On call , wifi , towbar issues for new owner

Raddish · Oct 20th, 2020, 23:23

Hi
Just picked up 69 plate V90CC D5 with winter(hud), xenium and towbar. It says it’s a early 2020 spec.

It’s got the SOS + On Call buttons, does this mean the car has this function because nothing happens and the Volvo website says “ Activation required. Sorry, but it's currently not possible to activate Volvo On Call for this vehicle.”

Also the cars WiFi won’t work and I’ve noticed the boot mounted SIM card holder is empty. Does it need one. Should this be dealer supplied or I supply?

The towbar is brand new, does it need cleaning of any surface paint/grim with abrasive pad before towing.

How does the breakdown work as I have no contact details for them should this happen.

Many thanks for any reply’s

Duri13 · Oct 21st, 2020, 06:37

VOC should be activated by your dealer.
SIM slot is empty, you should put your own sim card there or tether internet from your phone (VOC uses its own sim).
No cleaning needed.
Breakdown - call volvo asisstance. The number should be among papers you got or (once activated) press VOC.

Raddish · Oct 21st, 2020, 08:28

Many thanks. I’ll call Marshall’s notts.

nu11eaf · Oct 21st, 2020, 09:27

The towbar "ball" will definitely need cleaning of surface paint before you use it or paint will contaminate the tow hitch Alko stabiliser friction pads and glaze them. Clean them and keep them dry and ensure no grease or other lubricants are used on the ball.
This is vital. It is standard practice.

St Evelyn · Oct 21st, 2020, 09:31

My factory towball was galvanised rather than painted so didn't need any paint removal - just a simple wipe over with brake and clutch cleaner to ensure that it was grease-free.

nu11eaf · Oct 21st, 2020, 09:34

There is a coating of anti corrosion on the ball. When supplied new, it is like light grey primer. This has to be removed.
Maybe yours was cleaned by the installer before you picked the car up, mine still had the coating on.

bornmiddleaged · Oct 21st, 2020, 10:22

Regarding all the Volvo On Call, I would suggest downloading the app to your phone and setting up a Volvo ID before you go to the dealer, then you can check it all connects and registers properly in the car while at the dealer. More info on setting up the ID here:
https://www.volvocars.com/uk/support...r-a-volvo-id-2

Just to be clear, it needs to be done by a Volvo dealer; you mention Marshalls, not sure if this is a dealer or not.

For the wi-fi connectivity, I just tether to my phone using Bluetooth. I have an option in the "Hotspot" settings that allows automatic tethering via bluetooth so I don't need to turn the hotspot on each time, the car just connects automatically. Seems pretty stable so far, but will obviously use your data allowance so if doing things like streaming over Spotify, make sure you have enough data on your tarrif.

Snoodini · Oct 21st, 2020, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by nu11eaf

There is a coating of anti corrosion on the ball. When supplied new, it is like light grey primer. This has to be removed.
Maybe yours was cleaned by the installer before you picked the car up, mine still had the coating on.

"has to be" is a bit far. It depends on what you're pulling. I have never removed the coating on mine, it has just come off with use BUT I have not pulled any trailer with any sort of braking applied through the ball as it seems these stabiliser hitches do. Just simple braked and non-braked trailers.

Also, standard practice for any normal ball hitch is to grease it. seems the complete opposite with these stabiliser hitches.

nu11eaf · Oct 21st, 2020, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoodini

"has to be" is a bit far. It depends on what you're pulling. I have never removed the coating on mine, it has just come off with use BUT I have not pulled any trailer with any sort of braking applied through the ball as it seems these stabiliser hitches do. Just simple braked and non-braked trailers.

Also, standard practice for any normal ball hitch is to grease it. seems the complete opposite with these stabiliser hitches.

Most if not all modern caravans are fitted with Alko stabilisers that clamp onto the tow ball, the caravan tow hitch has friction discs inside that act like brakes to stop side to side snaking, if these discs are contaminated or glazed they will not work effectively, if the tow ball is greased they will not work at all.

Yes if you are only towing a small un-braked trailer with old type hitch and no Alko stabiliser you would normally grease the ball but the ball should still be cleaned and de-contaminated if the new style hitch is to be used or bike racks that clamp on to the tow ball.

tem · Oct 21st, 2020, 14:09

I do not tow anything, but thought I would check with my son, who sometimes tows a caravan.
He confirmed that the ball and hitch must be maintained clean of any paint, grease, etc.

It must be 30 years+, since I last had a tow-bar and that was for small trailers. Then we used to put grease on the ball.

tem.

Oct 20th, 2020, 23:23	#1
Raddish Member Last Online: Apr 16th, 2024 02:50 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Nottingham	On call , wifi , towbar issues for new owner Hi Just picked up 69 plate V90CC D5 with winter(hud), xenium and towbar. It says it’s a early 2020 spec. It’s got the SOS + On Call buttons, does this mean the car has this function because nothing happens and the Volvo website says “ Activation required. Sorry, but it's currently not possible to activate Volvo On Call for this vehicle.” Also the cars WiFi won’t work and I’ve noticed the boot mounted SIM card holder is empty. Does it need one. Should this be dealer supplied or I supply? The towbar is brand new, does it need cleaning of any surface paint/grim with abrasive pad before towing. How does the breakdown work as I have no contact details for them should this happen. Many thanks for any reply’s

Oct 21st, 2020, 06:37	#2
Duri13 Member Last Online: Apr 18th, 2024 09:59 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Luxembourg	VOC should be activated by your dealer. SIM slot is empty, you should put your own sim card there or tether internet from your phone (VOC uses its own sim). No cleaning needed. Breakdown - call volvo asisstance. The number should be among papers you got or (once activated) press VOC. __________________ XC90 D5 Momentum (MY 2019) - Pine Grey, Business Luxury Line, Xenium Pack + 360 camera, Luxury Passenger, Family, H&K audio, Winter Pro, Light pack, BLIS, towbar V40 T2 AT (MY 2017) - Inscription ---------------- past: XC60 D4 FWD AT (MY 2015)

Oct 21st, 2020, 09:27	#4
nu11eaf Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:49 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Yorkshire man living in County Durham	The towbar "ball" will definitely need cleaning of surface paint before you use it or paint will contaminate the tow hitch Alko stabiliser friction pads and glaze them. Clean them and keep them dry and ensure no grease or other lubricants are used on the ball. This is vital. It is standard practice. __________________ XC90 Inscription D5 Power pulse, 2017 MY, Savile grey, Blond Nappa, Leather dash/door tops, Walnut inlays, Dark tinted windows, Air suspension, Bliss/Cross traffic alert, Xenium/7 seat comfort/Family/Winter packs, 4 zone climate, Heated rear seats. Last edited by nu11eaf; Oct 21st, 2020 at 09:31.

Oct 21st, 2020, 09:31	#5
St Evelyn VOC Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 19:52 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Trowbridge	My factory towball was galvanised rather than painted so didn't need any paint removal - just a simple wipe over with brake and clutch cleaner to ensure that it was grease-free. __________________ Current - 2017 V90 D4 Inscription Previous - 2011 S80 D3

Oct 21st, 2020, 09:34	#6
nu11eaf Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:49 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Yorkshire man living in County Durham	There is a coating of anti corrosion on the ball. When supplied new, it is like light grey primer. This has to be removed. Maybe yours was cleaned by the installer before you picked the car up, mine still had the coating on. __________________ XC90 Inscription D5 Power pulse, 2017 MY, Savile grey, Blond Nappa, Leather dash/door tops, Walnut inlays, Dark tinted windows, Air suspension, Bliss/Cross traffic alert, Xenium/7 seat comfort/Family/Winter packs, 4 zone climate, Heated rear seats. Last edited by nu11eaf; Oct 21st, 2020 at 10:27.

Oct 21st, 2020, 08:28	#3
Raddish Member Last Online: Apr 16th, 2024 02:50 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Nottingham	Many thanks. I’ll call Marshall’s notts.

Oct 21st, 2020, 10:22	#7
bornmiddleaged :-) Last Online: Apr 18th, 2024 15:43 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Hants	Regarding all the Volvo On Call, I would suggest downloading the app to your phone and setting up a Volvo ID before you go to the dealer, then you can check it all connects and registers properly in the car while at the dealer. More info on setting up the ID here: https://www.volvocars.com/uk/support...r-a-volvo-id-2 Just to be clear, it needs to be done by a Volvo dealer; you mention Marshalls, not sure if this is a dealer or not. For the wi-fi connectivity, I just tether to my phone using Bluetooth. I have an option in the "Hotspot" settings that allows automatic tethering via bluetooth so I don't need to turn the hotspot on each time, the car just connects automatically. Seems pretty stable so far, but will obviously use your data allowance so if doing things like streaming over Spotify, make sure you have enough data on your tarrif.

Oct 21st, 2020, 14:09	#10
tem Premier Member Last Online: Apr 9th, 2021 11:52 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Scottish Highlands	I do not tow anything, but thought I would check with my son, who sometimes tows a caravan. He confirmed that the ball and hitch must be maintained clean of any paint, grease, etc. It must be 30 years+, since I last had a tow-bar and that was for small trailers. Then we used to put grease on the ball. tem. __________________ MY17 V90 D4 Momentum, Magic Blue, Amber, 12.3" Display, Winter Plus, Rear Camera, Privacy Glass.

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