D5 Auto - Acceleration lag when pulling off

Ok guys...I'm a newbie so this site and forum is fanatstic... and I'm sure this has been discussed at length on this forum and I'm sure there is a thread that I can't find but.....

I've just bought a used (10 months old/12k) XC90 SE which I'm in love with... great room, very smooth drive, lots of toys...she's a beauty, no regrets....

However, both my wife and I have noticed that pulling away from stand still say at lights or a junction for example that there is about a 2 second delay before the engine really begins to pull...we both thought it was just the way we were driving...(not used to auto and diesel) but now I'm concerned that this is a characteristic of the car/engine...

So go on, do your worse, open the flood gates, shatter my dreams with a Clarkson like tirade and tell me that I've just bought a dud! and there is nothing that can been done about it and I'll have to get used to it!

I don't really want to chip it...that kind of thing scares the bejaysus out of me but I'm worried that the slow pull off is more than a bit dangerous! Have Volvo done anything to address this issue? Any news or tips would be gratefully received...

Happy motoring! (I Hope)

JB

That's how they are. It's (as Microsoft would say) a feature!

Seriously though, there are two ways around it -

1. Ask Volvo if there is a transmission or ECM software update for it.
2. Tune it.

Option 2 most definately works for sure. Option 1 may work but not to the same extent as option 2.

Adam.

[IC]

Hi JB, welcome to the forum, the best thing that you can do is get in touch with the VOC XC90 register keeper to get some advice - he might be able to put you in touch with other owners who can share their experiences with you. You then can get a better overall perspective on your car's performance when moving off and then make an informed decision on the best action to take. You have written that you have an automatic - is it a geartronic? I'll get back to you with some info if I can!

Iain and Adam

Thanks for getting back to me so soon...

I've a couple of little niggles (can't open the front cup holder cover fully between the driver and passenger! D'Oh!) I suspect that I may take it to a Volvo dealer and see if there are any software updates to Engine Management System...

Iain..it's actually a Geartronic auto box if that helps...

Adam... How much £££ are we talking about to tune/chip the engine?

Thanks in anticipation...

Justin

[IC]

Hi Justin, the issue of hesitation may be the geartronic gearbox not the engine - is there anybody out there with geartronics with the same hesitation issues? Adam what's your thoughts on the geartronic on the XC90?

All XC90 geartronics have this delay. The car is weighs 2.3 tons and the GT box is not the fastest of transmissions . It's not a hesitation as such, just a delay in moving off which means you have to anticipate early on the throttle in order to move off in time when pulling away from junctions. A real pain in the @$$ for all the owners I have tuned the cars for.

I think there may be a software update from Volvo to reduce the delay. But I know for sure that tuning makes the problem go away.

Adam.

Justin,

I have sent you a PM.

Adam.

[PAZ3154]

its really just a characteristic of a diesel automatic. although in my experience certainly more prominent on the D5 engine. the S80 and S60 autos suffer from the same unnerving problem. although its worse in the XC90 due to the extra weight. Volvo say they have addressed this problem with the introduction of the new 185bhp euro IV diesel for the 06 MY. With improved air inlet and higher pressure injection system the torque should certainly be more lively at the lower end.

[tj101c70]

Hi Now on my 3rd D5 se gear, all been a little as you mention, and all cured to a large extent with a power box, IMHO better than reprograming the ecu,mine now on the 3rd XC (Pm for more details)

It wouls also depend how the previous owner drove, being an adaptive box,give it what is called "the italian tune up" ie a good bit of stick, may inprove things

Regards TJ

TJ101 04 V70R AWD (Flash-Man)
05 XC90 D5SE(Ruby-Geartronic)

[pyaap]

Hi Justin,

I do believe that this is an issue which Volvo are aware of and trying to fix. As already mentioned, its largely down to the transmission and does seem to affect a fair proportion of XC90s both here and abroad. Tuning is an option but given the number of reports of such problems, I cannot help but feel that if Volvo felt that would cure the problem, they would have embarked on a performance-related software upgrade package by now. Its been a huge issue in the USA too and the main issue about the transmission is the reported weakness of the gearbox (although some tuners offer separate warranty on this). It was also recently discussed that a software calibration specialist within Volvo Special Vehicles in Sweden itself has acknowledged the drivetrain issue. Have a look at www.wothrline.com and feel free to email Janne Ellwoth about your concerns and what he thinks may help. Despite his seniority in Volvo, he's been very kind to personally reply to emails in the past and is an extremely down-to-earth person.