When starting in cold weather, the transmission may shift up at slightly higher engine speeds than normal until the
automatic transmission fluid reaches normal operating temperature.
* Your car is equipped with an electronic start inhibitor (immobilizer). The keys you received with your car are
specially coded. The code in the key is transmitted to an antenna in the ignition switch where it is compared to the
code stored in the start inhibitor module. The car can only be started if a properly coded key is used.
If two of the keys to your car are close together, e.g., on the same key ring, when you try to start the car, this could
cause interference in the immobilizer system and result in the car not starting. If this should occur, remove one of the
keys from the key ring before trying to start the car again.
pg. 88 Starting the engine
CAUTION:
The engine should be idling when you move the gear selector. Never accelerate until after you feel the transmission
engage! Accelerating immediately after selecting a gear will cause harsh engagement and premature transmission wear.
Selecting P or N when idling at a standstill for prolonged periods time will help prevent overheating of the automatic
transmission fluid.
Do not race a cold engine immediately after starting. Oil flow may not reach some lubrication points fast enough to
prevent engine damage.
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 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.
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal and the clutch to catch. Check that the movement
of the accelerator pedal and clutch is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be used at one
time.
pg. 89 Manual transmission
Shift positions
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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. This gear should be engaged at speeds above
approx. 50 mph (80 km/h).
Engaging reverse gear
Reverse gear should only be engaged from a complete stop.
CAUTION: Be careful that you do not inadvertently engage reverse while moving forward.
* 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.WARNING!
An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal and the clutch to catch. Check that the movement
of the accelerator pedal and clutch is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be used at one
time.
pg. 90 Automatic transmission AW5
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Temporary Spare
The temporary spare tire is for temporary, low-speed, short-distance use only. Replace it with a full-sized tire as soon
as possible, in accordance with "Tire Rotation" above. Do not drive on the temporary spare at speeds above 50 m.p.h.
(80km/h) or for distances greater than 50 miles (80 km).
Never install snow chains on a temporary spare.
pg. 95 Driving economy
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid starts and stops and adjusting the speed of
your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Observe the following rules:
Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by driving with a light foot on the accelerator
pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold engine uses more fuel and is subject to increased wear.
Whenever possible, avoid using the car for driving short distances. This does not allow the engine to reach normal
operating temperature.
Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
Do not exceed posted speed limits.
Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the car.
Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tires are cold).
Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc., increase air resistance and also fuel consumption.
Avoid using automatic transmission kickdown feature unless necessary.
Avoid using the air conditioning when it is not required. When engaged, the conditioner's compressor places an
additional load on the engine. However, at higher driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air
conditioning on and the windows closed than with the air conditioning off and the windows open.
Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you learn how to drive more economically.
Other factors that 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: Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions should use (D)rive as often as possible and avoid using
"kick -down" to help improve fuel economy. Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions should use fifth gear at
highway speeds. At other times, choose the highest gear that still allows smooth acceleration.
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. The heavier the load on the rear of
the vehicle (e.g., heavily loaded (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg) cargo area or when towing a trailer, the less the tendency to
understeer.
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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. 96 Points to remember
Cooling system
The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, when:
Towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open throttle and low engine rpm.
Stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after-boiling" can occur).
To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed: Do not drive for prolonged periods at engine speeds
above 4500 rpm if you are towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
Reduce speed when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines. The risk of overheating can be reduced by switching off
the air conditioning system for a short time.
Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods.
Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating (the temperature gauge goes repeatedly into,
or stays continually in, the red section), the following precautions should be taken:
Switch off the air conditioning system.
Pull off the road, away from traffic, stop the car and put the gear selector into neutral.
Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine speed to approx. 2000 rpm (twice idling speed)
until the temperature begins to drop.
WARNING!
Do not remove coolant expansion tank cap. The coolant will be extremely hot.
If necessary, see page 129
and 132 for information on checking and topping-up the coolant level.
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). See the flood warning on page 7
.
WARNING!
Driving with the tailgate open : Driving with the tailgate open could mean that poisonous exhaust gases enter the
passenger compartment.
If the 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.
Floor mats : An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal to catch. Check that the movement
of the accelerator pedal is not impeded. Not more than one protective floor covering may be used at one time.
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Electrical system
When replacing the battery or when carrying out work involving the electrical system, the following should be
observed:
A battery connection to the wrong terminal will damage the electrical system. Be sure to connect the positive battery
cable to the positive battery terminal and the negative battery cable to the negative battery terminal.
If booster batteries are used for starting, they must be properly connected to minimize the risk of the electrical
system being damaged. For correct connection, see "Jump starting" section.
Never disconnect the battery circuit (for example, to replace the battery) while the engine is running, as this may
damage the generator. Always make sure that all the battery connections are properly cleaned and tightened.
If any electrical welding work is performed on the vehicle, the battery's ground lead (negative cable) and all the
connecting cables of the generator must be disconnected and the welder cables placed as near the welding points as
possible.
The radio must be turned off before the battery is disconnected.
Switch off the ignition for at least 10 minutes before disconnecting the battery.
pg. 97 Roof racks/Load carriers
Load carriers (accessory)
Load carriers are available as Volvo accessories. Observe the following points when in use:
To avoid damaging your car and to achieve maximum safety when driving, we recommend using the load carriers
that Volvo has developed especially for your car.
Volvo-approved removable roof racks are designed to carry the maximum allowable roof load for this vehicle: 220
lbs (100 kg). For Non-Volvo roof racks, check the manufacturer's weight limits for the rack.
Never exceed the rack manufacturer's weigh limits and never exceed the maximum rated roof load of 220 lbs (100
kg).
Avoid single-point loads. Distribute loads evenly.
Place heavier cargo at the bottom of the load.
Anchor the cargo correctly with appropriate tie-down equipment.
Check periodically that the load carriers and load are properly secured.
Remember that the car's center of gravity and handling change when you carry a load on the roof.
The car's wind resistance (and correspondingly, fuel consumption) will increase with the size of the load.
Drive smoothly. Avoid rapid starts, fast cornering and hard braking.
Load carrier attachment points
Attaching load carriers (models without rails)
The attachment brackets for the load carriers are located under the roof molding.
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These bulbs may be difficult for you to replace yourself. We recommend that you let an authorized Volvo retailer
replace these bulbs if necessary.
pg. 125 Replacing bulbs
Rear reading lights
These bulbs may be difficult for you to replace yourself. We recommend that you let an authorized Volvo retailer
replace these bulbs if necessary.
NOTE: Other bulbs may be difficult for you to replace yourself. Let an authorized Volvo retailer replace these bulbs if
necessary.
pg. 126 Paint touch up
Paint touch-up
Paint damage requires immediate attention to avoid rusting. Make it a habit to check the finish regularly - when
washing the car for instance. Touch-up if necessary.
Paint repairs require special equipment and skill. Contact your Volvo retailer for any extensive damage.
Minor scratches can be repaired by using Volvo touch-up paint.
NOTE: When ordering touch-up paint from your Volvo retailer, use the paint code indicated on the model plate. The
plate is located in the engine compartment.
Minor stone chips and scratches
Material:
Primer - can
Paint - touch-up bottle
Brush
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the vehicle and others sharing the roadway. Avoiding distractions is part of that responsibility.
The following should be checked regularly: *
1 Washer fluid reservoir should be filled with water and solvent (wintertime: windshield washer anti-freeze). See
page 133.
2 Power steering - When cold, the level must not be above the COLD mark and when hot it must not be above the
HOT mark. Top up if the level drops to the ADD mark with ATF fluid. See page 137.
3 Coolant level should be between the expansion tank marks. Mixture: 50% anti-freeze and 50% water. See page 131.
4 Engine oil level should be between the dipstick marks. The distance between the marks represents approx.
1.6 US qts (1.5 liters). See page 135.
5 Brake fluid - check, without removing the cap, that the level is above the MIN mark. Use brake fluid DOT 4+. See
page 137.
* Engine oil should be checked each time the car is refuelled.
Octane rating, see page 84.
Tire pressure, see label located on the rear edge of the right front door.
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