First time Volvo owner needs advice

captainkev · Jun 29th, 2019, 15:33

Hi everyone! As of yesterday I own my first ever Volvo car - a 2017 V90 Inscription. I've always been a Ford or Audi guy until now. First impressions are that it's extremely smooth, quiet and fast.

It seems that my V90 must have been one of the very early models as it only comes with one USB port and no Android Auto or Apple Car Play. I was really looking forward to making use of Android Auto, and could definitely do with having 2 USB ports. I've called the local dealers to get a quote for doing the upgrade, but they've not got back to me yet.

Has anyone else done this upgrade and was it fairly easy to arrange? Any idea on the cost?

Also, how do software updates work on Volvo's? I see there is a System and App update in the Sensus menu, but have also read that software updates need to be done at the dealer. Can anyone enlighten me? Same for map updates - can I do them myself or is it a dealer-only job?

So many questions! Thanks for reading!

Clan · Jun 29th, 2019, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainkev

Hi everyone! As of yesterday I own my first ever Volvo car - a 2017 V90 Inscription. I've always been a Ford or Audi guy until now. First impressions are that it's extremely smooth, quiet and fast.

It seems that my V90 must have been one of the very early models as it only comes with one USB port and no Android Auto or Apple Car Play. I was really looking forward to making use of Android Auto, and could definitely do with having 2 USB ports. I've called the local dealers to get a quote for doing the upgrade, but they've not got back to me yet.

Has anyone else done this upgrade and was it fairly easy to arrange? Any idea on the cost?

Also, how do software updates work on Volvo's? I see there is a System and App update in the Sensus menu, but have also read that software updates need to be done at the dealer. Can anyone enlighten me? Same for map updates - can I do them myself or is it a dealer-only job?

So many questions! Thanks for reading!

Apple car play is an accessory which the dealer can supply and fit:

https://accessories.volvocars.com/en...CC-517129/2017

Maps you can download free yourself from the volvo support web site :

https://www.volvocars.com/uk/support/downloads

you need an empty 64 gb USB stick , you download the 48 gb map file from the web site DIRECT to your USB stick this can take a while depending on your internet speed . you then put the usb stik in the car with ignition on and it will start to load after confirming .. you can drive around and park up and it will carry on when you get going again . it can take about an hour to load into the car . Map updates come out every few months .

volvo are having connecting problems with the web site at the moment .

car software is updated at every service by Volvo .

sensus apps you can update by the screen instructions ...

GTA SOL · Jun 29th, 2019, 17:41

Think it’s between £200 and £300 to retrofit car play.

captainkev · Jun 29th, 2019, 18:39

Excellent, thanks lads!!

Sphinx2000 · Jun 29th, 2019, 19:05

You might want ti check the reviews of android auto in a volvo, before you commit. Personally I think its a waste of money because the screen is fixed in portrait mode, and aa starts in landscape. So half the screen is wasted.

WhatNext? · Jun 29th, 2019, 19:34

Android Auto ... Couldn't live without it. Yes, it's expensive for 300 and implementation could be better, but I would definitely retrofit it.

anotherv60 · Jun 29th, 2019, 20:24

Welcome, you will love your new car.

I invested in one of these (well it was an Huawei) https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-M73...8-1-spons&th=1 if you get a data SIM card you can then have the car connected to the 4G network via wifi, this unlocks the live traffic and the map updates are done automatically without having to download them to a USB stick. You can also use the apps on the go.If your car already has Volvo on call you don't need the mifi device just put a sim card in slot in the boot. Check with the dealer that you have the latest software on your car as they have upgraded pilot assist and there are now some new safety features that have been activated since 2017 such as the slippery road alert etc - but that needs the internet connection to work.

Also check the settings in your car as Volvo's default position is to turn everything off that you would expect to be turned on - for instance the auto dimming mirror is set to off rather than on in the settings.

captainkev · Jun 30th, 2019, 16:31

I read last week that there is a new version of Android Auto rolling out this summer. The leaks suggest that it will be more adaptive to the size/orientation of the in-car display.

https://www.androidauthority.com/and...e-2019-982725/

My car seems to have the SIM slot in the boot - I've ordered one of those 12-month Three data-only SIMs. Is there any way of checking which software/firmware version is installed?

Jun 29th, 2019, 15:33	#1
captainkev New Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 19:03 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Falkirk	First time Volvo owner needs advice Hi everyone! As of yesterday I own my first ever Volvo car - a 2017 V90 Inscription. I've always been a Ford or Audi guy until now. First impressions are that it's extremely smooth, quiet and fast. It seems that my V90 must have been one of the very early models as it only comes with one USB port and no Android Auto or Apple Car Play. I was really looking forward to making use of Android Auto, and could definitely do with having 2 USB ports. I've called the local dealers to get a quote for doing the upgrade, but they've not got back to me yet. Has anyone else done this upgrade and was it fairly easy to arrange? Any idea on the cost? Also, how do software updates work on Volvo's? I see there is a System and App update in the Sensus menu, but have also read that software updates need to be done at the dealer. Can anyone enlighten me? Same for map updates - can I do them myself or is it a dealer-only job? So many questions! Thanks for reading!

Jun 29th, 2019, 17:41	#3
GTA SOL Junior Member Last Online: May 4th, 2024 06:40 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne	Think it’s between £200 and £300 to retrofit car play. __________________ XC60 Inscription D5 PowerPlus MY18.5; Winter Pack; Intelesafe Assist; Keyless Entry; Tinted Windows; Apple Car Play; Tempa spare wheel

Jun 29th, 2019, 19:05	#5
Sphinx2000 Member Last Online: Today 09:29 Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: West Midlands	You might want ti check the reviews of android auto in a volvo, before you commit. Personally I think its a waste of money because the screen is fixed in portrait mode, and aa starts in landscape. So half the screen is wasted. __________________ XC60 T5 R-Design Pro - MY18 - AWD/P* with all the extra trimmings.

Jun 29th, 2019, 19:34	#6
WhatNext? Senior Member Last Online: May 22nd, 2024 22:38 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Edinburgh	Android Auto ... Couldn't live without it. Yes, it's expensive for 300 and implementation could be better, but I would definitely retrofit it. __________________ MY19 XC60 - September 2018 XC60 T5 Momentum Pro with HK, 360 Camera & Intellisafe Pro (Pilot Assist & BLIS) Last edited by WhatNext?; Jun 29th, 2019 at 20:39. Reason: Grammar

Jun 29th, 2019, 20:24	#7
anotherv60 Master Member Last Online: Feb 28th, 2024 19:49 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Derbyshire	Welcome, you will love your new car. I invested in one of these (well it was an Huawei) https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-M73...8-1-spons&th=1 if you get a data SIM card you can then have the car connected to the 4G network via wifi, this unlocks the live traffic and the map updates are done automatically without having to download them to a USB stick. You can also use the apps on the go.If your car already has Volvo on call you don't need the mifi device just put a sim card in slot in the boot. Check with the dealer that you have the latest software on your car as they have upgraded pilot assist and there are now some new safety features that have been activated since 2017 such as the slippery road alert etc - but that needs the internet connection to work. Also check the settings in your car as Volvo's default position is to turn everything off that you would expect to be turned on - for instance the auto dimming mirror is set to off rather than on in the settings. __________________ MY20 XC40 T4 R-Design, Xenium, Intellisafe Pro, Winter, Tow bar, Thunder Grey Previous: MY18 V90, MY15 V60

Jun 29th, 2019, 18:39	#4
captainkev New Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 19:03 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Falkirk	Excellent, thanks lads!!

Jun 30th, 2019, 16:31	#8
captainkev New Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 19:03 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Falkirk	I read last week that there is a new version of Android Auto rolling out this summer. The leaks suggest that it will be more adaptive to the size/orientation of the in-car display. https://www.androidauthority.com/and...e-2019-982725/ My car seems to have the SIM slot in the boot - I've ordered one of those 12-month Three data-only SIMs. Is there any way of checking which software/firmware version is installed?

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