I now have an '02 V70 wagon which came with just one key and one keyless remote. My mechanic gave me a 2nd keyless remote but told me that the dealer would have to program it (actually program the car for it). I recently had to go to the dealer to get the leaking fuel pump replaced under extended warranty. At that time I asked for a 2nd key and to have that keyless remote activated for the car. The dealer asked if I had the code that came with the remote. When I said I didn't he told me that he could not program the car without it and that a new remote was a couple of hundred buck plus this, plus that, etc. I asked if I would be able to get into and operate the car with just the spare key; he said "yes" and I just opted for a single new key.
It seems kind of strange that a dealer can't activate the remote from the S/N on the back rather than needing a code that no one knows the instant after it becomes separated from the remote. Is it true that there is no way to activate a remote without the papers that came with it? It seems like Volvo believes that all Volvo owners have baskets of cash with nothing better to do than spend it at the dealer.