Technical Tips

At this point in time, our technical articles are mostly being used as supplimental information applied to individual products as a means to help install, troubleshoot and identify product variations on different Volvo models.

In the near future, We will be adding our 40+ years of technical articles to the database and creating a more intuitive method for filtering and searching articles.

• 10002 - Spark blowout or is it my birthday?
• 10003 - Oxygen Sensor Testing
• 10004 - Is it Time to Replace My Shocks & Struts?
• 10005 - Why Polyurethane? (aka Poly)
• 10006 - Is A Strut Or Chassis Brace What I Need?
• 10007 - Leaking Heater Core
• 10009 - How do I find my engine serial number or engine family? (FWD/AWD models)
• 10010 - Wheel and Tire Fitment Guide for 1994-2008 FWD & AWD Volvo Models
• 10011 - Wheel and Tire Fitment Guide for 1962 to 1995 Rear Wheel Drive Volvo Models
• 10012 - Spark Plug length issues for P1 & P2 Volvos
• 10013 - What is a Chassis number and why do I need it to figure out what parts fit my Volvo?
• 10014 - How can I find Volvo's "Model Year" or Production Date?
• 10015 - What is the Product Identification Plate? Where can I find it and what does it tell me?
• 10017 - Shock Absorber Warranty Issues and Questions
• 10018 - Why do I need to measure my brake rotors or check the style of my brake pads?
• 10019 - Will adding aftermarket performance products void my car's factory warranty?
• 10020 - The "Warped" Brake Disc and Other Myths of the Braking System
• 10021 - The Basics of Strut Installation on 2/7/9 Series
• 10022 - Front End Shake 700/900 Series
• 10023 - 200/700/900 Suspension Upgrade Stages
• 10024 - What are Nivomat shocks and does my Volvo have them?
• 10025 - All About Tires - Vintage & RWD Volvos
• 10026 - Explaining Camber, Caster & Toe
• 10027 - Ride Height Measurement
• 10028 - The Positives & Negatives of Alignment
• 10029 - Checking Steering for Play
• 10030 - Steering Rack Boot Inspection
• 10031 - Sway Bar Endlink Diagnosis
• 10032 - Gas Shocks vs. Non Gas Shocks
• 10033 - Driveline Vibration - 700/900 Series
• 10034 - Parking Brake Adjustment
• 10035 - ABS & TRACS Codes
• 10036 - Ready Set STOP!
• 10037 - Brake Line Junction Block
• 10038 - 700/900 Front Sliding Calipers
• 10039 - Using Sil Glyde to Lubricate Brake Pads & Hardware
• 10040 - Dirty Brake Fluid?
• 10041 - A Few Common Brake System Problems
• 10042 - Seating New Brake Pads
• 10043 - Identifying Brake Lines on Vintage Models
• 10044 - What Makes Your Volvo Tick? The Basics of Spark, Fuel & Compression
• 10045 - Extended Oil Changes & it's Effects on Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)
• 10046 - Tune Up Interval on 850 & 70 Series Cars
• 10047 - Spark Plug Wire Testing
• 10048 - Diagnosing a Faulty Catalyst (Catalytic Converter)
• 10049 - A Mounting Problem - Diagnosing & Replacing 240 Engine Mounts
• 10050 - Air Filter Care
• 10051 - Replacing Exhaust in 200/700/900 Models
• 10052 - Pertronix Pointless Conversion for Your Vintage Volvo
• 10053 - Mixture Adjustment in K-Jet & LH - 200/700/900 Models
• 10054 - Timing Belt Catastrophe - The Importance of Changing Associated Parts When Changing a Timing Belt
• 10055 - Typical Vacuum Elbow Locations - 850/70 Models
• 10056 - Broken Vacuum Elbow - CEL 231-232
• 10057 - Valve Adjustment on B21/B23/B230 "Red Block" Motors
• 10058 - 240 Fuel Pump Troubleshooting
• 10059 - Fuel Filter Location
• 10060 - Weber Carburetor Jetting
• 10061 - Fuel Pump Whine - 1998-2000 V70XC Models
• 10062 - 850 Drive Cycles - Getting Your 850 Into Readiness Mode
• 10063 - Tips For Better Fuel Efficiency & More MPGs
• 10064 - The Volvo Family Tree - Some Basic History of Volvo Models
• 10065 - Towing Tips
• 10066 - Vibration at Idle in 700 Series Volvos
• 10068 - Bench Preparing Heater Blower Motors
• 10069 - Heater Blower Motor Diagnostics
• 10070 - Engine Coolant Sensor Check Engine Light
• 10071 - Temperature Gauge Failure in 86-93 240 Models
• 10072 - Reset Service Light in 1998 & Later Volvo Models
• 10073 - Troubleshooting Power Door Locks
• 10074 - Bulb Integrity Sensor Location & Diagnosis
• 10075 - Turn Signal Lens Assembly Replacement - 850 & 70 Series
• 10076 - Ugrading the High Beam Switch on Your Vintage Volvo to the Turn Signal Stalk
• 10077 - Make Your Volvo Faster Without Adding Parts
• 10078 - Engine Performance Upgrades for "Red Block" Volvos
• 10079 - Understanding Turbo Boost
• 10080 - Electrical System Diagnostics - Finding an Electrical Draw
• 10081 - Top 10 Problems with Volvo 240 Models
• 10082 - Strut comparison between XC70 & V70 P2 models
• 10083 - What is FOUR-C suspension and does my Volvo have it?
• 10084 - Reading your spark plugs
• 10085 - How can I tell if my Volvo has Bosch or Regina Fuel Injection?
• 10086 - What is BLIS? (Blind Spot Information System)
• 10087 - How can I tell which version of Bosch LH Fuel Injection is on my Volvo 240?
• 10088 - What is an electronically foldable mirror?
• 10090 - J-Type Overdrive Basic Rebuild Guide for M41 & M46 Transmissions
• 10091 - M46 & M47 Transmission Oil
• 10092 - M41 & M46 Overdrive Etiquette
• 10093 - Manual Transmission Fluid Service
• 10094 - The OBD II Story
• 10095 - Does my Volvo 240 have EGR and what is it?
• 10096 - What Light Bulbs Fit My Volvo?
• 10097 - Fluids & Capacities for P80 & P2 Chassis Volvos
• 10098 - Dashboard & Instrument Cluster Removal - S70 V70 V70XC C70 P80 Models
• 10099 - USA Market Volvo models and chassis by year (P80 P1 P2 P3)
• 10100 - ipd Volvo Suspension Overview 1999-2006 S80 / 2001-2007 S60 / 2001-2007 V70/XC70
• 10101 - Suspension Overview 1999-2006 S80 / 2001-2009 S60 / 2001-2007 V70/XC70
• 10102 - P80 Chassis Suspension Overview
• 10103 - Rear Wheel Drive Suspension Overview
• 10104 - Rear Wheel Drive Clunk In The Trunk
• 10105 - Does your Volvo drive like it has a mind of its’ own?
• 10106 - Why does IPD sell Volvo Spark Plugs? What should I use?
• 10107 - Guide to Acceptable ABS Control Module Cores
• 10108 - Engine Performance Upgrades for Vintage Volvos (1962-1975)
• 10109 - Windshield Wiper Blade Basics
• 10110 - Ignition Basics for Front Wheel and All Wheel Drive Volvos
• 10111 - Workshop and Service Manuals for Front Wheel and All Wheel Drive Models
• 10112 - ipd's guide to workshop and service manuals for 1975-1998 rear wheel drive Volvos
• 10113 - ipd's guide to V-belt / fan belt identification and inspection
• 10114 - Serpentine Belt Basics for 1993-2010 front wheel drive and all wheel drive models
• 10115 - Pollen Filters for 850 1993-1997, C70 1998-2004, S/V/XC70 1998-2000
• 10116 - Tune up basics for 1976-2000 Volvo models
• 10117 - Pollen Filters S40, V40, V50, C30, C70 2006-2012, S/V/XC70 2001-2012, S80 1999-2012, XC90
• 10118 - Skid plates and belly splash pans
• 10119 - Weathertech cargo mats
• 10120 - Weathertech floor mats
• 10121 - Wiper Identification and replacement
• 10122 - Molded Plastic Floor Mats
• 10123 - Wheel & Tire Terminology
• 10124 - Proper Wheel Removal & Installation
• 10125 - Upsizing Your Volvo Wheels
• 10126 - Tire Rotation & Tread Wear
• 10127 - Wiper arm fix for 850 models
• 10128 - Volvo OEM Wheel Cross Reference