XC70: General New to me XC70

[sam1]

Hi everyone, I've just picked up a new to us 2012 XC70 D5 with 119k. Did a relatively thorough inspection and test drive before purchase and happy with it.
Couple of things i picked up were.

No record of gearbox oil ever being changed.
Same with haldex unit.
Spare wheel & jack missing.
No luggage load cover.

Main concern is the gearbox to prolong its life as the car has a towbar fitted. I remember when I serviced the aisin TF80SC in my 07 v70 many years ago I bought the oil direct from volvo but I've had a look on autodoc and there seems to be genuine AISIN fluid on there which I would be keen to go for. I am going to order it just seeing if anyone else has used it?

Hey, check out AISIN Automatic Transmission Oil in the AUTODOC app https://m.autodoc.co.uk/aisin/12862924

I think this is the correct kit for the haldex https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223414142099
Seems to be from a volvo dealer with ebay site.

Thanks all

[zapcity1]

Hi Sam. Nice car.

Bear in mind the haldex filter/fluid change will probably require the propshaft to be dropped (assume its Haldex 4 not 5). Its not as easy as the VolvoSweden video, as he has a petrol model with a much smaller mounting bracket.

My XC60 is same year/gearbox and uses the AW-1 spec. fluid so the AISIN fluid looks good value at £40/5 litres. I've used Westway and Mannol on both my TF80's and all good so far.

[Tannaton]

That oil is fine.

When you order a jack/spare wheel - make sure you get one from a XC70 rather than V70 as they are higher reach due to the greater ground clearance and suspension travel on the XC model.

[sam1]

Great, thanks both.

I've never had a volvo this new... but I did have the unfortunate experience of having a bmw where one has to tell the car it has a new battery via computer... is this the case with these?

I'm getting low battery warning and it looks like original volvo battery. I usually go for bosch/varta batteries.

[Tannaton]

Try charging the battery fully and some - if it's been sat for a while on a forecourt it might be depleted. When you charge it you must attach the +ve lead from the charger directly to the +ve battery terminal, and the -ve lead from the charger to a suitable metal part of the engine, bolt on the chassis etc - but specifically not the battery -ve lead. This is to make sure that the battery monitoring system (BMS) registers the charge.

If you still get the message there is a hack you can do without needing diagnostics :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH9TmL5mHOs

If you still get the message after that or you suspect your battery may be due a replacement - try the Volvo dealer - the prices are reasonable, you are guaranteed the correct one and they are very good quality. If you prefer Bosch then look at Tayna batteries (Google it) excellent service and pricing.

[Sotosound]

With a vehicle of that age, I would be expecting to have to replace the battery.

Once this is done, it’ll give some peace of mind.

Also, I wouldn’t want to be caught with a dead battery in the middle of winter in a situation that will usually not be a good one, e.g. trying to start out home from somewhere.

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by sam1

Great, thanks both.

I've never had a volvo this new... but I did have the unfortunate experience of having a bmw where one has to tell the car it has a new battery via computer... is this the case with these?

I'm getting low battery warning and it looks like original volvo battery. I usually go for bosch/varta batteries.

I have the same year. I replaced the original battery earlier this year too.

Take a look at Tayna for good prices.

[Olaf Els]

I've recently used the Aisin Premium ATF 6 on my 2010 D5. I've done less than 1k miles since, but no problem so far. It's to the correct JWS3309 specification.

Autodoc also sell the filter and fluid for the Haldex. I haven't done the service on the unit yet, so I can't give you any tips. I will wait until the spring comes before doing mine now.

If you're changing fluids, be aware that the bevel gear drain/fill (on my 2010 at least) isn't located where Volvosweden's YouTube shows it. I've found it, but need to work out how to access it.

[eternal optimist]

Originally Posted by Sotosound

With a vehicle of that age, I would be expecting to have to replace the battery.

Once this is done, it’ll give some peace of mind.

Also, I wouldn’t want to be caught with a dead battery in the middle of winter in a situation that will usually not be a good one, e.g. trying to start out home from somewhere.

I’d have agreed with you before I bought my current XC70. It’s still on the original battery from 2004.

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by eternal optimist

I’d have agreed with you before I bought my current XC70. It’s still on the original battery from 2004.

My view is informed by my son's experience of trying to start out home from a family holiday in deepest Cornwall last August in his 2011 XC70, only to find that it wouldn't start and that, instead, it was saying that valet locking was switched on. Further attempts to resolve things then caused the alarm to go off whenever he disarmed it.

In the end, he had to call his recovery service, who got him back on the road two hours later and who informed him that his battery needed replacing.

The first rule of batteries is that they will only fail in times of need.