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2011 Volvo C30

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 C30.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2011 Volvo C30 is a passenger car fitted with a 5-speed automatic transmission and EPA ratings of 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined, and its engine requires 6.1 quarts of oil meeting 0W-30, 0W-40, or 5W-30 API viscosity standards. Across the 2007–2013 model timeline, this year sits at the top of the complaint record with 14 owner reports, visibility and wiper systems standing as the top concern area, and one recall. That total marks the highest point in the C30’s history, well above the single complaint registered for the 2007 model. That standing means researchers should examine the 2011 model with greater diligence than the notably quieter first-year example.

Model year2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007

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 torque96 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy21/30/24 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

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	8692305
Engine air filter	30757155
Fuel filter	31271607
Battery	30772221 alt 30772236
Front wiper blades	31250286
Thermostat	31319608
Cabin air filter	30780377 alt 30780376

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	167.7 in
Overall width	70.1 in
Overall height	57.1 in
Wheelbase	103.9 in
Curb weight	3139 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 30 / 24 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent road tests for the C30 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.3–7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.30 sec — 2008 T5 Version 1.0 3-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2009	T5 R-Design 3-door Hatchback 2.5L Turbo I-5	6.60 sec	15.10 sec	227 hp	FWD
2008	T5 Version 1.0 3-door Hatchback 2.5L Turbo I-5	6.30 sec	14.80 sec	227 hp	FWD
2008	T5 Version 2.0 3-door Hatchback 2.5L Turbo I-5	6.30 sec	14.80 sec	227 hp	FWD
2008	T5 Version 1.0 3-door Hatchback 2.5L Turbo I-5	6.70 sec	15.30 sec	227 hp	FWD
2008	T5 Version 2.0 3-door Hatchback 2.5L Turbo I-5	7.00 sec	15.40 sec	227 hp	FWD

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 96 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
Manual Transmission Fluid	Volvo part number 31280771
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.0-4.4
Power Steering Fluid	SYNTHETIC

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	133 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 14 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17.7 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	84 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	96 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	26 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-4-5-3
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
Optional BCI Group Number	94R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	700 cca

Service checks

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

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	89 ft-lbs / 52 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0003 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.984 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.984 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.937 in / 0.385 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

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: 50

33 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 75,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft Support Bearing (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (adjust)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 60,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft Support Bearing (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 67,500 mi	Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 75,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Vehicle Wiring Harnesses (inspect)

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 2011 Volvo C30 marks the highest volume of consumer complaints in this generation with 14 reports, surpassing the 1 to 8 complaints recorded annually from 2007 through 2010. Although recall activity decreased to one campaign in 2011 compared to two in preceding years, complaint levels remained elevated relative to the 2012 and 2013 model years, which documented zero recalls and 10 or fewer complaints. Federal records indicate that visibility and wiper systems were the primary concern for 2011 owners, comprising 6 of the 14 total complaints, though the data does not specify the mechanical root cause. Technical Service Bulletins remained consistent throughout the production run, ranging from 178 to 194, implying stable dealer repair knowledge despite the spike in consumer reports. Consequently, given the peak complaint volume relative to surrounding model years, the 2011 model is a higher-risk purchase than the 2012 or 2013 variants and requires thorough verification of wiper system functionality.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

188

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’07 ’08 ’09 ’10’11’12 ’13

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper6

Structure,Visibility/Wiper1

Unknown Or Other1

Structure,Unknown Or Other1

Steering,Air Bags1

Structure1

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Steering,Suspension,Tires,Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V255000Steering:Gear Box:Shaft SectorReported 08/06/2010

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 C30, MODEL YEAR 2010 S40 AND V50 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE GEARSHIFT LEVER STUD ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE CORRECT… Remedy: DEALERS WILL TORQUE THE GEARSHIFT LEVER STUD ASSEMBLY TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 188 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
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…
S10303	2025-02-13	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 C30. 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 30772221

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 2011 C30 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 2011 C30 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the C30 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.