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2008 Volvo S40

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 S40.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2008 Volvo S40 is a compact passenger car equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 6.1 quarts of oil within the approved 0W-30/0W-40/5W-30 viscosity range, delivering EPA-rated fuel economy of 18 city, 26 highway, and 21 combined mpg; with just 16 total owner complaints recorded, the 2008 model year ranks among the more reliable iterations of the 2000–2011 S40 generation—its complaint volume sits substantially below the peak of 134 documented in 2000 and well within the lower range of the model's history, though two recalls indicate some factory-level attention was required during this production run.

Model year2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.1 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque81 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 91 · 590 CCA battery, OE oil filter 8692305. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 91 · 590 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-45R18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	8692305
Engine air filter	30757155
Fuel filter	31271607 alt 31273741
Battery	30772226 alt 30772216
Front wiper blades	31250286
Thermostat	31319608
Cabin air filter	30780376 alt 30780377

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	176.4 in
Overall width	69.7 in
Overall height	57.1 in
Wheelbase	103.9 in
Curb weight	3230 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.8 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 26 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	92 cu ft
Cargo volume	13 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the S40 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.5–7.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2006 T5 Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2006	T5 Sedan 2.5L Turbo I-5	6.50 sec	14.90 sec	218 hp	AWD
2005	T5 Sedan 2.5L Turbo I-5	6.70 sec	15.00 sec	218 hp	FWD
2005	T5 Sedan 2.5L Turbo I-5	6.80 sec	15.10 sec	218 hp	AWD
2005	T5 Sedan 2.5L Turbo I-5	6.90 sec	15.20 sec	218 hp	FWD
2005	T5 Sedan 2.5L Turbo I-5	7.10 sec	15.30 sec	218 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.1 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 81 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-4-5-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	8.2
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Oil	0W-30 · 0W-40 · API · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	6.1 qt
Engine Oil	0W-30 · 0W-40 · API · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	6.1 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	Volvo part number 31280771

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	133 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	133 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	4 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	48 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	84 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	81 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	26 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-4-5-3
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	720 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.20-1.30 lbs
Oil Type	Volvo part number 87085817 or equivalent
Oil Capacity	6.00-6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	91
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	590 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	91
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	590 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	194 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	68 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	70 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	58 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	89 ft-lbs / 73 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in / 0.0016 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.937 in / 1.015 in / 0.385 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.905 in / 0.984 in / 0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs, Step 2: 18 ft. lbs, Step 3: 100

11 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs, Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 100

11 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 100

11 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	44 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
3	130 degrees.	130 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	15 ft. lbs.	15 ft. lbs
2	44 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
3	130 degrees.	130 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., Step 2: 65

33 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., Step 2: 65

33 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

33 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50

33 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33 ft. lbs; M8 Bolts: 18 ft. lbs.; M7 Bolts 13 ft. lbs.; M10 Bolts: 90 degrees

15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 75,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Underbody (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 60,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 75,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Volvo S40 sits near the end of a clear downward trend in owner complaints, which fell from a generation-high 134 in 2000 to just 16 in 2008 and continued dropping to 5 by 2011. Recalls remained modest at two for 2008, consistent with the one-to-three range seen across most model years, while technical service bulletins stayed elevated at 159, indicating ongoing dealer-level service activity despite fewer formal complaints. The top complaint categories — visibility, engine, and vehicle speed control — each logged only two reports, and the data does not specify root causes for any of them. Notably, five crash-related complaints were recorded for 2008 with no fire incidents. Compared to the troubled early years (2000–2005) and even the immediately preceding 2007 (25 complaints), the 2008 model shows meaningful improvement, though the persistent TSB volume suggests owners should verify all bulletins have been addressed. This makes the 2008 a comparatively good year to buy within the generation, provided a thorough pre-purchase inspection confirms recall and TSB compliance.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

159

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07’08’09 ’10 ’11

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 16 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility2

Engine2

Vehicle Speed Control2

Suspension,Electrical System,Engine1

Steering1

Electrical System1

Tires1

Steering,Electrical System,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V329000Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And ConnectionsReported 23/07/2008

VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2009 VEHICLES. A SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY VULCANIZED (CURED) AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE FAILS, A SUDDEN RUPTURE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

10V566000Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)Reported 08/11/2010

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT. Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 159 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
35526.1.8	2026-04-23	Engine	This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform…
37809.1.1	2026-04-07	Unknown Or Other	This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to…
19245	2025-12-06	Unknown Or Other	This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.
8501	2025-04-10	Exterior Lighting	This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a…
S10303	2025-02-21	Unknown Or Other	Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific S40. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 91 battery Vehicles taking 6.1 qt Engine oil filter 8692305 Engine air filter 30757155 Fuel filter 31271607 Battery 30772226

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 S40 take?

6.1 qt of BELOW 104 degrees F,: 0W-30 OR 0W-40 API SL, -22 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL, -13 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 5W-40 API SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 S40 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the S40 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.

2008 Volvo S40

Quick specs

Fitment & sizes

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

Performance & power Independent road tests

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Lubricants & capacities

Engine torques

Chassis torques

Ignition

Battery & A/C

Service checks

Brakes

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Common OBD-II trouble codes

VIN tools

Vehicles with shared specs

Reference guides

Related vehicles

Other years

Frequently asked