
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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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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 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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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!
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Shift lock 
In order to move the gear selector from  P position to the other gear positions the key  must  be  in driving position
(position II) and  the brake pedal must  be  depressed.  See  page 99
 for information on how to move the gear selector
manually in case of a  dead battery.
R Reverse
The car must  be  at a  standstill before you select Reverse gear.
N Neutral position
The N position is the neutral position. The engine can be  started, but no gear is selected. Apply the parking brake when
the car is stationary  with the gear selector in position N.
D Driving position
D is the normal driving position. The gear se-lector automatically  shifts up and  down between the transmission gears,
based on the level  of acceleration and  the speed. The car should be  stationary  when you select D from  position R.
4 Low gear position
Shifting up and  down between the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and  4th occurs automatically.
Shifting up to Drive does not occur.
Position 4 can be  used:
 for mountain driving
 for driving with trailer
 to increase the engine braking
3 Low gear position
Shifting up and  down between the 1st, 2nd, and  3rd occurs automatically.
The 4th and  Drive gears will not be  engaged.
Position 3 can be  used:
 for mountain driving
 for driving with trailer
 to increase the engine braking
L Low gear position
Choose position L if you want  to drive with the 1st or 2nd gear engaged. Position L gives the best possible engine
braking effect when, for example, mountain driving.
Shifting up to 5th does not occur.
Position 4 can be  used:
 for mountain driving
 for driving with trailer
 to increase the engine braking
Downshifting protection
There is a  built in protection in the transmission which  prevents over revving in the engine when you select one  of the
low gear positions.
pg. 67 Automatic transmission
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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.
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Replacement of rear light  bulbs - S40
All the bulbs in the rear light unit are replaced  from  inside the trunk
Procedure:
 Switch off the lights and  remove the ignition key.
 Turn  the clip 90° and  pull it out. Fold the panel in the boot towards the middle so as to get access to the bulb holder.
 Push  catches  A and  B in and  remove the bulb holder. The bulbs are held in the bulb holder.
 Leave  the connector  and  cables connected to the bulb holder.
 Remove the bulb by pressing it inwards and  turning it a  few degrees counterclockwise.
 Insert a  new bulb into the bulb holder and  replace  the holder. Check that the bulb works  and  refit the panel.
Replacement of rear light  bulbs - V40
All the bulbs in the rear light unit are replaced  from  inside the cargo area.
Procedure:
 Switch off the lights and  remove the ignition key.
 Open the cover in the panel
 Push  catches  A and  B in and  remove the bulb holder. The bulbs are held in the bulb holder.
 Leave  the connector  and  cables connected to the bulb holder.
 Remove the bulb by pressing it inwards and  turning it a  few degrees counterclockwise.
 Insert a  new bulb into the bulb holder and  replace  the holder. Check that the bulb works  and  refit the cover.
1 Tail light (rear  parking light) 5W
2 Direction indicator 21W
3 Brake light 21W
4 Tail light 5W
5 Backup light 21W
6 Rear fog light (Left side only) 21W
pg. 93 Replacing bulbs
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Fuel tank : 16 US gal. (60 liters) 
Cooling system : 6 US qts. (5.7 liters) 
Engine oil (incl. filter) : 5.7 US qts. (5.4 liters) 
Engine oil (excl. filter) : 5.3 US qts. (5.0 liters) 
Automatic transmission : 8 US qts (7.6 liters) 
Power steering fluid : 1.05 US qts (1 liters) 
Washer fluid reservoir : 3.9 US qts. (3.75 liters) 
Brake system : 0.42 US qts (0.4 liters)
Vehicle loading 
The tires on your Volvo should perform to specifications at all normal loads when inflated as recommended on the tire
information label.  The label  is located on the inside of the fuel filler  door. The label  also lists vehicle load limits. Do
not load your car beyond  the indicated limits.
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.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
pg. 126 Specifications
Electrical system
12 Volt, negative ground. 
Voltage-controlled generator. Single-wire system with chassis and  engine used as conductors.
Battery  
Voltage:  12 Volt, capacity: 600 A/100 min 
The battery contains corrosive and  poisonous acids. It is of the utmost importance that old batteries are disposed of
correctly. Your Volvo retailer can assist you in this  matter.
Generator  
Rated output: 120 A
Bulbs
Bulb US no.Power Socket No/bulbs
Headlights
High beam H755W - 2
Low beam H755W - 2
Parking lights and  Turn  signals, front 3457NA26/7W/30/2.2cp W2.5  16q 2
Turn  signals, rear 115621W/32cp BA 15 s 2
Side direction indicators -5W W  2.1x9.5 d 2
Tail lights 675W/4cp BA 15 s 4
Brake lights 115621W/32cp BA 15 s 2
Backup lights 115621W/32cp BA 15 s 2
Rear fog light 115621W/32cp BA 15 s 1
Front fog lights H355 W PK22.5 2
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