Service Issues: How do you service your Car?

[Thanatos]

I do what little I can, but with limited tools & knowledge... But I also have the help of the forum and friends on here to help if needed

[Oilydad]

I know that I don't get stamps in the book but I keep all receipts to show what and when jobs were done, and I don't think you get anything more from a dealer even if you do get it stamped when the car is over 5 years old, they say you do but I think it's just another lever for them to keep the trade in prices down, I know I'm very grumpy about it but I've been stung too many times in the past over the 50 years that has made me do it the way I do.

Dealer stamps are worthless. Even with the stamps, who can actually prove that any work has been done. Many places will stamp the book for just an oil change, and do nothing else. Your method (with receipts) is much better.

Like most people here, I have a very deep, and long founded distrust of garages, with good reason, and do almost all my own repairs.

[C70Carnut]

I take it to the dealer and pay through the nose as it's a modern computerised car and I'm petrified of it. Having said that, this forum is making me think that I could do the basics myself.

[Oilydad]

I take it to the dealer and pay through the nose as it's a modern computerised car and I'm petrified of it.

If it's under warranty then there's good sense in doing that.

But once your warranty is up, you'll save yourself A LOT of money by either doing some of the simpler jobs yourself, or finding a local independant Volvo garage who you can get to trust.

Working on cars, with the correct information is rewarding, and a good tool kit is one of the best investments you'll ever make. I'm sure that my own set of 'garage tools' have paid for themselves many many times over.

Never be afraid of cars. Most of what goes wrong is easily diagnosed, and just as easily fixed.....It just needs you to have the courage and determination to tackle things as they crop up. And don't be afraid to ask and respond to as many questions as you need to get information. That's how we all benefit from forums like this one. Shared knowledge.

Lot's of info here anyway.

[Jon E A]

Think I can pretty much tick all of the above, except for not serviced at all.

Main dealer - expensive but provided me with a nice S40 loaner while mine was in for repair/MOT. I used to think that a dealer stamp was everything but not now. It says nothing about what was or wasn't done.

Local garage - Can be reasonably priced but they will try to undertake work that isn't really necessary, perhaps because replacing filters/brakes/etc is a quick & cheap profit for them.

I have recently started to undertake as much of my own servicing/repairs as I can after a local garage qouted ~£1500 for...

brakes & discs all round
brake fluid bleed/renewal
replacing a broken o/s/r coil (also replace n/s/r to match)
fixing a headlight that won't adjust
new n/s/f tyre
new fuel filter
new rear wiper arm
front anti-roll bar bushes

and this was after they had had £200 off me for a service & MOT!

This forum & all of its members has given me the info & confidence to tackle most of these jobs myself, so a big thanks out to all

Jon E A.

[The Hooded Claw]

I voted "Serviced by Local Garage" but my "Local Garage" is Jump Leads Volvo Indie & the amount Brian charges me it just aint worth doin it meself !!!!

[LynnTB]

I voted for 'Local garage'.

I am ashamed to admit that I have owned her for 6 years and never done a thing (except repairs to get her through an mot). I think she has been topped up with oil once in that time. I have no idea if or when she was serviced before I bought her.

So I have booked her in for a 'Complete baseline service' with my local garage. Part of me would like to do the 'small' services myself but I am not sure that is possible, but we shall see.

[LynnTB]

I voted for 'Local garage'.

I am ashamed to admit that I have owned her for 6 years and never done a thing (except repairs to get her through an mot). I think she has been topped up with oil once in that time. I have no idea if or when she was serviced before I bought her.

So I have booked her in for a 'Complete baseline service' with my local garage. Part of me would like to do the 'small' services myself but I am not sure that is possible, but we shall see.

[andy_d]

It is , with the help from the info on here.
ok you do need a few tools and "stuff", and a Big kettle
but things like oil/oil filter/airfilter/plugs are all not that hard (bit messy/lot messy depending on if you spill the oil,,,) and within the scope of most folk who are brave enough to try.

[Milky400]

do the basics at home, filters, plugs, oil etc, local indy wanted £230 for interim srvice (oil change) oh and book stamp,Ive just done all filters(pollen, air, fuel) oil and plugs for 100 quid and took one and a half hours!!!

I have however booked it in for a free health check at the local Volvo garage that will flag up any other issues.