
indicate a  fault.
Important
Before you operate your car for the first time please familiarize yourself  with the new-engine oil consumption
information on page 131
. You should also be familiar  with the information in the chapters one, two and four of
this manual.
Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful and should be read  after operating the
vehicle  for the first time.
The manual is structured so that it can be used  for reference. For this reason, it should be kept in the car for
ready  access.
Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating  that country's applicable safety and exhaust
emission requirements. In  some cases it may be difficult or  impossible  to comply with these requirements.
Modifications to the emission control system(s)  may render your Volvo not certifiable for legal operation in the
U.S., Canada and other countries.
All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manual are based  on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. Please note that some vehicles may be equipped  differently,
depending  on special legal requirements and that optional  equipment described in this manual may not be
available in all markets.
Volvo reserves the right to make model changes at any time, or  to change specifications or  design, without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Volvo and the environment
Volvo is committed to the well being of our customers. As a  natural part of this  commitment, we care about the
environment in which  we all live. Caring for the environment means an  everyday involvement in reducing our
environmental impact.
Volvo's  environmental activities are based on a  holistic  view,  which  means we consider the overall environmental
impact of a  product throughout its  complete life cycle. In this  context,  design, production, product use, and  recycling
are all important considerations.
In production, Volvo has partly or completely  phased out several chemicals including freons, lead chromates,
naphtanates, asbestos, mercury and  cadmium; and  reduced the amount of chemicals used in our plants 50% since 1991.
In use, Volvo was the first in the world to introduce into production a  three-way catalytic converter with a  Lambda
sond, now called oxygen  sensor, in 1976. The current version  of this  highly efficient system reduces emissions  of
harmful substances (CO, HC, NOx) from  the exhaust pipe by approximately 95% and  the search to eliminate the
remaining emissions  continues. Volvo is the only automobile manufacturer to offer  CFC-free retrofit kits  for the air
conditioning system for all models as far back as the M/Y 1975 240. Advanced electronic  engine controls, refined
purification systems and  cleaner  fuels  are bringing us closer to our goal.
After Volvo cars and  parts  have fulfilled their use, recycling is the next critical step in completing the life cycle. The
metal content  is about 75% of the total weight of a  car, which  makes the car among the most  recycled  industrial
products.  In order to have efficient and  well controlled recycling, many Volvo variants have printed dismantling
manuals, indicating the weight and  material of individual components. For Volvo, all homogeneous plastic parts
weighing more than 1.7 oz.  (50 grams) are marked with international symbols that indicate how the component  is to be
sorted  for recycling.
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In addition to continuous environmental refinement of conventional gasoline-powered  internal combustion engines,
Volvo is actively looking at advanced technology  alternative-fuel vehicles.
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 in
which  Volvo Cars of North America,  Inc. and  Volvo Car  Corporation are involved, visit our Internet Home  Page  at:
http://www.volvocars.com
 
Top of Page
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2 0 0 2 
VOLVO V70
Chapter 6 - Starting and driving
pg. 79 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements80
Fuel Formulations81
Refueling82
Starting the engine83
Manual transmission84
Automatic transmission  (AW5)85
Automatic transmission  (Geartronic)86
Driving economy89
Points to remember90
Roof racks/load  carriers91
Emergency towing93
Vehicle towing information94
Towing a trailer95
Detachable trailer hitch96
Jump  starting98
Winter driving99
Long distance trips100
Three-way catalytic converter101
pg. 80 Fuel  requirements
Fuel requirements
Octane rating
Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an  octane rating AKI of 91,
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or above. AKI (ANTI KNOCK INDEX)  is an  average of the Research Octane Number, RON, and  the Motor Octane
Number, MON. (RON  +  MON/2).  The minimum octane requirement is AKI 87 (RON  91).
Deposit control gasoline  (detergent  additives)
Volvo recommends the use of gasoline containing deposit control additives. These additives have shown to be
effective in keeping injectors  and  intake  valves clean. Consistent use of deposit control gasolines will help ensure good
driveability and  fuel economy. If you are not sure whether the gasoline contains deposit control additives, check with
the service station operator.
CAUTION! 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.
Unleaded fuel
Each Volvo has a  three-way catalytic converter and  must  use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and  Canadian regulations
require that pumps delivering unleaded gasoline be  labelled "UNLEADED".  Only these pumps have nozzles which  fit
your car's filler  inlet. It is unlawful to dispense  leaded fuel into a  vehicle labelled "unleaded gasoline only". Leaded
gasoline damages the three-way catalytic converter and  the heated oxygen  sensor system. Repeated use of leaded
gasoline will lessen  the effectiveness of the emission control system and  could result in loss of emission warranty
coverage. State and  local  vehicle inspection programs will make detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting in
emission test failure for misfueled  vehicles.
NOTE: Some U.S. and  Canadian gasolines contain  an  octane enhancing additive called methyl-cyclopentadienyl
manganese  tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels  are used, your Emission Control System  performance may be  affected,
and  the Check Engine light (malfunction indicator lamp) located on your instrument panel may light. If this  occurs,
please return your vehicle to an  authorized Volvo retailer for service.
Gasoline containing  alcohol and ethers
"Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates"  which  are usually alcohols or ethers. In some areas, state or
local  laws require that the service pump be  marked indicating use of alcohols or ethers. However, there are areas in
which  the pumps are unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is alcohol  or ethers in the gasoline you buy, check
with the service station operator. To meet  seasonal air quality standards, some areas require the use of "oxygenated"
fuel. Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated fuels; however,  the octane ratings listed on this  page must  still
be  met.
Alcohol - Ethanol: Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol  by volume may be  used. Ethanol may also be  referred to as
Ethyl alcohol,  or "Gasohol".
Ethers - MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be  used. 
pg. 81 Fuel  requirements
Carbon Monoxide - Important  Warning
Carbon  monoxide is a  poisonous, colorless, and  odorless gas. It is present in all exhaust gases. If you ever smell
exhaust fumes  inside the vehicle, make sure the passenger  compartment is ventilated,  and  immediately return the
vehicle to your retailer for correction.
Fuel Formulations 
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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).
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Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)14
Automatic transmission85, 86, 140
Geartronic87, 88
Kickdown86, 87
Auxiliary socket29, 37
B
Backrest (center) - 3-section rear seat60
Battery99, 143
Battery  maintenance134, 135
Replacing the battery135
Ventilation hose135
Booster cushion12, 16
Bottle  holder in rear seat58
Brake failure warning light26
Brake fluid133
Brake system18
Bulbs (list)143
Bulbs - replacing116-121
C
Capacities (oils and  fluids)137
, 141
Cargo  compartment cover67
Cargo  compartment lighting63
Cargo  eyelets64
Cargo  net65
Catalytic converters - three-way101
Center armrest - 3-section rear seat61
Center backrest (3-section rear seat)60
Center console - switches29
Center head restraint - 3-section rear seat60
Center head restraint - rear seat3
Center seat head restraint59
Central  locking buttons75
Chains - winter driving106
Changing wheels109, 110
Child booster  cushion12, 16
Child Restraint Anchorages15
Child safety11, 12, 14, 16
Child safety locks - rear doors78
Climate controls44, 45, 46, 47
Climate system - general  information43
Clock25
Clutch interlock84
Coat hanger57
Coin  compartment55
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Sun roof40
Supplemental Restraint System4, 26
Suspension142
Switches in center  console29
T
Tachometer25
Tailgate washer35
Tailgate wiper35
Tailgate wiper blade - replacing136
Temperature gauge25
Temporary  spare tire107
Text window28
Three-way catalytic converters101
Timing  belt128
Tire information - All Wheel Drive105
Tire pressure107
Tires104 -108
Tires - changing109, 110
Tool bag68
Towing a  trailer95
Towing eyelet93
Towing the car93, 94
Trailer towing95
Trailer weight - maximum139
Transmission - automatic85 - 88
Transmission - specifications140
Trip computer30
Trip odometer25
Turn  signals34
U
Uniform  tire quality grading108
Unlocking the tailgate75
Upholstery  - cleaning124
V
Vanity mirror lights - replacing120
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)138
Vehicle loading107
Ventilation42
Volumes (oils and  fluids)141
Volvo On Call144
W
Warning flashers36
Warning light - center26
Warning lights26, 27
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