It was my misunderstanding. Thanks for clearing it up. (I had heard something about legislation.)

As for the first 4 years, I am sure the cost is built into the price of the car. Warranty service is also built in. The primary benefit to Volvo in having a complex diagnostic system is that it dramatically lowers Volvo's costs in taking care of new car bugs and other faults or defects while making the new-car customer happy in the shortest time. It also saves Volvo any embarrasment caused by such bugs. Internal service bulletins, extended diagnostic codes, hey, that's Volvo's business. More power to them for being smart. And they surely recover their costs of such a system in the first four years of the car's life.

What I question is what happens out of warranty. Volvo shouldn't care a whit what I do with my car as long as I am not holding them responsible. Then why not make all diagnostic information freely available to the public? Again, it is smart for them to get me out of their hair so they can push forward with the latest and greatest.

By buying my car the week it went out of warranty, I was able to afford it. I wasn't paying for that built-in warranty and all the costs it implies. And by maintaining it myself, I can keep that car on the road, and perhaps more importantly, away from the side of the road, for many years to come. Which furthers Volvo's reputation and helps them sell more cars. And if I want to tackle the complexity of the newer cars, then more power to me for being smart.

I have the utmost respect for you and what you do. I don't deny that it is difficult and complex. Most of what you do I have the sense not to try. I wouldn't try surgery either (hey, you just make a cut, right?). But you can be sure I would ask my surgeon a lot of questions. And (s)he would answer them, thus giving away medical knowledge gained by years of hard work. And I would probably change my own bandage.

Thank you for all you do for us on this board!

- Tom E
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98 V70 GLT black 54k