Phone app not connecting to car app

[bob_bobene]

Hello

I have the Spotify app installed in my Volvo Car OS (Android-based). The app is a (very) stripped down version of the phone app, so when I use it I still have to use the phone to perform some operations (such as opening the album by tapping on the song). This only works when the apps on phone and car connect with each other - and that connection is unpredictable and unstable: sometimes connects, sometimes doesn't, sometimes connects and drops, sometimes connects but every operation takes forever (such as about a minute between tapping the song on phone and it starting to play on car). 

Tried reinstalling, logging out/in, etc. 

Anyone with similar experiences, advice?

P.S. I wish I did not have to rely on that connection at all and the car app had all the features. I am guessing that the features are stripped to minimize interactions with it, but the result is the need to use phone anyway.