Retrofit variable speed cruise control - possible?

[Shinjuku]

My car has cruise control but not the variable speed thing that senses a car in front and will slow or accelerate accordingly. This would be a nice feature to add. Has anyone done this?

Shinjuku

[tt82]

The electronics in modern Volvo's is very complex. Generally a lot of all the modules talk to each other and if one doesn't give a right answer, the whole car has a hissy fit. Therefore you would need to not only just install the radar and associated module, but also have the car software updated to make everything talk to each other. I'm not sure if dealers are willing or able to do this.

[1monkey600]

Not sure if the adaptive cruise control is specifically available but if you go to www.accessories.volvocars.com you will find that cruise control is listed as an accessory for the v70/xc70 (at least). If you switch to the Netherlands page (click the globe at bottom of page) they list it as costing 'from €420' - not sure if this would be variable price due to different versions of cruise control being available or for 'trim' reasons. Photo of steering wheel control on the site certainly looks like my adaptive version.
Andy

[1monkey600]

Sorry. For completeness: I was mistaken, the photo is not the same as my adaptive version.

[apersson850]

Adding parts of the Driver Support package, where adaptive cruise control is one, is not allowed after manufacturing.
It doesn't matter if a retailer/workshop wants to or not, they can't.

When Volvo make cars, they create a Carconfig for each individual car. This Carconfig contains the configuration of the car when it leaves the factory, as well as all software that can be added later. All cars can accept software for TRM, for example, as a towing hitch can always be added.
Cars with Xenon light have that included in the Carconfig, but cars with only halogen light don't have Xenon in the Carconfig, as Volvo don't allow retrofitting Xenon light.
Sometimes what can be added is also dependent on the original configuration. Adding DAB radio later requires DAB preparation, for example. If there's no DAB preparation, then DAB radio isn't in the Carconfig either.

In the same way, adaptive cruise control is not in your car's Carconfig, and when it's not, Volvo's own workshops can't install the software either. It takes somebody in Gothenburg, with access to the database for all cars, to fix that. And they will not, unless you are good at bribing or similar.

[I-S]

So to sum up:

No.

[apersson850]

Correct. But some people feel better if they know why.