Guest Guest_Scott_* Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 Hi Guys,I’m having some problems with Volvo UK and would like to ask for the help of those on the forum. I recently had a flat tyre, changed to the Space saver and drove (at less that 80kph) to my local tyre shop to have them all replaced. Unfortunately, this had a terminal effect on my transfer box. So, I took the car down to the local Volvo dealer and popped out with their Master Technician who said it was “a transmission whine”. I explained the circumstances and he said “it’s the spare that caused the problem due to tyre circumference difference being greater than 2mm”. Then advised me to contact Volvo UK.Volvo UK told me to have the dealer confirm the problem (£173). This they did but couldn’t confirm that is was due to a manufacturing problem (their answer “it’s broken mate, what else can I say”). So, Volvo are refusing to help pay for the damaged caused as they refuse to accept that using the spare will cause the damage.Here is how you can help:Someone out there must have had a similar problem and had Volvo make good the damage. If so, could you please reply to this post with the dealers Name/Address so I can use this information in my conversation with Volvo.Clearly the AWD Achilles heal is that all the tyres must be within 2mm otherwise the transfer box will be damaged. By using the Volvo Spare (space saver) with my other tyres which were in need of replacement (but still within the legal limit), the difference was greater than 2mm. Also, does anyone know the name of the MD/CEO for Volvo. You never know, a quick mail may help.Regards,Scott1997 V70R AWD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbowagon Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 You sir, are F'd. Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_Scott_* Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 You sir, are F'd. Sorry.Do you agree with my position and think Volvo should help….or think I’m p*ing in the wind?Surely someone must have a Volvo tech note on this as a known problem…...or know a good lawyer that can help… :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jda2000 Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 Sorry to hear about your problem , but you are screwed .The owners manual clearly indicates that all the tires must match (same brand/size), or you could damage the bevel gear of the AWD box. Unless you just bought the car, you should have known this. Besides I believe the car originally did not come with a donut tire, but a full size spare and somebody swap it.Also, I don't believe a lawyer would help either, in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Über855R Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 +1 I believe all AWD cars come with full sized spares. It is a big no no to run a different size wheel with AWD. I haven't read the volvo hand book for an AWD, but my Audi said in BOLD letters in the manual. DO NOT USE A SPARE ON THE AWD MODELS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 Sorry Guys, I’m not getting question across clearly….It’s the factory supplied spare…never used before…first ever flat. What else are you to do? You have a flat……you go to the back of the car……get the ‘Volvo Spare Space Saver’ out and swap it over……follow the instructions i.e. do not exceed 50mph/80kph’..…get all four tyres changed…I don’t see what I did wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v70XXXc Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 how far did you drive with the spare? a few miles to the shop should not kill the car. my '98 XC came with the donut spare, and has worked fine the 2 times i have used it with no ill-effects. i'm surprised the dealer admitted the spare killed the the car, why would they supply the donut if it was not safe to use?it could be that the car is just 10 years old and was on its way out anyway.good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 It was about 12 miles.Does your XC have the same transfer system our use the newer Haldex system? I believe the later system overcame this problem. Also, did you use it on the front or the rear...it only seems to make a difference on the rear (even Volvo told me that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 ...and it's only 9 yrs ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v70XXXc Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 the USA '98 V70 awd's were essentially the same as the 97's that were intruduced as the 850 awd for the rest of the world. i don't think the haldex was introduced until '01.and check your build date, my '98 was built in 11/97. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garbergtsi Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 well...what did the other tires look like? you realize they all have be very very close in tread depth, right?how long did you drive on a flat?but pretty much pay up! the car is old and tired...do you not expect something to break? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Will Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 The poster is correct though. The AWD cars did indeed come with a donut tire not a full sized spare...there's no room for one under the trunk floor.It sounds like a reasonable idea to contact the higher ups in Volvo and talk to them about your issue. Factory supplied equipment when used properly should not cause anything to fail on the car.Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbsl98 Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Interesting point is that the '98 XC spare wheel well is too small to hold the standard full size tire, so the spare must be a smaller diameter, and by a lot more than 2mm. It seems as if the supplied spare would always be a risk. I had thought about getting a fifth full size wheel and tire, and then rotating all five so that teh spare would always be teh right size, but since we can't carry the full size spare, it didn't work out.Anyone know if the newest V70's can store a full size wheel and tire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbowagon Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 My R came with a donut spare, but it is the same diameter as the factory 16's 205/55/16. I assume it is safe to use with the exact same factory rubber size and manufacturer. Even different tire manufacturers who make a 205/55/16 can have a slight difference is size. Frow what I understand, if you have noticeable tire wear and get a flat tire needing replacement, you need to buy all 4 new tires to guarantee no bevel failure. I am now running 235/40/18 and am sure that I cannot use the spare anymore. I carry a can of fix a flat to get me to somplace to fix the tire. I haven't needed it, but know that I am ready to call AAA if I am suspect to any difference in rolling diameter. The reason I say F'd is because many owners have gone to Volvo to complain of you exact problem and Volvo comes back showing the manual. Could it be that the spare was low on air and allowed the outside diameter to be less that the rest of the wheels? Could the tread be super low on all your other tires and high on the spare? At least try to contact Volvo. . .then let us know the outcome. Fawk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadeInJapan Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Anyone know if the newest V70's can store a full size wheel and tire?We do in our '04 V70 and still keep the grocery tray. We have no 3rd row seat (this seems to be the key), however it is a really really tight fit, so much so that I doubt my wife would be able to pull out the spare if she were alone and got a flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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