2001 VOLVO S60 Owners Manual

Steering wheel lock
The steering wheel lock might be under tension when the car is parked.
Turn the steering wheel slightly to free the ignition key.
In order to help reduce car theft, make sure the steering wheel lock is engaged before leaving the car.
pg. 130 General information
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stops and adjusting the speed of
your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Observe the following rules:
Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by driving with a light foot on the accel-
erator pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold engine uses more fuel and is subject to increased wear.
Whenever possible, avoid using the car for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach normal
operating temperature.
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceler- ation and hard braking.
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the car.
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance and also fuel consumption.
Avoid using automatic transmission kickdown feature unless necessary.
However, at higher driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air conditioning on and the windows
closed than with the air conditioning off and the windows open.
Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you learn how to drive more economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
Worn or dirty spark plugs
Incorrect spark plug gap
Dirty air cleaner
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
Dragging brakes
Incorrect front end alignment Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard
Maintenance Service intervals.
NOTE: Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions should use (D) rive as often as possible and avoid using
"kickdown" to help improve fuel economy.
WARNING!
Driving with the trunk open: Driving with the trunk open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases entering the
passenger compartment. If the trunk must be kept open for any reason, proceed as follows
- Close the windows
- Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield and side windows and blower control to its
highest setting.
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CAUTION: Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i. e. flooded roadways, etc.). Damage to the
engine could result if excess water is drawn in through the air intake system. Never drive the vehicle in water deeper
than 1 foot (300 mm). See the flood warning on page 16.
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your car has a tendency to understeer, which means that the steering wheel has to be
turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a bend. This ensures good stability and reduces the risk
of rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the vehicle load.
pg. 131 General information
The heavier the load in the trunk (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg), the less the tendency to understeer.
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore, check that the tires are inflated
to the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. See "Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
pg. 132 Manual transmission
Shift positions
Depress the clutch pedal completely when changing gears*.
Remove your foot from the clutch pedal while driving. The shift pattern should be followed.
Overdrive (5th gear) should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy.
* Clutch interlock
The clutch must be fully depressed before you can start your car. If the clutch is not depressed, it will not be possible
to start the engine.
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Engaging reverse gear
Reverse gear should only be engaged from a complete stop.
CAUTION:
Be careful to avoid inadvertently engaging reverse while moving forward.
"Space ball" gear selector (option)
The shift positions for the "space ball" are the same as for the standard manual gear selector.
pg. 133 Automatic transmission (option)
Automatic transmission AW55- 50 (option)
P Park
Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.
Never use P while the car is in motion.
The parking brake should be set whenever the car is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from this
position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.
WARNING!
Never leave the car unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from P, the
car may start moving.
R (Reverse) B Never engage R while the car is moving forward.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
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D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The car
should not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
Neutral control
When the engine is idling, the gear selector is in the Drive position and the brake pedal is depressed, the
transmission will automatically switch to neutral.
The transmission will automatically return to Drive when the brake pedal is released.
This function has been added to help reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
4 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 4, 3, 2 or 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift
up to (D) rive from fourth gear.
3 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 3, 2 and 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift up
to fourth gear or (D) rive from third gear.
L (Low gears)
The transmission is locked in gears 1 and 2 when the selector is in this position.
NOTE: Gears 4, 3, or L can be used if you are driving in a mountainous area, towing a trailer or to increase engine
braking effect.
The transmission has a built- in limiter designed to help prevent excessive engine speeds (high rpm) when gears 4, 3
or L are selected.
pg. 134 Automatic transmission (option)
W - Winter/ Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D) rive position.
Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/ disengage this driving mode (see illustration).
When the W driving mode is engaged, this is displayed in the instrument panel (see page 30).
This mode may be selected for starting/ moving off on slippery roads.
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Automatic transmission AW55- 50 - shift gate positions
The gear selector can be moved freely between N and D.
Depressing the button on the front of the gear selector knob enables you to move the gear selector to positions P, R, N,
D, 4, 3 and L.
"Kickdown"
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds.
Automatic transmission - adaptive system
The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive control system that constantly monitors the way in which the
transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shift for optimal performance. The system also monitors your
particular driving style and adapts gear shifting accordingly.
pg. 135 Geartronic (option )
P Park
Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.
Never use P while the car is in motion.
The parking brake should also be set whenever the car is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from this
position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.
WARNING!
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Never leave the car unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from P, the
car may start moving.
R (Reverse)
Never engage R while the car is moving forward.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The car
should not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
Automatic transmission - adaptive system
The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive control system that constantly monitors the way in which the
transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shift for optimal performance. The system also monitors your
particular driving style and adapts gear shifting accordingly.
Automatic transmission - shift gate positions
You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN) ual and (D) rive positions while driving.
Depress the button on the front of the gear selector knob to move between the R, N, D, and P positions.
pg. 136 Geartronic (option )
Manual shifting - Geartronic
You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN) ual and (D) rive positions while driving. Gears 3, and 4
have a "lock - up" function which reduces engine speed and helps save fuel.
The currently selected gear will be displayed in the instrument panel (see page 30
).
To access the (MAN) ual shifting position from (D) rive, move the gear selector to the left to MAN.
To return to the (D) rive position from MAN, move the gear selector to the right.
While driving
If you select the (MAN) ual position while driving, the gear that was being used in the (D) rive position will also
initially be selected in (MAN) ual position.
Move the gear selector forward (toward "+") to shift to a higher gear or rearward (toward "-") to shift to a lower
gear.
If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshift, one gear at a time, and will utilize the
braking power of the engine. If the current speed is too high for using a lower gear, the downshift will not occur until
the speed has decreased enough to allow the lower gear to be used.
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If you slow down to a very low speed, the transmission will automatically shift down.
When starting in the (MAN) ual position, 3rd gear is the highest gear that may be selected.
NOTE: Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift (Geartronic) mode.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds.
Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift (Geartronic) mode.
W - Winter/ Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D) rive position.
Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/ disengage this driving mode (see illustration).
When the W driving mode is engaged, this is displayed in the instrument panel (see page 30).
This mode may be selected for starting/ moving off on slippery roads.
pg. 137 Brake system
BRAKE Brake circuit malfunction
If one of the brake circuits were to malfunction, the red warning light would come on, the pedal travel would increase
slightly, the pedal would feel softer, and extra pressure would be required for normal braking. If the light comes on
while driving or braking, stop immediately and check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake failure - Service urgent" message is
displayed in the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the car towed to a Volvo retailer and have the brake system
inspected.
NOTE: When the car is at a standstill and the engine is idling, e. g. at a traffic light and the brake pedal is depressed,
the pedal may go down slightly. This is a normal function of the power- assisted brake system.
If the brake power- assist does not function
The power assist to the brakes functions only when the engine is running. When the car is moving without the engine
running, the brake pedal pressure required to stop the car is increased by 3- 4 times and the brake pedal feels stiff.
Water on brake discs and brake pads affects braking
Driving in rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can cause water to collect on the brake discs and
pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the pedal is depressed. To avoid such a delay when the brakes are
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needed, depress the pedal occasionally when driving through rain, slush etc. This will remove the water from the
brakes. Check that brake application feels normal. This should also be done after washing or starting in very damp or
cold weather.
Severe strain on the brake system
The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or hilly areas or towing. Vehicle speed is
usually slower, which means that the cooling of the brakes is less efficient than when driving on level roads. To
reduce the strain on the brakes, it is advisable not to use the brakes excessively. Instead, shift into a lower gear and let
the engine help with the braking. Do not forget that, if you are towing a trailer, the brakes will be subjected to a
greater than normal load.
pg. 138 Brake system
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there is a malfunction of the ABS system (the standard braking system will however
function) and the vehicle should be driven cautiously to a Volvo retailer for inspection. The Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stopping and steering) during severe braking conditions by limiting
brake lockup. When the system "senses" impending lockup, braking pressure is automatically modulated in order to
help prevent lockup, which could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self - diagnostic test when the engine is started and when the vehicle first reaches a
speed of approximately 12 mph (20 km/ h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a sound may be audible
from the ABS control module. This is normal.
To obtain optimal effect from the ABS system, constant pressure should be kept on the brake pedal, keep constant
pressure on the brake pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal.
The switching of the ABS modulator will be audible and the brake pedal will pulsate during braking. Please be aware
that ABS does not increase the absolute braking potential of the vehicle. While control will be enhanced, ABS will
not shorten stopping distances on slippery surfaces.
ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
EBD is an integrated part of the ABS system. EBD regulates the hydraulic pressure to the rear brakes to help provide
optimal braking capacity.
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could indicate a fault in the brake system.
Stop the car in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
Restart the engine.
If both warning lights go off, no further action is required.
If both lights are still on after the engine has been restarted, switch off the engine again and check the brake fluid
level (see page 170 for the location of the brake fluid reservoir).
If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark, drive carefully to an authorized Volvo retailer and have the brake
system inspected.
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake failure - Service urgent" message is
displayed in the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the car towed to a Volvo retailer and have the brake system
inspected.
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