Volvo On Call cannot come to our aid on all roads?

 

Re: (vfib30)

Quote, originally posted by vfib30 »

Volvo On Call cannot come to our aid on all roads?

They will call the service responsible for the road to assist you. No problem. The service is not part of the Volvo network, so the service will charge you their going rate. No problem. Volvo will not reimburse you for your expense in paying for the service. I have a problem.

 

Re: (vfib30)

For what it is worth---

I carry an portable air pump that plugs into the 12V service. This little guy has saved my behind, as well as other stranded people, on more than one occassion. They also make a great gift for people who seem to have everything. They are great for spares and/or slow leaks. I also use it to "top off" the pressure in my tires, so they stay close to specified psi. The pump costs about $30.00 at any auto supply store. (They also are very usefull for blowing up soccer and basketballs, etc. We in the Philadelphia area have begun disavowing any football references).

Sorry --- will not help with 4"" gashes...

PS --- how did the car ride/handle with the doughnut on?

DEPTDC

 

Re: (deptdc)

Quote, originally posted by deptdc »

how did the car ride/handle with the doughnut on?DEPTDC

Suprisingly well. You can feel a difference in turning responsiveness sometimes, and there is a little pull on acceleration. Overall, however, you would barely notice it's there. As an added bonus, I have no tire rub when I turn one direction.

 

Re: (alfluvah)

The terms and conditions of the On Call agreement state what happens if you have to use someone outside Volvo's contracted network. You pay and then they reimburse you (up to a limit) upon presentation of a receipt. "Tough luck" isn't mentioned as an alternative to their network.

P.S. - Volvo outsources this to Cross Country - the same as 90% of all companies selling cars in the U.S.

 

Re: (BarryH)

Quote, originally posted by BarryH »

P.S. - Volvo outsources this to Cross Country - the same as 90% of all companies selling cars in the U.S.

And their service is PITIFUL, at best. A true embarassment fro us who are associated with Volvo one way or the other... http://********************/smile/emthdown.gif

Yannis

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (alfluvah)

Quote, originally posted by alfluvah »

On Sat., myself and several other vehicles all had the dubious honor of riding through a series of craters which resembled the moon. Much to my surprise, Volvo informed us that they could not call one of their own trucks. OK, understood. When I asked if they would be willing to call the service responsible for the road, they had no problem doing so but informed me that I would not be reimbursed for any expense I incurred.

This is disturbing. What road were you on? I always assumed Volvo on Call had everything AAA had plus more. Let us know if you get reimbursed after all. Maybe a little slow roasting on the Swedespeed spit wouldn't hurt....

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (Racerbil)

Quote, originally posted by Racerbil »

This is disturbing. What road were you on? I always assumed Volvo on Call had everything AAA had plus more. Let us know if you get reimbursed after all. Maybe a little slow roasting on the Swedespeed spit wouldn't hurt....

I was on Rte. 22 South and was going down the downhill ramp which connects to the Bronx River Parkway by the Kensico dam, heading down towards White Plains. I actually blew the tire on the ramp (not really a ramp, more of a downhill road that connects to the hwy at a large circle), but continued to drive very, very, slowly because there was no way to jack the car on the hill. I was also afraid another car would hit this area and lose control while I was trying to change the tire. I stopped at the Kensico Dam park. Volvo assistance told me that the road itself was not covered. When I explained that I was not actually on the road, she didn't understand and would not call a Volvo affiliated service.

I would seek reimbursement if I actually called for the truck. As I mentioned, I ended up changing out the tire and went on my way. I guess the person my wife spoke to apparently does not know that the expense, per the agreement, is reimbursable. Westchester County Police were very helpful, made sure I was ok, and called into the Town of North Castle to report the potholes as an incident in case I want to write the town a letter.

As for Volvo roadside assistance, I must admit that on 2 prior occasions with our other Volv we had no problems. My brother, on the other hand, has had several very bad incidents where he was essentially stranded. I guess it's hit or miss. A good reason to continue to maintain AAA or another roadside assistance membership.

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (alfluvah)

This reads a little differently to me. alfuvah...do you have the 'on call' system with telephone in your dash, or did you call the 'Roadside Assistance' number in the glove box?

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (FineProperty)

Quote, originally posted by FineProperty »

This reads a little differently to me. alfuvah...do you have the 'on call' system with telephone in your dash, or did you call the 'Roadside Assistance' number in the glove box?

As I mentioned in my first post, it was Volvo Roadside Assistance, the number in the glove box. My car is not optioned w/Volvo on-call. Sorry if there was confusion. Is there different roadside assistance with Volvo on-call? Just curious.

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (FineProperty)

Quote, originally posted by FineProperty »

This reads a little differently to me. alfuvah...do you have the 'on call' system with telephone in your dash, or did you call the 'Roadside Assistance' number in the glove box?

I'm glad someone else asked, because I was also a bit confused. Which service should we not call? FWIW, in addition to the On-Call system, I have kept my AAA membership and Geico will also provide free towing. Regardless, I find it unacceptable that the customer service person with whom your wife spoke did little to provide assistance. Kids in the car on the side of a hwy and the company was more concerned with a few dollars. Pretty shameful. Glad to hear you're OK. I have a big fear of the road side accidents when changing a tire. You know, like the stuff they show on "Cops."

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (24Hours)

Quote, originally posted by 24Hours »

I have a big fear of the road side accidents when changing a tire. You know, like the stuff they show on "Cops."

I Hear ya. It was an easy decision...risk toasting my rim, or potentially losing my life and harming my family. Luckily, in the end everyone is safe and the rim appears to be fine.

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (alfluvah)

I had a flat on my prev T5 last summer. Came out from dinner, and the tire was flat. I gently pulled over to a spot where I could change the tire, and I could only get two lug nuts off. As I jumped on the cheapo tire iron trying to get the 3rd lug nut off, the tire iron twisted such that it was useless.

Called a tow truck (forgot about the Volvo program, used State Farm, which was a waste of time), and this guy spent 15 minutes getting the remaning lug nuts off. He had to put a floor jack under a huge lug wrench (to steady it) while he jumped on the wrence. Next day, the tire place said my tire had a nail.

One week later, as I was pulling out of the garage for a road trip (to the F1 race at Indy), I remebered that I did not put my jack back in the trunk. I was about to go get it when I realized "what good is the jack when the tire iron is destroyed". so off I went w/o a jack. Well, on the return leg, at about 1:00 am in the middle on nowhere, on a two lane black top road, the right front goes flat.

No jack, no tire iron!

This time I call Volvo, and they tell me the truck will be over an hour. Just then, a good samaritan stopped who had a floor jack and a socket wrench that fit the tire. However, we could not get the darn lugs off. I remembered the trick from the prev flat tire, and we put the floor jack under the socket wrench, and jumped on it until the broke loose. Called volvo back and told them "never mind".

Next day, the tire place tells me the tire is fine, no repairs needed. I think it is obvious that the automotive gods were teaching me a lesson for not putting the jack back in the car.

I have had 2 flat tires in the last 10 years, both within a week of each other.

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (alfluvah)

The area Alfluvah is talking about is quiet this time of year, so changing a tire is not hazardous, traffic-wise. But I was asking because I thought it might be a road like the Thruway or the Triborough Bridge bridges where there is only one authorized service company. It is not. Let's hope Volvo's refusal was just a fluke.

By the way, the terminology being used on this thread is getting a little confused. All the cars come with Volvo On Call, which is Volvo's answer to AAA service. The special service linked to the car phone is Volvo On Call Plus.

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (Racerbil)

If by "quiet" you mean "not bumper-to-bumper," then I might agree, but otherwise I'd say the stretch of Rte. 22 Alf is referring to is plenty busy and a VERY dangerous place for changing tires. Last year I hit a huge pothole about a mile north of where Alf got tagged. There are no shoulders and the four lane road is rather twisty and hilly (which under other circumstances makes it fun to drive). The prevailing speed limit is 60 mph. Because there is no median, cars tend to cheat toward the outside of their lanes. Trust me, it's pretty damn scary trying to maneuver around the car and change a tire with cars coming around you on a blind curve.

I'm really bummed if this major road isn't covered by On Call. Potholes crop up on it ALL THE TIME. Alfluvah, have you by any chance checked with Mt. Kisco Volvo? I'd bet they'd know about it if this prime patch of Westchester roadway wasn't covered under the plan.

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (Knickerhawk)

Quote, originally posted by Knickerhawk »

Alfluvah, have you by any chance checked with Mt. Kisco Volvo? I'd bet they'd know about it if this prime patch of Westchester roadway wasn't covered under the plan.

I haven't, but will be asking. My guess is they'll defer to the vendor which handles roadside assitance for Volvo. My sense is that it's hit or miss with this service. My wife had a flat on our Volvo XC70 on the Saw Mill last year, and a tow truck showed up on 5 minutes. She was gone in 10 minutes after the incident. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

As for the road, in addition to the dangers of traffic, it was downhill where I was tagged. If you've seen the Volvo supplied jack, it's probably not a good idea to jack up the car with family on an incline in traffic.

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (alfluvah)

AAA has saved my butt...when our 854 fuel pump died on the driveway, they said they would arrive in 30 minutes. Someone showed up in 15 saying that they were running late. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif Someone else showed up in 10 to make sure everything was ok. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif When the truck arrived it was 32 minutes after I called.

The flatbed driver took a lot of time putting the then 8 year old 854 on the bed and knew where my dealer in W Covina is located. I called the dealer in advance...it was pretty smooth...

AAA Plus...totally worth it. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

 

Re: (deptdc)

Quote, originally posted by deptdc »

For what it is worth--- I carry an portable air pump that plugs into the 12V service. This little guy has saved my behind, as well as other stranded people, on more than one occassion. They also make a great gift for people who seem to have everything. They are great for spares and/or slow leaks. I also use it to "top off" the pressure in my tires, so they stay close to specified psi. The pump costs about $30.00 at any auto supply store. (They also are very usefull for blowing up soccer and basketballs, etc. We in the Philadelphia area have begun disavowing any football references). Sorry --- will not help with 4"" gashes... DEPTDC

Yup!

This little puppy has helped me out on MANY occations with my gti, having a slow leak and all. Went flat all the time, but i had the pump http://********************/smile/emthup.gif \
Only thing about the gti was there was no 'cool' place to put it, i just held it down with a bungie cord. Looks like the R was reading my mind when I discovered this little spot!

ps, took about 2 minutes.
1 minute to think of it, and 1 to do it

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (Knickerhawk)

Quote, originally posted by Knickerhawk »

If by "quiet" you mean "not bumper-to-bumper," then I might agree, but otherwise I'd say the stretch of Rte. 22 Alf is referring to is plenty busy and a VERY dangerous place for changing tires.

He stopped on the dam plaza -- that's the area with a few driveway type roads in front of the dam, if I recall. That's just what I do when I have a flat -- keep going until I can get way away from the traffic. Sorry to bore everyone with the geography of North White Plains.

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (Racerbil)

Racerbil, I understand that your comment was intended narrowly in the sense that you were expressing relief that Alfluvah was able to limp to a safe spot near the dam rotary. My point is broader, in that most of Route 22 (including the area where his tire blew) is a hazardous place to have to change a tire. If you're not at the very end and able to limp out - maybe shredding your tire and ruining your rim in the process - then you're in trouble. So I don't think we're really disagreeing and I apologize if I worded it that way.

Here's my real point that even the non-Westchester readers should care about: Route 22 is a major road in a busy locale that's well covered by Volvo dealerships, so why should there be ANY question about On Call coverage?

 

Re: Tire Blow Out and Volvo Roadside Assistance - Lessons (Knickerhawk)

Quote, originally posted by Knickerhawk »

Here's my real point that even the non-Westchester readers should care about: Route 22 is a major road in a busy locale that's well covered by Volvo dealerships, so why should there be ANY question about On Call coverage?

I don't mean to beat this dead horse further, and most are probably not interested, but let me try and clarify a few things which should be helpful to everyone, even if you don't live in the area.

I didn't place the call (wife did), but my wife believed that the roadside assistance person was telling her that if I stopped where it happened (which would have been very dangerous), they could have one of their affiliated towing companies come.

Because I limped to a safer place (near the highway, but within the park grounds at the beginning of the exit/entrance), they couldn't cover it.

I wasn't on the call, but probably would have asked them why they would only cover me if I drive back to where the incident occurred, even though it endangered my life (and my family's) and could potentially further damage my car.

My wife did try and explain to her that we were not actually on the highway, but in a park, the entrance of which begins at the highway (the Kensico Dam circle). Since she apparently was totally unfamiliar with the area (or, possibly, the State of New York for that matter), she just didn't get it and flat out refused to call the affiliate. I told my wife to hang up at that point since I wasn't in the mood to argue, I had everything under control at that point, and we always could call AAA (plus, other tow trucks started to arrive for other vehicles).