How to upkeep the S60

Daphne · Post by **Daphne** » 09 Jul 2011, 14:15

Okay,
so I am now a new owner of the Volvo 2005 S60 and my first concern is the existing smoke smell. The dealer is going to
try a new product to help with that. He offered this after I purchased the car, very cool, huh? So, I'll know next
Wednesday how that all goes.

What I want to know is "with a Volvo at 100,800 miles in beautiful condition under the hood, outside, inside and underside and a smooooth
ride, what are the possible things I should be thinking of taking care of? It spent the last two years in the Northeast and its early life was in California.

I'm already saving $$, starting today, for possible repairs, so that I'll be preventing any problems that I can myself, and then saving $$ for what might need doing by a professional. What probable problems could there be upcoming?
Thanks, Daph

Post by **igel513** » 09 Jul 2011, 14:46

W/ over a 100k miles you might be needing a PCV replacement. You can buy the kit at IPD or FCP. To check if you need to have it replaced, remove the dipstick while the engine is hot and running and see if smoke is blowing out. If it is, then your PCV is clogged and internal pressure buildup could blow your seals. The common wear items should be checked, replace the fuel filter if not done in the last 30K miles, bleed your brake fluids (replace all fluids), spark plugs and wires, air/cabin filter, motor mounts. And of course don't forget to replace the timing belt and all the surrounding components like seals, h20 pump etc.

Post by **JRL** » 09 Jul 2011, 14:53

Timing belt is due NOW
As for the smoke smell, if it bothers you, why did you buy the car in the first place?

Along with the other replies your suspension will probably need rebuilding pretty soon
Shocks, struts, spring seats and motor mounts are going bad (if not bad already), they're good for about 80 to 120K miles depending on how rough the roads were that this car was drivn on

First thing you need to do is have the interior professionally cleaned along WITH THE HEADLINER.

After that there is a product the great detailers use, it's a smoke smell removal process.
It's a spray. They spray the entire interior, let it work for a while and wipe off.
You can't believe how yellow the rags become from nicotine!
Does a pretty good job

JohnInFlorida · Post by **JohnInFlorida** » 09 Jul 2011, 15:55

I have an S70 and I drove it about 25k/year mostly highway. Now, my wife drives it around town. It costs me around $500/yr. to maintain if my mechanic and I do the work or $1,000/yr. if Volvo operates on it. Here is what I have replaced on my '00 S70 that I bought from the dealer in 2000 since it read 100k miles: oil & filter every 5 to 7.5k miles, tires every 50 to 60k, air filter every 30k, original battery at 192k, alternator at 200k, spark plugs every 50k, ignition coil at 199k, service throttle body every 30 to 40k, front oxygen sensor every 100k (never had to repl rear O2 sensor), repl antifreeze every 80 to 100k, cabin filter every 40k, front brake pads every 75k, front rotors at 150k, rear brake pads at 122.5k, timing belt every 125k (per the manual), repl. brake fluid every three to four years, rear struts every 110k, front shocks every 125k, driver door window switch at 211k, passenger door lock actuator at 213k, radiator at 217k, transmission flush at 185k, thermostat (anyone can do this with a screwdriver and the part from Autozone for $15) at 217k. I have an Excel sheet that logs everything and I may be able to post on Youtube or somewhere else if anyone is interested.

Volvo builds a very safe car (8 airbags in mine) that is solid like a tank. I get 19 MPG in town and 28 MPG on the road. It glides on the highway and the steering is beautiful.

Daphne · Post by **Daphne** » 10 Jul 2011, 08:35

Thanks for all your help.
I bought it because I fell in love with it and am willing to problem solve! As for the smoke smell, I have already scheduled professional cleaning, including the headliner (thanks for the tip!).
Going now to latest guidelines from you all.
Daph

Daphne · Post by **Daphne** » 10 Jul 2011, 08:43

Hi JohninFlorida,
I would really like your excel sheet on maintenance. Please post here when you do that so that I can find it.
Many thanks for all your expert-owner insight on Volvo maintenance. I will be working to prevent problems
before they happen! Great information.
Daph

Daphne · Post by **Daphne** » 10 Jul 2011, 08:49

Thanks JRL,
Your experience is lengthy! I will look for the spray you speak of and assume it can be found at a Volvo dealer or at
least at an auto shop (?).
My husband and I will be going through your note (s) step by step learning what we can and cannot do ourselves.
Will post a pic of my beautiful purchase soon.
I really love the sense of safety, the maneuverability, and I'm sure I will find more things to love as the summer goes on.
Daph

Daphne · Post by **Daphne** » 10 Jul 2011, 08:53

Thanks igel,
I am checking the pcv valve today and will begin checking out the timing belt this week. Off to a good start,
thanks to all you guys.
Daph

Post by **priapism** » 12 Jul 2011, 10:21

JRL wrote: After that there is a product the great detailers use, it's a smoke smell removal process.
It's a spray. They spray the entire interior, let it work for a while and wipe off.
You can't believe how yellow the rags become from nicotine!
Does a pretty good job

Do you know what it's called? If it's just spray on / wipe off I'd rather do it myself!

JohnInFlorida · Post by **JohnInFlorida** » 29 Oct 2011, 19:30

Sorry for the delay...Here is the maintenance log that I have used for our five cars. Hope you find it useful.

John