AWD Transmission: XC90 No AWD Want to report this to BBC Watch Dog

[John_C]

One thing I'm still not clear on speedbird, you say you still don't have 4WD after a sensor was replaced so what *is* wrong with it? In your first post you mentioned a bill for thousands of pounds so was that a quote to fix the bevel gears?

Cheers,
John

[speedbird800]

John C

Thats exactly what needs changing. Don't get me wrong I love Volvo cars. I Just don't think it's right or fair that if they have a problem that they hide it from the customers! And then charge us to put it right!

[John_C]

No worries, you'd just never said what had gone on your car and I was curious

[pdr944]

Originally Posted by eddie.grice

This is my 2nd XC90, my first being a first month release 2003 model., It had EXACTLY the same slow pullaway algorithm built deliberately into the ECU by the manufacturer. This only shows on full power pull away and insn't a hesitation just a slower controlled realease of the power. As I said, the chief XC 90 designer mentions the slow release ECU, and the reasons why it was required. Why would I make it up????? I went to the pre realease private viewings and read a lot about the car before it was released

Having had 2 Audi Quattros, I do have a little knowledge of AWD and permanent four wheel drive characteristics. I also had a 2.5D multitronic Audi A4 which also has a slow release torque algorithm built into the ECU, and for exactly the same reasons previously mentioned. TO SAVE THE TRANSMISSION.

You should check the other forums as I mentioned, you will be surprised.
I have no axe to grind with Volvo in general, I have had 3 new Volvos 2 x XC90s and 1 x V70. All until now, have been fine. I still love the car.
But the spline sleeve in the Bevel Gear transfer box is a very poor design. If your main bearings failed at 50K you and everyone would be upping arms. Why is this different?
Engineering will ALWAYS fail at the weakest point. Putting a spline sleeve between two gear boxes, transfering this amount of torque is definately the weakest point.
Just look at the line diagrams and pictures from the US forums.

a very interesting post about the slow release of power.

[4wheeldriver]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

It's ridculous for Volvo to say that. I don't use a main dealer because I've had such bad service from my local main dealer. Volvo have withdrawn the Volvo franchise from this dealer now, but the reason I still own and buy Volvo is because I'm still loyal to Volvo, just not the dealer. I use an Volvo specialist who is ex main dealer Volvo and who is also a Volvo enthusiast. Whoever said that on Volvo's behalf needs to get real and stop burying their head in the sand.

Roy

Before I bought my XC90 I spoke to Volvo customer services about having to use Arnold Clark for servcing as they were the reason I left Volvo and went to BMW and was told that I could use whoever I wanted given that I was less impressed by them for any past work on the car provided that they used genuine Volvo parts.

As if extra proof was needed my Mums car went in for electrical probs on Monday and was diagnosed with a dud battery and would be replaced under the waranty as the car is less than 2 years old. This is now THURSDAY and they still havent got the battery in stock as of my call at 9am to find out where the car was?????? Waiting for them to call back to let me know if its come in this morning. now I ask you. 3 DAYS to get a battery????? And they wonder why people leave the dealers and go elsewhere for sevice!!!

[Thomson]

Well, I have only had my XC90 for just under 3 months,(55 plate diesel) this morning we have had a good covering of snow so I was quite looking forward to testing out the capabilities. Couldn't even get out the driveway! Snow wasn't especially deep, my drive is a very shallow incline and when trying to put the power down in winter setting, the front wheels could get no purchase and I sat there wondering what the f*ck was going on. Turns out that no drive was being transmitted to the rear wheels. Phoned supplying garage (not volvo) who said, "well, erm, not sure about that one, we don't have anything that could tow it out, why not just dig yourself out!"
Duly dug out, car now back to garage with all paperwork etc, asked them to get rid of it asap, totally fed up. This is after them having the car for almost 1 week to replace 1 parking sensor!

Rant over!

[Athertons]

Well, It seems I'm not alone. Very recently replaced my ageing Discvory (53 Plate) for a nice very nearly new (56 Plate) XC90 D5 Se Lux. What a huge mistake. I couldnt even get it of my drive, front wheels slip and nothing happens at all with the back wheels. Now we are not talking deep snow here, as my wife could comfortably get her Jaguar S Type on and off the drive. After finally getting it off the drive and taking it to the dealers, they fiddled with it, said it was a sensor and now all should be well. Unfortunately NOT, couldnt get it back onto the drive. Its now going back to the dealers tomorrow so they can take a closer look. What a heap of rubbish, it says AWD on the back, I assumed that this meant All Weel Drive.

[RoyMacDonald]

Could you guys having problems post what tyres your using please? I know the original conti's are pants in the snow so I was wondering what tyres you are using as even with only 2 wheel drive I'd expect better performance than you seem to be getting, as I've driven through blizzard's in North West Scotland's Highlands perfectly happily. Much worse conditions than we've been having in England recently.

Roy

[Finbo]

I must admit I was worried when I started reading the various problems owners are having about the AWD system.

But my XC90 D5, which I recently purchased, is shod with Continentals and I've not had any problems during the current snow. The roads that lead to my house are off the main road and haven't been gritted/salted at all. I've just put the gearbox into W mode and driven gently and not even had any slippage even when the snow turned to ice.

Finbo

[Thomson]

fronts on mine are Continental, almost split new , rears are brand new Khumos.