Volvo Rumors and I-70 Over Vail Pass

Let me see...my last post was about our trucks from Sacramento, California going to Salt Lake City, Utah.

We delivered those trucks on Wednesday morning and started our deadhead to Commerce City, Colorado - Denver area.

We got to the Volvo Dealership Friday morning about 11. These are brand new trucks. The batteries were all dead. The computers in these trucks suck the life out of batteries while they sit turned off.

The rumor we had heard was this: Jump starting a 2006 and newer Volvo blows the headlights out. This seems questionable and, frankly, unbelievable with all the advances made toward the efficiency of these newer vehicles. It is not cost effective to pay $700 for headlights or worry about a wiring flare because the batteries need to be jumped.

At the Volvo Dealership I asked if this rumor was true or not. It is, in fact, true. Three of the four trucks have blown headlights after the dealership people jump started the trucks. We even had to have one of the trucks traded out and left behind because of a massive coolant leak that masked a big engine oil leak. These are brand new trucks. What the heck is up with that?????

I have to clarify blown headlights. They did not explode and fling glass everywhere or hurl shrapnel. The lights just don't work and won't until a mechanic does their mojo on them. Probably a 10 minute job at a cost of $700 to the truck owner. Bend Over.

Yesterday we putzed around with these trucks for about six hours. Taking them across the street to put fuel in them so they can idle for four hours while we slowly get our work done. We didn't shut them off until about 6pm. Fingers crossed they would restart this morning.

Thankfully, they started this morning and we were able to get this run started. These trucks are going to a Volvo Dealership in Fontana, California.

Leaving Denver we took I-70 west and up in the mountains. The Eisenhouer Tunnel I was really worried about going down that mountain. With an engine brake it was not really bad. A little scarey at times but all in all it was not a bad trip down the mountain.

So, our day has ended in Green River, Utah at the Super 8.



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