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Re: SOS Button

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:07 pm
by 72 dudes
@squint.

No, no reply from your Volvo dealer. That's enough to decide that I wouldn't trust them, or nothing has been done to fix the issue.

Re: SOS Button

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:09 pm
by Silver Moose
balmoral wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:01 pm My understanding is that it is only mandatory for e-call to be installed in cars Type Approved after April 2018 which is presumably after when the XC40 was approved. If that is correct then the XC40 might not even be equipped with e-call.
Ah, thanks for that. I always thought it was *built* and could never get my head around the fact that V.A.G. were still charging for their emergency call feature post 04/2018 (and some cars still didn't have the feature at all). You've now answered it for me.

Edit P.S: Would also explain why (one part of one version of) the manual states the the option to change default applies only to S60/V60 (introduced 09/2018 I believe, so the only Volvo with ecall probably??).

Re: SOS Button

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:20 pm
by squint
Silver Moose wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 11:50 am So, an update from Volvo - apparently they fixed it "straight away" - Squint must just have a skewed perception of time :)

Thank you for your patience whilst I have been reviewing your concerns with our technical teams.

We experienced a slight roaming issue, which was addressed straight away and fixed.

Please be advised that in an event of any emergency, the SOS systems will revert correctly to the emergency services.


Did some digging, looked at some Volvo PowerPoints, and reviewed the legislation:

  • Volvo, by default, does not use the EU ecall system but, instead uses its own system which allows VOC to filter the calls before calling emergency services. Such (TPS) systems are permitted under EU legislation provided they meet the requirements and users can change the default to ecall
  • Seems to be a perfectly sensible decision to me as: a) Volvo research showed that the SOS button was misused to the extent that 90% of uses were for non-emergency situations such as breakdowns, and; b) Volvo can provide way more detail to the emergency services than ecall can
  • On my car, at least, I CAN'T set the default to ecall if I suspect the Volvo system has issues. Probably permissable in UK now that we've left the EU but I don't know whether it was possible before - anyone like to comment?
Seems like we just gotta trust the system works when it should and keep our phones within reach & ready to disconnect from car - no sensible-shoes antics like putting your phone in the boot.

Best tactic: Drive safe all
I am unsure what you mean by that - my car was at dealership for 5 weeks - I was in constant contact with them and also Volvo technical at head office - in all that time they could not fix the SOS problem - the car was then rejected.

Would you be willing to press the SOS button in your car and try it?

Re: SOS Button

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:34 pm
by Silver Moose
squint wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:20 pm I am unsure what you mean by that - my car was at dealership for 5 weeks - I was in constant contact with them and also Volvo technical at head office - in all that time they could not fix the SOS problem - the car was then rejected.

Would you be willing to press the SOS button in your car and try it?
Apologies for any confusion - hope I didn't offend you.

Yes, I'm aware you gave them more than enough time and that they DIDN'T fix it - I was trying to be humorous with my comment.

I see their reply as just a fob-off - it's technically incorrect and didn't really address my questions.

Don't want to get into a protracted argument with them, nor any dispute over misuse of button. I have used the V.O.C. button and that was fine - I'll just hope I never need the S.O.S. but will always keep my phone charged and at hand in my car - I certainly don't trust Volvo on this one.

Re: SOS Button

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:44 pm
by squint
Silver Moose wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:34 pm
squint wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:20 pm I am unsure what you mean by that - my car was at dealership for 5 weeks - I was in constant contact with them and also Volvo technical at head office - in all that time they could not fix the SOS problem - the car was then rejected.

Would you be willing to press the SOS button in your car and try it?
Apologies for any confusion - hope I didn't offend you.

Yes, I'm aware you gave them more than enough time and that they DIDN'T fix it - I was trying to be humorous with my comment.

I see their reply as just a fob-off - it's technically incorrect and didn't really address my questions.

Don't want to get into a protracted argument with them, nor any dispute over misuse of button. I have used the V.O.C. button and that was fine - I'll just hope I never need the S.O.S. but will always keep my phone charged and at hand in my car - I certainly don't trust Volvo on this one.
No offence taken.
But the problem with you suggesting keeping your phone to hand is that, in my case, I did have my fully charged phone to hand, but the SOS button "froze" my phone from making calls during the whole time it was trying to connect to the SOS centre - I could not end this call. Even after about 45 minutes when the call did get through and operator ended the call, I still could not make calls for a while.
I am sure that if the Bluetooth was disconnected then I would be able to - but if, heaven forbid, you were in an accident, would you even think of this? - even if you could, you make not be able to if injured - what if the phone was now out of reach?

Re: SOS Button

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:46 pm
by Notsure
Apologies for not getting back to post sooner, work eh, who'd do it :lol: :lol:

Just flicked through and taking in the comments since my last post.

I, like @squint, will be giving the dealer / Volvo every opportunity to resolve the issue before I get fed up and follow the path of rejection .

I believe there needs to be more 'button pushing' to move this forward and get a quicker resolution
:D ;)

Re: SOS Button

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:11 pm
by Silver Moose
Notsure wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:46 pm I believe there needs to be more 'button pushing' to move this forward and get a quicker resolution
:D ;)
I understand your sentiment but, having been slightly alarmed at what I would consider a quite tight staffing level for VOC, I wouldn't want to find out I was party to clogging their systems whilst a real emergency was trying to get through.

My suggestion remains that, as you are currently experiencing a safety issue which is not being satisfactorily resolved, you register your concern with DVSA - that WILL force their hand.

I have a gut feeling that the problem lies with homeworking during the pandemic - it's a complex process to combine data & voice into one call, & they'll be encountering no end of phone-line variations within their employees' homes.

Re: SOS Button

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:31 pm
by squint
Silver Moose wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:11 pm
Notsure wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:46 pm I believe there needs to be more 'button pushing' to move this forward and get a quicker resolution
:D ;)
I understand your sentiment but, having been slightly alarmed at what I would consider a quite tight staffing level for VOC, I wouldn't want to find out I was party to clogging their systems whilst a real emergency was trying to get through.

My suggestion remains that, as you are currently experiencing a safety issue which is not being satisfactorily resolved, you register your concern with DVSA - that WILL force their hand.

I have a gut feeling that the problem lies with homeworking during the pandemic - it's a complex process to combine data & voice into one call, & they'll be encountering no end of phone-line variations within their employees' homes.



That could be true - on the other hand, it seems that many cars have been affected, and so a real emergency may not get through. You may also be doing someone who maybe in an accident a favour as the sooner this is resolved the better.

Re: SOS Button

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:28 pm
by Notsure
squint wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:31 pm
Silver Moose wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 3:11 pm
Notsure wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 2:46 pm I believe there needs to be more 'button pushing' to move this forward and get a quicker resolution
:D ;)
I understand your sentiment but, having been slightly alarmed at what I would consider a quite tight staffing level for VOC, I wouldn't want to find out I was party to clogging their systems whilst a real emergency was trying to get through.

My suggestion remains that, as you are currently experiencing a safety issue which is not being satisfactorily resolved, you register your concern with DVSA - that WILL force their hand.

I have a gut feeling that the problem lies with homeworking during the pandemic - it's a complex process to combine data & voice into one call, & they'll be encountering no end of phone-line variations within their employees' homes.



That could be true - on the other hand, it seems that many cars have been affected, and so a real emergency may not get through. You may also be doing someone who maybe in an accident a favour as the sooner this is resolved the better.
I think, as both @squint and I did, that if there was a remote chance that the button would not connect correctly when pressed then it needs to be tested.
Also, if the dealer that I purchased from was prepared to try the button in numerous cars on site then surely we as individuals should be able to

Based on your gut feeling It would be interesting to find out if there is anybody out there that has had to use the button rather than just for testing purposes, either during or pre lockdown ?

Re: SOS Button

Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2020 8:41 pm
by squint
72 dudes wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:07 pm @squint.

No, no reply from your Volvo dealer. That's enough to decide that I wouldn't trust them, or nothing has been done to fix the issue.

I wonder why my car is no longer on the website? - unless they’ve sold it!

Good job I have a screen shot of when it was.

I wonder if the dealership Paul Rigby monitor this forum?