Early Volvo XC90 V8 models were plagued with premature alternator failures, often happening well before 100k miles. This actually happened to my 2006 XC90 V8 at about 92k miles. When I was searching around to have it repaired, I got quotes of over $1400 to replace the alternator. Perfect...

Many of us have been there before - we apply the brakes to slow down our car and suddenly, the steering wheel shakes, the car lurches and vibrates, and the car comes to a shuddering stop while you wonder what was wrong with your brakes. Traditionally, this was blamed on warped rotors, and the...

A car's suspension system cushions the vehicle from imperfections and undulations in the road surface, smoothing out the bumps while dampening suspension motion to help you maintain control of your car in a comfortable manner. When dealing with an older and tired suspension, the strut and shock...

K&N filters are great drop-in replacement air cleaners that are reusable and may also provide a slight performance benefit. I have a K&N panel filter installed in my Volvo XC90 V8 - not for the advertised performance gains, but because I didn't want to pay $20 each for an air filter. This...

Engine coolant - that ubiquitous (traditionally) green, sweet smelling, slick liquid present in virtually all automobiles can be considered one of the most important fluids in the engine. It serves many purposes -  one of which is to help remove heat from the engine. Not only is it one of the...

Every DIY'er will eventually encounter that stuck bolt/nut that refuses to release and let you get on with your DIY adventure. Trying to change a control arm? The ball joint is probably going to resist coming out. Changing out a strut? You'd think that the strut to knuckle bolts were attached and...

Summer is coming up and it's about to be road trip season! There are few experiences to parallel a long road trip - especially for me. The trip is nearly as much fun as what I planned to do at my destination. However, before any road trip, it's best to check a few items on the car before heading...

Flip-keys certainly are fun - a neat little package with the key and the remote control all in one. A compact package when all you need is the remote to unlock the doors, and with the press of a button, the key flips out so you can start the car. My Volvo XC90 utilizes this type of key, as well...

When an aging Volvo starts to have odd front end clunking noises, lazy steering response, and excessive bounciness, your strut tops may have aged and be in need of replacement. The strut top has a rubber isolator bushing that sits below the bearing plate. The rubber used in the strut top isolator...

When discussing maintenance with other like-minded Volvo enthusiasts, the most common items brought up are engine oil and transmission fluid. What kind of oil should I use? When should I change it? What about transmission fluid? Do I really need the expensive Volvo transmission fluid? How exactly...