
Do not use gasoline that contains lead as a knock inhibitor, and do not use lead additives. Besides damaging the
exhaust emission control systems on your car, lead has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.
Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent. Unburned benzene has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer. If you
live in an area where you must fill your own gas tank, take precautions. These may include:
standing upwind away from the filler nozzle while refueling
refueling only at gas stations with vapor recovery systems that fully seal the mouth of the filler neck during refueling
wear neoprene gloves while handling a fuel filler nozzle.
Use of Additives
With the exception of gas line antifreeze during winter months, do not add solvents, thickeners, or other store -bought
additives to your car's fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems. Overuse may damage your engine, and some of these
additives contain organically volatile chemicals. Do not needlessly expose yourself to these chemicals.
pg. 82 Refueling
Refueling
The fuel tank is designed to hold approximately 21.1 US gal. (80 liters)* with sufficient volume left over to
accommodate possible expansion of the fuel in hot weather. Be aware that the "usable" tank capacity will be somewhat
less than the specified maximum. When the fuel level is low, such factors as ambient temperature, the fuel's "Reid
vapor pressure" characteristics, and terrain can affect the fuel pump's ability to supply the engine with an adequate
supply of fuel. Therefore, it is advisable to refuel as soon as possible when the needle nears the red zone, or when the
fuel warning light comes on.
Fuel filler door
Press the button on the light switch panel (see illustration on page 32) when the car is at a standstill to unlock the fuel
filler door. Please note that the fuel filler door will remain unlocked until the car is driven again at a speed of over
approximately 5 mph (8km/h). An audible click will be heard when the fuel filler door relocks.
If you intend to leave your car while it is being refueled, this features enables you to lock the door/tailgate while
leaving the fuel filler door unlocked.
You can also keep the car locked if you remain inside it during refueling. The central locking button does not lock the
fuel filler door.
Be sure the fuel filler door is not obstructed and is completely closed after refueling. Open the fuel filler cap slowly
during hot weather conditions.
NOTE: During a transitional period, a small number of service stations may still have fuel nozzles that are not
compatible with the fuel filler neck on cars equipped with the evaporative control system. Please refer to page 126
for
ProCarManuals.com

additional information.
* 18.5 US gals (70 liters) on V70 AWD, V70 XC and V70 with non-turbo engine.
CAUTION:
Do not refuel with the engine running *. Turn the ignition off or to position I. If the ignition is on, an incorrect
reading could occur in the fuel gauge.
After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place *.
Allow for fuel expansion by not overfilling the tank. Overfilling could also cause damage to the emission control
systems.
Avoid spilling gasoline when refueling. In addition to causing damage to the environment, gasolines containing
alcohol can cause damage to painted surfaces, which may not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). This practice can result in vehicle
performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in the fuel system. Such damage may not be covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
* If the fuel filler cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Check Engine light
(malfunction indicator lamp) may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle's performance will not be affected. Use only
Volvo original or approved fuel filler caps.
pg. 83 Starting the engine
Starting the engine
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING!
Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors adjusted properly. Make sure the brake pedal can be
depressed completely. Adjust the seat if necessary. See page 52.
2. Apply the parking brake, if not already set. The gear selector (automatic transmission) is locked in the (P)ark
position (SHIFT-LOCK). Manual transmission: the clutch must be fully depressed.
3. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key* to the starting position. Allow the starter to operate for
up to 10 seconds. Release the key as soon as the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, repeat this step.
For cold starts at altitudes above 6000 ft (1800 meters), depress the accelerator pedal halfway and turn the key to the
starting position. Release the pedal slowly when the engine starts.
4. To release the gear selector from the (P)ark position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in
position II) and the brake pedal must be depressed.
5. Select the desired gear. The gear engages after a very slight delay which is especially noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE:
Your car is equipped with a KEYLOCK system. When the engine is switched off, the gear selector must be in the
(P)ark position before the key can be removed from the ignition switch.
When starting in cold weather, the transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal until the
automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
CAUTION:
ProCarManuals.com

The engine should be idling when you move the gear selector. Never accelerate until after you feel the transmission
engage! Accelerating immediately after selecting a gear will cause harsh engagement and premature transmission wear.
Selecting P or N when idling at a standstill for prolonged periods time will help prevent overheating of the automatic
transmission fluid.
Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
WARNING!
Always place the gear selector in Park and apply the parking brake before leaving the vehicle. Never leave the car
unattended with the engine running.
Always open garage doors fully before starting the engine inside a garage to ensure adequate ventilation. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is invisible and odorless but very poisonous.
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal and the clutch to catch. Check that the
movement of the accelerator pedal and clutch is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be
used at one time.
* Your car is equipped with an electronic start inhibitor (immobilizer). The keys you received with your car are
specially coded. The code in the key is transmitted to an antenna in the ignition switch where it is compared to the
code stored in the start inhibitor module. The car can only be started if a properly coded key is used.
If two of the keys to your car are close together, e.g., on the same key ring, when you try to start the car, this could
cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the car not starting. If this should occur, remove one of the
keys from the key ring before trying to start the car again.
pg. 84 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. This gear should be engaged at speeds above
approx. 50 mph (80 km/h).
ProCarManuals.com

Engaging reverse gear
Reverse gear should only be engaged from a complete stop.
CAUTION: Be careful that you do not inadvertently engage reverse while moving forward.
* 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.WARNING!
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal and the clutch to catch. Check that the movement
of the accelerator pedal and clutch is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be used at one
time.
pg. 85 Automatic transmission AW5
P (Park)
Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.
Never use P while the car is in motion.
ProCarManuals.com

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)
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.
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.
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.
ProCarManuals.com

higher engine speeds to heat the three-way catalytic converter as quickly as possible.
pg. 87 Automatic transmission (Geartronic)
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)
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.
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 (see next page).
ProCarManuals.com

NOTE: Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions should use (D)rive as often as possible and avoid using
"kick -down" to help improve fuel economy. Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions should use fifth gear at
highway speeds. At other times, choose the highest gear that still allows smooth acceleration.
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. The heavier the load on the rear of
the vehicle (e.g., heavily loaded (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg) cargo area or when towing a trailer, 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. 90 Points to remember
Cooling system
The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, when:
Towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open throttle and low engine rpm.
Stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after-boiling" can occur).
To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed: Do not drive for prolonged periods at engine speeds
above 4500 rpm if you are towing a trailer in hilly terrain. Reduce speed when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines.
The risk of overheating can be reduced by switching off the air conditioning system for a short time. Do not let the
engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods. Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating (the temperature gauge goes repeatedly into,
or stays continually in, the red section), the following precautions should be taken:
Switch off the air conditioning system.
Pull off the road, away from traffic, stop the car and put the gear selector into neutral.
Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine speed to approx. 2000 rpm (twice idling speed)
until the temperature begins to drop.
WARNING!
Do not remove coolant expansion tank cap. The coolant will be extremely hot.
If necessary, see page 127
and 130 for information on checking and topping-up the coolant level.
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 7
.
WARNING!
ProCarManuals.com

Vehicle loading
The tires on your Volvo should perform to specifications at all normal loads when inflated as recommended on the tire
informa-tion label. The label is located on the inside of the fuel filler door. 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.
Temporary Spare
The spare tire in your car is called a "Temporary Spare". It has the following designation: T125/80 R17 (T135/90 R17
on the Cross Country).
At the recommended tire pressure shown on the inside of the fuel filler door, the tire may be used as a temporary
replacement for a front or rear tire.
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.
All Wheel Drive models: Driving with the "Temporary Spare" at speeds above 50 mph (80 kph) can lead to
excessive wear on transmission components.
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. 108 Wheels and tires
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 shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
ProCarManuals.com