Did you know that the internal parts of your Volvo car engine, such as the pistons and cylinders, are not designed to come in contact with each other? If they do, you will experience an overheating engine. That’s why you need this article about Volvo oil change – cost, interval, and what to know.
The typical cost of a Volvo oil change is somewhere between $100 and $179. Your actual cost will vary depending on your Volvo car model. The current price of motor oil and the cost of labor where you will get the oil change service will also matter.
You must get an oil change service for your Volvo car when its odometer reaches about 10,000 miles. You must consult your owner’s manual to ensure your particular car model’s actual oil change interval.
Read on to learn more about Volvo oil change, how much it costs when you need to do it, and the important things you need to know about Volvo oil change service.
Volvo Oil Change
Average Volvo Oil Change Cost
If you go for a Volvo oil change service, you will likely spend between $100 and $179. The actual Volvo oil change cost will depend on the year and model of your Volvo car, the labor cost of the place where you are getting the service, and the current price of the motor oil.
Change the Volvo’s Oil About Every 10,000 Miles
In general, you will have to change the oil of your Volvo car about every 10,000 miles. If you want to be sure about the interval, you have to check your Volvo’s owner’s manual. Getting a regular oil change is one of the best services you can give to your car.
Volvo Cars Do Not Require Synthetic Oil
Volvo cars do not need synthetic oil. Conventional oil will do, but you need to change it every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. The oil change interval will be longer if you use synthetic oil. It will be every 7,500 miles to 10,000 miles.
Change the Oil Filter Every Oil Change
But it is recommended that you change the oil filter every time you get an oil change. You are also advised to inspect your Volvo filter each time you go for a service at an auto shop.
An oil change service also usually includes other car services related to the oil change, which are given free by the auto shop.
Check the Owner’s Manual for Required Oil
You may also want to check with your owner’s manual whether your Volvo car requires synthetic oil because later models require this oil type. Synthetic oil lasts longer, so your Volvo car will not need frequent oil changes. However, this oil type is more expensive than conventional oil.
Importance of Volvo Oil Change
If you want your Volvo car to run smoothly at all times, you need to change its engine oil constantly. This is how vital an oil change is for your Volvo car. If you regularly change its motor oil, you will reduce and remove the unburned gases that have already accumulated inside the engine.
Getting the oil changed at an authorized Volvo auto shop is also essential. Don’t go to just any auto shop on the corner. They could treat your car poorly and put motor oil that is not the quality and type your Volvo car needs.
If your car is still under warranty, it can be voided if you don’t let an authorized Volvo car shop do the oil change.
How Much Is a Volvo Oil Change Exactly?
On average, the oil change cost for a Volvo car at any of its authorized car shops ranges from $100 to $179. But it depends on the year and model of your Volvo car.
Other factors also come into play, such as the current price of motor oil and the labor charges in the shop where you are getting the service.
The average Volvo oil prices change according to the most popular Volvo car models.
- Volvo XC40 oil change cost – $102 to $137 (Kelley Blue Book estimate)
- Volvo XC60 oil change cost – $106 to $142 (KBB estimate); $141 to $170 (Repair Pail estimate)
- Volvo XC90 oil change cost – $107 to $146 (KBB estimate; $149 to $179 (RP estimate)
Volvo XC60 Oil Change Cost
To help you appreciate the oil change cost of Volvo cars, I will give you some details about the Volvo XC60 oil change process. This Volvo car model is the middle model of the most popular Volvo cars in the country.
Quantity of Motor Oil Depends on Engine Size and Type of Vehicle
The quantity of motor oil required by your Volvo XC60 car depends on its engine size and the type of your vehicle. Four-cylinder cars need less oil than six and 8-cylinder models. Most small engines also use conventional oil. Bigger engines may require full synthetic oil.
Most car engines require from five to eight quarts of motor oil:
- 4-cylinder engine: Needs at least 5 quarts of engine oil.
- 6-cylinder engine: Requires about 6 quarts of engine oil.
- 8-cylinder engines: Need as much as 8 quarts of motor oil.
Type of Motor Oil
The type of motor oil that a 2021 Volvo S60 model requires depends on several things:
- The size of the engine, whether it is a high-performance motor or an ordinary 4-cylinder gas engine.
- The age of the engine
- The climate in which the engine is usually used
- Your driving habits
The most important factor you need to consider is the type and size of the engine of your Volvo car. You can consult your owner’s manual to ensure the motor oil required. Then consult the mechanic on how the other factors come into play in your choice of motor oil.
Oil Change Interval
The next thing you need to consider is how often you need to change the motor oil of your Volvo car. If you put synthetic oil inside the engine, your oil change interval will be longer. It will take every 7,500 to 10,000 miles per oil change.
For the 2021 Volvo S60, the manufacturer recommends an oil and oil filter change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles if you choose to use conventional oil. It is best to consult your owner’s manual first to see what the manufacturer recommends.
Oil Change Price
The cost of an oil change can fluctuate. It will depend on the vehicle type, the size of the engine, and the oil type you want to put inside your engine.
For the Volvo XC60, the oil change cost can run from $106 to $142 per Kelley Blue Book estimate and $141 to $170 according to the estimate of Repair Pail.
Does Volvo Charge More for Its Oil Change?
Unfortunately, yes. The oil change price of Volvo is higher than the median average sedan or compact car. Why are Volvo oil changes so expensive?
In general, you are paying more than the average oil change price of $35 to $75 if you will ask a Volvo car shop to do it. If you want to save money, you can search online for a Volvo oil change coupon.
That’s just what Volvo owners should expect for a high-value and high-maintenance car. That being said, Volvo owners can enjoy their cars much longer than the average sedans or compact cars because Volvo is known to have long lives.
It is not unusual for an average Volvo car to last more than 200,000 miles if given proper care and maintenance. So, if you are conscientious about changing the oil regularly, your Volvo car will provide you with service for years to come.
Again, how much is an oil change on a Volvo? Volvo oil change cost depends on several factors, including model, type of oil, labor cost, location, and more. But, on average, expect to pay between $100 to $179.
Volvo Oil Change Interval
It is usually recommended that you have your Volvo oil change every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. This is the recommended interval for the Volvo XC90. However, the oil change interval also depends on your driving habits and how you use your car.
If you frequently use your car in heavy-duty conditions such as going up and down hills, driving through unpaved roads in extreme cold or hot temperatures, you are advised to pay your oil change service auto shop more visits than usual.
With that said, you should bring your Volvo car for frequent oil change services if your driving activities include the following:
- Racing
- Off-road driving
- Heavy towing
- Commercial use
While you may be going more frequently to the car shop for oil changes, you will have peace of mind that your engine will be able to take the whipping that you are giving it.
For as long as it is adequately lubricated with the right motor oil, your Volvo car engine will always be able to do the job.
What Happens If You Don’t Change the Volvo’s Engine Oil?
Many unfortunate things can happen to your Volvo car engine if you don’t change its motor oil regularly. The following things can happen if you don’t follow its oil change intervals:
1. Excessive Heat Inside the Engine
Tremendous amounts of heat will be generated inside the engine. Heat is constantly produced by the friction between the engine parts as you drive your car.
Massive wear and tear will happen to the engine parts if nothing reduces this heat. That is the work of motor oil – to lubricate engine parts so they won’t produce heat that can destroy them.
2. Corrosion
Modern motor oils have additives to reduce oxidation inside the engine and prevent corrosion. As the motor oil is used, it gets old, and its capacity to prevent corrosion will diminish. So, the engine parts will start to rust.
3. Engine Knocking
Without proper lubrication, you will eventually hear your engine knocking. That’s because the pistons will start to touch the cylinders’ chambers.
The motor oil should provide a thin film of lubricant between the metal parts so they won’t make contact with each other. But if the oil is getting too thin because you are not changing it, you will hear knocks on your engine.
4. Soot Buildup
The combustion chamber is where combustion takes place inside the engine. Unfortunately, not all gases are burned up during the combustion cycle. The unburned gases are left inside the engine and the cylinders.
This soot will eventually accumulate and will degrade the performance of the engine. If your motor oil is not changed in time, you will have this soot build up inside your engine.
5. Poor Fuel Economy
You will find that your visit to the gas station will be more frequent if you don’t regularly change your engine oil. The reason is that the engine is not clean.
There is nothing that picks up the soot and dust particles to dump them into the oil filter where they should be trapped. Your fuel efficiency will go south with a dirty engine and dirty oil.
6. More Engine Wear and Tear
As more dirt is circulating inside the engine, its wear and tear rate will be faster. Instead of lasting around 200,000 miles, you will have an engine with shorter service life.
Useful Volvo Oil Change Tips
To make sure your engine stays good as long as you want, you should observe the following tips:
- Change the oil filter for every oil change that you perform.
- Even if you don’t drive your Volvo car for long stretches, you should still follow its oil change intervals. Motor oil breaks down even if it is not in use. The recommendation is that vehicles that are not frequently driven must have an oil change twice a year.
- Always check with your owner’s manual to ensure you are using the right motor oil for your engine.
Frequently Asked Questions
There may still be things in your mind that are unclear about the subject of the Volvo oil change. Perhaps reading the answers to the most often asked questions about it will clear up the issues:
What Is the Cost of a Volvo Oil Change?
You will generally be spending from $100 to $179 if you go for a Volvo oil change at a Volvo authorized car shop. The actual cost will depend on your Volvo car’s model, its engine’s size, how old it is, and its present condition.
The current price of the motor oil required by your engine and the labor cost of the auto shop that you are getting the service will also factor in the final cost of the oil change.
When Should I Change the Oil of My Volvo?
The recommendation of the manufacturer is to have the oil change every 10,000 miles. That’s the usual interval. But then again, it depends on how you use your Volvo car, its age, and your driving habits.
You may have to do it more frequently if you drive your Volvo car for business or commercial purposes. Some driving conditions require you to change your oil more often.
For instance, if you are doing some racing, off-roading more often, or driving your Volvo car in extreme weather conditions, you may need to change the engine oil more frequently than the 10,000 miles interval.
What Kind of Oil Should I Use in My Volvo?
You should consult the owner’s manual to ensure that you use the right engine oil in your Volvo car. You can certainly use a higher grade motor oil for your car than the one recommended in the manual.
For instance, you can use full synthetic oil instead of conventional oil. While it is not necessary, synthetic oil will last longer than conventional oil. So, visiting the car shop for oil changes will be less frequent. However, synthetic oil is more expensive.
But if you want to stick to the recommended conventional oil and you follow the oil change intervals strictly, your engine will still last longer and perform as it is supposed to perform.
Is Synthetic Oil Better for My Volvo?
Generally, synthetic oil has more lubricating properties plus additives that are good for the engine. Another advantage of synthetic oil is that it reduces the frequency of oil change intervals.
That means you save money in the long run. However, you must consult the owner’s manual before putting synthetic oil inside your Volvo car engine.
In Closing: What You Need to Know About Volvo Oil Change
A Volvo oil change usually costs between $100 and $179. Your actual oil change cost will depend on your Volvo car model. How much you will pay for the oil change will also depend on the current price of motor oil and the labor cost in the place where you are getting the oil change service.
Usually, you need to go for an oil change service for your Volvo car every 10,000 miles. To ensure your car’s actual oil change interval, you must check your car’s maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.