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Don't take your Volvo to a general purpose shop, use a specialist, either dealer or independent

I don't know how many times people who are not really familiar with Volvos have made a hash of things or cost customers lots of extra money, but the problem is quite large.

Every vehicle has it's quirks and you want someone working on yours who is familiar with them.

For example, many FWD and AWD Volvos suffer from failed ABS control modules. A tech reading out error codes would be told by the computer that a wheel sensor or other component is bad. However, the problem is usually that an internal trace in the controller has gone bad and it is the trace which connects to said sensor. Thus the error codes are simply wrong. To make matters worse, this failure mode is intermittent so that it is quite possible to replace the wheel sensor $$$$, clear the codes and have the ABS light go off .... only to come on again a few days later. Volvo techs know this and aren't going to piss away your money replacing perfectly good sensors.

I could go on and one with such stories, but the point is simple. There are also issues of using correct fluids for the various systems, knowing which aftermarket parts are acceptable and which are junk, etc. etc. If you aren't going to learn to do it yourself either find a Volvo dealer you trust or an independent specialist who works on Volvos all the time. These shops are out there and are worth looking for.

Cheers, John

Reply to
John Horner
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Keep an eye on the morons who tow your Volvo if you break down, too.

One time a tow driver tried to tow my wife's 740 by hooking the lift to the FRONT, not the back.

When asked him "WTF are you doing?" he said he thought it was FWD.

Stupidity is rampant, people: take the necessary precautions.

Reply to
Mr. V

Assume some responsibility for your self. Don't blame other people because you think they are going to know about your car. Before having a car towed, read your manual; the tow truck operator won't do that for you. Just be glad if you get one that can read English. In case you don't know it, all Volvo's look alike to some tow truck operators. He may have just towed an 850 and didn't realize that a 740 was an older model.

Reply to
M. Fricker

One should expect a cetain level of knowledge from a "professional," and by definition, someone who is paid to tow my disabled car would be deemed a professional.

C'mon, any nit-wit tow truck driver could and should look at the car from behind: "Hello, differential!"

Reply to
Mr. V

A professional is a person that doesn't get paid for overtime. You didn't get a professional.

You thought they sent you a nit-wit! A nit-wit is a person that spends good money for a Volvo but won't look things up in the manual.

Your manual doesn't say not to lift the front end. In fact it shows pictures of lifting the front end. :Here is what your manual says about towing:

# Maximum speed: 20 mph (30 km/h). # Maximum distance with rear wheels on ground: 20 miles (30 km).

WARNING: Never turn the key to position 0 while driving or when the car is being towed.

Before attempting to tow the car, use the following procedure to override the shiftlock system to move the gear selector to the neutral position. # Disconnect the battery # Wait at least one minute # Insert the key in the ignition and turn it to position 1 # Press firmly on the shiftlock override button (located near the base of the gear selector). # While holding the override button down, move the gear selector from the park position.

Precautionary steps to observe when car is in tow # Steering must be unlocked. # Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this type of towing, as vehicles being towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length and type of towing device, lighting, etc. # Remember that power brake and power steering assists will not be available when engine is inoperative. Brake pedal pressure required is 3

- 4 times above normal and greater steering effort must be exerted. # Gear selector in position N. Check transmission oil level (see section titled "Transmission oil"). # Maximum speed: 20 mph (30 km/h). # Maximum distance with rear wheels on ground: 20 miles (30 km). # If the battery is dead, it is not possible to release the gear selector by pressing the brake pedal. Release the gear selector manually.

CAUTION: Sling-type equipment applied at the front will damage radiator and air conditioning lines. It is equally important not to use slingtype equipment inside the rear wheels: serious damage to the rear axle may result.

Reply to
M. Fricker

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