Just bought a new XC70, and I am seeking advice on two things. Posted these questions on the XC70.com site, but you folks here are so active, I thought I'd get your help too.

1. I plan to do a first oil change at 1000. Is that too soon to go to synthetic?

2. Volvo's manuals gives very limited advice about idling the engine to cool the turbocharger before turning the engine off. All they say is to let it idle for a couple of minutes if it has been run at high speed for an extended time. What do you experienced Volvo drivers do, and you experienced mechanics recommend? Should it always idle for awhile, even for around town driving? Is an extended high speed run something that entails an hour or two of freeway driving, or one fill up to the next?

Thanks. I appreciate any and all insights.

Thanks all. I've posted the oil question on some other forums. The advice varies between saying change to synthetic at the first break in oil change (1000 to 1200), do so at the first regular change interval (3000 to 3750), or wait just a bit longer to be on the safe side (5000 or more). I have a lot of trust for the close tolerances in engines in today's best autos and I feel comfortable changing to synthetic a lot sooner than I did, for example, in my '97 Jeep. Haven't decided whether to make the change at the break in oil change or the first regular one, but it will be one or the other.

I've got a '98 and for that year model Volvo did not specify synthetic motor oil. However, I'm a bit anal about oil and frequency of changes. I use Mobil 1 and changed oil the first time at 1,000 miles and every 3,000 miles since then. Hey it's easy and cheap.

I haven't had any issues with the turbo and have been on a few extended trips at highway speed. I'm guessing that letting it cool down first is a good idea if you come right off the highway for a stop - but I'm not sure that anyone has had any problems in that regard.

Good luck.

I have a '99 T5 and there is a sticker under the hood that says "synthetic oil". Not sure if the light pressure turbos have the factory synthetic fill. You may want to check that. Also, I have an '02 Odyssey that specifically states in the manual to not do the first change until 3,750 due to additives in the factory fill. I agree with Eddie about the cooldown procedure.

I would say that changing the oil @ 1000 miles is a little too early. Wait until at least 2500 miles before changing to syn to give the motor time to 'break' in.
As far as letting the turbo cool down before shutting the motor off, don't worry about it. Treat this car like any other non-turbo car with one exception and it is an important one. If driving at high speeds for any length of time it is best to idle the motor for at least 30 seconds before shutting down. If you come off a high speed road (interstate, etc.) and drive local streets for a short distance then it is not necessary to do the cool-down as previously mentioned. I have done this on all my turbos for the last 5+ years and never had a problem. This is probably why there is not too much mentioned in the owner's manual b/c it is not that important.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Eddie W. in FL

i personally do not understand those who are more "anal" than the factory about oil changes. First, in all liklihood you will do more harm than good. Second, are you planning to lavish this much attention on the rest of your car's mechanicals? People rarely do. Are you going to change the AT fluid, the coolant? People rarely do. Car maintenance can be far more involved -- and more intresting -- than just engine oil.

Your motor will run 250k easily on factory oil; that I can pretty much guarantee. Ever heard of one grenading? No? I haven't either. The esoterica of what will make your motor go 500k instead of 200k is irrelevant to XC owners. I would be stunned if our 2001 XC reaches 180k before it goes to the crusher -- too much complicated driveline hardware that'll blow before then.