240 & 740 Snow Handling

Silas · Post by **Silas** » 05 Dec 2004, 21:35

Hello,
For those of you who live in mountainous areas/areas that recieve several inches of snow in the winter and own/have owned a 240 or 740 (sedan or wagon), could you detail how the snow handling is? I am considering either of these cars (early 1990s models) and I haven't found much information on the topic.

Thanks in advance,
Silas

bozo · Post by **bozo** » 06 Dec 2004, 10:44

Have had a 240 sedan and station wagon and a 740 station wagon. they handle just fine once you get snow tires. the dealer recommended blizzack or what ever they are called, but I find any good snow tire will do.

LaRy · Post by **LaRy** » 07 Dec 2004, 10:10

Remember that Volvo is a Swedish car, made in the country where all European car brands and several Japanese are tested during real winter conditions. I once met a German that was surpised that older Volvo's were so common up in the nothern part of Sweden. He just had to ask some owners. The answer was that in this very cold climate, you need a reliable car that you can trust, it could be the difference between life and death.
Your weather conditions seems to be equal to the Swedish. I would say that the 240 is maybe more balanced if you want to drive with controlled sliding, but both cars are working good. In Sweden we always use winter tyres during winter time.
On the other hand, the 740 is a much more modern car, easy to repair. It is in most cases almost a pleasure to repair. The 240 is more like a normal car with some stupid solutions. In sothern Sweden we use a lot of salt like in USA giving rust problems. The 740 is having very small problems with rust, compared the 240. So the 740 is designed not to rust, it is galvanized up to window level and it has a lot of wax also protecting it .

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 07 Dec 2004, 21:00

I own 3 Volvo's and live in canada, we don't get a few inches of snow, we usually get a few feet. The cars are incredible in snow as long as you use good winter tires. I personally use the Volvo supplied Gislaved NordFrost, but any high quality winter tire would work.

cel · Post by **cel** » 21 Dec 2004, 09:41

I have a 1987 240 wagon and previously owned a 1990 740 sedan. They handled pretty well in the snow (especially with a cinder block or two in the back), but they are both rear-wheel drive, as are, I understand, most older volvos. Also, I've noticed that when it's really cold (like yesterday when it was -2F on my way to work), certain parts are stiff, such as the steering wheel and turn signal lever. This could be a problem with the grease in there freezing, I don't know. Neither car warmed up very well when it was below freezing. Still, I love them and felt quick safe in both when driving though mounds of Upstate NY snow.

RocknTommy · Post by **RocknTommy** » 21 Dec 2004, 14:59

I have a 92 740 Wagon...I use studded snow tires on the back and always add a little weight and things are fine. Weight in the back is key!

Chicopee44 · Post by **Chicopee44** » 20 Feb 2005, 16:47

I have spent most of my driving life in ME, CT and upstate New York, all the time in a 240 Volvo. The key is studded snows and some cinder blocks or weight in the back of the car. You also need to be an experienced or knowledgable winter driver. Don't slam on those breaks or you're gonna find yourself in a tree!!! Remember that these are Swedish cars, made to withstand any type of winter weather. And if you didn't know already, they are the safest cars to be driving if you get into a collision with a moose!!! Safety and reliability man.... But if you are not cut out for the Volvo lifestyle you might wanna go with a Subaru AWD.

petershen1984 · Post by **petershen1984** » 23 Feb 2005, 08:20

Yep, I know what you're thinking, "you would think any kind of snow driving would entail all these modern advances, such as computerized traction control systems or AWD..."

LaRy wrote:On the other hand, the 740 is a much more modern car, easy to repair. It is in most cases almost a pleasure to repair.

Yes, it's true! The 700/900 series shares many of the same parts, so most components are still readily available and in-stock. My 740 has a new Allied Signal brake booster that's found on model year 1997 940s.

porzman · Post by **porzman** » 01 Mar 2005, 09:01

I have a 93 940 turbo wagon, similar to the 740. It came w/16" low profile tires and was a nightmare in just 1" of snow!!! Bought used 15" rims from the junkyard & performance snow tires ( I never had heard of such a thing) and the car became a beast in the snow, and still had great handling when the roads were dry. Sweet!

volvo960 · Post by **volvo960** » 04 Mar 2005, 08:09

all you have to do is put gislaved winter tires these tires are desinged spesificaly for volvos and are produced in sweden you can get these at any local volvo dealer