Anyone have experience with Volvo's "free tow for life" offer?

Durenol · Post by **Durenol** » 07 Oct 2022, 07:39

It seems that a couple years ago Volvo announced a free tow for life program. It supposedly extends to ANY Volvo, of any age, whether still in warranty or not, whether purchased new or used.

As the saying goes "if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is" so I'm trying to figure out what the catch is. I tried calling the Volvo number but they didn't really give any details.

Has anyone ever had to use this service, and if so, can you talk about your experience with it? I'm looking for any gotchas you didn't know about ahead of time, or "minor" limitations that aren't actually so minor.

Post by **BlackBart** » 07 Oct 2022, 13:11

I assumed it was if you bought it new (?)

Durenol · Post by **Durenol** » 07 Oct 2022, 13:57

According to the press announcement on their site and the rep on the phone, it's for "any" Volvo.

Post by **June** » 07 Oct 2022, 15:08

My S80 towed twice to the dealership for free. The first time I was still on the phone with Volvo when the tow truck arrived. Say less than 15 minutes time. I had been waiting over 5 hours for AAA when I was told a repo truck was on its way finally... if I wanted a flatbed I could wait another 4 to 5 hours... The second time was a Friday at 4PM in a bad part of Jacksonville and I waited over a hour for a truck. Again it was a free tow to my dealership. If it's a Volvo with a vin#, it gets a free tow to the dealership. I have heard on MVS 30 miles only, but Volvo told me free to the nearest dealership which it was both times. The second tow was over 30 miles and was free. All my bills since I have been on MVS are photographed and put on my maintenance log 2004 Ice White S80. Both free tows are listed if

is believing. June

Post by **BlackBart** » 07 Oct 2022, 15:15

I bet they wouldn't go for 200 miles if I called....

Post by **June** » 07 Oct 2022, 16:42

BlackBart wrote: ↑07 Oct 2022, 15:15 I bet they wouldn't go for 200 miles if I called....

Call and ask... June

Post by **jonesg** » 07 Oct 2022, 17:02

the catch is where they tow the car to.

Jaydiesel · Post by **Jaydiesel** » 07 Oct 2022, 17:28

From my understanding looking a while back at the Free tow for life. You do get a free tow to the nearest Volvo dealership. Then the catch was, you have to pay the dealership to look at the car to tell you what is wrong with the car at least. So its a good play for Volvo to get cars to a Volvo dealership service center.

Post by **June** » 07 Oct 2022, 19:22

Jaydiesel wrote: ↑07 Oct 2022, 17:28 From my understanding looking a while back at the Free tow for life. You do get a free tow to the nearest Volvo dealership. Then the catch was, you have to pay the dealership to look at the car to tell you what is wrong with the car at least. So its a good play for Volvo to get cars to a Volvo dealership service center.

I'm curious:

"Then the catch was, you have to pay the dealership to look at the car to tell you what is wrong with the car at least."

How is this a catch? If you were to drive your broken car to the dealership service department would you then not have to pay for services rendered? On the other hand why tow a broken car to any repair shop if not to repair said car? Otherwise it stands to reason the car would still be dead and need to be towed from the repair shop to where? In no way am I trying to be rude, I am trying to understand your point of view.

I have discovered Volvo has some awful dealerships these days. The state of Arkansas has only one and they are by far the worst car dealer I have ever experienced. Tulsa Volvo sucked... Ferman Volvo on US 19 near Holliday Florida was plain dishonest, as well as incompetent. To this day the ABS assembly they insisted was bad works flawlessly and has never given trouble over the car'slifetime. That was a good five years back. The left front rubber brake line was the problem... So I get the distrust.

Now Volvo of Tampa and Osteen Volvo of Jacksonville Florida are both superb repair facilities. There must be others. It seems non dealership service is risky on newer Volvo cars. They might damage the car or not have the computer equipment needed to properly diagnose or even repair the car. I find I have real issues trusting my beloved S80 to just anyone. Including the known bad Volvo dealers. June

Post by **abscate** » 08 Oct 2022, 08:29

Well, a paid tow is going to run $4-5 per mile with a minimum of $150 at least.

Getting your car safe and an hour of diagnostic value beats that in my book