When it comes to New Year's resolutions, lofty goals aren't always the most practical. Instead, consider setting achievable and beneficial resolutions as you enter the New Year. Showing appreciation for your Volvo by adhering to the maintenance schedule outlined in the owner's manual is a practical resolution, and we're here to assist you in keeping it.
At Volvo Cars Hill Country, our new service department is dedicated to helping Volvo owners maintain their vehicles and keep them in optimal condition. If improving your Volvo's care is part of your New Year's resolutions, here are five essential maintenance tasks to keep in mind:
First Volvo Service Visit
While the Volvo maintenance schedule is not the same for all models, each of them will have a recommendation for a first visit after you have driven 7,500 miles or so. This recommendation is consistent across various Volvo models from recent years for both gasoline and hybrid powertrains. In the case of fully electric Volvo models, such as the elegant EX30 compact SUV, your first maintenance visit would be at 10,000 miles under normal driving conditions. If you want to keep your Volvo driving around for many years, you don't want to skip this first visit because doing so could compromise the powertrain warranty. This recommendation calls for rotating the tires, checking the battery health and the condition of the cables, changing the oil, and replacing the oil filter in gasoline and hybrid Volvos.
Second Volvo Service Visit
When you have driven your Volvo for 15,000 miles, another oil change should be done along with a filter replacement. The battery cables will be checked for integrity and replaced if needed; this maintenance item includes cleaning the terminals and connectors for optimal performance. This is a good time to replace the cabin air filter as well. As for the chassis, the trunk and doors will need to be re-lubricated, and the condition of the weather-stripping material around the frame will be ascertained.
Braking and Suspension Systems
Some Volvo drivers who lease their cars do not go through this recommended service visit, which is normally scheduled after 30,000 miles. This is when your brake pads, suspension elements, and shock absorbers will likely need to be replaced. There are some exceptions in this regard; for example, if you own a Volvo V60 Recharge that you only drive for commuting, the performance-tuned brakes and suspension system will probably be intact for another 30,000 miles. On the other hand, if your S60 is spending most weekends at the test track, replacement is certainly needed. The fuel filter needs to be replaced in all gasoline and hybrid Volvo during this visit.
Tuning up Your Volvo Engine
Replacing the spark plugs, their cables, and distributor components should be done after your Volvo has gone for more than 45,000 miles. You can wait up to 50,000 miles if you drive a plug-in hybrid model that goes for many miles on the electric motor alone. Of all the maintenance items listed herein, this one is the most pleasantly surprising for many drivers who can feel the engine purring like new after a tune-up.
Comprehensive Volvo Inspection
Once you have driven your non-EV Volvo for 60,000 miles or more, it will need another oil change and filter replacement. According to the owner's manual of most Volvo models, this is when technicians should conduct a comprehensive inspection of all systems and certain parts that start showing signs of wear and tear. This inspection is similar to the one performed to sell used Volvos as Certified Pre-Owned vehicles; it lets you know which parts should be replaced to keep your car running optimally.
Get Serviced at Volvo Cars Hill Country
When you find yourself hitting the mileage limits on your Volvo, don't hesitate to schedule a service appointment with Volvo Cars Hill Country. We'll keep your Volvo on the road for many more miles to come.