Unlike most American cars, Volvo automobiles have an oil filter housing that fits around the filter itself. To remove this housing, you or a mechanic must attach an oil filter cap wrench to a socket wrench.
Many Volvo models have a standard sized oil filter housing, or cap, that covers the filter. This housing secures the filter and an o-ring to the engine. All Volvo S80 models use the same standard-size oil filter housing, which fits an oil filter with a 76 mm outer diameter and a length of 79 mm.
A special wrench will remove the oil filter housing. Because this housing is standard in all Volvo S80 models, the wrench needed is also a standard size of either 86 mm or 88 mm. It is also compatible with many other Volvo models. The wrench is slightly larger than the oil filter housing itself and will connect to any 3/8 inch socket wrench. Connect the socket wrench to the oil filter cap wrench, then turn it counter-clockwise to loosen. This requires a significant amount of force.
For the do-it-yourself oil change, both the oil filter housing and the oil filter cap wrench are available at auto parts stores and from online retailers. The genuine Volvo oil filter housing kit is part #1275808 and was less than $20 in 2011. Several brands of oil filter cap wrench are available, many of which cost less than $10 in 2011.
