fuel economy. If you are not sure whether the gasoline contains deposit control additives, check with the service
station operator.
NOTE: Volvo does not recommend the use of external fuel injector cleaning systems. Unleaded fuel Each Volvo has a
three-way catalytic converter and must use only unleaded gasoline. U.S. and Canadian regulations require that pumps
delivering unleaded gasoline be labelled "UNLEADED". Only these pumps have nozzles which fit your car's filler
inlet. It is unlawful to dispense leaded fuel into a vehicle labeled "unleaded gasoline only". Leaded gasoline damages
the three-way catalytic converter and the heated oxygen sensor system. Repeated use of leaded gasoline will lessen the
effectiveness of the emission control system and could result in loss of emission warranty coverage. State and local
vehicle inspection programs will make detection of misfueling easier, possibly resulting in emission test failure for
misfueled vehicles.
NOTE: Some U.S. and Canadian gasolines contain an octane enhancing additive called methyl-cyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). If such fuels are used, your Emission Control System performance may be affected,
and the Check Engine Light (malfunction indicator lamp) located on your instrument panel may light. If this occurs,
please return your vehicle to an authorized Volvo retailer for service.
Gasoline containing alcohol and ethers
"Oxygenated fuels"
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing "oxygenates" which are usually alcohols or ethers. In some areas, state or
local laws require that the service pump be marked indicating use of alcohols or ethers. However, there are areas in
which the pumps are unmarked. If you are not sure whether there is alcohol or ethers in the gasoline you buy, check
with the service station operator. To meet seasonal air quality standards, some areas require the use of "oxygenated"
fuel.
Volvo allows the use of the following "oxygenated" fuels; however, the octane ratings listed on this page must still be
met.
Alcohol - Ethanol: Fuels containing up to 10% ethanol by volume may be used. Ethanol may also be referred to as
Ethyl alcohol, or "Gasohol".
Ethers - MTBE: Fuels containing up to 15% MTBE may be used.
pg. 79 Starting and driving
Carbon Monoxide - Important Warning
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. It is present in all exhaust gases. If you ever smell
exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, make sure the passenger compartment is ventilated, and immediately return the
vehicle to your retailer for correction.
Fuel Formulations
Do not use gasoline that contains lead as a knock inhibitor, and do not use lead additives. Besides damaging the
exhaust emission control systems on your car, lead has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer.
Many fuels contain benzene as a solvent. Unburned benzene has been strongly linked to certain forms of cancer. If you
live in an area where you must fill your own gas tank, take precautions. These may include:
standing upwind away from the filler nozzle while refueling
refueling only at gas stations with vapor recovery systems that fully seal the mouth of the filler neck during refueling
wear neoprene gloves while handling a fuel filler nozzle.
Use of Additives
With the exception of gas line antifreeze during winter months, do not add solvents, thickeners, or other store -bought
additives to your car's fuel, cooling, or lubricating systems. Overuse may damage your engine, and some of these
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additives contain organically volatile chemicals. Do not needlessly expose yourself to these chemicals.
pg. 80 Starting and driving
Refueling (contd)
Fuel filler door
Press the button on the light switch panel (see illustration on page 30
) when the car is at a standstill to unlock the fuel
filler door. Please note that the fuel filler door will remain unlocked until the car begins to move forward. An audible
click will be heard when the fuel filler door relocks.
If you intend to leave your car while it is being refueled, this feature enables you to lock the doors/trunk while leaving
the fuel filler door unlocked.
You can also keep the car locked if you remain inside during refueling. The central locking button does not lock the
fuel filler door.
Be sure the fuel filler door is not obstructed and is completely closed after refueling.
Open the fuel filler cap slowly during hot weather.
NOTE: During a transitional period, a small number of service stations may still have fuel nozzles that are not
compatible with the fuel filler neck on cars equipped with the evaporative control system.
Refueling
The fuel tank is designed to hold approximately 18.5 US gals (70 liters) or 19 US gals (72 liters) on models equipped
with All Wheel Drive, with sufficient volume left over to accommodate possible expansion of the fuel in hot weather.
Be aware that the "usable" tank capacity will be somewhat less than the specified maximum. When the fuel level is
low, such factors as ambient temperature, the fuel's "Reid vapor pressure" characteristics, and terrain can affect the fuel
pump's ability to supply the engine with an adequate supply of fuel. Therefore, it is advisable to refuel as soon as
possible when the needle nears the red zone, or when the fuel warning light comes on.
CAUTION:
Do not refuel with the engine running *. Turn the ignition off or to position I. If the ignition is on, an incorrect reading
could occur in the fuel gauge After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks into place*.
Allow for fuel expansion by not overfilling the tank. Overfilling could also cause damage to the emission control
systems. Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling. In addition to causing damage to the environment, gasolines
containing alcohol can cause damage to painted surfaces, which may not be covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
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Your Volvo can be equipped with permanent All Wheel Drive, which means that power is distributed automatically
between the front and rear wheels. Under normal driving conditions, most engine's power is directed to the front
wheels. However, if there is any tendency for the front wheels to spin, an electronically controlled coupling distributes
power to the wheels that have the best traction.
Tire dimensions
Volvo recommends that you always drive on tires of the same brand, size, construction (radial), tread pattern, load-,
speed-, traction-, temperature-, and treadwear rating. Never drive on mixed tires, except for brief periods when the
temporary spare tire is in use.
Always use properly inflated tires of correct dimensions. Tire size and inflation pressures are shown on the tire
pressure label located inside the fuel filler door.
Tire Rotation
Volvo recommends rotating the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km). Tires should be rotated front -to-back/back-to-
front only. Tires must maintain the same direction of rotation throughout their lifetime, and should never be rotated
from one side of the vehicle to the other.
Temporary Spare
The temporary spare tire is for temporary, low-speed, short-distance use only. Replace it with a full-size tire as soon as
possible, in accordance with "Tire Rotation" above. Do not drive on the temporary spare at speeds above 50 mph (80
km/h) or for distances greater than 50 miles (80 km.)
Never install snow chains on a temporary spare.
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Brake system
BRAKE Brake circuit malfunction
The brake system is a hydraulic system consisting of two master cylinders and two separate brake circuits. If a
problem should occur in one of these circuits, it is still possible to stop the car with the other brake circuit.
If the brake pedal must be depressed farther than normal and requires greater foot pressure, the stopping distance will
be longer.
A warning light in the instrument panel will light up to warn the driver that a fault has occurred.
If this light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately and check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
NOTE: Press the brake pedal hard and maintain pressure on the pedal Ð do not pump the brakes.
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir or if a "Brake failure - Service urgent" message is displayed
in the text window: DO NOT DRIVE. Have the car towed to a Volvo retailer and have the brake system inspected.
NOTE: When the car is at a standstill and the engine is idling, e.g. at a traffic light and the brake pedal is depressed,
the pedal may go down slightly. This is a normal function of the power-assisted brake system.
Power brakes function only when the engine is running
The power brakes utilize vacuum pressure which is only created when the engine is running. Never let the vehicle roll
to a stop with the engine switched off.
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