How are your "Nuts"

[AWD*V70XC]

No it's not one of my silly questions - but I am very happy to announce to the Volvo World that my after five years I have lovely shiny nuts :D I would not mind but I have never ever paid much attention to them other than washing them with a little brush when I wash the car.

The reason I bring this up is because I have heard on the grapevine that Volvo have had a lot of problems with customers complaining about how quickly their nuts are showing signs of rust or rust coloured disfiguration. This is even occurring on vehicles as little as two years old and the owners are getting a little p'ed off, not only do they not like what is happening on the outside but they are also worried about what could be happening out of eye shot.

I have heard that Volvo are now treating this as a warranty issue/recall and are replacing all affected nuts "Free of Charge". Your dealer might not have received word about this yet but if you are affected by rusting nuts let your dealer know you would like a FOC remedy as soon as it is available, get them to note it on your file that you have this problem.

I suppose the moral of this story is that your nuts should never show signs of rusting even if you don't pay too much attention to them. :D

[gibbons]

I'm guessing you're talking wheel lug nuts :D (which are actually bolts)...

If so, I am getting disgruntled with mine. My car came with galvanized bolts, I noticed them right when it came off the delivery truck. I initially thought maybe they shipped with galvanized, and they swapped out for chromed when they prepped them. But then I noticed (Dec 03), some cars on the lot had them, and some had chromed nuts. So the galvanized bolts stayed. I thought maybe they might be better, as chromed can rust when technicians pound the chrome off the edges with a pneumatic impact driver set to 150 ft*lbs to make their job quicker. Anyway, my galvanized bolts are rusting after 18 months.

Time for new bolts, I guess, I have just recently noticed the rust and haven't had time to hassle the dealer yet. I don't think I ever mentioned it, but the dealer replaced my wheels for cosmetic reasons. When I took the Scorpions off at 1,200 miles, the wheel weights, which didn't fit that well, had chewed up the lips of the wheels. They made silhouettes of themselves right through the silver paint to the pink primer color underneath. That was pretty stand-up of them to replace them, but that was at 12,300 miles, and they were a little jittery about it being 300 miles past the magic 12K number. I hope that now I am at 20K miles, the bolts won't be questioned.

[bigtomhammer]

I thought maybe they might be better, as chromed can rust when technicians pound the chrome off the edges with a pneumatic impact driver set to 150 ft*lbs to make their job quicker.

Just be happy that they do tighten them because during my 22,500 service they rotated the tires but didn't tighten down 2 bolts on two different tires. Granted, there are 4 other bolts holding the tire on but if I hadn't checked the torque on the lugs, I may have lost 2 of them since they were only hand tightened. I phoned the dealership and left them a voicemail and never recieved a callback or letter saying sorry which I think is important (at least to me). Am I being to overcritical?

BTW, I have the crome ones. We will see what is on the new XC90.

Tom

[Willy]

Hi,
Very strange, one would think it can't be to difficult to produce galvanized or chromed bolts that don't rust! It does surprise me Volvo deliveres cars with galvanized bolts, at least on wheels that have no covers since it it not a very pretty sight after a few months when they become dull.
I have seen several Volvo's with rusted bolts, mine are ok though (for now).
Willy

[Christopher]

My understanding is that Volvo is no longer replacing the bolts with chrome bolts. They are now putting shiny plastic covers over the rusty bolts. First they have to glue my axle shafts to the hubs to cure "axle spline" noise and now they want to put plastic caps over my rusty lug bolts. Somehow none of this seems right on a $35,000 automobile.

[birddog]

It was a environmentally conscienscious decision Volvo made to minimalize the amount of chrome used anywhere on the vehicle, which is why they used galvanized on the assembly line, which is why there is little chrome if any (metal-plated chrome I mean). I applaude Volvo's use of any alternative methods of production and forsight into environmental matters such as these. My paint isn't the greatest on any of my Vovlos but I really don't care because I fully support their methods of toxin reductions during production. Furthermore, I haven't any issues to pay higher prices for more costly methods of production from a company charging what they do for their motorcars. I would not expect any environmental reverberation or any forsight like this from a company just trying to produce cheap cars quickly.
I guess they could have just went with steel wheels and hubcaps. :rolleyes:

[Big]

I have heard that Volvo are now treating this as a warranty issue/recall and are replacing all affected nuts "Free of Charge". Had mine replaced last year under warranty at 20 something thousand miles.

BTW, did you hear what one drooping breast said to the other? "If we don't get some support soon people will think we're nuts."

[Raynald]

I had them replaced under warranty at 75,000 km. After a year and half and two winter seasons, they were a little rusty. I just used some CLR rust remover and I realize that it wasn't so bad after all. At less than $1.00 a piece, I don't expect more than that...

Depending on how they stand a third winter, I'll probably buy a new set to use in summer and keep the old ones on my winter stell wheels.

And by the way, as per my dealer, the chromed ones cost less than the galvanized... Go figure!

[Coffeeman]

The problem is not so much the lug bolts rusting, but the one piece design of the nuts on 2001's & 2002's. A bi-metallic reaction occurs between the alloy wheel & the steel lug bolts, that can literally "weld" the two together. I had to use a six foot iron pipe as a lever to get them off my son's '01 XC. I broke two sockets in the process, finally got them off using a case hardened socket.

The new lug bolts that Volvo sells are two piece....The bolt with a captive conical washer, which allows the bolt to thread or unthread, if the washer is stuck to the wheel.

I sent the old rusted lug bolts back to Volvo North America, telling them to give them to the moron who designed them, as a Christmas present. I got the standard "we're so sorry that you are having a problem" response letter from Volvo Cars N.A.

[hdqboss]

My understanding is that Volvo is no longer replacing the bolts with chrome bolts. They are now putting shiny plastic covers over the rusty bolts. First they have to glue my axle shafts to the hubs to cure "axle spline" noise and now they want to put plastic caps over my rusty lug bolts. Somehow none of this seems right on a $35,000 automobile.

My 05 XC70 came with chrome lug nuts (Xenia wheels) however when I picked up my 05 S60 I noticed the sharp Orestes wheels had galvanized nuts. I complained to my salesman who told me that this is an issue with Volvo and to complain when I bring the vehicle in for the first service - they would place the "plastic" covers on them. I can't imagine the plastic covers will last very long especially in the winter.

[littlewaywelt]

On our 01 they rusted in just a few months and were replaced with chrome bolts under warranty. On the 05 they switched to using the cheap ones but afixed plastic chrome-looing caps on top.

The galvinized bolts and caps are a lot cheaper than chroming. It's yet another example of Volvo proclaiming environmental business practices, when that's only a biproduct of saving money and irritating the consumer. If the consumer wants chrome bolts, Volvo ought to supply them rather than a plastic cap. Rusted bolts stick out like a sore thumb on these wheels and like another poster mentioned the plastic caps aren't likely to last very long.

[barrysharp]

Off topic some - but I cannot understand why this age old design of securing wheels hasn't been re-designed by some clever mechanical engineer. That is, a design void of lug bolts or nuts. And while at it, design the wheel locking mechanism such that the wheel cannot be removed unless one has the ignition key.

Wouldn't it be lovely if all you had to do was insert key without engine running and enter some code and for car to automatically jack up the appropriate wheel off the ground and have wheel slide off. Just where are those females that designed the Volvo concept car of the future ? :D

[Raynald]

Off topic some - but I cannot understand why this age old design of securing wheels hasn't been re-designed by some clever mechanical engineer. (...)
$$$ ??? :p

[birddog]

Yup, I guess Volvo is using environmental care as an excuse again for finding the cheapest lugs available for their cars. Guess all of this is just meaningless dribble too.


1972 Global environmental conference in Stockholm: Volvo raises critical role of the car in society
1974 Oxidising catalytic converter – forerunner of today’s units
1976 Three-way catalytic converter with Lambda sensor removes up to 90% of noxious exhaust gases
1982 Torslanda plant begins to use waste heat from local oil refinery
1987 Torslanda water treatment plant removes 90% of harmful effluents
1989 Volvo adopts new, proactive environmental policy
1989 Volvo introduces Life-cycle assessment using EPS (Environmental Priority Strategies in product design)
1989 Volvo demonstrates technology for alcohol power: the cleanest car ever tested
1989 Volvo introduces internal environmental audits
1989 Plastic materials in Volvo cars marked to facilitate recycling
1990 Asbestos eliminated from car production
1991 Volvo first with CFC (Chlorofluorocarbons) - free car
1991 Paintshop at Torslanda plant is world’s cleanest
1992 Volvo ECC (Environmental Concept Car) unveiled – a trendsetter for environmental cars of the future
1993 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) deleted from the air conditioning systems of new Volvo cars
1994 ECRIS, a new research facility for environmentally optimised dismantling
1995 Volvo Bi-Fuel, the first generation of Volvo’s cars built to run on methane gas
1995 Introduction of standards to improve dealers’ environmental activities
1995 Volvo launches Car & Eco Care, a range of car-care products with a low ecological impact
1996 Volvo’s Dialogue on the environment course provides training for all employees in environmental issues
1996 Volvo introduces environmental requirements for suppliers
1998 Volvo introduces PremAir® – a radiator coating which converts harmful ground-level ozone into pure oxygen
1998 Volvo Cars is world’s first carmaker to introduce EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) for cars
1999 Introduction of new interior air quality system (IAQS)
1999 Tenth award of Volvo Environment Prize
2000 ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) tail pipe technology available worldwide
2001 New generation of Bi-Fuel cars introduced
2002 Volvo Young Environmentalist Award – environmental programme for young people
2002 PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) engine introduced in California
2002 New technology permits 85% by weight of new Volvo cars to be recycled
2003 Volvo Cars achieves global ISO 14001 certification
2004 Introduction of particulate filters for diesel engines
2004 First V8 engine in the world to fulfil ULEV II
2004 Volvo 3CC – a sustainable mobility concept for the future
2004 First Volvo car under 5 litre / 100 km


Volvo Cars has significantly reduced the environment effects of car manufacture – its emissions of solvents, for instance, are among the lowest in the automobile industry. The company has implemented effective environmental management systems throughout the production chain to further improve the efficiency of its environment-enhancing activities.

The task of achieving multi-unit certification was undertaken in 2002 and, in March 2003, Volvo Cars became one of the first carmakers in the world to be awarded global certification under the international environmental standard, ISO 14001, ensuring that we are continually reducing the environmental impact of our cars and operations.

All suppliers agree to meet Volvo Cars’ strict environmental standards for parameters such as the use of chemicals. In addition, all major suppliers are required to work to a third-party certified environmental management system.

Volvo Cars also imposes special requirements and recommendations on its service workshops as regards the management of waste and chemicals. Opting to go further, several dealers have achieved certification under the ISO 14001 standard – a step which is strongly recommended and encouraged by Volvo Cars. For example, all dealers and workshops in Spain and Finland have been certified.

Environmental care activities not only have been coordinated throughout the company but this core value now extends to the entire value chain as far as the end user.
Volvo Cars has dramatically improved the environmental performance of its plants since the 1960s, for example by installing several kinds of cleaning technology and substantially reducing emissions to air and water. However, these technologies do not solve all of the problems since they consume energy. Lower energy consumption is one of Volvo Cars’ current main environmental objectives for its plants.

Solvent emissions
Solvent emissions from car production have attracted much attention in the last 30 years. Inhalation of high concentrations of solvents can affect human health. Solvents also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. Reduction of these solvents is a highly prioritised area in our plants. Solvent emissions from the Torslanda plant have been reduced by 30 kg/car in 1977 to 1.4 kg/car in 2003.

Use of chemicals
In 1991, Volvo Cars established a database containing detailed information on more than 5,000 chemical products. Since its introduction, the number of chemical products used in production has been reduced and a large number of substances have been eliminated from production operations.

Volvo Cars has been using standards for chemical substances since the beginning of the 1990s. These standards are actually tougher than the relevant legislation, and substances such as CFCs and asbestos were phased out before the legislation came into force.

Energy consumption
Significant amounts of energy are used in car manufacturing and Volvo Cars is working continually to reduce energy consumption in its plants. However, the environmental impact of the operation is a function of the energy used. Volvo plants mainly use natural gas, which is a preferable alternative from the environmental point of view. The Torslanda plant also uses residual heat from a nearby oil refinery for heating.

Water consumption
Closed water cycles are used to reduce the consumption of fresh water and all Volvo plants are equipped with advanced water treatment facilities. Residual products are treated in an environmentally compatible manner. The introduction of water treatment has significantly reduced emissions of substances such as phosphorus, iron, chromium, nickel and zinc.

Waste and recycling
Volvo Cars has introduced waste management systems to minimise residual products and improve material utilisation. In addition, it is important to continually increase the proportion of recycled and reused materials. The implementation of recycling and waste management procedures has yielded very successful results.

PremAirâ

Ground-level ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons generated by traffic and other sources are subjected to sunlight. Together with other photochemical oxidants in the air, the ozone forms what is commonly known as smog. The problem is greater in summertime, particularly in the world’s major cities.

Smog causes breathing difficulties, eye irritation and reduced resistance to lung infections and colds. It is especially harmful to young children, the elderly and those with existing respiratory problems.

Volvo Cars was the first carmaker in the world to commercialise the technology known as PremAirâ, which was developed by the US-based Engelhard Corporation in collaboration with Volvo Cars.

Tests have shown that cars fitted with PremAirâ convert up to 75 per cent of the ozone in the radiator cooling air into oxygen.

PremAirâ is standard on new S40 and V50 (5-cylinder), S60, S80, V70, XC70 and XC90 models.

PremAirâ is a registered trademark of Engelhard Corporation.



Fuel efficient engines

Approximately 90 per cent of the environmental impact of a car is generated during its useful life. One of the most important environmental goals at Volvo Cars is to reduce fuel consumption and thus emissions of carbon dioxide, which contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Volvo’s petrol engines utilise the fuel efficiently with the help of variable valve timing, low internal friction and sophisticated electronic control programs. The fact that the car is also designed for low air and rolling resistance contributes still further to the low fuel consumption. Volvo’s highly modern direct-injection diesel engines provide even better fuel economy and produce about 20 per cent less carbon dioxide compared with corresponding petrol engines. The latest common rail technology ensures that the fuel is combusted as efficiently as possible, at the same time as hazardous emissions are minimised.

Volvo’s Bi-Fuel cars are powered by methane gas, with petrol as backup fuel – an important step towards a better environment. A car running on methane from biogas contributes virtually nothing to the global warming problem caused by greenhouse gases. With Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide are about 25 per cent lower than from a comparable petrol-engined car. Whether you choose a diesel, Bi-Fuel or petrol engine, the fuel economy will be low and competitive. Volvo’s engines can make your conscience that little bit clearer.


Efficient Exhaust Conversion

Advanced engine technology boosts combustion efficiency and reduces environmentally hazardous exhaust emissions in all operating conditions. The catalytic converter is positioned right beside the engine so it gives full exhaust filtration more quickly after a cold start. Together with advanced management of the exhaust conversion process, this eliminates over 95-98 per cent of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from the car’s exhaust gases. Volvo offers tail pipe technology complying with ULEV II (Ultra Level Emission Vehicles), as well as European Euro 4, on a global basis, regardless of local legislation.

PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) technology is available in California and select North East states in the US. Emissions of hydrocarbons from Volvo’s PZEV engine are less than one thousandth of the levels typical of cars built before the advent of catalytic converter technology. In dense city traffic, the engine exhaust may even be cleaner than the ambient air. Volvo’s diesel engines utilise their fuel efficiently and are equipped with the latest exhaust conversion technology, ensuring effective reduction of both particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions.

[rhauptschein]

Has anyone had their rusted galvanized wheel lug nuts/bolts replaced with the chromed ones OUTSIDE of the warranty for free??

Also, mine have just speckles of rust on them, so I'm not sure if the dealer would replace them?? My warranty goes out in 2 weeks.

[KILOFINAL]

If your warranty is about to expire, it wouldn't hurt to ask about getting the rusted lug nuts replaced. They may have just speckles of rust now, but it will get worse in time. It looks awful to see rust on those nice rims. Luckily, the 05 has chrome nuts compared to the galvanized nuts on the 04 I traded in.

[highboy]

my 01 XC has OR had rusted nuts - last tire rotation, i cleaned them up on my bench mount wire wheel - add a little primer and some flat black spray paint and VOILA! great looking nuts and the satisfaction of doing the work myself and not having to deal with moron shop managers!

[rhauptschein]

I went to a dealer this weekend to show them my 01's rusted nuts and they said they could only offer the cosmetic caps for that year under warranty (I said no thanks), while the 05s (04s?) can get the full structural chromed bolt replacment. Hmmmm.

[birddog]

Not true, ours were replaced under original 5yr / 50k warranty.

[barrysharp]

So, has anyone found an online store that sells chromed lug bolts for our XC70s that cost less arms and legs than what Volvo wants?

[rhauptschein]

Not true, ours were replaced under original 5yr / 50k warranty.

Could you tell me the name and location of your dealer and when you had them replaced so I can give that information to my dealer if necessary to get them to budge?? Thanks.