About Volvo

chrisbouch2002 asked:


I recently replaced a bulb in my 2002 Volvo (license plate bulb–or position light) but don’t know how to get the internal computer to recognize it–is there a reset button?

Zachary

Glady Reign asked:


Sport utility vehicles are known to be a tough breed of cars for they are designed to be tough. They have been created to be such not only as a protection against natural wear and tear but also because they are intended not only for the paved city streets and highways but also for off-road conditions. They have to take what kin dof punishment off-road driving may pose while still maintaining their high power output and performance.

Toughness is not the only essential aspect of an SUV though since these cars are sometimes tasked to handle almost extreme terrains. Safety of the car’s occupants should also be a primary concern in the production of such vehicles. After all, accidents do not happen only on the untamed off-road environment so, SUVs and any car for that matter, should be produced with safety in mind.

When you are talking about cars and safety, the first thing that comes to mind, of course, is Volvo. The Sweden-based car manufacturer is the world’s leader in production of safe cars. Their priority to take care of safety issues first has been the company’s strongest selling point in their 80 years of existence in the automobile market. Their list of safety features is outstanding and all of their cars in production have rated highly on safety tests. As a matter of fact, their sport utility vehicle, the Volvo XC90, is one of the just 13 vehicles to be rated “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). To be given such a rating, the Volvo XC90 has been subjected to a battery of tests.

Three tests are conducted by the institute to measure the safety of the vehicle. One of these is the front crash test at 40 miles per hour to which the Volvo XC90 scored the institute’s highest rating of “Good”. Side crashes at 31 miles per hour is another test conducted by the institute and, once again, the Volvo XC90 got “Good” ratings as well. The third test is designed to assess the car’s protection of its third row seat occupants. Rear crash tests at 20 miles per hour are used to determine the cars’ defense against rear collisions and for this, the Volvo XC90 showed that it can adequately protect its occupants thus resulting to another “Good” rating.

The high ratings that the Volvo XC90 got comes as no surprise as its creator and manufacturer is known to produce cars that are not only of high caliber when it comes to performance but are also loaded with safety features developed by dedicated research facilities. Aside from a complete line up of airbags that covers every part of the car where it will be needed in case of crashes, the Volvo XC90 also has three-point pre-tensioning seat belts on all seats which is Volvo’s standard safety feature. Safety features includes Volvo’s BLIS, or Blindspot Information System, which uses digital cameras to monitor the blind spot of the car. Such a system warns the driver if any vehicle has entered his car’s blindspot.

With a very credible safety credential, the SUV is making a strong case in its challenge for the top spot in its class. Of course, the performance of the vehicle is also given much though as its safety. The Volvo XC90’s top trim package which is the Sport version is equipped with a 4.4-liter V8 engine which can give out 311 units of horsepower. Its transmission is precision engineered to facilitate a smooth transmission of power to all the wheels via the drivetrain composed of tough and reliable components like the Volvo axle. The all-wheel drive configuration gives the Volvo XC90 great stability and off-road driving capabilities that makes the sport utility vehicle a serious contender for the top spot in its class.

The perfect combination of high performance rating and safety makes the Volvo XC90 the company’s top seller in the US market. Its stylish designs and cool features make this car appealing to a younger buyer crowd.



Lydia

Greg D asked:


My wife’s Volvo has a taillight bulb out and I don’t want to pay the Volvo shop $100 an hour to replace the bulb. I don’t see how the light comes off from the outside. Is it a matter of removing the inside panel in the trunk to get to the bulb assembly? Any assistance is appreciated.

Alice

Jon Barlow asked:


We all know what Sweden’s biggest brand is right? Here is a clue, it doesn’t involve flat packed furniture and it’s not even the Tetra Pak. Volvo is a big brand globally and is now owned by Ford. Unless you have grown up in some parallel universe where there are no cars you will have no doubt seen or been a passenger in a Volvo vehicle of some description even if it was a bus.

Despite it’s successes in recent years Volvo has historically been something of a mystery to British car buyers. The Volvo estate has always been associated with antique dealers who could fit a grandfather clock in the back and also country folk seem to like the workhorse qualities of them. More recently the British motorway police have favoured the Volvo and can often be seen on TV shows writing off several £30k V70s in order to end a high speed pursuit involving a stolen Ford Escort worth well nothing really.

My parents were very keen on Volvos and I hate to admit it but they once owned a 340GL which I believe is the most hated car of Mr Jeremy Clarkson no less. I have just watched some footage on You Tube of him triumphantly destroying one in a crusher and boy has that man aged recently. I seem to recall my parents actually had a 340 hatchback and a saloon version as well. The thing is they weren’t any trouble at all, apart from the styling which they insisted didn’t bother them the cars were very reliable and they have driven Volvos ever since.

There was a magazine advert years ago featuring a 240 GLT and a Kawasaki Z250 and the headline was “Volvo 240 GLT - fast enough to beat it on the track- big enough to fit it in the back!” For some reason this has stuck in my mind probably because it was rather a strange comparison but in order to comply with advertising standards they had duly taken the trouble to publish the top speeds of the Volvo and the bike and more surprisingly they had manhandled this Kawasaki into the back of the Volvo to prove the claim.

A mind boggling array of models has followed since then. Including some really stylish cars, like the C80 coupe and remember the futuristic 480 with its indoor water feature and dodgy electrics! Thankfully that was sorted out but Volvo have always been prepared to experiment with new designs and technology, just remember the legendary P1800 which came out of the blue. This brings me around to the new C30 which again is a brave departure from the norm. Like Volvo’s other concepts this looks to have been very well executed and the C30 sees the return of the all-glass tailgate which was first found on the P1800. The latest Volvo range also seems to be far more consolidated than before which must be the Ford influence coming into play.

Instead of countless models to choose from there are now just three saloons; the S40/S60 and S80. Two Estates the V50 and V70 then we move to the semi off-road XC60 and XC70 before ending up with the XC90. This is the largest of the range and is very well rated as a potential off-road vehicle when compared to similar offerings from Audi and VW. The stylish C30 and C70 CC finish off things nicely. Volvo has proved that they can produce stylishly designed cars when they want to but also can offer strong safe workhorses that just keep going long after others have given up.



Pedro

Evander Klum asked:


Volvo cars are known as the world’s safest cars, but their reputation doesn’t end there. Volvo cars nowadays are constantly keeping up with various designs and styles that appeal to diverse Volvo consumers around the globe. The Volvo Spoiler is among many Volvo products that enhance the appearance of Volvo cars while delivering notable performance.

Providing two important functions, a Volvo Spoiler is an aerodynamic device attached to a Volvo vehicle. First, it can contribute a lot in giving a sportier and stronger look to a vehicle. Second, it provides down force when a Volvo is running at top speeds. In this level of driving condition, the airflow over the top of the car tends to create a low pressure area towards the rear which literally lifts the back end of the car. The use of a spoiler counters the reduction of traction and the increased instability that happen at high speeds.

Most Volvo Spoilers are made of polyurethane, which is a durable and light weight material. Others are made of fiber glass and light weight steel. However, nowadays, some spoilers are already made of high impact resin—a very light state of the art virgin plastic material. This high density resin is resistant to extreme impact and extreme temperatures. A spoiler manufactured with high impact resin will not separate, sag, or even just crack.

Volvo Spoilers come in different kinds, styles and weight. A front spoiler or air dam is a device placed under a vehicle’s front to redirect air flow. It usually transmits the air to the radiator or to the transmission or engine oil cooler. A wing or rear spoiler is a component that is typically installed just above the rear windshield of any vehicle. Some mini-vans use an upside down and angled spoiler. This type of rear spoiler keeps rainwater off the rear window.

Aftermarket Volvo Spoilers can be purchased for a particular make and model then painted to match the vehicle. These spoilers may come pre-painted to match factory colors. Already provided with sealing gaskets, Volvo Spoilers are easy to install. A supplied drilling guide serves as a template to indicate proper alignment. After drilling, the bolts of a Volvo Spoiler only need to be tightened, then this aerodynamic component is secured and ready to cruise at top speed.



Alexander

Glady Reign asked:


Swedish auto manufacturer Volvo recently showed off the all-new Volvo XC70 at this year’s ispo Sport & Style trade show in Munich. The redesigned Volvo XC70 midsize executive car was displayed from the eighth to the tenth of this month in Germany.

The appearance of the redesigned Volvo XC70 at the trade show is considered as a natural step for Volvo to take. In promoting the Volvo XC70, the Swedish car manufacturer is stressing on the adventurous designs of the XC70. This is in consonance with the thirst for adventure of more than 30,000 visitors of the trade show.

The inclination of the XC70 towards adventure is stressed out by Les Kerssemakkers, SVP Brand, Business and Product Strategy. Kerssemakkers said: “The new Volvo XC70 has been developed for people who want to realize their dreams. It has the right attitude, capacity, and equipment for enjoyable drives to and from adventure.”

This is not the first time that the Swedish car manufacturer has made an appearance at the trade show. Through the years, the participation of Volvo in the said trade show has been increasing. During the winter ispo, Volvo has teamed up with the organizers to bring the Volvo Sports Design Forum to the event.

Another of Volvo’s involvement with the trade show is evident in the observance of the Volvo Sports Design Award given to awardees since 2003. The award is aimed to let young sports designer to showcase their work. The award of course would give them a boost in the right direction. This year, the theme given to young designers to work on is personalization, something that Volvo tends to include in their vehicles, whether in choosing a Volvo air filter or the exterior color.

One of the winners this year is the Swiss bicycle expert BCM for designing a radical bicycle. The said bicycle is called the Pro Machine SLC01. It was displayed on the roof of the XC70. The placing of the bicycle atop the XC70 is in order to show its true defining quality. With a custom-made bike frame weighing less than a kilogram, the bicycle on top of the XC70 is truly a striking sight.

“I like this bike because it is so easy to personalize,” says Jonathan Disley, Studio Chief Designer at Volvo Car Corporation of the award-winning bicycle. Disley was a member of the 2007 Sports Design Award.

The presence of the XC70 at the trade show according to Disley is an effort for the company to promote the redesigned XC70. “We strive to show our cars and our way of thinking to a design interested audience,” said Disley. “In the last years, we have been active in the Milan furniture show, at the fashion weeks in Paris and Moscow and of course, at the ispo Sports Design in Europe and China.”

The appearance of a Volvo exhibit at the trade show has two-fold benefit for the car manufacturer. First, the XC70 receives exposure. More consumers will be able to meet the new XC70. The second benefit is that Volvo designers will be able to get design inspiration from the trade show they attended. After all, Volvo designers are known to not limit themselves to look for inspiration inside the auto industry.

“I simply thrive when I can look at great design from a totally different industry and get enthusiastic over a line here or a detail there,” said Disley of the chance to get inspiration from other areas apart from the automotive scene.



Leroy

Glady Reign asked:


In 2006, Volvo Cars did particularly well in the China auto market with sales volumes burgeoning to more than 7,000 units. “We almost doubled our sales volume in 2006, and our aim is to do the same again in 2007,” said Fredrik Arp, the President and CEO of the Volvo Car Corporation.

“To us, China is the most exciting car market in the world. It is a vital part of our growth plans, and we believe that in the next five to ten years China will move up to second place in Volvo Cars’ sales chart,” said Arp. “It’s a great honor to host President Hu Jintao during his visit to Sweden and Volvo. This will give us an excellent opportunity to inform him about our cars and our plans on how to strengthen our presence in the Chinese market.”

Part of the Swedish automaker plan is to build the Volvo S40 in China. Volvo has taken one great leap toward the direction by starting production of the S40 at the Changan Ford Mazda’s factory in Chongqing. In the middle of July last year and by the end of 2006, the first S40s rolled off the production line. About 4,000 S40s had been produced in Chongqing and all of them are sold in China.

This year, the automaker is targeting for an annual local production volume of about 8,000 units. “The launch of the Volvo S40 produced in China has been successful, both from an industrial point of view as well as from a commercial angle. After working with Changan Ford Mazda for almost two years, we have ensured that their factory, through cooperation with our own experts, meets our high demands regarding Volvo quality. A Volvo must be a Volvo car in all aspects, no matter where it is produced,” stressed Arp.

In the previous years, Volvo has increased the presence of its product lines. Like a car with Volvo vent visors, the automaker took advantage of a fresh and free-spited air of competition. The S80 sedan and the XC90 SUV are the two crucial vehicles in China. In the previous year, they accounted for more than half the total sales volume of the automaker. Additionally, their new versions have made them even more striking.

The S80, a midsize luxury executive car, was introduced in 1999 as a replacement for the 960/S90 sedan in the car maker’s line up. The latest version of the car offers true Scandinavian luxury plus other outstanding features to wow more purchasers. It combines a stylish design, luxurious ergonomics and state-of-the-art technology in a catchy, clever and safe car.

The Volvo XC90, meanwhile, was first shown in China at Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year. The refined vehicle has also moves Volvo upward in the premium segment. In order to make this flourishing model even more attractive, the sensation of luxurious passenger car comfort has been enhanced further still. “Being able to offer both models with a V8 engine gives us a much better position in our quest for the most discerning car buyers,” said Arp.

The new C30 will be launched to the Chinese market in the second half of this year. It is designed to lure new and younger drivers with modern needs. Arp noted, “Both the sporty C30 and the C70, with its exciting looks and spectacular three-piece hardtop, will be great image drivers for us in China this year.”

Currently, the Swedish automakers’ 50 dealers in China are upgrading to expand business in their areas. Over the past twelve months, 20 new or revamped Volvo showrooms were opened. “The expansion in China will continue and further 20 new dealerships will follow shortly,” noted Arp.



Jackie

George Wiggins asked:


The timing belt installed on every Volvo makes the engine system operate as one well-oiled whole. It connects the moving components of the Volvo engine. And, because these parts are by design moving independently from one another, the Volvo timing belt regulates their movement and synchronizes them toward engine efficiency. Apart from the engine system, a similar Volvo belt is also used in the car assemblies that utilize a pump, such as on the water pump in the cooling system and the fuel pump in the fuel injection system. But the Volvo timing belt on the vehicle’s engine system is different from the belts in these assemblies and has an unique functionality in the forms of its “timing” capability.

Compared to the flat conveyor belts of the water and fuel pumps, the Volvo timing belt in the internal combustion engine is characterized by its flexible and toothed durable rubber finish. It connects the crankshaft to the camshaft. But because the camshaft completes one rotation for every two rotations of the crankshaft, the the valves on these shafts may open and close irregularly. The toothed finish of the Volvo timing belt makes up for the differential and corrects the valve settings of the system to run the engine in sync with its moving components.

Without the correct setting of the Volvo timing belt, the valves on the engine won’t open and close at appropriate times. This will result in poor running, valve clatter, and loss of power. A broken belt, on the other hand, can cause an engine to stop running or cause the valves to crash to the pistons. Volvo timing belts are typically replaced on intervals ranging from 60,000 to 105,000 miles. A Volvo timing belt is ideally replaced if it already has signs of damages like cracks, cuts or excessive wear. For added durability, the Volvo timing belt is also available in gear and chain makes. However, gears and chains can limit the position of the crankshaft in relation to the camshafts. Likewise, a Volvo timing chain produces more noise and is more expensive than a Volvo timing belt. Though a timing chain may last longer than a rubber Volvo timing belt, the latter has specific requirements for specific intervals. The rubber Volvo timing belt allows more flexibility and can better suit the rotation differential between the crankshaft and the camshaft.



Jesse

DJ2 asked:


I saw an S80 where the third brake light - the bar in the rear windshield - flashed like a warning every time the driver hit the brakes. Is this an add-on or something new for Volvo? I have a 1999 S80 and am interested in adding this safety feature to my car. Thanks!

Jeanette

Glady Reign asked:


The global market is continually being given attention by the Ford owned brand Volvo. One of the growing markets for the Swedish brand is New Zealand. Recently, to increase sales of the C30 in the said country, Volvo announced that they would price the C30 just within the reach of many car buyers in the said country.

The price tag that would come with the smallest Volvo vehicle today will read $49,900. The said introductory price will stand until the end of the year or after Volvo’s allocation for the year is depleted - whichever comes first.

After that, the two-door hatchback will be sold starting at $54,990. This means that for those who are interested in having a Volvo C30 would then need to avail of the introductory price owing to the huge difference between it and the standard price. The price would then climb as Volvo is planning to introduce two new variants of the Volvo C30.

The first one will be equipped with a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine while the second will be powered by a turbocharged diesel engine. The choices are the logical progression of the C30. As the model gains popularity, Volvo sees it fit to provide more choices to meet the specific needs of Volvo C30 buyers.

Currently, the Volvo C30 is equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine that is very much capable of producing 220 units of horsepower. The said power is transferred to the front wheels through a precision engineered six-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox can also be operated on manual mode for the more performance tuned drivers.

The front wheel drive configuration of the Volvo C30 gives it a high level of performance and less energy wasted from the engine to the wheels. It shares its platform with the Ford Focus which in itself has proven its worth in the market and in the industry by emerging as a leader in its own class.

One of the most notable design concepts used in the Volvo C30 is the rear glass tailgate. It has been borrowed from the Volvo Safety Concept Car developed by the company. The said design feature gives the Volvo C30 a distinct rear styling. The unique taillight construction also adds to the distinctiveness of the car’s tail end. In fact, the rareness of the car’s rear end is one of the major aspects of the car as according to Volvo’s design director Steve Martin. “The distinctive tail lamps ensure that no one will be uncertain about which car they have in front,” says Martin.

The handling of the C30 is also one of the strong points of the hatchback. The suspension for the front wheel is composed of MacPherson struts while for the rear, the Volvo C30 employs a multi-link suspension configuration. This gives the C30 a good ride comfort and handling capability. With its good looks and performance, it would seem that owners of the C30 will seldom hide this hatchback under their chosen Volvo car cover designs.



Elaine