Questions and Quirks

[oo7slice]

I have a 2002 Volvo XC70 (129k) with some quirks, and a few questions as I am relatively new to the Volvo world.

Quirk #1: When I use the windshield wiper fluid to wash the windshield, I hear a crackle noise in my rear speakers. It is silent when I only use the wipers, but as soon as I use the fluid the crackle happens. Any guesses to why this is happening?

Quirk #2: If I have the doors open or the key is turned to the accessory mode for more than a minute or so, the car is very difficult to start. Mechanic verified that the battery is fine & he re-tightened some things that he thought were not properly tightened when the transmission was replaced. This helped for a little while, but now it's doing it again. (Right now to avoid the issue, I get in, and turn on the car, then do any loading/unloading). Any help here? My friend said he had this happen to a non-volvo that he used to have and it was the starter.

Question #1: How often should I have the oil replaced? I've heard different things from different people and I've always replaced every 3-4k. Is this any different with Volvo's?

Question #2: How important is it for me to use plus or premium fuel? With fuel as high as it is, I sometimes want to go with regular grade, but haven't yet. What's your opinion?

Question #3: I have a Thule roof rack that I use in the summer. It has the original square style bars, but they are loud. Any cheap fixes for this? I've heard that wrapping small rope around the front bar helps. I haven't messed with the bar placement much, so any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks all!

[Ozzie]

No clue on the 2 quirks...others may need your model year to response.

Question #1: How often should I have the oil replaced? I've heard different things from different people and I've always replaced every 3-4k. Is this any different with Volvo's?

Part depends on the the oil and part depends on the type of driving. I do a lot of stop and go rush hour driving, use regular oil and change oil and filter every 3K. A lot of folks use synthetic oil and push change to 4k-5k.

Question #2: How important is it for me to use plus or premium fuel? With fuel as high as it is, I sometimes want to go with regular grade, but haven't yet. What's your opinion?

Car adjusts to type of fuel used. IMO the best tradeoff between price, mileage and performance is the "Plus" fuel or 90-91 octane. Cheaper with little or no drop in mileage that does not offset the the reduced price. There are no wear or warranty issue regardless of what gas you use (reg, plu or premium).

Question #3: I have a Thule roof rack that I use in the summer. It has the original square style bars, but they are loud. Any cheap fixes for this? I've heard that wrapping small rope around the front bar helps. I haven't messed with the bar placement much, so any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!

Volvo does make an aero bar that is a little quieter. I have that on my 05 year-round. The aero bar is quieter than the Yakima bars that were on my 98. There may be a little wing that clips onto the square bar to help reduce noise. IIRC, Yakima made one. I had onw on my Yakima. Nothing is quieter than a clean roof....(all together now say "Duh").

Thanks all!

[Astro14]

Suspect that there is interference from your washer pump to the rear speakers, I wouldn't worry about it.

I think your battery is on it's way out. I would replace it.

Make sure that you use an ACEA A3/B3 oil and change it every 7500 miles (most synthetics meet this...choose one that you can find for a reasonable price...) if you're paying someone to do it...keeps the labor cost for you down and allows you to stay on the Volvo schedule. The ACEA A3/B3 is a long-life specification...if you're doing the oil every 3 - 4,000, and you like being under your car that often, then it becomes much less important, but if you're paying someone labor to change it that often, you're spending too much...

Premium is recommended, not required. Use what you like, but I have found that using premium gets me better mileage and a bit more power when I floor it...for me, it works out to the same cost/mile with the better mileage...so I use the good stuff. My wife doesn't...

The factory Volvo rack is pretty quiet. It's about $150, I have it on the XC and barely notice it on the highway. If that's too rich, find an outdoor shop, one that deals with kayaks/canoes, and buy a couple of loading pads (round, foam filled, nylon covered, attach with velcro), they'll cut the noise considerably...and they'll run you about $40. I have these on the Yakima on my 4 Runner, which has 58" round bars, and has everything from cargo box, to lumber, to kayaks on the roof routinely.