1999 VOLVO V70 snow chains

Chapter 5 - Wheels and tires
pg. 85 Wheels and tires
Wheels and tires
The handling and riding comfort of the vehicle is dependent on the inflation pressure and the type of tires fitted. Read
the following pages carefully. Page No.
Subject
pg. 86General information, Wear indicator, Tire economy, Flat spots
pg. 87
Snow chains, Winter tires
pg. 88
Inflation pressure
pg. 89
Uniform tire quality grading
pg. 86 Wheels and tires
General information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the tire information label located on the rear facing side of the right
front door.
The following is an example of a tire designation code 195/60R15:
195 = tire width in mm.
60 = tire profile. This is the relationship (in percent) between the section height and the width of the tire.
R = radial tires.
15 = diameter in inches.
The tires have good road holding characteristics and offer good handling on dry and wet surfaces. It should be noted
however that the tires have been developed to give these features on snow/ice-free surfaces. Certain models are
equipped with "all-season" tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree of winter roadholding on slippery surfaces
than tires without the "all-season" rating. However, for optimum road holding on icy or snow covered roads - we
recommend suitable winter tires on all four wheels. When replacing tires, be sure that the new tires are the same size
designation, type (radial) and preferably from the same manufacturer, on all four wheels. Otherwise there is a risk of
altering the car's road-holding and handling characteristics .
NOTE: When storing wheel/tire assemblies (e.g. winter tires and wheels), either stand the assemblies upright or
suspend them off the ground. Laying wheel/tire assemblies on their sides for prolonged periods can cause wheel and/or
tire damage.
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Wear indicator
The tires have a so-called "wear indicator" in the form of a number of narrow strips running across or parallel to the
tread. When approx. 1/16" (1.6 mm) is left on the tread, these strips show up and indicate that the tire should be
replaced.
Tires with less than 1/16" (1.6 mm) tread have a very poor grip in rain or snow.
When replacing worn tires, it is recommended that the tire be identical in type (radial) and size as the one being
replaced. Using a tire of the same make (manufacturer) will prevent alteration of the driving characteristics of the
vehicle.
To improve tire economy:
Maintain correct tire pressure. See the tire pressure label on the inside of the fuel tank cover.
Drive smoothly: avoid fast starts, hard braking and tire screeching.
Tire wear increases with speed.
Correct front wheel alignment is very important.
Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and driving comfort.
If the wheels are rotated, they should be kept on the same side of the car so that they revolve in the same direction
as prior to rotation.
Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires and/or wheels permanently.
Flat spots
All tires become warm during use. After cooling, when the vehicle is parked, the tires have a tendency to distort
slightly, forming flat spots. These flat spots can cause vibrations similar to the vibrations caused by unbalanced wheels.
They do, however, disappear when the tire warms up. The degree to which the flat spots form depends on the type of
cord used in the tire. Remember that, in cold weather, it takes longer for the tire to warm up and consequently longer
for the flat spot to disappear. CAUTION: The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire other than the one
that came with the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission. *
* This also applies to models equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD). pg. 87 Wheels and tires (cont.)
Snow chains
Snow tire chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
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Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only (this applies to cars with front wheel drive and to cars
equipped with All Wheel Drive) . Use only Volvo approved snow chains.
Snow chains may be mounted on tire dimension
Front wheel drive: 185/65R15 and 195/60R15. Tire dimension 205/55R15 and 205/50R16 require a special type of
snow chain.
Chains cannot be used on front wheel drive models equipped with 205/55R16 tires.
All Wheel Drive: Special snow chains are available for AWD models equipped with 195/65R15 and 205/55R16 tires.
Chains cannot be used on V70 XC AWD models equipped with 205/65R15 tires. Consult your Volvo retailer.
If accessory, aftermarket or "custom" tires and wheels are installed and are of a size different than the original
tires and wheels, chains in some cases CANNOT be used. Snow chains cannot be used on those turbo-charged
models fitted with all-season tires 205/55 R16. Models equipped with 205/55 R15 or 205/50 R16 need specially
designed snow chains. Sufficient clearances between chains and brakes, suspension and body components must
be maintained.
Some strap-on type chains will interfere with brake components and therefore CANNOT be used.
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information. CAUTION:
Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before installing.
Always follow the chains manufacturer's installation instructions carefully. Install chains as tightly as possible and
re-tighten periodically.
Never exceed the chain manufacture's specified maximum speed limit. (Under no circumstances should that limit
be higher than 30 mph (45 km/h).
Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
The handling of the vehicle can be adversely affected when driving with chains. Avoid fast or sharp turns as well
as locked wheel braking.
Snow tires, studded tires *
Tires for winter use:
Owners who live in or regularly commute through areas with sustained periods of snow or icy driving
conditions are strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help retain the highest degree of traction.
It is important to install winter tires on all four wheels to help retain traction during cornering, braking and
accelerating. Failure to do so could reduce traction to an unsafe level or adversely affect handling. Do not mix tires of
different design as this could also negatively affect overall tire road grip. Volvo recommends 185/65 R15 winter tires
on 15" wheels on all front wheel drive S/V 70 models** including models equipped with 16" or 17" wheels.
Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads in warm weather. They should be removed when the winter driving
season has ended.
Studded tires should be run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during which the car should be driven as smoothly as
possible to give the studs the opportunity to seat properly in the tires. The car tires should have the same rotational
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pg. 198 Index
A
ABS..................................19,21,80Accessories - installing..................105Adjustable steering wheel..................34Adjusting headlights.......................96Air conditioning.....................36,37,39Air mix....................................35Air pump system...........................128Air vents..................................35Airbag (SIPS)...............................8Airbag (SRS)................................4Alarm......................................45All Wheel Drive.(AWD)..................73,120..changing wheels........................93..snow chains............................87..towing.................................77..wheel dimension caution................86Ambient temperature sensor.................27Anti -lock Brake System (ABS).........19,21,70antifreeze.............................82,130Ashtrays...................................33Audio systems
General information.....................194
SC-813..................................142 SC-816..................................155 SC-900/901..............................171Automatic car washing.....................113Automatic daytime running lights...........26Automatic transmission........70,71,72,73,137 Driving mode selector....................72Automatic transmission fluid..........127,134Auxiliary seat.............................11Automatic daytime running lights...........33
B
Battery................................82,138Battery drain - avoiding...................60Battery maintenance.......................132Booster cushion.........................10,13Brake failure warning light.............19,20Brake fluid...........................126,134Brake fluid warning light..................20Brake system............................80,81Break -in period............................66Bulb failure warning.......................21Bulb failure warning light.................19Bulbs.....................................138Bumper cover...............................60
C
Capacities................................137Cargo eyelets..............................62Cargo new - side...........................61Cargo space lighting (wagon)...............56Catalytic converter........................79Center head restraints......................3Central locking button.....................43Chains - winter driving....................87Changing a wheel...........................92Child auxiliary seat (wagon)...............11Child booster cushion...................10,13Child Restraint Anchorages..................9Child safety...............................13Child safety locks - rear doors............48Clock......................................18Clock - resetting..........................27Clutch fluid..............................126Clutch interlock...........................70
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Concealed storage bin (wagon)..............60Coolant - checking/changing...............130Coolant level sensor.......................21Coolant level warning light................19Cooling system.........................74,136Courtesy lights - exterior.................22Cross bars (AWD XC)........................75Cruise control.............................31
D
Daytime running lights.....................26Demister - rear window.....................25Dimensions................................140Diversity antenna.........................197Doors and locks............................43Drive belt................................128Driving economy............................68
E
EBD (Electroinc Brake -force Distribution)..81ECC - Electronic Climate Control........38,39Electrical system......................74,138Electrically operated driver's seat........50Electrically operated front seats......49,108Electrically operated sun roof.............52Electrically-operated windows..........40,108Electroinc Brake Distribution (EBD)........81Electroinc Brake -force Distribution (EBD)..81Emergency towing...........................76Emergency warning flashers.................25Emissions systems.........................122Engine....................................135Engine compartment........................131Engine oil............................125,134Engine oil - checking/changing............124Engine oil pressure........................19Exterior courtesy lights...................22
F
Fog light - rear........................19,24Fog lights - front.........................24Folding front seat (sedans/wagons).........63Folding rear seat (sedan)..................57Folding rear seat (wagon)...............58,59Four wheel drive.......................73,120..changing wheels..........................93..snow chains..............................87..towing...................................77Front courtesy lights......................51Front seats................................49Front seats - heated.......................32Front suspension..........................136Fuel gauge.................................18Fuel level.................................19Fuel requirements..........................66Fuel system...........................122,136Fuel tank cover - opening..................67Fuses.............................102,103,104
G
Gas tank cover - opening...................67Generator..............................19,138Generator warning light....................21
H
Hand brake.................................32Handling...................................75Hazard warning flashers....................25
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P
Paint touch -up............................110Parking brake...........................19,32Parking brake reminder light...............20Parking lights.............................22Polishing.................................113Power seats............................49,108Power steering fluid..................126,134Power windows..........................40,108
R
Radio
SC-813..................................142
SC-816..................................155 SC-900/901..............................171Radio Data System - RDS...................176Rails (roof)...............................75Reading lights.............................51Rear fog light..........................19,24Rear suspension...........................136Rear window demister.......................25Rear/side -view mirrors.....................50Refueling..................................67Remote control (central locking system)....44Remote keyless entry system................44Replacing bulbs........................96-101Replacing fuses...........................102Reporting Safety Defects...................14Road Assistance...........................140Roadholding................................75Roof rails/racks...........................75
S
Safety defects (reporting).................14Safety locks...............................48Seat belt maintenance......................14Seat belts.............................2,3,12Seat belts - cleaning.....................114Seats......................................49Securing cargo.............................62Service reminder indicator..............19,21Servicing.............................120,121Shift lock..............................69,71Shiftlock release (override)..............108Side cargo net.............................61Side Impact Protection System (SIPS)........8Side -view mirrors - heated.................25SIPS........................................8Snow chains................................87Snow tires.................................87Spare tire.................................94Spare tire (sedan).........................55Spare tire (wagon).........................56Spark plugs...............................136Specifications............................133Spool -out (seat belt)......................12SRS.....................................5,6,7SRS diagnostic system......................20SRS warning light.....................5,19,20Stability and Traction Control(STC).19,21,25,81Start Inhibitor (Immobilizer)..............42Starting the engine........................69Steering wheel adjustment..................34Steering wheel lock........................23Storage compartments.......................54Studded tires..............................87Sun roof............................25,52,108
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