
 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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tire damage.
Wear indicator 
The tires have a  so-called "wear indicator" in the form  of a  number of narrow strips running across or parallel to the
tread. When approx. 1/16" (1.6 mm) is left on the tread, these strips become visible and  indicate that the tire should be
replaced.  
Tires with less than 1/16" (1.6 mm) tread have a  very poor grip in rain or snow. 
When replacing worn tires, it is recommended that the tire be  identical  in type (radial)  and  size as the one  being
replaced.  Using a  tire of the same make (manufacturer) will prevent alteration of the driving characteristics of the
vehicle.
To improve tire economy:
 Maintain correct tire pressure. See  the tire pressure label  on the inside of the fuel filler  door.
 Drive smoothly:  avoid fast  starts, hard braking and  tire screeching.
 Tire wear  increases with speed.
 Correct front  wheel alignment is very important.
 Unbalanced wheels impair tire economy and  driving comfort.
 If the wheels are rotated, they should be  kept on the same side of the car so that they revolve in the same direction
as prior  to rotation.
 Hitting curbs or potholes can damage the tires and/or wheels permanently.
Flat spots  
All tires become warm during use. After cooling, when the vehicle is parked, the tires have a  tendency to distort
slightly,  forming flat spots. These flat spots can cause vibrations similar to the vibrations caused by unbalanced wheels.
They do, however,  disappear when the tire warms up. The degree to which  flat spots form  depends on the type of cord
used in the tire. Remember that, in cold weather, it takes longer for the tire to warm up and  consequently longer for the
flat spot to disappear.
pg. 81 Wheels and tires
Snow chains  
Snow chains can be  used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
 Snow chains should be  installed on front  wheels only. Use only Volvo approved snow chains.
 Snow chains may only be  mounted on approved snow tires 185/65 R15. Consult your Volvo retailer. 
If accessory,  aftermarket or "custom" tires and  wheels are installed and  are of a  size different  than the original tires
and  wheels, chains in some cases CANNOT be  used. Sufficient  clearances between chains and  brakes, suspension and
body components must  be  maintained.
 Some strap  on type chains will interfere  with brake components and  therefore CANNOT be  used. 
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information.
CAUTION:
 Check local  regulations  regarding the use of snow chains before installing.
 Always follow the chain manufacturer's installation  instructions carefully. Install chains as tightly as possible and
retighten periodically.
 Never  exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum speed limit. (Under no circumstances should that limit
be  higher than 30 mph (45 km/h).
 Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
 The handling of the vehicle can be  adversely affected when driving with chains. Avoid fast  or sharp turns as well as
locked wheel braking.
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Fuel system 
The engine is equipped with a  multipoint fuel injection system.
Distributor ignition system  
Firing  order: 1-3-4-2 
Distributor ignition setting:  Not adjustable 
Spark plugs:  Champion RC8PYP or equivalent 
Spark plug gap: 0.0315" (0.80 mm) 
Tightening torque: 18.4 ft. lbs. (25 Nm)
WARNING!
The distributor ignition system operates at very high voltages. Special  safety precautions must  be  followed to
prevent injury. Always turn the ignition off when:
 Replacing distributor ignition components e.g.  plugs, coil, etc.
 Do not touch any  part of the distributor ignition system while the engine is running. This may result in unintended
movements and  body injury.
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
Front  suspension  
Spring strut suspension with integrated shock absorbers and  control arms  linked to the support frame. Power assisted
rack and  pinion steering. Safety type steering column. 
The alignment specifications apply to a  car at curb weight (without passengers or cargo). 
Toe-in measured on the wheel rims: 1.4 mm +/- 0.2 mm 
Toe-in measured on tire sides: 2.0 mm +/- 0.4 mm
Rear suspension  
Multilink individual rear wheel suspension with longitudinal support arms,  double link arms  and  track rods.
Toe-in measured on the tire sides: 2.6 mm +/- 0.8 mm
pg. 125 Specifications
Power transmission  
Automatic transmission: AW 55-50 
5-speed automatic  electronically  controlled gearbox comprising a  hydraulic torque converter with a  lockup function;
planetary gear, integrated final drive. Operation via a  floor  mounted gear selector lever. Drive shafts with symmetrical
joint location. Overdrive.
Final drive ratio  2.44:1 
Reduction ratios  
1st gear 4.77:1 
2nd gear 3.00:1 
3rd gear 1.96:1 
4th gear 1.32:1 
5th gear 1.02:1 
Reverse 3.23:1
Capacities  
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