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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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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).
pg. 93 Changing wheels
Installing the wheel
· Clean the contact surfaces on the wheel and hub.
· Lift the wheel and place it on the hub. Make sure that you align the wheel with the guide stud on the wheel hub prior
to installation.
· Install the wheel bolts and tighten handtight. use the lug wrench, tighten crosswise(see illustration above) until all
bolts are snug.
· Lower the vehicle to the ground and alternately tighten the bolts crosswise to 100 ft. lbs. (136 Nm).
· Install the wheel cap (where applicable).WARNING!
· The jack must correctly engage the bar in the jack attachment (A). The car's weight must not rest on the jack
attachment (B). See illustration on page 92
.
· 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.
· Block the wheels standing on the ground, use rigid wooden blocks or large stones.
· The jack should be kept well-greased.
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.
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