2003 VOLVO S40 warning

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 labeled "UNLEADED". Only these pumps have nozzles which fit
your car's filler inlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into a vehicle labeled "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 methly-cyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission Control System performance may be affected,
and the Check Engine Lamp located on your instrument panel may light. If this occurs, please return your vehicle to
an authorized Volvo retailer for service.
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
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.
ENGINE OIL
Although some oil consumption occurs during normal engine operation, more oil is consumed when the engine is new
as the internal parts generate higher friction while wearing in to each other. From the time the engine is new until
the first service is performed, the oil consumption could be higher than normal. For this reason, it is especially
important to check the oil every time you refuel your car during this period. See page 114
.
pg. 63 Fuel requirements, Refueling
Octane rating
Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an octane rating. AKI of 91,
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).
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
ProCarManuals.com

Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc., increase air resistance and thereby fuel consumption.
Avoid using automatic transmission kick-down feature unless necessary.
Avoid using the air conditioning when it is not required. When engaged, the air conditioner's compressor places an
additional load on the engine. However, please note that fuel consumption is lower with the air conditioning on than it
is when driving with the air conditioning switched off and the windows down.
Utilizing the fuel consumption modes in the Trip Computer can help you "learn" how to drive more economically.
Other factors which decrease gas mileage are:
Dirty air cleaner
Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
Dragging brakes
Incorrect front end alignment
Some of the above mentioned items and others are checked at the standard Maintenance Service intervals.
NOTE : The automatic transmission's ( D)rive position should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel
economy.
WARNING!
It is recommended that tires of the same make and dimensions be used on all four wheels (including the use of
snow tires). Do not use bias ply tires as this will adversely alter vehicle handling characteristics. Maintain correct tire
pressure.
Do not drive with trunk lid open! A warning light in the instrument panel will indicate that the trunk is open.
Poisonous exhaust gases may enter via the open trunk lid. If the trunk lid/tailgate must be kept open for any reason,
proceed as follows:
Close the windows.
Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield and side windows and blower control to its
highest setting.
pg. 65 Starting the engine
Starting and stopping
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING!
Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors are adjusted properly. Make sure the brake pedal can
be depressed completely. Move the seat closer if necessary. Refer to section "front seats".
2. Make sure the gear selector is in the Park position.
3. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the starting position. Allow the starter to operate
for up to 5 seconds. Release the key as soon as the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, repeat step 3.
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. Depress the brake pedal and release the parking
brake.
4. To release the gear selector from the (P)ark position, the ignition key must be in position II and the brake pedal
must be depressed.
ProCarManuals.com

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 starting key can be removed from the ignition switch.
5. Select the desired gear. The gear engages after a slight delay which is especially noticeable when selecting R.
CAUTION :
The engine should be idling; never accelerate until after you feel the gear engage! Too rapid acceleration immediately
after selecting a gear will cause harsh engagement and premature transmission wear.
NOTE : Selecting P or N when idling at a standstill for prolonged periods of time will help prevent overheating of
transmission oil.
Ignition sleep mode
If the key is turned to "drive" position (see page 26
) for several minutes without the engine running, the car's starting
system will power down to "sleep" mode. To start the car, momentarily turn the key back to the "locked" position.
Then start the car as you would normally do.
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 the 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.
CAUTION:
Never race the engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubricating points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
Do not race the engine just prior to switching off!
pg. 66 Automatic transmission
Gear selector positions
P Park
The transmission must be in Park position to start the engine, and to allow removal of the key from the ignition when
you leave the car. The car should be stationary when you select P! In the position P the transmission is mechanically
locked. Always apply the parking brake when parking!
ProCarManuals.com

Tire rotation
Volvo recommends rotating the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) and 15,000 miles(24,000 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.
pg. 83 Wheels and tires
Uniform tire quality grading
ALL PASSENGER CAR TIRES MUST CONFORM TO FEDERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN
ADDITION TO THESE GRADES
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 reflect
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 level of performance which 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.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
LOCATING THE GRADE
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width.
Treadware 200
ProCarManuals.com

Special Spare The spare tire in your car is called a "Special Spare". It has the following designation: 125/90 R15 96M.
Recommended tire pressure (see the bottom line of the decal on the fuel filler door) should be maintained irrespective
of which position on the car the Special Spare tire is used.
In the event of damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from your Volvo retailer.
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.
WARNING!
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Special 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. Roadholding, etc., may be affected
with the "Special Spare" in use. Do not, therefore, exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
CAUTION: We recommend that you switch the DSA system off whenever you use the "Special Spare" tire that does
not match the diameter of your other tires. See page 30
.

Contents | Top of Page
ProCarManuals.com

The screwdriver is combined with the socket wrench. The tools can be alternated by pulling the shaft out of the handle
and re-inserting the opposite end of the shaft into the handle.
Removing the jack
Remove the spare tire out. Loosen the jack slightly by turning the axle (1) and remove it from the retaining clip.
Replacing the jack
Put the jack in the clip and turn axle (1) until the jack is securely in place.
Replace the tools in the same place.
WARNING!
The jack (see the following pages) must be correctly placed in the jack attachment.
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 position P.
Block the wheels standing on the ground, use rigid wooden blocks or large stones.
The jack should be kept well-greased.
Use gloves
pg. 87 Tire changing
Changing a tire
Engage the parking brake.
Put the gear selector in (P)ark.
ProCarManuals.com

Get all the passengers to move to a safe place outside the car.
Close all doors.
Block the wheels remaining on the ground with wooden blocks, stones or something similar.
With the car still on the ground, use the lug wrench to loosen the wheel lugs 1/2 - 1 turn. Position the lug wrench so
that you apply force in a downward direction. Never lift up on the lug wrench to loosen or tighten lugs.
Turn the bolts counterclockwise to loosen. If necessary, press down on the lug wrench with your foot to loosen the
lugs.
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. 88 Wheel changing
Attaching the jack
There are two jack attachment points located on each side of the car. These attachment points are marked by arrows on
the outside of the cover over the bottom sill (see illustration).
Check that the doors are closed and stay closed all the time the car is jacked up.
Position the jack under the two notches closest to the wheel to be changed.
Attach the crank to the jack (A).
Attach the lug wrench (B) to the crank.
Raise the jack by cranking it clockwise. Be sure the jack engages the attachment point correctly.
The base of the jack must be flat on a level, firm, non-slippery surface. Before raising the car, check that the
jack is still correctly positioned in the attachment point.
Raise the car until the wheel to be changed is lifted off the ground.
Unscrew the wheel bolts completely and carefully remove the wheel so as not to damage the thread on the studs.
WARNING!
The jack must be correctly placed in the jack attachment.
Installing the wheel
Clean the contact surfaces on the wheel and hub.
ProCarManuals.com

When washing or steam cleaning the engine, avoid spraying water or steam directly on the electrical components or
toward the rear side of the engine.
After cleaning the engine, the spark plug wells should be inspected for water and blown dry if necessary.
Suitable detergents
Special car washing detergents should be used. A suitable mixture is about 2.5 fl. oz. (8.5 cl) of detergent to 2.6 US
gal. (10 liters) of warm water. After washing with a detergent the car should be well rinsed with clean water.
WARNING!
When the car is driven immediately after being washed, apply the brakes several times in order to remove any
moisture from the brake linings.
Engine cleaning agents should not be used when the engine is warm. This may constitute a fire risk.
NOTE: When washing the car, remember to remove dirt from the drain holes in the doors and sills. Painted Bumpers:
Wash the painted bumpers with the same cleaning agent used on the rest of the car. Never clean the bumpers with
gasoline or paint thinner. Difficult spots can be removed with denatured alcohol. To avoid scratches, do not dry the
bumpers with paper.
pg. 104 Automatic car washing, Polishing and waxing
Automatic washing simple and quick
Brushless car washes are recommended. An automatic wash is a simple and quick way to clean your car, but it is
worth remembering that it may not be as thorough as when you yourself go over the car with sponge and water.
Keeping the underbody clean is most important, especially in the winter. Some automatic washers do not have
facilities for washing the underbody.
Before driving into an automatic wash, make sure that side view mirrors, auxiliary lamps, etc., are secure, otherwise
there is risk of the machine dislodging them. You should also lower the antenna (sedans).
We do NOT recommend washing your car in an automatic wash during the first six months because the paint
will not have hardened sufficiently.
Polishing and waxing
Normally, polishing is not required during the first year after delivery, however, waxing is recommended.
Before applying polish or wax the car must be washed and dried. Tar spots can be removed with kerosene or tar
remover. Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing compound.
After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
Several commercially available products contain both polish and wax.
Waxing alone does not substitute for polishing of a dull surface.
A wide range of polymer-based car waxes can be purchased today. These waxes are easy to use and produce a long-
lasting, high-gloss finish that protects the bodywork against oxidation, road dirt and fading.
Note: Polishing removes oxidized paint from the surface. This
ProCarManuals.com