Page 13 of 85
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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 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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Transmission Lamp67
Trip Computer27
Trip odometer20
Trunk  - opening from  the inside - S4046
Tuning modes, radio - changing142
Turn  signals25
U
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY  GRADING83
Uniform  tire quality grading83
Upholstery  - cleaning105
V
Vanity mirrors51
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)108
Vehicle loading125
Volvo On Call128
Volvo SRS4
W
W  - Winter/Wet Weather67
Warning flashers26
Warning lights22,23
Warranty109
Washer fluid reservoir118
Washing103
Waste bin - rear34
Waxing104
Weights127
Wheel changing86, 87, 88
Wheels and  tires80
Whiplash Protection System  (WHIPS)9
WHIPS9
Windows - electrically -operated38
Windshield wiper blades - replacing98
Winter driving75
   
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