The 2003 Volvo S60 was the automaker’s top-selling line in the 2000s. Engines on the 2003 volvo range from a 168 horsepower 2.4-liter inline 5-cylinder to a 247 horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged inline 5-cylinder. This elegant four door Sedan offers seating for up to five passengers and a comprehensive list of standard equipment that includes dual zone auto climate control, cruise, keyless entry, full power accessories, navigation, heated lumbar seats, a leather-wrapped adjustable steering wheel, front/side-body/side-head airbags and ABS.
buying a pre 2003 volvo
MVS Forum Member Spoleto asks:
I’ve an 01 before for a long road trip, it did great. Now i’m looking at a very nice one w/<72k miles@$12000, excellent interior condition, scheduling for my mechanic to view tomorrow evening. Carmx report is perfect, also nada report. I appreciate all the “how-to” forums, but sure would like to think I wouldn’t need/have to reflect back to any too soon after purchase.
give me your feedback 🙂
MVS Forum Member MadeInJapan replied:
Should be able to do better on the price for the year and mileage. First year for the new style V/XC70. These do have the ETM issue but covered under the new Volvo 10 year/200K warranty, so you should be good there. Just make sure your mechanic checks out the viscous coupling/bevel gear and drive shaft/wear to the rear. Also have him check out the tire tread wear and if the spare tire has been used. If you run these cars with more than 3/32 inch difference for any length of time at all it will damage the AWD system. If the spare is used (different cicumference to the other tires) it will also mess things up (so why does Volvo insist on the donut tire????). These are the things I hear about most on the older XC’s. In ’03 the whole system was changed to the more robust Haldex system- a better AWD system.
If you buy the car, get an AAA membership and make sure your car can be put up on a truck and transported (not simply dragged to tow) if it breaks down. Either that or replace the donut with a real tire and rotate it in with the other 4 when you rotate your tires, keeping all of your tires withint the 2/32 inch difference in size, and keep an eye on tire pressure…this will also have an affect on tire size and can damage your drive system.
Last of all, although Volvo doesn’t necesarily recommend it, the angle gear oil can be pumped out and replaced. If it’s the orignial oil, at those miles, I would at least check it and if you buy it, immediately replace it. It’s easy and cheap and will help prolong the rear drive system in your AWD.
Pre-2003 Volvo AWD Buyers Checklist
Volvo’s second-generation all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, primarily based on the Haldex Traction system, was introduced in the early 2000s and used in various models like the S60, V70, and XC90. Below is a summary of its key features and characteristics, based on available information:
- Haldex-Based System: The second-generation AWD system utilized Haldex Traction’s electronically controlled coupling, a step up from the first-generation viscous coupling system. It was designed to improve response time and traction control.
- Reactive Operation:
- This system is reactive, meaning it engages the rear wheels when front-wheel slip is detected.
- It responds within 90 degrees of wheel slip, using a mechanically driven hydraulic pump activated by the difference in rotation speed between front and rear axles.
- Computer-Controlled Solenoids:
- Unlike the first generation, it incorporated computer-controlled solenoids to manage clutch plates, allowing more precise torque distribution to the rear wheels.
- The hydraulic pump forces fluid through a solenoid to engage clutch plates, transferring torque to the rear axles when needed.
- Front-Wheel Bias:
- Under normal driving conditions, the system is primarily front-wheel drive (FWD), with up to 95% of power sent to the front wheels to optimize fuel economy.
- When slip occurs, torque is redistributed to the rear wheels, with up to 50% of engine torque available to the rear axle.
- Implementation in Models:
- Introduced in 2002 with the Volvo S60 AWD and XC90, marking Volvo’s first use of a faster-acting, electronically controlled AWD system co-developed with Haldex.
- Also used in models like the V70 (2001–2002) and early XC70 variants.
- Enhanced Traction:
- The system improved traction on slippery surfaces by quickly redirecting power to the wheels with better grip, monitored 100 times per second via sensors like ABS wheel rotation speed.
- Integration with Stability Systems:
- Worked in conjunction with Volvo’s Traction Control System (TRACS) and Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) to optimize power distribution and prevent skidding.
- Deactivates during braking or DSTC intervention to ensure effective ABS and stability control operation.
- Maintenance Considerations:
- Required careful maintenance, particularly to avoid issues like oil leaks from the angle gear or vibrations due to improper tire rotation.
- Resealing the angle gear and replacing seals can address common issues, but bearing damage or excessive pinion shaft play may necessitate replacing the entire unit.
- Limitations:
- As a reactive system, it only engages AWD after detecting wheel slip, unlike later proactive systems (e.g., third-generation Haldex).
- Less robust for extreme off-road conditions compared to four-wheel-drive systems, as it prioritizes fuel efficiency and handling on paved roads.
This system was a significant improvement over the first-generation viscous coupling, offering faster response and better integration with electronic controls, though it was eventually succeeded by more advanced systems in later Volvo models.
Last Updated on May 28, 2025
