Service Issues: Service Due message - time based

[Arianne]

Dear all,

When the dealer told us that the service intervals on the XC90 D5 are every 18,000 miles (2006MY) we were pleased. Our previous Galaxy TDi was every 10,000.

So we're a little shocked that, at 12,500 miles, the message has appeared that it's time for a service. We've only owned the car 6.5 months.

Can other owners tell me what the norm is for their XC90's? Do you ever make it to the service interval on mileage alone? Or does my experience ring true for you?

For your information, our driving pattern is a pretty standard mix of open road 60mph jaunts, some short town journeys and the occassional trip into Edinburgh City centre at rush hour. Nothing harsh or dusty.

Regards

Arianne.

[perussell]

I can only speak as regards my 2004 MY XC90 which has the 163 bhp engine. On that vehicle the service intervals are fixed at 12000 miles and the message centre does remind you when a service becomes overdue. I am a little suprised that in upgrading the engine to 185bhp Volvo (i.e. it's not actually a new or redesigned engine as far as I am aware) have been able to move to variable intervals but not having seen a service manual for one of these vehicles I can't comment whether this is true or not.

[tem]

From MY2006 the upgraded Diesel Engine only requires service every 18,000 miles.

tem.

[perussell]

Hmmmm. Interesting! The cynical side of me says that this was likely a marketing ploy since typically the determining factor for service intervals is the oil quality and I am not aware that Volvo have increased the oil specification when moving from the 163 engine to the 185.
(For example, the move some years ago from indirect injection automotive diesels to direct injection allowed service intervals to be extended from a typical of 5/6000 miles to the more normal 12000 miles these days since the combustion process is much cleaner hence less soot, oil thickening etc)
It may be that the 185 engine is less stressful on the oil though I'm not sure why that would be the case.
The actual proof of viability will come as more owners of the 185 engine rack up the miles and we see just what percentage of owners can actually get to the magical 18000 miles!
Arianne is clearly not amongst this lucky group, whomever they may be!

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by perussell

Hmmmm. Interesting! The cynical side of me says that this was likely a marketing ploy since typically the determining factor for service intervals is the oil quality and I am not aware that Volvo have increased the oil specification when moving from the 163 engine to the 185.
(For example, the move some years ago from indirect injection automotive diesels to direct injection allowed service intervals to be extended from a typical of 5/6000 miles to the more normal 12000 miles these days since the combustion process is much cleaner hence less soot, oil thickening etc)
It may be that the 185 engine is less stressful on the oil though I'm not sure why that would be the case.
The actual proof of viability will come as more owners of the 185 engine rack up the miles and we see just what percentage of owners can actually get to the magical 18000 miles!
Arianne is clearly not amongst this lucky group, whomever they may be!

I know this is an old thread perussell but I thought I would just say the longer service interval cars meet the Euro 4 standard and the shorter interval ones meet the Euro 3 standard, so something has changed in terms of cleaner running. I know the 185bhp engine has improved injectors, with 7 holes instead of 5 I think.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Arianne

Dear all,

When the dealer told us that the service intervals on the XC90 D5 are every 18,000 miles (2006MY) we were pleased. Our previous Galaxy TDi was every 10,000.

So we're a little shocked that, at 12,500 miles, the message has appeared that it's time for a service. We've only owned the car 6.5 months.


Regards

Arianne.

The service interval was not checked on the PDI it needs re programming to 18000 intervals , its possible the engine hours timer is wrongly set too , get them to sort it out at the 18000 mile service rather than now or it will be out of phase and not come on at the right time /distance/engine hours ...

[perussell]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

I know this is an old thread perussell but I thought I would just say the longer service interval cars meet the Euro 4 standard and the shorter interval ones meet the Euro 3 standard, so something has changed in terms of cleaner running. I know the 185bhp engine has improved injectors, with 7 holes instead of 5 I think.

........which will explain why Volvo have been able to push the interval out to 18,000 miles. The key though is that you absolutely must use the right specification oil! Anything cheaper or sub-spec even if from one of the major brands will not hold the dirt etc. in suspension between drains and lead to engine fouling etc.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by perussell

........which will explain why Volvo have been able to push the interval out to 18,000 miles. The key though is that you absolutely must use the right specification oil! Anything cheaper or sub-spec even if from one of the major brands will not hold the dirt etc. in suspension between drains and lead to engine fouling etc.

Absolutly perussell, and I forgot to say that Volvo had Castrol produce a higher spec oil for the cars as well. (Remember the hassle I had getting it? )

[Arianne]

Just to say that, after my earlier experience, the service reminder warning came on at exactly the right point - by mileage after another 18k had been covered.

£351 later the XC90 has been returned after its service at 34,000 miles and we'll not be eating for the next 4wks!

Arianne

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Arianne

Just to say that, after my earlier experience, the service reminder warning came on at exactly the right point - by mileage after another 18k had been covered.

£351 later the XC90 has been returned after its service at 34,000 miles and we'll not be eating for the next 4wks!

Arianne

I wonder if the oil got dirtier because the engine was new? Diesels always use more fuel the newer they are so maybe that causes more oil contamination.