New to VOlvo, Tire suggestions, maintance?

nathan chase · Post by **nathan chase** » 24 Nov 2009, 11:40

Hi All,
I just bought a 94 n/a 850. It had its timing belt replaced at 150k and now has 187k. I have to replace a ball joint, radiator overflow tank, replace tires, fix exhaust leak and do a brake job soon.

Do you have suggestions on what I should keep an eye on with these cars and maintenance I should do that is different from other cars? General new to Volvo tips?

Also, anyone have good tire suggestions, I drive a little snow now and then when I go skiing, but mostly rainy winters. I figure a good All season with chains.

Thanks for your experience and suggestions.
-nate

Post by **RobTheModd** » 24 Nov 2009, 11:53

WELCOME TO VOLVO!!! haha and MVS.
These cars are amazing. Its a good thing your Tbelt is newer. usually the only thing that can take one of these cars out... *mechanically speaking of course* although they did cut it a little closer than i would... every 65-70k is usually a good time to change them.

I would say invest in a good screwdriver/tool set, T12-T45.
I have found in my 850, ALOT of the screws are T20. from engine bay to trunk. lol. im sure the others can give you good advice on any other tools.

Check out the repair database for your fixes as you will be able to do all them by yourself usually.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/catego ... intenance/

These cars arnt as challanging as they may seem. Keep up on regular mat and youll be up here with me in no time. 241k miles and going.
BTW, if parts are to expensive for you, you might want to check into your local salvage yards as they tend to be ALOT cheaper. for instance, a blower motor goes for 150$ +, at a yard. 35$ or less. and they almost always work.
BTW your car should have winter mode as well.
*can we see a pic of your new car>???*

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 24 Nov 2009, 13:56

Do you have suggestions on what I should keep an eye on with these cars and maintenance I should do that is different from other cars? General new to Volvo tips?

The only real difference I have found is how picky my Volvo's are on parts. OEM parts will always work and there are some good aftermarket parts as well - but not many.

For the basic maintenance stuff be sure to use OEM or Mann oil filters. Most of the stuff from the auto parts store (like Fram) will result in a lot of lifter noise on startup due to their crappy (or lack of) check valves. The Mann filters are readily available from places like FCP Groton or eEuroparts and I just order them in by the dozen along with an equivalent amount of the aluminum crush washers while I am ordering other stuff so that I can get the freight for free. Even if I go to Jiffy Lube in the middle of winter so that I don't need to change the oil in the driveway I take my own filter and crush washer and make them use my stuff instead of their crappy filters.

...Lee

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Nov 2009, 14:45

I think Michelin's are standard on these (and expensive); I've had 2 sets of BF Goodrich Traction T/A tires and I like them quite a bit. Not the fanciest tread or anything, but they grip REALLY well...they rarely squeal or spin being thrown around corners, and grip well in rain. The Michelins spun a lot in the rain not even accelerating hard. They're decent in snow too...this car by itself is better than any I've ever had in the snow we had last year. They run about $100 for the Turbo model size though. Kuhmo's are also good from what I've heard.

Post by **misha** » 24 Nov 2009, 16:31

I suggest Continental Winter Conti tyres,i have them and they are amazing.

rubyvette · Post by **rubyvette** » 24 Nov 2009, 19:02

I've been VERY satisfied with my Goodyear Assurance Triple Treads for almost two years here in all weather New England. New Bilstein TC struts and shocks make the car ride like new.

smmaharaj · Post by **smmaharaj** » 24 Nov 2009, 19:28

About 2 years ago, I had Pep Boys install Hankook Z rated low profile tires and I have been happy ever since. They are even better than the Pirellis that I had on there, since the side wall breaks open when the tire wears down.

Last month I had Monroe struts installed and again, I have been happier than expected.
Pep Boys offered a installation discount and Monroe offered an additional $40 off, per pair. That brought the installed cost and on par performance to about $200. Not bad!

This is all on a C70 Coupe that puts out about 240hp.

Post by **RobTheModd** » 25 Nov 2009, 06:04

I see nothing wrong with my generic sport tires, lol two tiger paws, and two sport gtx. sport for front tires and tiger for back. was about $130 for all 4

HERES the funny thing...
Took in car to get a new tire when mine blew thanks to a very nice chunk in the road.

both front tires were 4 and 5. my back tires were 8;s.... they were 10s when i bought them...
Which means my front got more wear on them.
I know i some times peel out when i stomp on it from a dead stop... *whoops* but not enough to cause that.

But I also have some neova ad07 tires for when i wanna have fun around the corners. high grip tires made for hotter conditions like florida. The wear is only at 7-8 on all 4.

Post by **tjts1** » 25 Nov 2009, 07:42

RobTheModd wrote: Took in car to get a new tire when mine blew thanks to a very nice chunk in the road.

both front tires were 4 and 5. my back tires were 8;s.... they were 10s when i bought them...
Which means my front got more wear on them.

Thats normal if you don't rotate your tires.

Post by **RobTheModd** » 25 Nov 2009, 09:42

due to the front wheel drive im guessing?
Anyways im going back sometime in jan to get new tires. I would use the neova but they are a bit to expensive to be using for everyday tires.