Extended Road Trip Precautions?

estrekal · Post by **estrekal** » 10 May 2016, 11:13

Hello everyone,
My wife and I were planning on taking my old Volvo on a 900+ mile road trip down to Las Vegas this coming weekend. My car has about 199,800 miles on it now, but has been pretty well maintained over the years. I generally don't have any issues with my car, but the furthest I usually take it is on 200-300 mile trips. I've checked all my fluids, my tires, and my CV boots, everything seems to be fine. I recently replaced the upper oxygen sensor, and in the process several of the vacuum lines too. So those too should be okay. Is there anything else I should check out or be aware of?

In the past, while driving on the highway in the summer with the A/C on and the cruise control, I'll notice an occasional "skip." I am not sure how else to describe it, it sort of feels like maybe the cruise is engaging and disengaging or the A/C compressor is maybe causing it? I am not really sure. It doesn't seem to affect anything, but it is sort of annoying. Is this something I should be concerned about? It only happens when the A/C is on at high speeds (generally over 70 or 80), and it's been doing it as long as I've owned the car (about three years). I just want to be sure before we embark on our trip that the old Volvo will be up for it. It's going to be hot in the desert, and I want to make sure we're comfortable. This car has never given me any cause to question its reliability, or lose confidence, which is way more than I can say for the two Saabs I once owned. Anyway, anything would be helpful. I appreciate your guys' time as usual.

Best,
Edan

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 10 May 2016, 11:41

I would get under the car and check to see if you have any leaks. The small oil or transmission oil leak here and there won't do you in so don't worry about those. Double check all your radiator and heater hoses, make sure you don't have any of the "white" crud around hoses indicating there's a leak starting to form. (Is your heater core original? Would be a good idea to check that, if you haven't, before you embark on your trip.) Since you'll be in the desert, how's that coolant of yours? Might be a good time to drain and flush a little. (And if you do take that route, I'd carry some extra coolant and refill as your car burps away...) Other than that, the car sounds like it'll probably enjoy the ride! Safe travels!

estrekal · Post by **estrekal** » 10 May 2016, 12:49

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it! Everything look dry under the car. It is possible I have a leak somewhere on my rack, but I am not too concerned about that. I did add some more ATF to my power steering reservoir, I hadn't done that in quite a while. I replaced the plugs and air filter not to long ago too. Radiator hoses look good, I did check those and tightened up all the clamps. I didn't see any white crud anywhere. The radiator and all the hoses were replaced about 20,000 or 25,000 miles ago. The coolant still looks relatively clean. I think I'll probably be okay just topping off the reservoir before departure.

I am actually really looking forward to this drive in the Volvo--it is supremely comfortable and still the oomph to get up and go. It will probably just further prove my point of how great these cars are.

Post by **abscate** » 10 May 2016, 13:25

Enjoy your trip. You are probably feeling the AC compressor cycling on/off, which is normal. If you are that in tune with your engine, you will notice weirdness well in time before anything bad happens.

You have done your part replacing the key cooling system components before failure, and your Volvo will reward you with a trouble free trip.

Enjoy those P80 seats - the best car seat ever made IMHO.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 10 May 2016, 13:48

+1 for AC compressor cycling

estrekal · Post by **estrekal** » 10 May 2016, 13:52

Cool (no pun intended), that's sort of what I thought. It never really bothered me too much, but I definitely have noticed it. It's much better than on my last Saab 9-3, the A/C would cycle on and off and blow hot air in between those cycles. It was already weak to begin with, that made it even worse driving across the Nevada desert in summer.

Post by **Clemens** » 10 May 2016, 15:38

+1 on the p80 seats. They rock.

Have fun on your trip

Post by **EstVolvo** » 10 May 2016, 15:46

"I did add some more ATF to my power steering reservoir, I hadn't done that in quite a while." - sounds like a wrong fluid for a 2000 Volvo steering.

estrekal · Post by **estrekal** » 10 May 2016, 16:12

That's what was in there when got the car, so I've just continued to put it in. That's also what the owner's manual calls for. If I'm not mistaken Volvo switched to some other fluid in 2002, but I could be wrong. I thought it was pretty weird putting in ATF too, but I usually don't argue with the owner's manual--it's the same reason why I use Champion plugs in my car. I would have never bought Champion otherwise, I thought they were basically for lawn mowers and old muscle cars.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 10 May 2016, 16:59

The P80 racks take ATF in the power steering. Nothing weird about it especially if the owner's manual says the same.