
CAUTION: Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. flooded roadways, etc.). Damage to the
engine could result if excess water is drawn in through the air intake system. Never drive the vehicle in water deeper
than 1 foot (300 mm).
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your car has a tendency to understeer, which means that the steering wheel has to be
turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a bend. This ensures good stability and reduces the risk
of rear wheel skid. Remember that these properties can alter with the vehicle load.
pg. 84 Starting and driving
General information (contd)
The heavier the load in the trunk (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg), the less the tendency to understeer.
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle handling. Therefore, check that the tires are inflated to
the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. See "Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissible axle loads are not exceeded.
pg. 85 Starting and driving
Manual transmission
Shift positions
Depress the clutch pedal completely when changing gears*.
Remove your foot from the clutch pedal while driving. The shift pattern should be followed.
Overdrive (5th gear) should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy.
* Clutch interlock
The clutch must be fully depressed before you can start your car. If the clutch is not depressed, it will not be possible
to start the engine.
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The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from this
position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.
WARNING!
Never leave the car unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from P , the car
may start moving.
R (Reverse)
Never engage R while the car is moving forward.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The car should
not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
4 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 4, 3, 2 or 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift up
to ( D)rive from fourth gear.
3 (Intermediate gear)
The transmission will shift automatically between gears 3, 2 and 1 from this position. The transmission cannot shift up
to fourth gear or ( D)rive from third gear.
L (Low gears)
The transmission is locked in gears 1 and 2 when the selector is in this position.
NOTE: Gears 4, 3, or L can be used if you are driving in a mountainous area, towing a trailer or to increase engine
braking effect.
The transmission has a built-in limiter designed to help prevent excessive engine speeds (high rpm) when gears 4, 3 or
L are selected.
pg. 87 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission (option) (contd)
W - Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
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P Park
Use this position when starting the engine or parking the car.
Never use P while the car is in motion.
The parking brake should also be set whenever the car is parked.
The gear selector is mechanically locked in the P position (SHIFTLOCK). To release the gear selector from this
position, the engine must be running (or the ignition key must be in position II) and the brake pedal must be
depressed.
WARNING!
Never leave the car unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistake, the gear selector is moved from P, the car
may start moving.
R (Reverse)
Never engage R while the car is moving forward.
N (Neutral)
Neutral - no gear engaged. Use the parking brake.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position and should be used as often as possible to help improve fuel economy. The car should
not be moving when shifting from R to the D position.
Automatic transmission - adaptive system
The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive control system that constantly monitors the way in which the
transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shift for optimal performance. The system also monitors your
particular driving style and adapts gear shifting accordingly.
Automatic transmission - shift gate positions
You can move the gear selector freely between the ( MAN)ual and ( D)rive positions while driving.
Depress the button on the front of the gear selector knob to move between the R, N, D, and P positions.
pg. 89 Starting and driving
Geartronic (option) (contd)
Manual shifting - Geartronic
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You can move the gear selector freely between the (MAN)ual and ( D)rive positions while driving. Gears 3, and 4
have a "lock -up" function which reduces engine speed and helps save fuel.
The currently selected gear will be displayed in the instrument panel (see page 22
).
To access the ( MAN)ual shifting position from ( D)rive, move the gear selector to the left to MAN .
To return to the (D)rive position from MAN , move the gear selector to the right.
While driving
If you select the ( MAN)ual position while driving, the gear that was being used in the ( D)rive position will also
initially be selected in ( MAN)ual position.
Move the gear selector forward (toward "+") to shift to a higher gear or rearward (toward "-") to shift to a lower
gear.
If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshift one gear and will utilize the braking power
of the engine. If the current speed is too high for using a lower gear, the downshift will not occur until the speed has
decreased enough to allow the lower gear to be used.
If you slow down to a very low speed, the transmission will automatically shift down.
When starting in the ( MAN)ual position, 3rd gear is the highest gear that may be selected.
NOTE: Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift (Geartronic) mode.The gear selector
must be in the D(Drive) position.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing the accelerator pedal fully and briskly. An
upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a particular gear or by releasing the accelerator pedal slightly.
Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleration or when passing at highway speeds.
Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift (Geartronic) mode.
W - Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the ( D)rive position.
Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage this driving mode (see illustration).
When the W driving mode is engaged, this is displayed in the instrument panel (see page 22).
This mode may be selected for starting/ moving off on slippery roads.
pg. 90 Starting and driving
All Wheel Drive (option)
All Wheel Drive (AWD) - general information
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If the power brakes are not working, the brake pedal must be pressed approximately four times harder than usual to
make up for the lack of power assistance. This can happen for example when towing your vehicle or if the engine is
switched off when the vehicle is rolling. The brake pedal feels harder than usual.
Water on brake discs and brake pads affects braking
Driving in rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can cause water to collect on the brake discs and
pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the pedal is depressed. To avoid such a delay when the brakes are
needed, depress the pedal occasionally when driving through rain, slush etc. This will remove the water from the
brakes. Check that brake application feels normal. This should also be done after washing or starting in very damp or
cold weather.
Severe strain on the brake system
The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or hilly areas or towing. Vehicle speed is usually
slower, which means that the cooling of the brakes is less efficient than when driving on level roads. To reduce the
strain on the brakes, shift into a lower gear and let the engine help with the braking. Do not forget that, if you are
towing a trailer, the brakes will be subjected to a greater than normal load.
pg. 92 Starting and driving
Brake system (contd)
Anti-lock brakes (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there is a malfunction of the ABS system (the standard braking system will however
function) and the vehicle should be driven cautiously to a Volvo retailer for inspection. The Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stopping and steering) during severe braking conditions by limiting brake
lockup. When the system "senses" impending lockup, braking pressure is automatically modulated in order to help
prevent lockup, which could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self -diagnostic test when the engine is started and when the vehicle first reaches a speed
of approximately 12 mph (20 km/h). The brake pedal will pulsate several times and a sound may be audible from the
ABS control module. This is normal.
To obtain optimal effect from the ABS system, constant pressure should be kept on the brake pedal, keep constant
pressure on the brake pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal.
The switching of the ABS modulator will be audible and the brake pedal will pulsate during braking. Please be aware
that ABS does not increase the absolute braking potential of the vehicle. While control will be enhanced, ABS will not
shorten stopping distances on slippery surfaces.
ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
EBD is an integrated part of the ABS system. EBD regulates the hydraulic pressure to the rear brakes to help provide
optimal braking capacity. The brake pedal will pulsate during braking, which is normal.
If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could indicate a fault in the brake system.
Stop the car in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
Restart the engine.
If both warning lights go off, no further action is required.
If both lights are still on after the engine has been restarted, switch off the engine again and check the brake fluid
level (see page 122
for the location of the brake fluid reservoir).
If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark, drive carefully to an authorized Volvo retailer and have the brake
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The handling of the vehicle can be adversely affected when driving with chains. Avoid fast or sharp turns as well as
locked wheel braking.
Snow tires, studded tires *
Tires for winter use:
Owners who live in or regularly commute through areas with sustained periods of snow or icy driving conditions are
strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help retain the highest degree of traction.
It is important to install winter tires on all four wheels to help retain traction during cornering, braking, and
accelerating. Failure to do so could reduce traction to an unsafe level or adversely affect handling. Do not mix tires of
different design as this could also negatively affect overall tire road grip.
Volvo recommends 195/65 R15 (205/55R16 on turbo models) winter tires on all four wheels.
Winter tires wear more quickly on dry roads in warm weather. They should be removed when the winter driving
season has ended.
Studded tires should be run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during which the car should be driven as smoothly as
possible to give the studs the opportunity to seat properly in the tires. The tires should have the same rotational
direction throughout their entire lifetime. In other words, if you wish to rotate the wheels, make sure that the same
wheels are always on the same side of the car.
NOTE: Please consult state or provincial regulations restricting the use of studded winter tires before installing such
tires.
* Where permitted
pg. 108 Wheels and tires
Tire pressure
Tire pressure label
Checking and correcting tire pressure
The tire pressure label is located on the inside of the fuel filler door.
Check the tire pressure regularly.
The tire pressure should be corrected only when the tires are cold.
With warm tires, correct only when the pressure is too low. The tire temperature rises after driving just a few miles.
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vehicle.
pg. 110 Wheels and tires
Changing wheels
Insert flat end of lug wrench and turn/pull straight out
Changing wheels
The spare wheel is located under the carpet on the trunk floor. The jack and crank are secured in the wheel recess.
There are two jack attachment points on each side of the car (see illustration on next page). To change a wheel:
Engage the parking brake.
Put the gear selector in (P)ark (automatic transmission) or reverse (manual transmission).
Loosen the wheel bolts
Remove the wheel cap (where applicable) using the lug wrench in the tool kit.
With the car still on the ground, use the lug wrench to loosen the wheel bolts 1/2 - 1 turn. Turn the bolts
counterclockwise to loosen.
CAUTION:
The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions or with a spare tire other than the one that came with
the car. The use of different size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission.
Correct tightening torque on wheel bolts must be observed. The wheel bolts should never be greased or lubricated. The
extended, chromed wheel bolts must not be used with steel rims, as they make it impossible to fit the hub caps.
pg. 111 Wheels and tires
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Attaching the jack
Position the jack correctly on the bar in the attachment (see illustration above) and crank while simultaneously
guiding the base of the jack to the ground. The base of the jack must be flat on a level, firm, non-slippery surface.
Before raising the car, check that the jack is still correctly positioned in the attachment.
Raise the vehicle until the wheel to be changed is lifted off the ground.
Unscrew the wheel bolts completely and carefully remove the wheel so as not to damage the threads on the studs.
NOTE: To avoid excessive wear and the necessity of rebalancing, mark and reinstall wheels in the same location and
position as before removal. To lessen the chance of imbalance, each wheel hub is equipped with a guide stud to ensure
that a removed wheel can be reinstalled in its original position (as when changing over to winter tires/wheels).
Installing the wheel
Clean the contact surfaces on the wheel and hub.
Lift the wheel and place it on the hub.
Install the wheel bolts and tighten hand -tight. Using the lug wrench, tighten crosswise until all bolts are snug.
Lower the vehicle to the ground and alternately tighten the bolts crosswise to 102 ft. lbs. (140 Nm).
Install the wheel cap (where applicable).
WARNING!
The jack must correctly engage the bar in the jack attachment. The car's weight must not rest on the jack attachment.
See illustration "Attaching the jack" to the left.
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 the ( P)ark position (or reverse on manual transmissions).
Block the wheels standing on the ground, use rigid wooden blocks or large stones. The jack should be kept well-
greased.
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