What maintenance does a 2017 Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid require after reaching approximately 110,000 miles?
This Volvo XC90 T8 Hybrid arrived at our Croydon workshop for an extensive mechanical inspection, preventative maintenance and several necessary repairs. The vehicle had covered approximately 110,000 miles and, although it was still driving, a number of important drivetrain, suspension, steering and servicing items required attention.
Interestingly, the owner found our workshop after searching online for car repair near me. Despite living in West London, he decided to bring the vehicle across London to our Croydon garage because he wanted the work completed thoroughly, including maintenance items that are frequently overlooked on Volvo plug-in hybrids.
The completed work included:
Yes. The 2.0-litre petrol engine fitted to this generation of Volvo XC90 T8 uses a timing belt. At this mileage, the condition and service history of the belt, tensioners and associated components should never be ignored.
As part of this repair, we completed a full Volvo XC90 timing belt replacement, including the complete timing belt kit rather than replacing only the belt itself. We also replaced the auxiliary drive belt while access to this area of the engine was available.
A worn timing belt, damaged tensioner or seized pulley can lead to serious internal engine damage. Replacing the complete kit is therefore far more sensible than trying to save a relatively small amount by changing only one component.
The damaged part visible in the photographs is the right-hand hydraulic engine mount located on the timing belt side of the engine.
An engine mount supports the power unit while isolating vibration from the vehicle’s body. Hydraulic mounts contain fluid and are designed to absorb more movement than a basic solid rubber mounting. With age and mileage, the rubber can split, the mount can collapse or the hydraulic fluid can leak.
Common symptoms of a worn engine mount include:
This is particularly noticeable in a hybrid because the petrol engine repeatedly starts and stops during normal operation. The worn right-hand engine mount on this XC90 was replaced with a new unit.
ERAD stands for Electric Rear Axle Drive. It is the rear electric drive unit used in the Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid system.
The petrol engine primarily drives the front axle, while the electric motor and ERAD system provide drive to the rear wheels. When the vehicle is operating electrically, the torque required to move a large and heavy SUV is transmitted through this compact rear drive assembly.
That means the ERAD is not simply a small accessory motor. It is an important part of the vehicle’s drivetrain and must transfer the electric motor’s power to the rear wheels. Its internal bearings, gears and other moving components depend on a relatively small quantity of oil for lubrication, cooling and protection.
Unfortunately, ERAD oil is one of the most frequently forgotten fluids in Volvo T8 models. It is often described as a lifetime fluid or simply does not appear as a clearly defined replacement item during routine servicing. As a result, many owners service the engine and gearbox but never consider the oil inside the electric rear axle drive.
The problem is usually noticed only after the ERAD begins making noise, develops internal wear or fails completely. Depending on the exact model, parts required and extent of the damage, replacing the complete ERAD assembly can potentially cost approximately £5,000–£7,000.
Our preventative recommendation is to replace the ERAD oil approximately every 60,000 miles, even though Volvo does not officially confirm a fixed 60,000-mile replacement interval for this system.
The cost of an ERAD oil change is very small compared with the potential cost of replacing the complete unit. The system uses less than approximately one litre of oil, so there is little sense in leaving old and contaminated lubricant inside such an expensive drivetrain component.
Fresh oil cannot guarantee that an ERAD will never fail, especially if internal damage has already started. However, regular replacement helps ensure that the gears and bearings receive clean, correctly specified lubrication. It is a sensible preventative measure that may significantly reduce avoidable wear.
If you own an XC90 T8, XC60 T8, V90 T8 or another Volvo plug-in hybrid equipped with an ERAD, this is a maintenance item worth discussing with a garage experienced in hybrid drivetrain servicing.
The automatic gearbox oil was flushed and replaced during this service.
Over time, transmission fluid is exposed to heat, pressure and contamination from normal internal wear. As the fluid deteriorates, it may lose some of its lubricating and hydraulic properties.
Owners may begin to notice:
Replacing the gearbox oil cannot repair existing mechanical damage, but changing old fluid before serious symptoms develop can help protect the transmission and maintain smoother operation.
At 110,000 miles, the gearbox condition, service history and existing fluid should be assessed rather than assuming the original oil will remain suitable indefinitely.
The transfer case forms another important part of the drivetrain. Its oil lubricates the internal gears, bearings and contact surfaces.
Like ERAD and gearbox oil, transfer case oil is easy to overlook because it is not replaced during a basic engine service. However, the fluid still ages and can collect contamination from normal wear.
Replacing it is relatively inexpensive compared with repairing or replacing a damaged transfer case. On a high-mileage, technically complex vehicle such as the XC90 T8, servicing every major drivetrain fluid provides much better protection than focusing only on the engine.
Both rear shock absorbers were replaced.
Shock absorbers control the movement of the suspension and help keep the tyres in stable contact with the road. Worn rear shocks can affect braking stability, cornering, tyre wear and overall ride quality.
Typical symptoms include:
Because shock absorbers on the same axle experience similar mileage and working conditions, they should normally be replaced in pairs. Completing the shock absorber replacement on both sides ensures balanced suspension performance.
This was an important part of the overall suspension car repair, restoring better control and stability to a large, heavy hybrid SUV.
The inspection found wear in both the inner and outer steering tie rod components.
Tie rods connect the steering rack to the wheel hubs and transfer the driver’s steering input to the front wheels. Wear in the joints can create free play, inaccurate steering and uneven tyre wear.
Possible warning signs include:
When completing steering repair Croydon customers should always ensure that the cause of steering play is properly identified. Adjusting alignment alone will not repair worn tie rods or damaged steering joints.
Yes. Wheel alignment is essential after replacing inner or outer tie rods because these components directly control the toe angle of the front wheels.
Even when the new parts are installed in approximately the same position as the old components, small differences can significantly alter the alignment.
Driving without correcting it can cause:
After completing the steering repairs, we carried out a full wheel alignment to ensure the wheels were correctly positioned and the vehicle drove as intended.
The right-hand wheel hub bearing had developed wear and required replacement.
A worn hub bearing can produce a humming or rumbling noise that becomes louder as road speed increases. The sound may change when the vehicle turns because the load on the bearing changes.
If ignored, excessive bearing wear may create wheel movement, affect braking and interfere with wheel-speed sensor readings. Replacing the complete hub bearing assembly removes the play and restores smooth wheel rotation.
The right driveshaft axle was replaced due to its condition, while the oil seal on the left axle was also renewed.
Driveshafts transfer torque from the drivetrain to the wheels. Wear in the joints can result in clicking noises, vibration during acceleration or movement within the drivetrain.
The left axle oil seal was replaced to prevent transmission or drivetrain oil from escaping around the point where the driveshaft enters the housing. Even a relatively small leak should not be ignored because a low fluid level can eventually cause expensive internal damage.
After completing the work, the area was checked to ensure that the new seal was seated correctly and no further leakage was present.
The vehicle received a complete engine service, including:
The correct specification of engine oil is especially important in the Volvo T8’s turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine. A hybrid may complete part of every journey electrically, but the petrol engine can still experience frequent cold starts and repeated start-stop cycles.
Regular engine servicing remains essential even when a large percentage of the vehicle’s mileage is completed in electric mode.
Every vehicle should be inspected individually, but owners should consider checking:
A cheap basic service is not the same as a proper high-mileage inspection. The XC90 T8 combines a petrol engine, automatic gearbox, high-voltage hybrid system, electric rear axle drive and a complex all-wheel-drive arrangement. Each system needs to be considered separately.
This customer initially searched for car repair near me, but ultimately travelled from West London to our workshop in Croydon because he wanted a thorough inspection and preventative approach rather than only replacing the most obvious failed component.
The completed work addressed the engine, timing system, gearbox, ERAD, transfer case, steering, suspension, wheel bearing and driveshaft system. Most importantly, it also included replacement of the often-forgotten ERAD oil.
If you own a Volvo XC90 T8 and are unsure about its maintenance history, waiting for a warning light or serious mechanical noise can become extremely expensive. A detailed inspection and sensible preventative maintenance may identify developing problems before they lead to a major failure.
For professional car repair Croydon, Volvo hybrid maintenance, timing belt replacement, suspension work and steering repairs in Croydon, contact our workshop to arrange an inspection.
