
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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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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pg. 19 Instruments, switches and controls
The pages in this  section provide detailed descriptions of the vehicle's instruments and  controls. Note  that vehicles may
be  equipped differently, depending on special legal  requirements.Page
1 Adjustable door mirrors 50
2Air vents 35
3Headlight  switch 24
4Front foglight 24
5Instrument lighting 24
6Rear foglight 24
7Turn  signals, high/low beams, Home  Safe Lighting,  cruise control 25, 31
8Instruments, indicator and  warning lights 20-21
9Horn
10 Windshield wash/wipe, headlight wash/wipe 25
11Blower  control 36
12Air distribution control 36
13Hazard  warning flashers 26
14Passenger compartment temperature sensor 36
15Temperature control 36
16Glove  compartment 45
17Passenger airbag 4
18Sunlight sensor for electronic  climate  control and  LED  for immobilizer and  alarm 37, 44
19Fuse box 96-97
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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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VOLVO
S40 & V40
Chapter 3 - Body and interior
pg. 39 Body  and interior
Body and interior
The seats,  sun roof, mirrors,  etc. are described on the following pages.  Keys
40
Remote keyless entry system41
Doors and locks42
Alarm43
Trunk/Tailgate/Glove compartment45
Opening the trunk  from the inside  (S40)46
Front  seats47
Child safety locks49
Rear/side view  mirrors/Vanity mirrors50
Interior lights, Sunroof51
Sunroof52
Hood/Luggage cover53
Storage compartments54
Folding rear seat55
Securing cargo56
Cargo space/Trunk light,  Spare tire, Jack57
Side cargo net, Cargo net58
Weight distribution, Handling,  Roadholding,  Roof racks59
pg. 40 Keys
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 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.
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 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
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License plate  light (S40)-5 W W  2.1x9.5 d 2
License plate  light (V40) -5 W SV8.5 2
Door step courtesy lights -10W SV8.5 2
Trunk  light -5 W SV 8.5 1
Vanity mirror lights -1.2 W SV5.5 2
Front courtesy lights -5 W SV5.5 2
Rear reading lights -5 W W  2.1x9.5 d 2
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
pg. 127 Specifications
Dimensions Length S40/V40 178.0 in. (452 cm)
Width S40/V40 67.7 in. (172 cm)
Height S40/V40 55.9 in. (142 cm)
Wheel base S40/V40 100.4 in. (255 cm)
Track, front S40/V40 57.1 in. (145 cm)
Track, rear S40/V40 57.9 in. (147 cm)
Turning circle: S40/V40 34.8 ft. (10.6 m)
Cargo  capacity:
S40 13.2 ft 
3 (374 liters)
V40 33.5 ft 
3 (948 liters)
Max width of load opening 27.6 in. (67 cm)
Max height of load opening 20.1 in. (51 cm)
Weights Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW):
S40 3924 lbs (1780 kg)
V40 3968 lbs (1800 kg)
Capacity Weight:
S40 826 lbs (375 kg)
V40 826 lbs (375 kg)
Permissible  axle weight, front:
S40 2090 lbs (950 kg)
V40 2090 lbs (950 kg)
Permissible  axle weight, rear:
S40 1870 lbs (850 kg)
V40 1920 lbs (870 kg)
Permissible  axle weight total:
S40 3920 lbs (1780 kg)
V40 3970 lbs (1800 kg)
Curb weight:
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