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04 V70 FWD questions V70-XC70 2004

Yesterday, finally got spouse into an '04 V70, FWD non-turbo. 128K miles; no service records, but stamps in all the right places in the owner maintenance book. Several questions, tho:
1. Any common problems to anticipate with a V70 of this age?
2. Is a full-sized spare wheel available anywhere?
3. This one has a Volvo-branded trailer hitch on it--what else should have been modified if it was used for towing, and what other wear/ maintenance issues should be looked for?
4. No stickers under hood-- what further inspection would verify whether or not the timing belt was actually replaced on schedule?
5. Planning, unless advised differently, to have done immediately:
oil change, with full synthetic
flush transmission and refill--Question: recommendations for fluids?
flush radiator and refill--Question: any recommendations for antifreeze?
Should I have the brake fluid replaced as well?
6. Base-level sound system. Thinking of upgrading speakers. Any known difficulties / tips re R & R speakers on this model?
Thanks, all.
--
We have met the enemy and they is us. [Pogo] S70 T5 cop car : Rough Rider suspension, Walmart fog lights, eBay speakers, ambiance by Pall Mall, trim by Le Duc d'Tape, 8-channel THD by OEM amps








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    ANSWER 04 V70 FWD questions V70-XC70 2004

    Timing belt/tensioner should have been changed at 105K. Look at the stamps in the book and call the dealer, ask nicely for their maintenance history. You will need to provide the last 6 digits of the VIN. If the dealer is long distance, ask if they could fax it to you so you can keep it in a file.

    Tranny fluid is 3309, Toyota sells it at a reasonable price.

    I always like the expensive Volvo brand antifreeze, one gallon every 4 years is not bad.

    Yes, flush the brake fluid and the PS fluid (not ATF). PS fluid is synthetic.

    Only use synthetic engine oil.

    You can get a standard steel rim/tire to replace the donut. But, only if there is no kiddie seat in the back.

    If the hitch is wired, there should be a 'box' behind the rear wheel well which has a wire going to the battery or fuse box. You should be OK on this point.

    Klaus
    --
    Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

    This post has been marked as an answer to the original question.








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      04 V70 FWD questions V70-XC70 2004

      Klaus:
      Many thanks for your usual able assistance. If the belt change was done, it was not by a Volvo dealer--called the dealer whose stamps were on many of the maintenance dates, and they had no record. Carfax shows no activity around the mileage or date it would have been done, but I'll start calling the non-volvo shops whose stamps were in the maintenance book.
      no kiddy seat, so will look for steel spare wheel.
      I'll load up on the proper fluids and send the spouse off the the indy shop (Volvo dealer over a hundred miles from here)
      Thanks again
      --
      We have met the enemy and they is us. [Pogo] S70 T5 cop car : Rough Rider suspension, Walmart fog lights, eBay speakers, ambiance by Pall Mall, trim by Le Duc d'Tape, 8-channel THD by OEM amps








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        04 V70 FWD questions V70-XC70 2004

        I just looked up tires in the owner's manual. For the non-turbo: 6.5 x 15" SAURUS Alloy Wheels with 195/65/HR15 Tires.

        You might want to try taking off a rear wheel and see if it fits in the trunk. The little plastic cone used to hold the donut can go away. That will give you more options if you look on craigslist. A 16" alloy wheel will probably not fit - the tire is too fat.

        Klaus
        --
        Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.








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          04 V70 FWD questions V70-XC70 2004

          Klaus answered the rest. I can speak to the audio upgrades.

          I may or not be mistaken but I believe even the entry level speakers (not premium Volvo sound) are still Dynaudio. This company makes some pretty legit stuff.

          If you are looking to upgrade you really won't benefit from dropping anything else in unless you choose to also install a new deck and then a power amp to drive the new speakers.

          Example, people will go out and drop some cash on Boston Acoustics speakers all the way around and run them off the stock deck. Lets say speakers are 125w RMS and lets say your deck on a good day is dropping 22w....its like trying to tow a fifth wheel with a Geo... you'll try to get the loudness at the expense of maxing out the internal amps and it will sound like rubbish and you'll sulk in silence (trust me)

          If you do it right and get a quality deck, new speakers and a complimenting 4 channel amp you'd be really impressed with the audio.

          Car audio is greeted with many opinions from a lot of people. In my many years of wiring speakers and subs up I have to consistently say I am time and time again impressed with Alpine electronics (deck and amp) and then some Infinity or Boston Acoustics speakers. Do yourself a favor any steer away from any of those flashy no name brands and the likes from Sony, Kenwood, Dual, Jensen, etc. Alpine has always put out clean sound.

          Steve

          If you buy from Crutchfield all at once you'd be surprised what freebies you get from them (dash kits, wire harnesses, door adapters for speakers if needed...)








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            04 V70 FWD questions V70-XC70 2004

            Appreciate the comments. Frankly, I have always been happy with the volvo OEM units as far as heads and amps go, even though I have "artillery ears" and have to torque up the high frequencies a bit. ( I will confess I'm not above swapping a 4 x 40 960 amp in to replace a 4 x 20. my '99 S70 now has an SC-901 with an elderly 4 x 20 for the front four channels and a 4 x 60 for the back four, and sounds great to me at least.)
            My thought was more in line with replacing speakers if the originals in the V70 turn out to have deteriorated. And, if I wind up junking the 960 for lack of buyers as a runner, I'll likely pull out the speakers I put in there a couple of years ago; don't recall what I put in, but they sound really excellent in that car.
            I've yet to take a high-speed trip in the "new" V70 to see what the sound environment is really like.
            Thanks again for the info.







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