Do you service your own car?

[bobdabuilda]

After having quotes of £404 and £330 for a 4 year service on an xc90 (car is at 58000 miles with last service done 1year ago at 54000miles) I am wondering why there is not an investigation of the dealers by the monopolies commission! I mean come on what is hard about a service and why is it so extortionate? I managed to get one to allow me to supply my own oil but that only reduces the price by £70.

I figure that I could do the air filter myself for £20, oil filter would cost around £20, fuel filter £20, no need to top up the screen washer which is usually £5... an hours work tops? I replaced the discs, pads, shoes and rear wheel bearings last summer so what else is there to check? I wonder if I can buy the dealer stamp for £20?

Does anyone have a 4 year checklist of what is usually done please?

[Banzai]

I agree, to the knowledgeable it is a lot of money for what you get.

My recently aquired Exec is 3 years old and I will get it dealer serviced to keep the book up to date with Volvo stamps which will (hopefully) allow it to retain as much value as possible when I come to sell it in a few years time.

The other advantage of dealer servicing is other work carried out such as recalls etc.

For my next service I also need the on call re-activated and I might get the radio software mod to receive Long Wave transmissions.

[owenfackrell]

After having quotes of £404 and £330 for a 4 year service on an xc90 (car is at 58000 miles with last service done 1year ago at 54000miles) I am wondering why there is not an investigation of the dealers by the monopolies commission! I mean come on what is hard about a service and why is it so extortionate? I managed to get one to allow me to supply my own oil but that only reduces the price by £70.

I figure that I could do the air filter myself for £20, oil filter would cost around £20, fuel filter £20, no need to top up the screen washer which is usually £5... an hours work tops? I replaced the discs, pads, shoes and rear wheel bearings last summer so what else is there to check? I wonder if I can buy the dealer stamp for £20?

Does anyone have a 4 year checklist of what is usually done please?

I do my own servicing and the oil filters are cheaper than that. As mine is on the 10k or one year with the millage my car covers it works out a service every 8 months or so. Doing it my self costs me less than £100 as you only need to replace things like the fuel filter every couple of years. I also keep an eye on my washer level and top it up as needed. I also make sure that things like the door hinges are lubricated. In fact I can't think of a time when I have paid for a service where I have been happy with what's been done.

[400-ascona]

I always do my own servicing as I think the quality of the work I do is better than the garage, due mainly because I care. I use decent parts (Volvo or known brand), and I keep receipts, and records about what I do, when and mileages. When it comes to selling the car, all this information is better than service histroy in my opinion, and I find most of the time potential buyers agree.
Rob.

[BestGear]

I would add myself to the list of DIY servicing... I have yet to experience anymain dealer where the end to end service meets expectations.

They may have one or two excellent techs, but its the whole experience that never meets cost or quality expectations.

Servicing items are not expensive on these or most cars these days, even buying OEM parts.

I also stamp my service book with a rubber stamp... made in my own name (they are only circa £10 to get made up) - plus I make up a worksheet to record every item of work and have that stapled to the receipts for the parts - so maintain a very comprehensive history.

David

[400-ascona]

When I was 18, my first car (Opel Ascona B) was pulling to the left under braking, and had ventilation issues in the chassis legs. I took it to the local garage, who freed up the sliders on the single pot calipers, and welded the chassis legs. 9 months later it all needed doing again, so I bought my own mig welder (off the milkman!), and started to collect my tools, and fixed it for myself, properly. The only other time I sent a car to a garage was when I fuel injected a later Ascona, and couldn't get it ticking over correctly. Looming camping trip and work commitments, so I booked it into and injection specialist, who did nothing useful to it until the day I was due to go away, so I went down in the morning and fixed it myself in their garage, and they then tried to charge me!
So in a way they did me a favour, as the useless garages have led me to a life long hobby, which ensures I will never use them again!
I have loads of tools now, but I have to admit I don't have my own service stamp (once again I bow to your superiority David!).
Rob.

[chb]

Always do my own cars.
A lot of it is just about having a little confidence and common sense.
My old V40 is still chugging along nicely after 165000 miles, with half of that being serviced by me.
The XC90 is only 10 months in the family. So far have changed oil, pollen filters and put in fully synthetic oil. Havn't done the air filter yet as when I opened it up the existing one looked new (so I have a spare in the garage!). Plan to do the fuel filter this year as I had some warning messages in the -14C temps last year that I THINK may be fuel filter related.

With any new car there is a period where lack of familiarity and/or purchase price can put you off from attacking it with your own tools. That wears off very soon for me now!


....oh also did the rear brakes and waxoiled the entire car. and lubed the hinges etc.

[RoyMacDonald]

Is this what you want? Should add click on the thumbnail to open then click on the open photo to get a printable copy.

[chb]

perfect! Thats a lot of fuel filters needed!

Makes me think that I will definately do mine now.

...goes to look for how to guide.

[Britsud]

Great post.
I have dealer service but I do hardware fix myself.

[pdrvolvo]

I always do my own servicing as I think the quality of the work I do is better than the garage, due mainly because I care. I use decent parts (Volvo or known brand), and I keep receipts, and records about what I do, when and mileages. When it comes to selling the car, all this information is better than service histroy in my opinion, and I find most of the time potential buyers agree.
Rob.



Same here once out of warranty i do all my own serviceing and keep a very comprehensive record of everything i do and buy for my cars.Each car haveing its own hardback folder.


peter.

[BestGear]

... but I have to admit I don't have my own service stamp.
Rob.


Time to add a new tool to the collection?!?!?!

STAMP (http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/vp/ns/studio3.aspx?pf_id=269&combo_id=46147&free_studio_gallery=true&referer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.vistaprint.co.uk%2fvp%2fn s%2fdefault.aspx%3fad%3dbroad%26mk%3dvista%2bprint s%26GP%3d3%252f3%252f2011%2b9%253a19%253a39%2bAM%2 6GPS%3d1484767416%26GNF%3d0&rd=2)

[marlonjd]

hi does any one know where i can get a copy of the workshop manual/maintenance for the xc90

[400-ascona]

Time to add a new tool to the collection?!?!?!

STAMP (http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/vp/ns/studio3.aspx?pf_id=269&combo_id=46147&free_studio_gallery=true&referer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.vistaprint.co.uk%2fvp%2fn s%2fdefault.aspx%3fad%3dbroad%26mk%3dvista%2bprint s%26GP%3d3%252f3%252f2011%2b9%253a19%253a39%2bAM%2 6GPS%3d1484767416%26GNF%3d0&rd=2)

I have to think up a company name. How about:

"Bodge it and Scarper", or "Kerb Side Motor's". Maybe "We fix any car dot com" but I would have to come up with some kind of catchy jingle which would be difficult for that one!

Rob.

[marlonjd]

hi what engine oil make and type can i use for a D5 185bhp

[bobdabuilda]

0w 30 fully synthetic castrol edge is the mfr recommendation.

Anyone know how to clear the service indicator warning message please?

[hancym]

Although I haven't had my XC90 T6 long enough to need an oil change my previous car (Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.5CRD) would always run on the semi-synthetic Halvoline oil from Morisson’s at about £15 for 5 ltr.

I would ritualistically change the oil every 6k miles. The car had done 380,000 miles when I sold it and was running as sweet as a nut. Guess what I'll be using on my XC90

[marlonjd]

i was thinking of using ***hs TITAN SUPERSYN LL PLUS SAE 0W-30 Fully Synthetic oil what do you think

[bobdabuilda]

That's good stuff and meets the spec so no worries.

[RoyMacDonald]

Yes better than the Castrol stuff. I just read on the member pages an item on the Castrol oil by Volvo and it says it's a hydrocracked mineral oil. I had been told it was OK to call a hydrocracked mineral oil a synthetic and that confimed it.

Glad I switched to Motul Eco energy years ago. I knew the engine sounded quieter when I did.

[galloot633]

Yes better than the Castrol stuff. I just read on the member pages an item on the Castrol oil by Volvo and it says it's a hydrocracked mineral oil. I had been told it was OK to call a hydrocracked mineral oil a synthetic and that confimed it.

Glad I switched to Motul Eco energy years ago. I knew the engine sounded quieter when I did.

roy
what grade do you use ?
dave

[RoyMacDonald]

roy
what grade do you use ?
dave

For my 163 bhp D5 it's Motul 8100 Engine Oil Eco-Energy 5W30

I asked Motul directly and that's what they advised for my engine.

It was £23.50 for five litres last time I ordered some from Larkspeed.

[galloot633]

thanks roy, been useing motul in my bikes for years, never thought of useing it in the xc,( appropriate grade that is )
dave

[galloot633]

roy
is this the same ? not much diference in price , just free p& p

http://www.mayesmotorsport.co.uk/catalog_view.php?id=308

dave

[RoyMacDonald]

roy
is this the same ? not much diference in price , just free p& p

http://www.mayesmotorsport.co.uk/catalog_view.php?id=308

dave

Yes that's it. Thank's I'll try them next time I need some. The 60 litre bulk buy is interesting. It's a good excuse to carry on collecting D5's. ;-) C30 D5 Auto next?

[RoyMacDonald]

I think you have the later engine Dave so I think they will recomend a slightly different oil.

[galloot633]

roy
thats true, my recomended oil is 0w30 , would the more techically minded tell me what effect the different winter grade would make, dont get me wrong i have a lot of respect for useing the recomended grade, but i.ve seen so many people drive their cars for thousands of miles with their only criteria being that there was oil in it, any oil that is !
dave

[RoyMacDonald]

roy
thats true, my recomended oil is 0w30 , would the more techically minded tell me what effect the different winter grade would make, dont get me wrong i have a lot of respect for useing the recomended grade, but i.ve seen so many people drive their cars for thousands of miles with their only criteria being that there was oil in it, any oil that is !
dave

The Eco-energy 5w30 meets the handbook spec for the later engine but I'm not sure if that's what Motul would recomend for your engine as they also do a 0w30. My car originally had the 0w30 from the dealer but Motul recommended somthing slightly different but still meeting the Volvo handbook spec. I think that Motul were right from the sound of the engine and mpg.

You certainly wouldn't be going wrong with the Eco-energy in my opinion. Just wondered if there was a better version for your new engine as there are a lot of differences to mine but nearly all in the head and turbo I think.

[pdrvolvo]

roy
thats true, my recomended oil is 0w30 , would the more techically minded tell me what effect the different winter grade would make, dont get me wrong i have a lot of respect for useing the recomended grade, but i.ve seen so many people drive their cars for thousands of miles with their only criteria being that there was oil in it, any oil that is !
dave

Thats not as daft as it may sound too some people.IMO there is a lot of overblown crap talked about oil and tyres for that matter.As long as there are addatives in it you could put cold tea in an engine and it would run.Spending a small fortune on this grade and that grade just because it is "recommended" by someone is no guarantee that an engine will last.As you say some people dont change their oil from one year too the next.


peter.

[GMad]

I have answered this question several times before on here!
However, yes I do all work on my own cars and motorbikes..

[RoyMacDonald]

Irv Gordon's P1800 has had it's oil changed every 3,000 miles for the last 40 odd years and he's done 2,700,000 miles with only a head overhaul at 2,400,000. Can the folk who don't change oil regularly achive those kind of milages?

[galloot633]

as motoring goes you there's such varied approaches to oil and oil changes , theres the " fear factor " side, whereby they follow manufacturers recomended spec. to the letter , with dire results if you dont heed to them, to the other end of the spectrum those who put their choice of oils in , because theyre not being " conned " by the oil companies, my old boss, the works engineer, never had his oil or filter changed, just topped up ! , I wished I'd asked his reasoning, but at the time I just thought he was stupid, mind you he never had any problems, personally I love to hear personal experiences both good and bad on the subject of oil and relability , oh for the days when you just threw in a gallon of duckhams 20w50 !
dave

[961]

as motoring goes you there's such varied approaches to oil and oil changes , theres the " fear factor " side, whereby they follow manufacturers recomended spec. to the letter , with dire results if you dont heed to them, to the other end of the spectrum those who put their choice of oils in , because theyre not being " conned " by the oil companies, my old boss, the works engineer, never had his oil or filter changed, just topped up ! , I wished I'd asked his reasoning, but at the time I just thought he was stupid, mind you he never had any problems, personally I love to hear personal experiences both good and bad on the subject of oil and relability , oh for the days when you just threw in a gallon of duckhams 20w50 !
dave

I've always been a "change oil and filter regularly" but make sure the oil is hot and you leave the car for half an hour so it can drain out. I've never had an engine fail because of oil problems (well, not since I ran the big ends on an Austin A30 thrashing it up the newly opened M1)

Now, I wonder just how good engines and oils are because nothing ever seems to fail and, from what I hear, many dealers suck the stuff out rather than open the drain plug. What does that leave behind?

I'm more interested in current gear box lubrication, where many are "lubricated for life" and often seem designed to deter anybody, professional or amateur from even getting at look at the level and condition of the oil

[RoyMacDonald]

I'm more interested in current gear box lubrication, where many are "lubricated for life" and often seem designed to deter anybody, professional or amateur from even getting at look at the level and condition of the oil

I agree with that, by all accounts the AW55-50 autobox is more reliable in Saab's than the Volvo's and the only difference is Saab have it as a service item ATF change at about 48k and Volvo's wording is so vauge that the dealers will amost always tell you it's not needed and never do it of their own voliton. I do mine every 4 years, and that's the first thing that's getting done on the new V70. I should say here that I'm talking about the older Asin Warner autobox. Post 07 has somthing special in them and I haven't seen much about it yet.

Irv Gordon dosn't use the Volvo spec oil for his engine by the way. He uses a diesel oil because he says it keeps it cleaner.