Newcomers guide to ownership and maintenance

[FireFox31]

Here is a list of resources for people new to ownership and/or maintenance of Volvo and the 850 / S/V/C70 (the P80 platform). Despite the age of these cars, I still see new owners posting here eager to tear into their projects. This information is also for owners who might have missed some of these resources.

Please post any recommendations that you have. This is a work in progress that I'm quickly starting since I've posted this content twice in recent weeks; might as well make it permanent.

Use the MVS Amazon link and search for 0857339540 to get a copy of the Haynes manual for the P80, hardcover if reasonable. It has procedures, torque specs, photographs, etc. It's written in British English so needs some getting used to. I use it constantly for working on my cars.

Buy common repair parts from FCP Euro (linked with MVS tag). They offer a lifetime warranty allowing you to get free replacement by returning any part which wears out, including wear items, even oil. They are located in CT and AZ, decreasing shipping times and making return shipping costs reasonable for everyone. They frequently run sales, especially Spring, Summer, Independence Day, and Black Friday / Cyber Monday. Check my FCP sale thread for a history to help predict future sales.

Browse parts diagrams and buy uncommon / obscure parts from usparts.volvocars.com. They have parts which FCP doesn't carry. They occasionally run sales (Independence Day and Black Friday / Cyber Monday are the best). See my thread on deals at usparts for more. Note trick that buying through your local dealership website may give you a flat percentage off everything, and local pickup saves on shipping.

There are so many more general ownership and maintenance resources online and on MVS that I would need to add. Common problems, parts to harvest from junkyards, diagnostic tricks, etc. Post them in this thread if you know them. Thanks.