
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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Seat belts
Always fasten the seat belts before you drive or  ride.
Two lights above the rear view  mirror will be  illuminated for 4-8 seconds after the starting (ignition) key  is turned to
the driving position. A chime  will sound at the same time if the driver has not fastened his or her seat belt. The rear
seats  are provided with self -retracting inertial reel belts. The front  seats  are provided with single roller belts with
tensioners.
To buckle:
Pull the belt out far enough  to insert the latch  plate  into the buckle until a  distinct  snapping sound is heard. The seat
belt retractor  is normally "unlocked" and  you can move freely, provided that the shoulder  belt is not pulled out too far.
The retractor  will lock up as follows:
 if the belt is pulled out rapidly
 during braking and  acceleration
 if the vehicle is leaning  excessively
 when driving in turns
For the seat belt to provide maximum protection in the event of an  accident, it must  be  worn correctly. When wearing
the seat belt remember:
 The belt should not be  twisted or turned.
 The lap belt must  be  positioned low on the hips (not pressing against the abdomen).
 The shoulder  section of the front  seat belts adjusts automatically  to the driver's height. Adjusting the shoulder belt
Lap portion  of the seat belt should sit  low
 Make sure that the shoulder  belt is rolled up into its  retractor  and  that the shoulder  and  lap belts are taut.
 Before exiting the car, check that the seat belt retracts  fully after being unbuckled. If necessary,  guide the belt back
into the retractor  slot.
NOTE:  Legislation in your state or province may mandate seat belt usage.
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provide the protection intended,  seat belts must  be  worn at all times by everyone in the car. 
The SRS system is a supplement  to the seat belts.WARNING!
If your car has been subjected to flood conditions (e.g. soaked carpeting/standing water on the floor  of the vehicle)
or if your car has become flood-damaged in any  way, do not attempt to start the vehicle or put the key  in the ignition
before disconnecting the battery (see below). This may cause airbag deployment which  could result in personal
injury. Have the car towed  to an  authorized Volvo retailer for repairs.
Before attempting to tow the car, use the following procedure to override the shiftlock system to move the gear
selector to the neutral position.
 Disconnect the battery
 Wait  at least one  minute
 Insert the key  in the ignition and  turn it to position 1
 Press firmly on the shiftlock override button (located near the base of the gear selector)
 While  holding the override button down, move the gear selector from  the park position.
WARNING!
Never  drive with the airbags deployed. The fact that they hang  out can impair the steering of your car. Other safety
systems can also be  damaged. The smoke and  dust formed when the airbags are deployed can cause skin and  eye
irritation in the event of prolonged exposure.
   
Contents | Top of Page
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2 0 0 3 
VOLVO
S40 & V40
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls
pg. 17 Instruments, switches and controls
Instruments, switches and controls
Instruments, switches,  controls etc. are described on the following pages.  Instruments
18
Indicator and warning lights21
Headlights, Parking  lights, Instrument illumination, Fog lights24
Turn signals, Home Safe lighting, Wipers/washers25
Ignition switch/steering wheel  lock, Flashers, Heated rear window/mirrors26
Trip  Computer27
Dynamic Stability Assistance30
Cruise control31
Heated seats, Parking  brake32
Auxiliary socket, Cupholder33
Steering wheel  adjustment34
Heating, Ventilation and Air  Conditioning35
Electrically operated windows38
pg. 18 Instruments, switches and controls
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20Hood latch 53
21Steering wheel height adjustment 34
2212-volt electrical outlet 33
23AC on and  off 36
24Trip Computer 27
25Coin  holder 33
26Recirculation 36-37
27Cupholder 33
28Defroster - door mirrors/rear window 26
29Not in use -
30 Dynamic Stability Assistance (DSA) 30
31Controls  for heated front  seats 32
32Switch for selecting door mirror left and  right 50
33Control for adjusting door mirrors 50
34Door lock switch 42
35Window  left and  right front 38
36Window  left and  right rear 38
37Cut -out switch windows rear 38
Some of the items listed on this page are available on certain models only.
pg. 20 Instruments
1 Coolant temperature gauge 
Do not drive the car with the pointer in the red  range. The pointer should be  approximately midway on the gauge
face when driving. If the pointer approaches the red range repeatedly, check coolant  level.  See  page 117
.
2 Coolant temperature warning light  
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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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