I feel the engine through the steering wheel

rough idle usualy means a tune up is needed or even bad gas ,try a higher grade, if its better tune it up.

I have changed the fuel to HT since purchase and thought the plugs were new but haven't checked. What concerns me is when at a stop light the feel is like the engin/transmission is sitting on the steering linkage. Shifting into neutral and it disappears.

It sounds like the Upper Torque Mount is not doing it's job have this inspected & replace if there is excessive movement in the mount Glenn K Did you ever get the key corrected ? let me know

It really depends on what you are feeling. The 5 cylinder engine used in the V and XC cars does transmit vibrations to the steering wheel at an idle. We all interpret sensations differently so it could be the steady pulses of the motor, a rough idle, shaking, or somehting else. If you haven't already done so, I would have a Volvo mechanic give it a once over.

Yes I did and thank you for the number. I had to go to the part person and walk them through what they needed to do to locate the information. What you provided me with saved me and the dealer a lot of wasted effort and money. Thank you again,,,

I do have an independent but certified Volvo mechanic I trust but he is six hours away. He has gone over the car and ticked off my concerns and the feel in the steering wheel was not identified as a concern. In fact he said he liked the first generation XC better than the more recent because you could still feel the road. Maybe I'm just overly sensitive, my wife drives the car and she notices nothing.