2008/2007/2004/2001/1999 Volvo Oil Change and Filter Replacement

1. Although much of the procedure follows the instructions below, I now use a hoist, which makes the job much easier.  Both newer models have a plastic splash pan that might be more difficult to remove while on the ground.
2. The filter location is now accessible from the top engine compartment.  There is a black plastic top covering the filter casing and this is removed with a 36mm socket.  I purchased mine from Princess Auto for less than $10.00.  For both the XC70 and C30, remove the oil filler cap and loosen the filter cap before you drain the oil.  Apparently this ensures the oil trapped in the filter casing drains.
   
3. The 2008 XC70 filter is located to the front of the engine, on the passenger's side.  I removed the dip switch and moved the power steering fluid resevoir to access and remove the cap. 
   
4. The 2007 C30 T5 is in the same location, but I had to remove the plastic turbo intake and bend the intake tube to get the socket on the canister cap and to remove the old filter
5. The entire bottom splash pan must be removed to expose the oil drain plug.  The pan is held in place with 8 screws with a torx head, into a nylon fastener.
6. The same drain plug is used and you can use a 17mm wrench or socket to remove the plug and drain the oil.
7. Once the oil has drained, use a new aluminum crush washer and tighten the drain plug.  I use a 17mm wrench so I do not risk over tightening the plug.
8. You can reinstall the splash shield because there is no oil in the filter to drain and it is removed from the top.   Do not tighten too much or you will crack the nylon fasteners.
   
9. Remove the plastic cartridge top, pulling the filter out at the same time.  On the C30, the filter will tend to remain in the resevoir and can be taken out by hand.
10. Clean the cap, replace the white rubber gasket, coated with a thin film of new oil and either slip on the new filter (XC70) or install into the resevoir (C30), then thread the cap and tighten with the 36mm socket.  I found that I had to push downward on the XC70 cap to get the threads to catch.  You cannot overtighten the cap but there is a torque specification of 25+5 Nm.
11. Fill with the oil of your choice, 7.3 litres on the 3.2 litre XC70 engine and 5.8 litres on the C30 T5 engine.  Check the oil level, then start the engine and check for any leaks.

Oil pan & filter casing AWD components? 73.0 KB	Remove drain plug with 17mm wrench 62.5 KB	Filter cartridge 76.0 KB	Cartridge removed 68.6 KB
Old & new design New O-ring & seal 75.6 KB	Oil drain plug with new aluminum seal 63.5 KB	New filter cartridge installed & casing 66.4 KB	Add 5.8 litres or 6.1 US qts oil 92.6 KB

2007 C30 T5

Turbo intake,  needs to be  removed, to  extract filter 55.7 KB

36mm socket with  universal joint to  get access 67.7 KB

Cap removed,  filter still in  resevoir, flexible  intake moved to  side  63.8 KB

Cap and 36mm socket 65.5 KB

Old and new filters 57.2 KB

Engine bottom notice AC is where filter was before. 74.5 KB

1. Purchase supplies as described below. I use a plastic oil drain pan to catch the used oil, drain plug and filter.
2. Warm up the engine's oil by driving your car until the engine reaches its normal operating temperature.
3. I find there's enough clearance to drain the oil without jacking up the car. I park it in a driveway with a slight incline.
4. On the Volvo 850 and 1998 V/S70 models, turn the front wheels to the extreme right and use a 17mm socket, from the right side, to reach under the engine and remove the drain plug, catching the used oil in the drain pan. Watch out, the oil is very hot. Ensure the catch basin will hold more than 6 litres. Position the basin below the white oil filter, then using a strap wrench, loosen the filter. I normally write the mileage and date on the filter as a reference for the next oil change. Wipe the filter seat on the block clean, coat the rubber seal on the new filter with fresh oil, then screw the filter on. When the filter seal touches the seat, turn the filter by hand another 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn. This way the filter can be removed by hand the next time you do the oil/filter change. Refit a new aluminum gasket/seal on the drain plug, then install and tighten. Add 5.8 litres (6.1 US qts) of 10W30 weight oil through the filler cap. Start the engine and check for any leaks. It's that simple.
5. The 1999 Volvo has done away with the combined filter and metal casing. The oil filter cover is reusable and seems to be made of a hardened ABS like material. Follow steps 1-3 above. I found with the AWD XC that I needed to use a 17mm wrench and enter from the left side, due to some obstructions behind the oil drain plug. I thought the aluminum box with an air deflector was part of the turbo charger's oil cooler at first, but it has a bar code and AWD on it.  Volvo NA confirmed that this is a vibration damper. 
   
6. The 2001 XC (and S60?) does not have the vibration damper, so a 17mm socket, or 17mm box end wrench can be used.  Entry is made from the left side, with the wheels turned to the right.  You must also remove the plastic front splash shield (XC only?) by removing the 7 bolts.  This can be done without hoisting the car.
7. There is no significant difference in this procedure on the 2004 XC.
   
8. Drain the used oil as described above, then remove the black oil filter cover with a strap wrench or a Volvo metal filter tool (see image below) that fits the pattern of the bottom of the filter casing. Be careful again, since there is warm oil surrounding the filter. Remove the filter from the engine block. Notice how light the filter cartridge is in comparison the the previous white Volvo filter that seemed to leave much more oil trapped inside the filter. Remove the rubber O-ring from the black cover, wipe the casing clean and install the new O-ring with clean oil at the seal. Push the new filter onto the engine block until it fits over the internal oil sleeve. Thread the black filter cover into the block and tighten by hand until it is snug. Using a wrench may crack the cover, but the Volvo tool does the job best (I got mine on eBay!). Install a new aluminum gasket, then install and tighten the drain plug. Finish the job by installing 10W30 oil as described above. NOTE: if you drain the turbo oil cooler, you will need to add another 0.9 litres (0.95 US qts), but I gather this is not always necessary and may be a bit more awkward to reach from the ground.
9. Lastly, drain the used oil into a suitable contained and return it to your recycling depot or the Volvo dealer. The plastic oil "cans" can be reused for the oil, but I keep windshield anti-freeze jugs for disposing the oil. Write the date and mileage in you owner's manual, along with the invoice number to confirm you've used original Volvo equipment, just in case of a warranty dispute. I hope this illustrates how simple a job changing your Volvo's oil can be and will encourage you to start "doing it yourself".

*  Synthetic oil costs about $6.50 Canadian per litre

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Oil pan & filter casing AWD components? 73.0 KB	Remove drain plug with 17mm wrench 62.5 KB	Filter cartridge 76.0 KB	Cartridge removed 68.6 KB
Old & new design New O-ring & seal 75.6 KB	Oil drain plug with new aluminum seal 63.5 KB	New filter cartridge installed & casing 66.4 KB	Add 5.8 litres or 6.1 US qts oil 92.6 KB

Updated for 2001 XC

Castrol Syntec, Cartridge Tool , Cartridge Box, 17mm socket 72.8 KB

Oil drained, note no vibration damper 89.7 KB

Installing casing with Volvo tool over casing 41.4 KB

Add 5.8 litres or 6.1 US qts oil, rest  plastic container  against stabalizer 65.5 KB