
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 very poor grip in rain or snow.
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. However, 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. Remember that, in cold weather, it takes longer for the tire to warm up and  consequently longer for the
flat spot to disappear.
CAUTION: Cars equipped  with All Wheel Drive
The car must  not be  driven with wheels of different  dimensions/ specifications 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.
Driving with the temporary spare tire at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) can reduce the service life of transmission
components. Do not drive farther than 50 miles (80 km) on a  temporary spare tire.
When one  or more tires is replaced,  the new tire(s) should be  mounted on the front  wheels. The tires with the least
amount of tread should be  mounted on the rear wheels.
pg. 105 Wheels and tires - All  Wheel Drive vehicles
Types of Tires
Always drive on tires of identical  brand, size, construction  (radial),  tread pattern, load-, speed-, traction-, temperature-,
and  treadwear  rating. Never  drive on mixed tires, except for brief periods  when the temporary spare tire is in use.
Always use properly inflated tires of correct dimensions. Tire size and  inflation pressures are shown on the tire
pressure label  located inside the fuel filler  door.
CAUTION:
Failure to always drive on properly inflated, identical  tires of correct dimensions may result in a  circumference
difference between tires on the front  and  rear axles. This will cause excessive tire wear  and  may damage the
transmission and  all-wheel-drive system.
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Tire Replacement
When tire replacement  is necessary,  Volvo strongly recommends replacing all four tires at the same time with identical
tires as explained above. Failure to do so can result in a  circumference difference that may damage the transmission
and  all-wheel-drive system.
If only one  or two tires are replaced,  the new tire(s) must  be  identical  to the tires with which  the car was built, and
must  be  mounted on the FRONT AXLE ONLY! Failure to do this  may damage the transmission and  all-wheel-drive
system.
Tire Rotation
Volvo recommends rotating the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km). Tires should be  rotated front -to-back/back-to-
front  only. Tires must  maintain the same direction of rotation throughout their lifetime, and  should never be  rotated
from  one  side of the vehicle to the other.
CAUTION:
Failure to rotate tires at recommended intervals  will cause uneven tire wear  and  may damage the transmission and  all-
wheel-drive system.
Temporary Spare
The temporary spare tire is for temporary, low-speed, short-distance use only. Replace it with a  full-sized tire as soon
as possible, in accordance with "Tire  Rotation" above. Do not drive on the temporary spare at speeds above 50 mph
(80km/h) or for distances greater than 50 miles (80 km). Transmission and  all-wheel-drive system damage may result.
Never  install  snow chains on a  temporary spare. 
pg. 106 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. 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.  Snow chains cannot be  used on 17" wheels.
Some strap -on type chains will interfere  with brake components and  therefore CANNOT be  used. 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 periodi-cally.
Never  exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum speed limit. In no case should you exceed 31 mph (50
km/h).
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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
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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).
NOTE: Refer to page 129
 for hoisting the vehicle on a  garage lift. 
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 impossible to fit the hub caps. 
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 hand -tight. Using 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).  
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