
2 0 0 3 
VOLVO
S40 & V40
This manual deals with the operation and care of your Volvo.
Welcome to the worldwide family of Volvo owners. We trust that you will enjoy many years of safe driving in your
Volvo, an  automobile designed with your safety and  comfort in mind. To help ensure your satisfaction with this
vehicle, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the equipment descriptions, operating instructions and
maintenance requirements/recommendations in this  manual.  We also urge you and  your passengers to wear  seat belts
at all times in this  (or any  other) automobile. And, of course, please do not operate  a  vehicle if you may be  affected by
alcohol,  medication  or any  impairment that could hinder your ability to drive.
Your Volvo is designed to meet  all applicable safety and  emission standards, as evidenced by the certification labels
attached to the driver's door opening and  on the left wheel housing in the engine compartment. 
For further information please contact your retailer, or:
In  the USA: 
Volvo Cars of North America  
Customer Relations 
P.O. Box 914 
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647-0914 
800-458-1552 
In  the Canada: 
Volvo Cars of Canada. Ltd. 
175 Gordon Baker Road 
Willowdale, Ontario M2H 2N7 
800-663-8255 
We also invite you to visit our home page on the Internet at:
http://www.volvocars.com
Contents
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Contents
Chapter 1 - Occupant safety
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls
Chapter 3 - Body and interior
Chapter 4 - Starting and driving
Chapter 5 - Wheels and tires
Chapter 6 - In  case of an emergency
Chapter 7 - Car care
Chapter 8 - Volvo Service
Chapter 9 - Specifications
Chapter 10 - Audio systems
Index
Back Cover
General information
Important
Before you operate your car for the first time please familiarize yourself  with the engine oil consumption
information and refueling recommendations on pages 62 and 63
. You should also be familiar  with the
information in the first four chapters 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.
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CALIFORNIA  Proposition  65 Warning
WARNING! Engine exhaust, some of its  constituents, and  certain vehicle components contain  or emit chemicals
known to the state of California to cause cancer, and  birth defects or other reproductive harm.
 
 In addition, certain
fluids contained in vehicles and  certain products  of component  wear  contain  or emit chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer, and  birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Shiftlock
When your car is parked, the gear selector is locked in the (P)ark position. To release the selector from  this  position,
turn the ignition key  to position II (or start the engine), depress the brake pedal, press the button on the front  of the
gear selector knob and  move the selector from  (P)ark.
If it is necessary to manually  override the shiftlock system:
 Turn  the starting (ignition) key  to position I
 Press firmly on the "SHIFTLOCK OVERRIDE" button located at the base of the gear selector
 While  holding the override button down, press the button on the front  of the gear selector
 Move the selector from  the ( P)ark position.
Keylock
When you switch off the ignition, the gear selector must  be  in the (P)ark position before the key  can be  removed.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS  system in your car performs a  self -diagnostic test when the vehicle first reaches the speed of approximately
4 mph (6 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and  a  sound may be  audible  from  the ABS  control module.
This is normal.
Fuel filler door
When you lock the doors, the fuel filler  door also locks, with a  delay of 10 minutes. When all doors are unlocked, the
fuel filler  door is also unlocked. Your key,  keyless  remote, and  the door lock button in the driver's door control pod
will all unlock the fuel filler  door. To open  the unlocked fuel filler  door, press at the forward edge of the door. See
pages 42
 for information about locking and  unlocking features.
© 2002 Volvo Cars of North America LLC.  
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.
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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.
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 in your Warranty and  Service Records Information booklet.
 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
For additional information regarding the environmental activities in which  Volvo Cars of North America,  LLC. and
Volvo Car  Corporation are involved, visit our Internet Home  Page  at:
http://www.volvocars.com
 
Top of Page
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The entire process, including inflation and  deflation of the airbags, takes approximately two-tenths of a  second.
WARNING!
 As its  name implies,  SRS is designed to be  a  SUPPLEMENT  to - not a  replacement  for - the three-point belt
system. For maximum protection, wear  seat belts at all times. Be aware  that no system can prevent all possible
injuries that may occur in an  accident.
 When installing any  optional equipment, make sure that the SRS system is not damaged. Do not attempt to service
any  component  of the SRS yourself. Attempting to do so may result in serious personal injury. If a  problem arises,
take your car to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer for inspection as soon as possible.
pg. 5 Volvo SRS
A self -diagnostic system incorporated into the sensor monitors the SRS, SIPS  and  IC-system. If a  fault is detected, the
"SRS" warning light will illuminate. The light is included  in the warning/indicator light cluster in the instrument panel.
Normally, the SRS warning lamp should light up when the ignition is switched on and  should go out after 5 seconds or
when the engine is started. Check that this  light is functioning properly every time the car is started.
The following items are monitored by the self -diagnostic system:
 Sensor unit
 SRS wiring
 Inflators
WARNING!
Never  drive an  SRS equipped car with your hands on the steering wheel pad  / airbag housing.
No objects, accessory  equipment or stickers may be  placed on, attached to or installed near the SRS cover in the
center  of the steering wheel, the SRS cover above the glove compartment or the area affected by airbag deployment.
If the SRS warning light stays on after the engine has started or if it comes on while you are driving, drive the car to
the nearest authorized Volvo retailer for inspection as soon as possible.
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If this  light comes on while driving, the coolant  temperature is too high. Stop the engine and  check the coolant  level  in
the expansion tank. See  page 117.
3 Odometer
4 Speedometer  
The longer the knob is turned, the faster the setting will change.
5 Trip  odometer  
This indicator measures shorter distances. The last digit indicates 1/10 mile/kilometer.
6 Button  for setting clock/resetting trip odometer  
In both cases, the ignition must  be  switched on
Clock:  Without pressing the button, turn it clockwise to advance the clock, or counterclockwise to set the clock back.
Trip  odometer:  Press the button to reset the trip odometer.
7 Tachometer  
Reads  thousands of engine rpm. The needle should never be  in the solid  red range.
8 Clock, Trip  Computer/Ambient temperature
NOTE:  See  page 27- 29 
for information on the trip computer.
9 Low fuel level  warning light  
When this  light comes on, there are approximately 1.9 US gal. (7 liters) of fuel remaining in the tank.
10 Fuel gauge 
Fuel tank capacity: 16 US gallons (60 liters). 
When refuelling the fuel gauge needle will not register until the volume of gasoline in the tank exceeds 3.2 US gal. (12
liters).
pg. 21 Indicator and warning lights
1 Turn  signal, left 
2 Turn  signal, right 
3 Low washer fluid level  
4 Brake light* failure warning 
5 Turn  signals - trailer (certain models) 
6 Front fog lights on 
7 Door open  
8 Rear fog light on 
9 Seat belt warning 
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10 High beams on 
11 Fault in SRS system 
12 Brake circuit not working (brake fluid level  too low) and  EBD 
13 Battery  charge failure 
14 Parking brake applied  
15 Low oil pressure 
16 ABS  (anti-lock brakes)  malfunction 
17 Automatic transmission: position W,  4 or 3 or L 
18 Malfunction  indicator light 
19 Immobilizer  on 
20 Service Reminder  Indicator 
21 DSA  (option) 
22 High coolant  temperature warning light 
23 Low fuel warning light
Starting check 
After a  few seconds, all lights except 16 and  19 will go out. Once the engine starts, these lights will also go out.
* Indicates failure of a  brake light, not failure of the braking system (see item 12).
pg. 22 Warning lights
The warning lights described on pages 22 and 23 should never stay on when driving
When the ignition key  is turned on and  before the engine starts, all of the warning lights should go on to test the
function of the bulbs. Should a  light not go off after the engine has started, the system indicated should be  inspected.
However, the parking brake reminder light will not go off until the parking brake has been fully released.
 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
If the light comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the SRS diagnostic system has detected a  fault. Drive to
an  authorized Volvo retailer for an  inspection of the system. See  the SRS section for more information. 
Oil pressure warning light
If the light  comes on while driving,  stop the car and then stop the engine immediately and check  the engine oil
level . See  page 114.
 If the light stays on after restart, have the car towed  to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer. After
hard driving, the light may come on occasionally when the engine is idling. This is normal, provided it goes off when
the engine speed is increased.
 Parking  brake reminder light
This light will be  on when the parking brake (hand brake) is applied.  The parking brake lever is situated between the
front  seats.
Canadian models are equipped with this  warning light: 
WARNING!
If the fluid level  is below  the lowest MIN  mark in the brake fluid reservoir: DO  NOT DRIVE. Tow the car to a
Volvo retailer and  have the brake system checked and  any  leakage repaired.
Brake failure warning light
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If the light  comes on while driving or  braking, stop immediately, open the hood and check  the brake fluid  level
in the reservoir. See  page 116 for reservoir position. 
If the control lamp still  stays on, the EBD (Electronic  Brakeforce  Distribution) is not working. 
Drive to your Volvo retailer. See  ABS  control lamp and  also page 73.
 
Canadian models are equipped with this  warning light: 
Bulb failure warning light
The light will come on if one  of the brake light bulbs are defective when the brake pedal is pressed. 
Check the fuse and  bulb. See  sections "Replacing bulbs" and  "fuses".
pg. 23 Warning lights, Daytime Running  Lights
 DSA  (option) 
Dynamic Stability Assistance
This is a  system which  helps keep the drive wheels from  spinning.  The light flashes  if the road surface  is slippery, the
wheels are spinning  and  the system is working. 
The control light comes on if a  fault occurs in the DSA  system. It also comes on if the system is switched off via the
switch. 
For more information see page 30.
 Service Reminder Light
This light will come on according  to preset service intervals  or after 750 hours of driving or after 12 months,
whichever occurs first. It is a  reminder to the driver that the service interval has been exceeded. The light will stay on
for 2 minutes after start until reset by the servicing retailer.
Anti-lock Brake system (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there is a  malfunction of the ABS  system (the standard braking system will however
function). The vehicle should be  driven to a  Volvo retailer for inspection. 
See  page 73
 for additional information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp  
On-Board Diagnostics II (OBDII):  As you drive, a  computer called "OBDII" monitors your car's engine,
transmission, electrical and  emission systems. The CHECK ENGINE light will light up if the computer senses a
condition that potentially may need correcting. When this  happens, please have your car checked by a  Volvo retailer as
soon as possible.
A CHECK ENGINE light may have many causes. Sometimes,  you may not notice  a  change in your car's behavior.
Even so, an  uncorrected condition could hurt fuel economy, emission cleanliness, and  driveability. Extended driving
without correcting the cause could even damage other components in your car.
Canadian models are equipped with this  warning light: 
NOTE : If the fuel filler  cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Check Engine
Lamp may indicate a  fault. However, your vehicle's performance will not be  affected. Use only Volvo original or
approved fuel filler  caps.
Daytime Running Lights:
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