Volvo Tips & Service FAQ

Our Service Department is open Monday-Friday 7:30 to 5:30 and Saturday 8:00 to 12:00. Please use the button below to schedule an appointment.

Volvo's 24 Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance: 1-800-63-VOLVO (1-800-638-6586).

Shuttle Service: When you drop off your car for service, we are happy to give you a ride to your office, home, or anywhere else in Charlottesville. We will also pick you up when your car is ready.

Loaner Cars: We have a small fleet of loaner cars available for longer services. These must be scheduled ahead of time and are on a first come/first served basis. If a loaner is not available, we are happy to coordinate a rental car through Enterprise Car Rentals.

Check Tire Pressure: Before hitting the road, make sure your tires have good tread with even wear and that they are properly inflated. Under-inflated or unevenly-worn tires decrease fuel economy, are more prone to puncture and lose traction more easily. Improve gas mileage by up to 3% with proper tire pressure.

Service Your Coolant System: Changes in weather can take its toll on your vehicle. Make sure your coolant system is working properly BEFORE low temperatures hit. Change out your antifreeze. Have all your coolant hoses and radiator inspected. Ask us for a FREE battery check!
Don't Idle in Your Driveway: Get moving! Modern fuel-injection engines warm up better when your car is in motion. Idling does nothing to warm the drivetrain, bearings, tires, etc. Idling gets zero miles to the gallon and increases hydrocarbon emissions which are bad for the environment and can enter the passenger cabin, which is bad for you and your family..

Observe the Speed Limit: Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer, especially on slippery roads.

Keep Your Hands Free: More and more accidents are being linked to cell phone use. Keep both hands free in order to properly operate your vehicle. If the phone rings or you get a text while driving, ask someone else to answer or wait until your next stop to check the message. All newer Volvo models have Bluetooth options. Nothing is more important than your safety and that of your passengers.

Get a Tune Up: Fixing a car that is out of tune can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4%. Results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done, but fixing a serious maintenance problem such as a faulty oxygen sensor can improve your mileage by as much as 40%.

Use Cruise Control: Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas. It can also help you avoid speeding tickets!

Combine Trips: Try to run all your errands at once. One trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, and it can reduce the distance you travel.

Scrape Your Windshield: Do not rely on your wipers to remove ice from your windshield this winter. Use your defrost and an ice scraper. Windshield wipers can freeze to the glass in cold weather and your wiper motor may be damaged if turned on before properly defrosted.

Clean Off Your Entire Car: While your defrost is working on the windows, clean any snow off your hood, roof, trunk and headlights. Excess snow can slide onto your windshield and block your view. It can also fly off and land on someone else's car, causing an accident. If your headlights are covered in ice, they will not illuminate the road and won't help other drivers see you. Make sure your car is clean and your visibility is good before you drive.