All,

The subject says it all.

Most importantly, as I can't remember, are the AWD transmission fine starting on this year model or not? I know that the earlier ones are not, or so I've read here that they are not.

Please advise when you can.

Thanks in advance,

Matt

One last quick comment on tires and AWD. I would check tread depth on the 4 tires and see how close the wear is. One can maybe breath a little eaiser if the tread depths are all almost the same. That info. plus Klaus's comments should help guide you.
Good Luck,
Art

Hi,I have V70 D5 AWD my06 with 135kkm, D5 engine and 6geartronix is a perfect combination. But right front bearing, three rear park assist sensors and front right engine mount got renewed.

First changed awd oil and filter a year ago, now this autumn also the awd-pump to be on the safe side this coming winter. This week we got the first real snowsturms and it pays back, I enjoy every day to have awd and not to need to worry about mastering the traffic out there.

br Tapsa

The tranny is fairly reliable in 03, and the AWD got Haldex which is more reliable. The bevel gear/transfer box does need to have the fluid flushed periodically, as does the ATF. Normal maintenance at a dealer does not do this. Nor do they flush the Haldex oil and replace the filter.

There have been instances of the DIM going bad, computer for the instrument panel. www.xemodex.com can fix it for a reasonable fee, much cheaper than the dealer.

Check the spare tire, it should not have been used. Slightly smaller than the regular tires, it can only be 'used' on the front and then for short distances.

All tires must be the same to save the bevel gear box wear and tear, and rotation at every oil change.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Klaus et el,

Great information everyone!

I'm not sure if the spare has been used or not as all I have to go by are pictures. It may have been, but not sure. Will try to find out for sure. What's interesting here is that the spare can't be used on the rear. Does Volvo mention this in their literature?

All tires are not the same however. There are two of one brand and two of another. I can tell this by the tread pattern. What might that indicate?

Regards,

Matt

When the tires don't match, I would make sure there are service records and lots of them. A set of tires is around $600, so the current owner went cheap. I hope the new ones were put on the rear. The AWD system notes the speed of each wheel and compensates for a 'slipping' wheel. If the rear tires are smaller than the front, the ABS notes the discrepency and engages the rear wheels to make up for the difference - more wear on the bevel gear and Haldex.

This used to be death for the original AWD system, not as bad for the Haldex. Remember, most of the power is sent to the front wheels during normal driving, so if the front wheels are worn more then the AWD is not engaged. But, during bad weather the system cannot compensate as well with mismatched tires.

You will be looking at replacing all 4 tires, sooner rather than putting it off.

If there is no maint history, pass.
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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Klaus and other site members will have a fair bet of technical guidance to offer you.
My comments are based on our 2003 XC which belongs to my wife:
The car only has 91,000 miles on it. Other than routine maintenance (I recently had the timming belt, etc, work done, based on age, not miles)the car
has been very reliable. No transmission issues or engine issues. The unexpected repairs that I recall were:
---a rear parking brake pad broke free of its backing and tore-up the drum, etc. I had both sides rebuilt totally. It was Winter, had a shop do the repair.
---- A year ago we started to experience some intermittent alarm system issues. This site identified it as a module hidden in the right front fender and provided replacement guidance. It took about an hour to fix.
I feel the car does not get driven enough (may have contributed to the parking brake failure)....... But my wife will NOT swarp cars even tho she would be driving a slightly newer Volvo V70.