sensitive subject, but a factual one. Few realize that even the turbocharged variants of these vehicles are all specified per the manual to run on a minimum of 87 octane. Some models recommend higher octane for maximum performance or while towing, but there is no detriment to the vehicle expressed or implied if 87 is used. (Unless the vehicle has heavy carbon issues or other defects that are masked by the use of higher octane)

The 1996 Volvo 850 owner's manual states:

"Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating, AKI of 91, or above...The minimum octane requirement is AKI 87." 

I enjoy running 93 octane in my tuned GLT with an upgraded 15g turbo, but even when the vehicle was stock it ran and performed flawlessly on 87 as it was designed to. Those that use their vehicle solely for gentle commutes may be pleased to hear this.

Saving the evaporator

The primary cause of air conditioning evaporator failure is the presence of stagnant water. As many owners know, evaporator replacement due to no A/C involves removing the dashboard - it's no small feat. The best way to combat stagnant moisture after a session of air conditioning is by running the blower at full speed for a minute or two before turning the vehicle off. I usually turn the A/C off 2 minutes before my destination to blow the evaporator dry. Later P2 models had an optional feature called "Afterblow" that would automatically activate the blower for a period of time after the driver exits the vehicle. My '99 S70 is still on the original evaporator at 190,000 miles - well past the average lifespan for this part in this vehicle.

Follow me home

Standard on 99-04 P80 vehicles, this hidden feature enables the headlights to remain lit for your walk into the house. After parking with the headlights on, switch off the vehicle and remove the key. Before getting out, bump the high beams on for one second. The headlights (not high beams) will turn on for 30 seconds even after you get out and lock the car.

Want this in a '98 and earlier vehicle? It's as simple as swapping out the headlight relay.

Part number: Volvo 9148880

Liqui-Moly ATF III

Transmission fluid

Automatic transmissions have a limited lifespan and are quite often the reason people junk or sell their vehicles for parts. A bad automatic transmission can require over $1500 in repairs despite how easy the maintenance is.

Doing frequent (20-30K) partial drain-and-fills of the transmission fluid in a Volvo 850 will keep these generally-reliable transmissions running for over 200,000 miles. All you need is a funnel capable of pouring fluid down the dipstick tube, and a 24mm box wrench for the drain plug. Approximately 3-4 quarts of fluid will come out, so replenish with exactly the amount that drained.

My preferred fluid for a daily driver is Valvoline High Mileage Maxlife Dexron-III ATF as it is a great fluid whether or not your vehicle has high mileage. I notice reduced transmission "slam" between gears after a partial change.

Cabin Filter

There were a number of Volvo 850s produced without cabin filters installed at the factory. This not only accelerates evaporator failure, but it can cause an odor in the cabin from moisture and organic matter in the ductwork.

The cabin filter carrier can be added post-purchase, allowing the use of any cabin filter you like. Most owners prefer a charcoal activated filter, as it can neutralize odors that are common with air conditioning in the summer.

[gallery type="square" columns="2" ids="9588,9589"]

• Volvo Cabin Air Filter Charcoal (C70 S70 V70 850) - NPN 9171296

• Volvo Cabin Air Filter (C70 S70 V70 850) - Genuine Volvo 9171296
• Volvo Cabin Air Filter Retainer (C70 S70 V70 850) - Economy 9488525

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About the Author: Alex Fiehl

Alex is FCP's Blog Editor and a Desktop Engineer from Endwell, NY. He has over 9 years of experience working on a wide array of import makes, but has found his home with European cars. With a Volkswagen and Volvo at home, the garage is always busy.

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Written by :

Alex Fiehl