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Volvos are some of the most practical, reliable, and yet stylish European vehicles on the market. While they are dependable, they are not invulnerable to some common types of part failure. This is why part of being a responsible driver is knowing the unique habits of your vehicle, such as what’s normal and what isn’t for your car. One problem that can be quite common for Volvo’s is transfer case malfunction. Let’s discuss the importance of the transfer case, how to tell if it is malfunctioning, and where to go for help in your local area.

The Purpose of the Transfer Case

All four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Volvos need a transfer case as part of their transmission system. The transfer case is used to move torque energy created by the transmission to both axles of the vehicle. This is different from front-wheel-drive cars, which only require power to be delivered to one axle. The transfer case is able to do this by using drive shafts.

The transfer case is also used to balance each of the four wheels so that they can coordinate with one another, allowing a smooth and even ride. When the transfer case develops issues, performance can plummet as can the safety and handling of your Volvo.

Common Signs of a Malfunctioning Transfer Case in your Volvo

Most vehicle malfunctions present themselves as drops in vehicle performance, which is why getting to know how your Volvo runs is important. A performance drop may not always indicate transfer case malfunction, but noticing when an issue arises means you can have the problem swiftly resolved by your local Volvo specialist. Transfer case failure is diagnosed using a differential diagnosis procedure. So, let’s take a closer look the symptoms of a malfunctioning transfer case in your Volvo:

Noises From Under the Hood

Grinding noises coming from the engine area of your Volvo is never a good sign and needs to be investigated as soon as possible. Hearing grinding noises in certain gears or hearing the grinding noise elevate when you change gears can be indicative of transfer case failure. This should be dealt with by a Volvo specialist right away.

Trouble Shifting Gears

Trouble shifting gears tends to indicate a problem in the transmission system. If you notice gear changes becoming less smooth or cause your car to jerk or perform erratically, then you need to have your car looked at by a specialist.

Fluid Leaking from the Transfer Case

Your Volvo relies on a variety of different fluids in order to run correctly. The transmission system used transmission fluid to help lubricate its moving parts and keep temperature levels down. The transfer case has its own specific kind of fluid which is used to keep its parts moving properly with minimal friction. Any fluid leaks of your Volvo need to be investigated to prevent more serious part failure.

Preventing Transfer Case Malfunction in your Volvo

The best way to safeguard your transfer case from malfunction is to practice good driving habits, keep on top of your driver maintenance (such as oil top-ups and tire care), as well as your service record.

Having a Volvo specialist inspect your vehicle at regular intervals throughout your car’s lifespan can help also ensure all parts and systems are kept in perfect running order and any problem is addressed early on. This reduces the overall costs of running your vehicle and saves you time in waiting for lengthy repairs to be completed.

As transfer case failure is an issue that is inherent to Volvo, make sure that you bring your car to Volvo specialists. A Volvo specialist will be familiar with all the common quirks and part needs of the brand. This means that you’re covering all your bases when it comes to preventing malfunctions and part failure.

Visit Autowerks

If you’re a proud owner of a Volvo and are part of the communities of Brenham, Bryan, Caldwell, Madisonville, Navasota, and College Station, TX, Autowerks is available for quality Volvo auto repair and expert servicing.

We use state-of-the-art technology combined with hands-on experience to perform diagnostic testing and inspections to get to the heart of the matter quickly. This means you can be back on the road faster than our competitors. Call our team today to make a convenient appointment.