Volvo introduced the new-to-the-U.S. S40 compact sedan in 2000, as its entry-level vehicle. The S40 underwent a complete overhaul midway through the 2004 model year. This overhaul included two new engines -- both in-line five cylinders -- and a trio of transmissions to choose from. The 2005 S40 carried over from the 2004 model year without any changes, and the timing belt maintenance intervals are the same on both five-pot engines in the 2005 S40.
Regardless of whether your S40 has the base 2.4-liter five cylinder with 168 horsepower, or the turbocharged 2.5-liter with 218 horsepower, Volvo recommends changing the timing belt, tensioner and idler pulley every 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first. If your S40 originally came from California, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York or Maine, and is a PZEV vehicle, the timing belt maintenance interval is every 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
