Chemical Additives - Policy

BULLETIN NUMBER:
1801

GROUP:
18

N0:
01

DATE:
April, 2000

TITLE:
Chemical Additive Policy

ISSUING DEPARTMENT:
Technical Service

REFERENCE BULLETINS:
SMB 22-03: Recommended Engine Oils

CAR MARKET:
U.S. and Canada

Volvo's policy concerning additives is as follows.

UNLESS SPECIFICALLY INSTRUCTED IN OFFICIAL SERVICE INFORMATION, NO ADDITIVES 0F ANY TYPE ARE TO BE USED IN VOLVO SYSTEMS.

Volvo does not approve of any additives to: engine oil. gasoline, engine coolant. transmission oil/fluid, refrigerant and final drive oil. Only engine oils from Volvo's approved engine oil list may he used for any warranty and/or service maintenance/repair.

The only time there is an exception to this policy is if Volvo communicates to a retailer in written form that it is appropriate to use a given additive in a given system. Examples of this are the use of a dye in A/C refrigerant for the purpose of leak detection, and Volvo gas line anti-freeze during extremely cold weather to help avoid frozen fuel lines.

Fuel Injector Maintenance and Cleaning: Today's gasolines are higher in quality than gasolines of the past. The Clean Air Act Amendments include a requirement that all gasoline sold must contain additives to prevent the accumulation of deposits in engines and fuel supply systems. Today, the issue of sufficient quantities of appropriate detergents is addressed through these EPA regulations.

As a result, Volvo no longer recommends or supports the use of gasoline additives or external fuel injector cleaning systems. Additive over-treatment may have an adverse effect on fuel system performance and may cause engine oil thickening.