[Bristlecone]

Thanks Chris - so the software update being released is to fix the Heat pump/AC issue? Or is there more to it? Since I do not have a heat pump is there a need for me to make an appointment with the dealer to get the update?
The main item I am looking for is the VOC app with the ability to schedule off peak electricity Charging.

Thanks Chris. My car is still at the CA port. Will it get that software update there, or here in CO when it finally gets delivered to my dealer?

 

[Chris Dauerer]

Now all we need is someone (wink, wink Chris) to sneak the files out onto the interwebs so that we can put it on a flash drive and update the cars ourselves (wink, wink). That's how I got around paying for the BMW and Range Rover map updates....

Scans, with our existing SENSUS based, cars, it was/is already possible to put map updates on a USB stick and download. Those updates are not necessary on the Google Auto cars (XC40 P8). Vehicle software can only be updated via VIDA at a Volvo Retailer.

 

[Chris Dauerer]

Thanks Chris - so the software update being released is to fix the Heat pump/AC issue? Or is there more to it? Since I do not have a heat pump is there a need for me to make an appointment with the dealer to get the update?
The main item I am looking for is the VOC app with the ability to schedule off peak electricity Charging.

Welland, yes, the software updated addresses a number of issues, including the AC issue on heat pump cars, the care key issue (showing km/h and celsius on instrument panel), plus it enables the car to be provisioned to the Volvo on Call app in the future when it is finally available. You will eventually hear from your Retailer to come in for the update and/or receive a letter from Volvo Canada inviting you to do the same. Once the software is in the car and then once the Volvo On Call app is available, you will be able to provision the car to the Volvo On Call app yourself, without having to visit the Retailer.

 

[Chris Dauerer]

Thanks Chris. My car is still at the CA port. Will it get that software update there, or here in CO when it finally gets delivered to my dealer?

Bristlecone, yes all cars in the ports are being upgraded prior to release. Those cars will start to flow out of the ports today.

 

[Chris Dauerer]

Does this software upgrade include the heat pump fix?

cheers

yes

 

[Welland canada recharge]

Welland, yes, the software updated addresses a number of issues, including the AC issue on heat pump cars, the care key issue (showing km/h and celsius on instrument panel), plus it enables the car to be provisioned to the Volvo on Call app in the future when it is finally available. You will eventually hear from your Retailer to come in for the update and/or receive a letter from Volvo Canada inviting you to do the same. Once the software is in the car and then once the Volvo On Call app is available, you will be able to provision the car to the Volvo On Call app yourself, without having to visit the Retailer.

Ok Thanks - you have been and will be a great resource for us - very beneficial as it keeps us in the loop as early adopters of this vehicle in NA.

 

[Mac Man]

Thanks Chris, I took my car in today and got the software update. It fixed my AC which was cutting out (mine was not held up at port) and prepped for the On Call feature to be installed when an over the air update occurs. Sounds like the dealers got communication this week about the software update. I still cannot set up my On Call app on my phone, says VIN is incorrect. I presume this will get fixed when On Call is fully functioning. Thanks for all the clarity, allowed me not to freak out when I lost AC.

 

[blitzswede]

Thanks Chris, I took my car in today and got the software update. It fixed my AC which was cutting out (mine was not held up at port) and prepped for the On Call feature to be installed when an over the air update occurs. Sounds like the dealers got communication this week about the software update. I still cannot set up my On Call app on my phone, says VIN is incorrect. I presume this will get fixed when On Call is fully functioning. Thanks for all the clarity, allowed me not to freak out when I lost AC.

How long did they need the vehicle to do this update?

 

[Mac Man]

It was 2 hours but they took some time to research the issues. I think I was their first update.

 

[Pat W]

When we bought our Tesla Model 3 sight unseen on April 1, 2016 by putting down a refundable $1000 deposit, many reputable journals, consumer magazines, and "experts" seemed to be unanimously and unequivocally telling the world to not trust Tesla. The dominant message coming from them was that the Model 3, particularly at the infamous $35,000 price point, was nothing more than a fairy tale product of Elon Musk's fertile imagination. My wife and I hung in there though, despite the negative vibes everywhere, and then years later on April 1, 2018 we were surprised to get an e-mail from Tesla in California, inviting us to build our Model 3 online, with delivery targeted a further 6-8 weeks. While there wasn't much "building" that could be done except color selection (all of these first production cars already had all the options that Tesla offered), we were happy to put down another $3,000 to seal the deal, at which point the money became a non-refundable deposit.

Lo and behold, at the end of May 2018 my wife and I picked up our car. Yes, there were numerous teething issues and problems with our car (including one that froze an OTA software update mid-way thru download and "bricked" the car necessitating flat-bedding it for repairs to the nearest Tesla service center hundreds of miles away). It decidedly felt that Tesla was doing most of the new car's prototyping and development by having owners be the guinea pigs. There were many options that took months to come down to our car via software updates, and Full Self Driving, the most expensive option at almost $8,000 paid up front, has never been delivered to anyone who ordered it at the time of this writing, and don't know if it ever will be. But at 3 years ownership now, although it's been "updated" by a constant flow of 50+ OTA software downloads and the car is indeed fine, Tesla corporate still presents painful problems to its customers - no returned calls; numerous manufacturing flaws that have never been acknowledged; lack of service centers locations contrary to promises; ever-changing prices of cars in the model range or random re-pricing or deletion of some options without rhyme or reason; no freedom to have any body work done at your own-choice bodyshop as Tesla does not sell repair parts to other than their proprietary "certified" shops; inconsistent repair rates including erroneous billing; routine work that is designated as DIY but in reality requires a shop visit, and so on. Despite these issues, we are still glad we bought the car, and have never had any regrets as it is a genuinely innovative and satisfying driving experience.

Bottom line: Our experience w/ Tesla has convinced us that the Volvo XC40 is already way ahead of competitors. It's a great package and realistically, there is nothing in its size and premium price class that is a tangible or viable option today. Although Volvo and some franchised dealers appear to be the bottleneck at this early stage of Volvo's first pure EV launch, my wife and I are confident that the XC40 as a product will prevail and offer everything we hope for in a very positive way, and Volvo the company will learn and improve in terms of customer communications as it transitions into the EV world. I would encourage those who are thinking of cancelling their orders at this stage solely because of anger directed at the company/dealer to perhaps pause and reconsider just a bit more as to what drew you to the XC40 in the first place. It would be a shame to lose the opportunity to enjoy such a fine car just because of current annoyance with some misbehaving dealerships.

Well expressed. This is an excellent discussion of problems encountered by early adopters and innovators. I just took delivery at the end of April of an XC40 Recharge from Volvo of Oakville. They warned me of the delays in SiriusXM, CarPlay and VOC. My driver map display did not work. The dealer was to have contacted me to help resolve this issue but didn’t. Being under Covid business restrictions has complicated the whole dealer support procedure. But the suggestions from members on this site on ways to resolve the map display by resetting the computer proved successful. Thank you.
This is my first Volvo and I bought the XC 40 Recharge based on YouTube reviewers. I did not even test drive it before placing the order. Coming from a BMW535d (diesel), I been amazed at the performance, ride comfort and quietness of this vehicle. It handles better than my 535 except for the shorter wheel base with a bit of jounce. I just love the one pedal mode. I am not buying a computer but a car with computer enhancements. For an older guy (I’m 73) I just love the commanding seat height yet low Center of gravity. I’m glad that I am getting into an electric vehicle while still young at heart. For me the Volvo has the right focus on safety, road manners and a relatively traditional layout with instrument directly in my line of sight. I preferred this to the large tablet approach and virtually no other instrumentation of the Tesla 3 and Y. The XC40 Recharge is an exceptional first effort and bodes well for Volvo’s rapid implementation of electric vehicles across their full range. The firmware will eventually be updated and then I can stop using my iPhone as a media Center to stream Sirius XM. And Google is now listening to me and giving alternative opinions to Siri. Kind of fun actually.

 

[Slickpaper]

Chris Dauerer question please but first my thanks for you stepping in to the void from the Volvo side to keep us informed and updated. I'm sure everyone really appreciates your input. My question is that I have had 3 times after heavy rains a problem with the brake releasing when I go to drive the car the next day. After returning to Park and going back to Drive or Reverse several times to no avail I finally just had to hit the accelerator to get the car to pop the locked brake and into motion. I think someone else had a similar problem posted on this forum. This last time I ended up with a noise sounding like a flat tire every time I released the accelerator on one pedal drive or braked with two pedal drive. Dealer says the brake not releasing could be a system issue, they aren't sure, but the result now is they think it is a rotor / disc problem but not sure which or where so now waiting for Volvo to tell them what to do, thus my car remains in the shop all day waiting for a reply. Are the new models getting any kind of priority on Volvo authorization to make fixes? When will dealers be allowed to act on their best assessment of a problem so service can be more timely? Thank you again for your efforts.

 

[JJBTEXAS]

Sounds like the brake pad is getting rusted to the rotor and the XC40s not rolling through that on it's own. If I'm right then I wouldn't be too worried about it unless its making you use a lot of accelerator pedal to do so, making it unsafe. I imagine Volvo's fix would just be to increase the initial torque threshold for rollout.

 

[SeattleCat]

Oddly I had that experience on the test drive of a P8 (both times) it went away with motion.

 

[Welland canada recharge]

Generally that is new rust that has formed causing the pads to stick to the rotors - usually a little extra push on the go pedal (accelerator) forces it to break free - once broke free after a few miles of driving and braking cleans the rust off the rotors and all is good - but it sounds like your issue has more implications - would think the dealer could assess the brakes and determine what needs to be replaced to fix the issue - just because the car is electric does not change the brakes (rotors and pads) should be able to resolve easily unless something with the regeneration has broke free as a result of the rust sticking the pads to the rotors.

 

[arijaycomet]

Although a few replies already occurred about to @Slickpaper post- I wanted to just add one more user/data point but also expand a bit. Having had DOZENS of BEV, we’ve experience this many times before. As noted above from others, because you drive the car one-pedal, much of the braking is regen, not the actual metal disc/rotors. So it isnt uncommon for them to get some surface corrosion on them, that then provides moderate “surface rust” that is there. If you’ve ever washed a car but not moved it for 24-hours after, you may have experienced there.

In our Tesla, Audi eTron, Porsche Taycan, etc— we’ve had the same issues— where you have to juice the “GO PEDAL” to get the brakes to unsieze and allow the car to move. Because the surface coating is still there, you’ll feel this rotationally, even when not using the brakes. Best way to determine if its a longer term problem would be a few really aggressive HARD BRAKING applications. Find yourself a side street, go from ~40 MPH down to ~5 MPH with HEAVY push on the brake Pedal. It may take a few attempts to really get them down to how they should be. If a few stomps doesn’t fix it, then a visit to the dealer might be in order.

As a side note: Porsche offers “PSCB” - Porsche Surface Coated Brakes. These tungsten carbide brakes allow for less corrosion to occur, to circumvent the EXACT problem we’re discussing here. They are a rather pricey option, but also have less brake dust, etc. They’re a very expensive option, too. But they’re a brilliant resolution to this conundrum, Of EVs using less of their actual mechanical brakes, and more braking done by the EV system.

 

[ColoradoNative]

I understand that this very problem is why the VW ID.4 has drum brakes in the back - they don't rust as quickly. I've also heard that the ID.4 has a brake cleaning mode that it enters every now and then, where it uses the friction brakes rather than re-gen to stop. This seems like a good idea, and will hopefully become more common on all EVs.

 

[Slickpaper]

Thank you for the inputs on my brake issue all of which make sense. Dealer says Volvo is telling them the thumping noise when braking is a caliper issue so they are pursuing this now. Not sure they really know and wonder if they aren't just throwing darts at a board of possible solutions! Neighborhood brake shop could have rebuilt all 4 brakes in a day! This is now day 3 of the saga. The dealer blames the delay on slow response time from Volvo. They claim that due to this being a totally new vehicle for Volvo they need authorization for everything they do. But of course could be the dealer is just swamped and using Volvo as an excuse, although I think they'd like to get me off their case so doubtful. Ironic that we're in the midst of a gas shortage in the SE US and can't use my EV! Not a great way to start off with an expensive new car!! Worse yet my wife told me not to buy the car!!!

 

[SeattleCat]

According to my Volvo dealer there is a break pad cover thingy that needs removing after it is delivered but if it is removed badly it bends something which catches … I like the rust idea myself.

 

[Slickpaper]

I agree that original lockup issue was most likely rust as described by others in this forum. Now the question is what is causing the thumping. Dealer said they were authorized to rebuild 1 front and 1 rear caliper and see if that resolved the issue. If not then they apparently have to go back to Volvo to get authorization to do the remaining 2 calipers. It just keeps dragging out the process with what they say are long delays waiting to hear back from Volvo on each step. It seems like Volvo could authorize a series of steps with a test drive after each until there was a resolution, then the dealer could do a post mortem for Volvo so they can then publish a work through for other dealers who encounter the same issue.

 

[JJBTEXAS]

Tell them to use their own vehicles to diagnose the troubleshooting steps and stop wasting your time! Rebuild all 4 corners and be done with it.