2001 VOLVO S60 Owners Manual

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VOLVO S60
Wheels and tires
pg. 151 Wheels and tires
General information 152
Tire pressure154
Tread wear indicators155
Changing wheels156
Uniform Tire Quality Grading158
pg. 152 General information
General information about wheels and tires
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the tire information label on the inside of the fuel filler door.
All tires have a dimension designation.
Example of designation: 215/ 55R16.
215 section width (mm)
55 relationship between section
height and width
R radial tire
16 wheel rim diameter (")
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 road holding
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 roadholding 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.
New tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. This tire was manufactured week 15 in 1998! (158). As of 2000,
manufacturing year and week will be indicated with 4 digits (e. g. 0015 means that the tire is manufactured year 2000,
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week 15).
Improving tire economy:
Maintain correct tire pressure. See the tire pressure label on the inside of the fuel filler door.
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 tires are rotated, they must be kept on the same side of the car so that they revolve in the same direction as before
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 flat spots form depends on the
type of cord used in the tire. 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.
pg. 153 General information
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only. Use only Volvo approved snow chains.
Special snow chains must be mounted on 195/ 65 R15. For tires of other dimen- sions, 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. 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.
NOTE: Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information
CAUTION:
Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before installing
Always follow the chain manufacturer's installation instructions carefully. Install chains as tightly as possible and
retighten periodically.
Never exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum speed limit. (Under no circumstances should you exceed
31 mph (50 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 *
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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 recommends195/ 65 R15 (205/ 55R16 on turbo models) winter tires on all four 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 tires should have the same rotational
direction throughout their entire lifetime. In other words, if you wish to rotate the wheels, make sure that the same
wheels are always on the same side of the car.
NOTE: Please consult state or provincial regulations restricting the use of studded winter tires before installing such
tires.
* Where permitted
pg. 154 Tire pressure
Checking and correcting tire pressure
The tire pressure label is located on the inside of the fuel filler door.
Check the tire pressure regularly.
The tire pressure should be corrected only when the tires are cold.
With warm tires, correct only when the pressure is too low. The tire temperature rises after driving just a few miles.
Vehicle loading The tires on your Volvo will perform to specifi- cations at all normal loads when inflated as
recommended on the tire information label located on the inside of the fuel filler door. This label lists both tire and
vehicle design limits. Do not load your car beyond the load limits indicated.
WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires will reduce tire life, adversely affect vehicle handling and can possibly lead to failure
resulting in loss of vehicle control without prior warning.
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Temporary Spare (certain models)
The spare tire in your car is called a "Temporary Spare". It has the following designation: T125/ 80 R17.
Recommended tire pressure (see decal on Fuel filler door) should be maintained irrespective of which position on the
car the Temporary Spare tire is used on. In the event of damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from your
Volvo retailer.
WARNING!
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire other than as a temporary replacement for a
punctured tire. It must be replaced as soon as possible by a standard tire. Road holding and handling may be
affected with the "Temporary Spare" in use. Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/ h). Do not drive farther than 50 miles
(80 km) on a temporary spare tire.
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.
NOTE: Certain models may be equipped with a full- size spare tire. When used, it should be inflated to the same
pressure as the tire it is replacing.
pg. 155 Tread wear indicators
Tires have tread
wear indicators The tires have wear indicator strips running across or parallel to the tread.
When approx. 1/ 16" (1.6 mm) is left on the tread, these strips become visible 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.
pg. 156 Changing wheels
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Changing wheels
The spare wheel is located under the carpet on the trunk floor. The jack and crank are secured in the wheel recess.
There are two jack attachment points on each side of the car (see illustration on next page). To change a wheel:
Engage the parking brake.
Put the gear selector in (P) ark (automatic transmission) or reverse (manual trans - mission).
Remove the wheel cap (where applicable) using the lug wrench in the tool kit.
With the car still on the ground, use the lug wrench to loosen the wheel bolts 1/ 2 - 1 turn. Turn the bolts
counterclockwise to loosen.
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.
Correct tightening torque on wheel bolts must be observed. The wheel bolts should never be greased or lubricated.
The extended, chromed wheel bolts must not be used with steel rims, as they make it impos - sible to fit the hub caps.
pg. 157 Changing wheels
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Position the jack correctly on the bar in the attachment (see illustration above) and crank while simultaneously
guiding the base of the jack to the ground. The base of the jack must be flat on a level, firm, non- slippery surface.
Before raising the car, check that the jack is still correctly positioned in the attachment.
Raise the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is lifted off the ground.
Unscrew the wheel bolts completely and carefully remove the wheel so as not to damage the threads on the studs.
NOTE: To avoid excessive wear and the necessity of rebalancing, mark and reinstall wheels in the same location and
position as before removal. To lessen the chance of imbalance, each wheel hub is equipped with a guide stud to
ensure that a removed wheel can be reinstalled in its original position (as when changing over to winter tires/ wheels).
Installing the wheel
Clean the contact surfaces on the wheel and hub.
Lift the wheel and place it on the hub.
Install the wheel bolts and tighten hand - tight. Using the lug wrench, tighten crosswise until all bolts are snug.
Lower the vehicle to the ground and alternately tighten the bolts crosswise to 102 ft. lbs. (140 Nm).
Install the wheel cap (where applicable).
WARNING!
The jack must correctly engage the bar in the jack attachment. The car's weight must not rest on the jack
attachment. See illustration "Attaching the jack" to the left.
Be sure the jack is on a firm, level, non-slippery surface.
Never allow any part of your body to be extended under a car supported by a jack. Use the jack intended for the car
when replacing a wheel. For any other job, use stands to support the side of the car being worked on.
Apply the parking brake and put the gear selector in the (P) ark position (or reverse on manual transmissions).
Block the wheels standing on the ground, use rigid wooden blocks or large stones. The jack should be kept well-
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greased.
pg. 158 Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
ALL PASSENGER CAR TIRES MUST CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN
ADDITION TO THESE GRADES
Quality grades can be found, where appli- cable, on the tire sidewall between the tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one half (1 1/ 2) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and many depart significantly from the norm due to variation in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road charac- teristics and climate.
TRACTION
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C, as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance..
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight- ahead) traction tests and is not a measure of
cornering (turning) traction.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades are AA (the highest), A, B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a minimum level of performance that all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
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