State of the Site: 2011

This is the first State of the SiteI’ve done, but it’s something I’ll do every year near the end of the year to give you an idea of where MVS is going, and what’s going on now. This one’s a … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. New Site
2. Matt’s Volvo Blog, Issue 1
3. Thank You

“Drop In” HID Conversions are Dangerous? Illegal?

Why Aftermarket HIDs May Not Be a Good Idea He was giving you a hard time because you were blinding him with your illegally modified lamps. There may be ways to somewhat reduce the glare, but drop-in HID’s are illegal … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Fog Light Troubleshooting
2. S80 “Bulb Failure Position Indicator”
3. Headlight Projectors – A Substitute for HID?

Volvo In Bad Shape? Taking a Trip? Read This.

Should I Try a Long Roadtrip in my 850? Comments, suggestions and advice on what to do before you leave on a long trip in a Volvo with high miles, and perhaps one that is not in the best condition. … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Trip Report
2. Almost 40MPG in a Volvo S70!
3. How to Read Actual Miles from the ECU

$31k in Repairs Spent on a $38k 850R

This takes the cake for repair bill stories. In 10 years of running this site, I’ve never heard of something like it. So I added up the repair receipts that came with my 1997 850R that I bought from a … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Newer ETM in 2001 V70
2. Dealer Repairs are Expensive (Fuel Tank Leak)
3. Dealer Repairs are Expensive (Fuel Tank Leak)

Almost 40MPG in a Volvo S70!

Headwinds, tailwinds, Stage 0 (tune), tire inflation, passenger and luggage and a myriad of other factors combine to give you your Volvo’s miles-per-gallon on any given trip. Here we have a Volvo Forum topic discussing all those variables and more. … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. It really saves gas and gives power!
2. Tutorial: Volvo 850 Seat Cushion Foam Replacement
3. What’s your best Highway fuel economy?

Preventing Cold Weather Problems on our Volvos

It’s currently 14 degrees BELOW zero here in Denver, Colorado (Matthew1 can vouch for that) and I’m concerned about my 850. Haven’t started it yet but for my future reference, what suggestions can you offer to prevent engine/cooling related issues … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Colder Weather Tips – Winterize Your Volvo
2. How To Diagnose Heater Problems
3. V70GLT 2000 Starting issue – Cold or Hot

Buying an XC90: T6 or V8?

In the United States we have a choice of engines in our new XC90s… XC90 V8 (starts at $48k) or inline-6 turbo “T6″ (starts at $38k). This forum topic takes a look at the difference between the two powerplants and … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. XC90 2.5 turbo – is 208 hp enough for this SUV?
2. Volvo XC90 Rear Differential
3. Volvo XC90 Transmission Problems

How to Drive Gen 1 FWD Volvos Fast

MVS Forum Member ArchieBrown is taking his 1997 850 R manual on a long, fun twisty-road tour and need some advice on keeping it on the road. There is some anecdotal evidence about understeer and needing to keep the revs … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Which Volvos Got No Clearcoat?
2. Making a non-turbo 850 Faster
3. Performance Exhausts for Volvos

“Easter Eggs” on Volvo Circuit Boards!

I repaired the odometer and replace some light bulbs. I noticed on the back of the green circuit board there are 3 or 4 moose from small and increase in size. Just curious Why? A factory worker somewhere had a … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. 240DL 86 Instrument Cluster weirdness
2. Odometer Fix Tutorial
3. 1998 Volvo V70 Instrument Cluster Removal/Bulb Change

V70 R Good in Snow

AWD+Tires = Good Traction How is my 2004 V70 R in snow? Pretty damn good. With the new Continental ExtremeContact tires I have on her, she’s unstoppable. These Continentals’ tread bites into the hardpack snow pretty well, while the tires’ … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Snow Cables — Too cramped Wheel Wells?
2. Goodyear TripleTred Tire Review
3. S60 Trunk Latch Fix Tutorial

Crash: 850 vs. SUV, 40 mph, rain

11/16/10 RIP a bad day for Volvos 850 with a new turbo vs. SUV, 40 mph, rain. Related posts:V70: Replacing a Rain-Sensing Windshield Age-Old Question: Convert N/A to Turbo? Let’s Talk Turbochargers: New or Rebuild

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. V70: Replacing a Rain-Sensing Windshield
2. Age-Old Question: Convert N/A to Turbo?
3. Let’s Talk Turbochargers: New or Rebuild

XC90 2.5 turbo – is 208 hp enough for this SUV?

A 2005 Volvo XC90 weighs 4,449 pounds, and the same-year XC70 weighs 3,699 pounds. Both are powered by Volvo’s ubiquitous and dependable aluminum inline-5 cylinder engine. But in the case of the XC90, is the inline-5′s 208 hp enough? Several … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Lost PSI on Turbo Boost
2. Avoid XC90 T6 – Transmission Issues
3. Volvo XC90 Transmission Problems

A Reminder Why We Drive Volvos

Terrible Collision: Ninety+ mph head on collision. XC90 driver had broken ribs and scrapes… Camaro all 3 occupants dead. Sorry for the gruesome post. XC90 – Why you love yours! Related posts:Broken Timing Belt Avoid XC90 T6 – Transmission Issues Volvo … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Broken Timing Belt
2. Avoid XC90 T6 – Transmission Issues
3. Volvo 240 DL Battery Does Not Charge

Bad Used Volvo Purchase

Follow the Fallout of a Bad Used Volvo Purchase This is a good example of what not to do when buying a used Volvo. (What TO do when buying a used Volvo? Read our Volvo Buyer’s Guide, ask questions here in … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. S70 Fuel Tank Pressurizing when trying to Refuel
2. Diamler: No Volvo Purchase
3. ’97 850 Turbo De-Tuning

Drive a Modified Volvo due to a Disability?

Physically challenged? Drive a Volvo? I am 46 years old, have spina bifida, am a wheelchair user, and drive a blue 1997 Volvo 960 sedan with a wheelchair in the back and hand controls. Would love to hear your perspectives … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Timing belt tensioner part# differs for 2004 R cars
2. Blue Devil Head Gasket Sealer
3. A List of Volvo Paint Colors and Their Codes

Should I trust the dealership? My transmission dilemma.

How to Deal With Volvo Dealers re: Failing Transmissions Volvo forum member scottymac bought a used XC70 and found that a) the transmission was showing signs of neglect and early failure, and b) the Volvo dealer he went to lied … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Avoid XC90 T6 – Transmission Issues
2. Volvo XC90 Transmission Problems
3. Replacing an 850 Transmission

The I Worked on My Car Today Thread

A Day in the Life Member Whoa and moderator Justin opine about what work they did today to their Volvos. From clear-coating tail lights to Seafoaming the engine, these guys go over a typical Saturday in the life of a … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Official Engine Stalling MVS Thread
2. Official AC Thread
3. Synthentic Oil or Dino: Another Thread

Ridden Hard, Put Away Wet

My favorite “tough Volvo” story was when my wife missed the brake pedal when parking and ran into a brick building with our old 1982 DL (240) and caused $10,000 damage to the building. The car didn’t have a mark … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Keep Your Bumpers Looking New
2. What to look for when purchasing a used Volvo
3. Diamler: No Volvo Purchase

Volvo 850 Engine Life

“I have an 1997 850T wagon and am curious what the average life (mileage) expectancy is for its engine. I am at 140,000 but she has been babied for every one of those miles and consistently maintained. My other car … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. How To Buy A Volvo 240 Turbo
2. I Got 38.8 MPG Today
3. Which Oil for Turbo Engine?

850 GLT 1995 crashed

Have you crashed your Volvo? This interesting thread is all about the technical and legal processes required to make a crashed Volvo roadworthy… one that has had its airbags deployed. “Did both the passenger’s side airbag and the steering wheel … Continue reading →

-- Volvo Forum and Help for Volvo Owners since 2001

1. Replace Timing Belt Tensioner?
2. Steering Wheel Off While Going Strait?
3. Airbag Life Expectancy