XC60 Auto - Jerky/kangaroo behaviour at low speeds

[Simeon90]

Hi all,

The car - 2015 XC60 Auto 2.0d 80k miles (190 FWD) with full Volvo service history, last serviced September 2023.

Had it for just over a week and it has an annoying issue that I'm hoping someone may be able to shed some light on. I've done a search and found a similar thread, but it was to do with a petrol rather than diesel vehicle.

At low speeds, say 20mph - 40mph, if you ease off the throttle lightly the car kangaroos a couple of times, not violently, but noticeably. The best description is when in a manual car and you are in too high gear for the low speed.

It is exactly the same when accelerating lightly, feels like a manual in too high gear and kangaroos a couple of times. Doesn't do it every time, but it's fairly frequent. It did it this morning to me coming around a roundabout at 20mph as I accelerated for my exit, so it's not just when cruising at a constant speed (which is when I first noticed it).

If you are a bit more aggressive with the throttle it seems better, presumably because the gearbox is kicking down and revs are kicked up a bit.

Doesn't seem to matter whether it's warm or cold, although I'd say it's not a particularly pleasant drive at low speeds when it's cold, gear changes are slower than I'd like and hangs in gear quite a bit.

Dealer (non-volvo) I bought it from scanned it before I bought it and there's no codes stored apparently. I've read that these gearboxes need oil changes at about 80k miles? Presumably the latest software is on there as dealer serviced in September.

I was avoiding autos when searching for one of these cars as I was worried about gearbox issues, but the wife wanted an auto, so here we are..

Any thoughts or experiences appreciated, before I spend a fortune chasing the issue with a garage.

Thanks

[RDesign4Life]

If the issue is easily reproduced take it back to the supplying dealer show them the problem and ask for a resolution or ask the dealer if they are willing to meet the diagnostic charge at your local Volvo Dealership and take it from there. Could be something simple but you're best course of action is to bite the bullet and take it a Volvo dealership for a full VIDA diagnostic.

The cost of the repair may be recoverable from the supplying dealer subject to timelines etc.

[Simeon90]

Yeah, agree I need to speak to the dealer about it, he's just a small time chap, so nothing to gain taking it back to him as he has no facilities.

There's a Volvo independent up the road from me, so I will speak to them about it, but wanted to be armed with as much info as possible, particularly as I'm not clear if it's engine or gearbox issue (or both). The fact that no codes came up prior to sale (and it's clearly an existing issue) means I'm a bit concerned that they'll just scan, say nothing wrong and hand me a diagnostics invoice.

Edit; Forgot to mention it has 1 year RAC warranty with it, but of course the choice of garages does not include any that specialise in Volvos or would have proper diagnostics. Warranty only covers diagnostic costs if an issue is found that is covered.

[johnnyoro]

Hi there are probably no fault codes as you would be getting some sort of warning on the dash if there were
Get a cheap obd dongle and one of the phone apps and check yourself. I recommend carscanner
If there is no proof off gearbox oil change then get that done or do it yourself using pump and dump. I did mine at 42k and it made a huge difference.
Also change the fuel filter and fill it with injector cleaner as you refit it ,then 2 or 3 tankfuls of the expensive fuel as it could be something like fouled injectors

[Simeon90]

Thanks for the thoughts, nothing in the history re gearbox oil, which isn't surprising as it has only been dealer serviced and they don't specify an interval I believe? I will ask the independent about an oil change, could certainly do a sump dump myself, but if they can do full flush in one go will do that (mostly due to time saving .. I have young kids so very little time to play with cars anymore sadly).

I checked the history for fuel filter as that was one of my first thoughts too, and it has been noted on the invoices as being done every two years. Last change was September 2022, so I think it's unlikely to be that. A pretty cheap change to rule it out though, so may do it.

[johnnyoro]

With the fuel filter I was thinking more of using that method to get a more concentrated quantity of cleaner around the injectors more quickly
If you get carscanner then remember yours is the 2.0 vea engine
Carscanner is free by the way and you can get a dongle on line for probably less than £10

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Simeon90

Thanks for the thoughts, nothing in the history re gearbox oil, which isn't surprising as it has only been dealer serviced and they don't specify an interval I believe? I will ask the independent about an oil change, could certainly do a sump dump myself, but if they can do full flush in one go will do that (mostly due to time saving .. I have young kids so very little time to play with cars anymore sadly).

I checked the history for fuel filter as that was one of my first thoughts too, and it has been noted on the invoices as being done every two years. Last change was September 2022, so I think it's unlikely to be that. A pretty cheap change to rule it out though, so may do it.

Gearbox servicing likely won't be on any paperwork. Many dealers don't even offer it, as they say its "sealed for life". At 80k with no record of it a transmission service, I'd suggest getting it done.

[Simeon90]

Originally Posted by johnnyoro

Carscanner is free by the way and you can get a dongle on line for probably less than £10

Any recommendations on which dongle to get? There's tonnes of them and they vary in price from £ to ££££££ and they all claim the same things

[Kev0607]

If you do get the transmission serviced at another garage, make sure they reset the transmission adaptions and fluid counter. Basically, you have to tell the car that it has new fluid (fluid counter reset) and reset the adaptions so the car adapts to changing with the new fluid. Resetting the adaptions isn't compulsory though, as the car learns how to shift itself anyway over time. Any reputable garage should do that as part of a transmission service though, particularly a Volvo Specialist.

[RDesign4Life]

Originally Posted by Simeon90

Any recommendations on which dongle to get? There's tonnes of them and they vary in price from £ to ££££££ and they all claim the same things

I have one of these from Argos...

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9566442

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/stree...-ios-553999810

and the CarScanner android app - worth buying the pro version for a few quid to get the extra functionality

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ovz.carscanner

Remember that irrespective of warranties and their terms a fault that is pre-existing at the time of sale and not disclosed must from a legal standpoint be addressed. Personally I'd try and get the dealer to agree to pay for the Volvo diagnostic so at least you both then know what the issue is and how it can be resolved. It may be something quick and easy to fix but the fastest way to reveal the answer is definitely a VIDA trained Volvo tech.