Volvo On Call Service Required Message Explained

Volvo On Call Service Required: Your Comprehensive Guide

When you see "Volvo On Call service required," you may get justifiably confused. Volvo On Call is a subscription service that Volvo models use for safety and security via the smartphone app. However, for many models, "Volvo on Call service required" means the backup battery is currently malfunctioning and needs replacement to maintain emergency power in the case of an accident.

At Wynne Volvo Cars of Hampton, we can help you resolve the issue swiftly. For now, let's go over what it means and what you can do about it in the meantime.

What Is Volvo On Call (And What Replaced It)?

Volvo On Call is a subscription service that lets you perform basic services for your Volvo model, like locking or unlocking doors and checking the fuel level. The Volvo On Call app previously was the primary way to access emergency services or roadside assistance. All Volvo models had an "On Call" button, which placed emergency calls for you.

Nowadays, the Volvo Cars app handles these tasks, though the Volvo On Call subscription is what you'll go through to access additional security and safety measures. Newer models have an "SOS" button to call emergency services rather than an "On Call" button. However, your model's Volvo On Call function still handles the same tasks it always has: providing easy access to emergency services via a GPS-enabled device that guides police, ambulances, and repair crews to your Volvo SUV. Volvo On Call is also still responsible for all connectivity services, whether via the internet or Bluetooth®, through the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM).

If you have any questions about remote services, please contact our team.

What Does Volvo On Call Service Required Mean?

When you see this warning on your driver information display, that means the Volvo On Call VCM battery has been degraded or disconnected in some way, or the module itself is not functioning properly. It's also programmed to appear in some models after eight years, when replacement or maintenance is recommended to prevent mishaps or an accident. So, if you see "Volvo On Call service required" for Volvo XC60 SUVs, you now know that the connectivity is currently inconsistent or the backup battery used to power the VCM in an emergency may not function properly.

But what happens in that case? If your Volvo On Call light is on, then you may not have access to:

• Internet-Based Features: Options like Over the Air (OTA) updates may stop functioning.
• Bluetooth® & Smartphone Connectivity: It may become more difficult to connect to other devices if the VCM is the issue.
• Emergency Services: In the case your vehicle's backup battery is required to power its VCM and GPS-location device, this warning may mean you cannot contact police, ambulances, or towing crews as readily.
• Safety & Security Services: Programs like anti-theft and stolen-vehicle tracking are connected to your vehicle's VCM.
• Volvo Cars App Connectivity: If you like remote locking/unlocking, engine start, finding your parking space, or seeing your vehicle's current health reports, you'll want to resolve this light as soon as possible.

Where Do the Warnings Appear on a Volvo Car Dashboard?

You'll see the Volvo On Call service required message on your driver information display. This small yellow warning is often positioned between the temperature and time displays, simply reading "On Call." If you scroll through the display options and select a warning text as your primary information, you'll see the full "Volvo On Call service required" message.

How to Reset the Volvo On Call Service Required Message

If you see the full warning message on your dashboard, you can temporarily deactivate it by clicking the "Center" or "Play/Pause" button on the steering wheel while the warning message is displayed. This will disable the message until you restart your Volvo model next. However, if you want it to go away permanently, you'll need to replace the Volvo On Call module or the backup battery. After the replacement, you'll need to trigger a software update to reset the timer and notify your vehicle that the battery and VCM are both ready to go.

Keep in mind that this is easier said than done. Say you have a "Volvo On Call service required" for your Volvo XC40. To properly reset the warning message, you'd need to:

1. Locate the backup battery under the trunk.
2. Remove the scuff plates to access the battery and VCM.
3. Remove and replace the VCM module, which has the correct software for your Volvo XC40 model.
4. Reinstall the module to the inside of your Volvo model.
5. Replace the paneling.

All models use the official Volvo VIDA Software to perform a system reset and reinstall the VCM properly, but you will need a subscription and the correct update version for your Volvo car or SUV. In some cases – and especially for newer Volvo models – you may need to contact a trusted service department to properly update your model's software after the replacement is done.

The team at Wynne Volvo Cars of Hampton is always ready to help you with any step of your car-shopping journey.

Can You Still Drive Safely With This Warning?

Yes, you can drive safely with a "Volvo On Call service required" warning, but you should do so carefully. In the case of an accident, your vehicle may not have easy access to roadside assistance or emergency calls. If the VCM is the problem, your Volvo SUV may also have issues with connectivity for updates or properly connecting to your smartphone. In either case, the actual driving components of your car are fine; it's what happens in an emergency that can get uncertain if you can't resolve the warning properly.

There's also the chance that the eight-year timer activated and the warning is more preventative than an emergency. In this case, you can drive properly without any major issues, even in the case of an accident. Still, you will want someone to test your Volvo connectivity module and backup battery just in case.

So, we recommend taking swift action if you have Call service required. Volvo vehicle owners can get an excellent deal through our service specials on replacement batteries, reducing the overall cost with a dealership that knows exactly where your Vehicle Connectivity Module is located. We'll perform that maintenance right the first time, whether you have Volvo On Call service required for a Volvo XC90 or a Volvo S60.

Get Your Volvo On Call Service Required Reset at Wynne Volvo Cars of Hampton

While the Volvo On Call service required warning is not an immediate issue, getting the warning restored allows you to drive more confidently, knowing that emergency services can locate you nearly instantly in the worst-case scenario. Our team knows where the Vehicle Connectivity Module is for any Volvo car or SUV that drives into our fully stocked maintenance bay. Our network of parts gets you the backup battery or module your model needs, and we can reset the software with fully updated components.

So please, schedule a service appointment today with a team that can fix any issue with your Volvo On Call program. We'll have your Volvo vehicle ready to connect to devices and contact emergency vehicles in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset a "Volvo On Call service required" message?

If you see the "Volvo On Call service required" message, you can dismiss it temporarily by holding the "Center" or "Pause/Play" button on your steering wheel. However, to permanently reset it, you will need to replace the backup battery, which is located in a different area of each Volvo SUV. At Wynne Volvo Cars of Hampton, we'll be happy to perform this service for you.

Is Volvo On Call the same as the Volvo Cars app?

Volvo On Call is the subscription service that includes Volvo Cars app functionality. For brand-new Volvo SUVs, this includes the ability to lock or unlock doors, use remote engine start or stop, see warnings, a driving journal, vehicle information, honk/flash, send to car, and roadside assistance. Volvo On Call also includes safety and security services within the Volvo Cars app.

Why does the "Volvo On Call service required" warning keep turning off and on?

If you see this warning turning on and off, your Vehicle Connectivity Module (or VCM) is likely having connection issues, or the battery has degraded to the point where it provides inconsistent power to that module. Have a professional check the battery, or inspect the wires to ensure consistent performance across your vehicle's internal components.