2020 V60 CC T5 high-speed handling
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm after opinions from other owners/users. I've had the V60 for a couple of years now and generally I find the handling fine, especially as it has the increased ride height of the CC - my previous 3 Volvos were all standard V70s). However, when I take it on holiday so the boot is fully loaded, but there's just the wife and I in the car I feel that the steering gets over-sensitive and doesn't instil the usual Volvo confidence, as though the rear of the car is getting light. This usually happens on fast sweeping bends at 65+ mph, especially if the bends are also up and downhill. As we're only two-up I run the tyres at 33 psi all round and the car doesn't have Skyhook, just the standard steel springs and non-adjustable dampers. One-up without luggage, the car seems fine.
Anyone have any similar experience or ideas? My previous P3 V70 D5 SE (with Skyhook in "Sport") on the same roads with the same loading was faultless,
I'm after opinions from other owners/users. I've had the V60 for a couple of years now and generally I find the handling fine, especially as it has the increased ride height of the CC - my previous 3 Volvos were all standard V70s). However, when I take it on holiday so the boot is fully loaded, but there's just the wife and I in the car I feel that the steering gets over-sensitive and doesn't instil the usual Volvo confidence, as though the rear of the car is getting light. This usually happens on fast sweeping bends at 65+ mph, especially if the bends are also up and downhill. As we're only two-up I run the tyres at 33 psi all round and the car doesn't have Skyhook, just the standard steel springs and non-adjustable dampers. One-up without luggage, the car seems fine.
Anyone have any similar experience or ideas? My previous P3 V70 D5 SE (with Skyhook in "Sport") on the same roads with the same loading was faultless,
Not sure but could the increased weight from a fully laden boot hanging out behind the back axle be introducing more negative camber which, along with softer tyre pressures, perhaps be to blame? I'd agree with trying a higher tyre pressure initially. Not sure what is advised on that specific model but I run mine up nearer the 38PSi region.
I have a similar car. I think you are running the tyre pressures too light.
33.4psi is the minimum. You can go up to 43.5psi all round for high speed running with a full load.
Maybe try the full load low speed pressure of 37.7 all round and see if that helps.
(Sorry for the decimals but the hand book works in KPa so I'm converting).
I've used mine two up with luggage and a bike rack and it seems OK.
Noisy though. Don't know if it's my tyres or the car!
33.4psi is the minimum. You can go up to 43.5psi all round for high speed running with a full load.
Maybe try the full load low speed pressure of 37.7 all round and see if that helps.
(Sorry for the decimals but the hand book works in KPa so I'm converting).
I've used mine two up with luggage and a bike rack and it seems OK.
Noisy though. Don't know if it's my tyres or the car!
Thanks all for the replies. To clarify, the boot under the cover is full (but the seats are up), with a heavy suitcase, cooler full of milk, food container, soft bags, boots, DSLR camera case, coats and general baggage etc for a self-catering holiday for two. So not exactly a pallet of bricks, but not light either; full enough that I have to help the power tailgate to close and most of the weight is out behind the rear axle. Perhaps my loaded V60 is handling like an old 911? 
I had thought about tyre pressures but wasn't convinced it would improve the handling, particularly the slightly "nervous" steering feel. The plated pressures on the B-pillar label are 33 psi all round for two plus a few bags, increasing to 38 psi all round for 5-up plus full luggage. "Eco" with any loading is 38 psi all round, but my previous impression of Volvo "Eco" pressures is the ride quality suffers.
Next trip I'll try raising the pressures to 38 psi all round.
I had thought about tyre pressures but wasn't convinced it would improve the handling, particularly the slightly "nervous" steering feel. The plated pressures on the B-pillar label are 33 psi all round for two plus a few bags, increasing to 38 psi all round for 5-up plus full luggage. "Eco" with any loading is 38 psi all round, but my previous impression of Volvo "Eco" pressures is the ride quality suffers.
Next trip I'll try raising the pressures to 38 psi all round.
Are they XL rated tyres? I under the impression that they have stronger sidewalls and so a soft construction sidewall, low tyre pressures, weight over the back and increased negative camber may all combine for a slightly unsettle driving experience.
I've a V50 that feels very squishy when laden as you describe, almost feels like the tyres are flat which in turn makes the steering vague and feels like the whole car is moving on its tyres. Up the pressure and it helps but ultimately a weight over the back will change the dynamics.
Unladen it's fine...
I've a V50 that feels very squishy when laden as you describe, almost feels like the tyres are flat which in turn makes the steering vague and feels like the whole car is moving on its tyres. Up the pressure and it helps but ultimately a weight over the back will change the dynamics.
Unladen it's fine...
LTP said:
Thanks all for the replies. To clarify, the boot under the cover is full (but the seats are up), with a heavy suitcase, cooler full of milk, food container, soft bags, boots, DSLR camera case, coats and general baggage etc for a self-catering holiday for two.
You need to get a supermarket delivery to the holiday cottage!
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