are Volvo trying to force you to go to the dealer?

[J45P]

On the XC90 MY2016 onwards is the brake fluid reservoir made harder to access intentionally?

I'm intending to do the rear brakes soon so was just checking where the brake fluid reservoir was and couldn't figure out how to gain access to undo the lid.. having googled images I can see the older XC90s used to have a round access hole on top.

On the new model XC90 (mines a T8 2016) seems they changed this to a side inspection square hole to check the level, but to access the lid you now need to dismantle both sections of the plastic cover and on top of that undo the windscreen wiper bolts! turning a few mins job into into 15-20 mins

Trying to understand the logic of this or have I missed an obvious trick to getting the lid off without the need to unbolt both wipers?

[ITSv40]

Nothing new. On my C70 the windscreen wipers and scuttle panels have to come off first to change the pollen filter. Hence very few bother.

[Paul Wildsmith]

you can just manage if you gently 'lever' up the panel the filter will come out (I used to do it on the wife's C70, for that very reason).

[ThomasG]

Originally Posted by J45P

On the XC90 MY2016 onwards is the brake fluid reservoir made harder to access intentionally?

I'm intending to do the rear brakes soon so was just checking where the brake fluid reservoir was and couldn't figure out how to gain access to undo the lid.. having googled images I can see the older XC90s used to have a round access hole on top.

On the new model XC90 (mines a T8 2016) seems they changed this to a side inspection square hole to check the level, but to access the lid you now need to dismantle both sections of the plastic cover and on top of that undo the windscreen wiper bolts! turning a few mins job into into 15-20 mins

Trying to understand the logic of this or have I missed an obvious trick to getting the lid off without the need to unbolt both wipers?

Yes.

Not only Volvo.

Every manufacturer wants, and bends backwards in order to achieve it, for you to service your car, even the smallest jobs posdible, at their own garage.

Because then you pay.

And it them who dictate the price.

[Whippy]

Tried changing a light bulb on a new car lately?

[bob12]

Nothing really changes .... we moan about car manufacturers; computer printer manufacturers..... plus a 'few' other things.

Let's face it they did design the stuff, but so far as the motor is concerned if not sold after 3 years it's into my local garage (of long standing) who are only happy to oblige and keep the motor on the road. I also run a just coming up 30 year old Volvo bought from new that came with a lifetime guarantee .... if serviced by Volvo. Bob

[DaveNP]

I'm not so sure it's a deliberate ploy to force you into the dealers workshop, as Whippy pointed out have you tried changing a light bulb on some modern cars? The light bulb thing is allegedly down to the desire for streamlining for fuel economy, crumple zones for safety and better cabin space for comfort. Changing a light bulb is something I'd expect to do with some frequency and also as an amateur, so making it easier should be obvious, brake fluid I'd check through the inspection window, but not expect to top up and changing brakes and fluid is probably not something so many amateurs will do these days. The irony is of course that if you do take it to the workshop they too will be cursing the design that makes them disassemble half of the car just to add some brake fluid, or they will have some non Volvo tool and technique to allow them to get around it.

[SwissXC90]

That is why most car manufacturers like Volvo use Long Life bulbs. They last many years before they need changing. Good design sense.

[andy_d]

yes it is,
same as the Software/hardware Needed now on "new" volvos being main dealer only
despite the LAW saying they can not do that, they do,
unless you have ££££££££ in specialist kit almost any modern Decent car is near impossible to home service, and the manufs DO NOT want you doing that as they get ££££ for it

why "allow" the Owner of the car to change a headlight bulb (legal requirement to work) with ease when they can Design the car to Need a hours labour + vat + part to fit a bulb,, £10 + vat for a bulb ,, or £££ per hour + vat And the bulb,,

[xsaab]

I would not want to get involved with the new style LED lights, I would not be surprised to find that one has to replace the whole light unit.