Keep High-Mileage Volvo Cars Running with These Tips

We see every year and model of Volvo at All Vovo, and that includes a lot of beautiful older ones we have the privilege of keeping on the road. Volvos have a reputation for lasting. The cars earn part of that. The owners earn the rest.

The most famous example is Irv Gordon of Long Island, New York, who put more than three million miles on his 1966 Volvo P1800. You don’t have to go that far. But 200,000 and even 300,000 miles are realistic for a Volvo that’s been looked after. Here’s how to give yours the best chance.

1. Get oil changes and scheduled services on time

If one thing decides how long an engine lasts, it’s oil changes done on time. Right behind that are the scheduled services in your owner’s manual: the 30K, 60K, 90K visits and the ones that come after.

Pay special attention to the timing belt if your Volvo has one. It has a replacement interval for a reason, and a belt that breaks can take the engine with it.

Regular service also puts trained eyes on the whole car a few times a year, which leads to the next tip.

2. Don’t wait on problems

This matters for any car and matters more as the miles add up. Small problems on a high-mileage car turn into big ones faster.

Listen, look and feel for anything out of the ordinary: a new noise, a drip on the driveway, a change in how it shifts or stops. Then get it checked while it’s still small.

3. Keep a good relationship with your mechanic

Find a shop you trust and stick with it. A mechanic who sees the same car year after year knows its history and notices when something changes.

Trust goes both ways. If your shop recommends something, either have it done or ask enough questions that you’re comfortable waiting. If you find you don’t believe what you’re being told, that’s a sign to find a shop you do believe.

4. Use high-quality replacement parts

Choose the quality option, and factory-recommended parts when you can. Cheap parts often cost more in the end, because they wear out sooner or never fit quite right. Keep your Volvo a Volvo.

5. Take it easy and drive gently

Hard braking, quick launches and revving a cold engine all take life out of a car, a little at a time. Give the engine a minute to warm up, drive smoothly, and it will pay you back.

The short version

Our customers love their Volvos, and judging by the number of classics that roll through our lot, plenty of them are already doing all five of these. If you’re in the Seattle area and want help getting yours to the next 100,000 miles, come see us at our independent Volvo repair shop in Ballard.