When you drive a Volvo, you become our partner in the work to lessen the car's impact on the environment.
To reduce your vehicle's environmental impact, you can:
· Maintain proper air pressure in your tires. Tests have shown decreased fuel economy with improperly inflated tires
· Follow the recommended maintenance schedule
· Drive at a constant speed
· See an authorized Volvo retailer as soon as possible for inspection if the check engine (malfunction indicator) lamp
illuminates, or stays on after the vehicle has started
· Properly dispose of any vehicle related waste such as used motor oil, used batteries, brake pads, etc.
· When cleaning your car, use Volvo's own car care products, all of which have systematically been adapted to the
environment.
Prem-Air®
On the surface of the radiator in the engine compartment, there is a special coating called Prem-Air®. Prem-Air®
works as a catalytic converter, converting most of the ozone passing through the radiator into oxygen, thereby reducing
harmful ground-level ozone.
For additional information regarding the environmental activities inwhich Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. and
Volvo Car Corporation are involved, visit our Internet Home Page at:
http://www.volvocars.com
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As an enhancement to the three-point seat belt system, your Volvo is equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS). The Volvo SRS consists of an airbag (2) on both the driver's and passenger's sides and seat belt tensioners in
both front door pillars (4). The system is designed to supplement the protection provided by the three-point seat belt
system. All three rear seat belts are also equipped with tensioners.
The SRS system is indicated by the "SRS" embossed on the steering wheel pad and above the glove compartment, and
by decals on both sun visors and on the far right side of the dash.
The airbags are folded and located in the steering wheel hub and above the glove compartment. They are designed to
deploy during certain frontal or front -angular collisions, impacts, or decelerations, depending on the crash severity,
angle, speed and object impacted. The airbags may also deploy in certain non-frontal collisions where rapid
deceleration occurs.
The airbag system includes gas generators (1) surrounded by the airbags (2) and front seat belt tensioners for both of
the front seats (4). To deploy the system, the sensor (3) activates the gas generators causing the airbags to be inflated
with nitrogen gas. As the movement of the seats' occupants compresses the airbags, some of the gas is expelled at a
controlled rate to provide better cushioning. Both seat belt tensioners also deploy, minimizing any seat belt slack.
The entire process, including inflation and deflation of the airbags, takes approximately two-tenths of a second.WARNING!
· As its name implies, SRS is designed to be a SUPPLEMENT to - not a replacement for - the three-point belt
system. For maximum protection, wear seat belts at all times. Be aware that no system can prevent all possible
injuries that may occur in an accident.
· When installing any optional equipment, make sure that the SRS system is not damaged. Do not attempt to service
any component of the SRS yourself. Attempting to do so may result in serious personal injury. If a problem arises,
take your car to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer for inspection as soon as possible.
pg. 5 Front airbags - SRS
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2 0 0 2
VOLVO S80
Chapter 7 - Wheels and tires
pg. 87 Wheels and tires
General information, Wear indicator, Tire economy, Flat spots88
Snow chains, Snow tires/studded tires89
Inflation pressure, Spare tire90
Uniform tire quality grading91
Changing wheels92
pg. 88 Wheels and tires
General information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the tire information label on the inside of the fuel filler door.
The following is an example of a tire designation code: 225/55 R16
225 = tire width in mm.
55 = tire profile. This is the relationship (in percent) between the section height and width of the tire.
R = radial tires.
16 = 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/icefree 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
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tire damage.
Wear indicator
The tires have wear indicator strips runnin across or paralle 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.
To improve 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.
· Volvo does not recommend rotating the tires. 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. 89 Wheels and tires
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 215/55 R16, 225/55 R16 and 225/50 R17 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. Sufficient clearances between chains and brakes, suspension and
body components must be maintained.
· Some strapon type chains will interfere with brake components and therefore CANNOT be used.
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Checking and correcting tire pressure
· 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 specifications 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.
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. In other words, 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.
* Please note that the tire information label indicates pressure for both comfort and fuel economy.
pg. 91 Wheels and tires
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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 applicable, on the tire sidewall between the tread should 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 characteristics 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 does not include
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.
pg. 92 Changing wheels
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The distributor ignition system operates at very high voltages. Special safety precautions must be followed to
prevent injury. Always turn the ignition off when:
· Replacing distributor ignition components e.g. plugs, coil, etc.
· Do not touch any part of the distributor ignition system while the engine is running. This may result in unintended
movements and body injury.
Front suspension
Spring strut suspension with integrated shock absorbers and control arms linked to the support frame. Powerassisted
rack and pinion steering. Safety type steering column.
The alignment specifications apply to an unladen car but include fuel, coolant and spare wheel.
Toe-in measured on the wheel rims: 2.3 mm +/ 0.8 mm
Toe-in measured on tire sides: 2.8 +/ 0.9 mm
Rear suspension
Individual rear wheel suspension with longitudinal support arms, double link arms and track rods.
Toe-in measured on the tire sides: 1.9 mm +/ 1.9 mm
Vehicle loading
The tires on your Volvo should perform to specifications at all normal loads when inflated as recommended on the tire
information label. The label is located on the inside of the fuel tank cover. The 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.
All specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
pg. 129 Electrical system
Electrical system
12 Volt, negative ground.
Voltagecontrolled generator. Singlewire system with chassis and engine used as conductors. Grounded on chassis.
Battery
Voltage: 12 Volt, capacity: 600 A/115 min.
The battery contains corrosive and poisonous acids. It is of the utmost importance that old batteries are disposed of
correctly. Your Volvo retailer can assist you in this matter.
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