
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS  system in your car performs a  self -diagnostic test when the vehicle first reaches the 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.
Fuel filler door
Press the button on the light switch panel (see page 34
) 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.
Fuel filler cap
After refueling, close the fuel filler  cap by turning it clockwise until it clicks  into place. If this  cap is not closed tightly
or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Malfunction  Indicator Lamp ("Check Engine" light) may
indicate a  fault.
Important
Before you operate your car for the first time, please familiarize yourself  with the new-engine oil consumption
information on page 135
. You should also be familiar  with the information in the chapters one, two and four of
this manual.
Information contained in the balance of the manual is extremely useful and should be read  after operating the
vehicle  for the first time.
The manual is structured so that it can be used  for reference. For this reason, it should be kept in the car for
ready  access.
Do not export your Volvo to another country before investigating  that country's applicable safety and exhaust
emission requirements. In  some cases it may be difficult or  impossible  to comply with these requirements.
Modifications to the emission control system(s)  may render your Volvo not certifiable for legal operation in the
U.S., Canada and other countries.
All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manual are based  on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. Please note that some vehicles may be equipped  differently,
depending  on special legal requirements and that optional  equipment described in this manual may not be
available in all markets.
Volvo reserves the right to make model changes at any time, or  to change specifications or  design, without
notice and without incurring obligation.
CALIFORNIA  Proposition  65 Warning
WARNING! Engine exhaust, some of its  constituents, and  certain vehicle components contain  or emit chemicals
known to the state of California to cause cancer, and  birth defects or other reproductive harm.
 
 In addition, certain
fluids contained in vehicles and  certain products  of component  wear  contain  or emit chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer, and  birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Volvo and the environment
Volvo is committed to the well being of our customers. As a  natural part of this  commitment, we care about the
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2 0 0 3 
VOLVO V70
Chapter 2 - Instruments, switches and controls
pg. 23 Instruments, switches and controls
Interior24
Exterior25
Instruments26
Instrument panel27
Indicator and warning lights28
Text  information window30
Switches in the center console31
Trip  computer32
Cruise control33
Light switch panel34
Steering wheel  adjustment, Ignition switch/Steering wheel  lock35
Turn signals36
Windshield wipers/washers37
Warning flashers, heated mirrors/rear  window, heated front seats38
Parking  brake, auxiliary socket/ashtrays39
Electrically operated windows40
Rearview/sideview  mirrors41
Sun roof42
pg. 24 Interior
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7 General  warning light  (see page 28).
8 High beam indicator light
9 Tachometer
Indicates engine speed in thousands of rpm. Do not drive for long with the needle in the red section. The engine has an
built-in function preventing too high an  engine speed. When this  function operates, you may discern some pulsation,
which  is normal.
10 Gear and driving mode indicator The currently selected driving mode is displayed here. If you use the Geartronic
function on the automatic  transmission, the currently selected gear will be  displayed.
11 Ambient temperature indicator
This display indicates the air temperature outside your car. A "snowflake" symbol  in the text window is displayed
when the temperature is in the range of 23 - 36° F (-5 - +2° C).
Please note that this symbol does not indicate a fault with your car.
At low speeds or when the car is not moving, the temperature readings may be  slightly  higher than the actual ambient
temperature.
12 Clock/reset button
Turn  the button to adjust the clock.
13 Fuel gauge
The fuel tank holds approximately 18.5 US gals (70 liters) or 19 US gals (72 liters) on models equipped with All
Wheel Drive.
When the warning light comes on there are approximately 1.8 US gal. (8 liters) of fuel remaining.
14 Indicator and warning lights  
pg. 28 Indicator and warning lights
The indicator and warning  lights described on pages 28 and 29 should never stay on when driving*
When the ignition key  is turned, all of the warning lights in the lower right-hand  side of the instrument panel should
go on to test the function of the bulbs. If a  light does not go off after the engine has started, the system indicated
should be  inspected.
NOTE: The parking brake reminder light will not go off until the parking brake has been fully released. 
Warning lamp  in the center of the instrument panel
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This lamp lights up red or yellow depending on the severity of the fault that has been detected.
Yellow  light: Follow the instructions shown in the text window.
Red light:  Stop the car as soon as possible in a  suitable location and  read the message shown in the text window.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
If the light comes on (or stays on after the vehicle has started), the SRS diagnostic system has detected a  fault. Drive to
an  authorized Volvo retailer for an  inspection of the system. See  the SRS section for more information.
Brake failure warning light
If the light  comes on while driving or  braking, stop immediately, open the hood and check  the brake fluid  level
in the reservoir.  See  page 134 
for reservoir position and  page 137 for instructions.
Canadian models are equipped with this  warning light: 
Oil pressure warning light
If the light  comes on while driving, stop the car and then stop the engine immediately and check  the engine oil
level.  See  page 135
. If the light stays on after restart, have the car towed  to the nearest authorized Volvo retailer. After
hard driving, the light may come on occasionally when the engine is idling. This is normal, provided it goes off when
the engine speed is increased.
Parking brake reminder light
This light will be  on when the parking brake (hand brake) is applied.  The parking brake lever is situated between the
front  seats.
Canadian models are equipped with this  warning light: 
Generator warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running, have the charging system checked.
* Rear fog light, if used, and  trailer turn signal, if towing a  trailer, will go on while driving. 
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pg. 29 Indicator and warning lights
Rear fog light
This light indicates that the rear fog light is on.
Malfunction indicator lamp
On-Board Diagnostic II (OBDII): As you drive, a  computer called "OBDII" monitors your car's engine, transmission,
electrical and  emission systems. The CHECK ENGINE light will light up if the computer senses a  condition that
potentially may need correcting. When this  happens, please have your car checked by a  Volvo retailer as soon as
possible.
A CHECK ENGINE light may have many causes. Sometimes,  you may not notice  a  change in your car's behavior.
Even so, an  uncorrected condition could hurt fuel economy, emission cleanliness, and  driveability. Extended driving
without correcting the cause could even damage other components in your car.
Canadian models are equipped with this  warning light: 
NOTE : If the fuel filler  cap is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may indicate a  fault. However, your vehicle's performance will not be  affected. Use only Volvo
original or approved fuel filler  caps.
Anti-lock Brake System ABS
If the warning light comes on, there is a  malfunction of the ABS  system (the standard braking system will still
function). The vehicle should be  driven to a  Volvo retailer for inspection. See  page 19 
for additional information.
Stability Traction Control (STC) system (option), or Dynamic Stability and
Traction Control (DSTC) system (option)
An indicator light will flash  when STC or DSTC is actively working to stabilize the car. See  pages 20-21 for more
detailed information.
Turn signal indicator - trailer (certain models)
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additional information.
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 when 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.
Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol,  wood alcohol). This practice can result in vehicle
performance deterioration and  can damage critical parts  in the fuel system. Such damage may not be  covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
* If the fuel filler  cap  is not closed tightly or if the engine is running when the car is refueled, the Check Engine light
(malfunction indicator lamp) may indicate a fault. However, your vehicle's performance will  not be  affected. Use only
Volvo original or approved fuel filler  caps.  
pg. 87 Starting the engine
Starting the engine
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING!
Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and  mirrors  adjusted properly. Make sure the brake pedal can be
depressed  completely.  Adjust the seat if necessary.  See  page 56.
2. Apply the parking brake, if not already  set. The gear selector ( automatic transmission) is locked in the (P)ark
position ( SHIFT -LOCK ). Manual transmission: the clutch must be fully  depressed.
3. Without touching the accelerator pedal,  turn the ignition key*  to the starting position. Allow the starter to operate
for up to 10 seconds. Release the key  as soon as the engine starts. If the engine fails to start, repeat  this  step.
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.
NOTE:
On certain models, when the car is started, idle speed may be  noticeably higher than normal for a  short period,
depending on the temperature of the engine. 
This has been done  to help bring components in the emission control system to their normal operating temperature as
quickly as possible, which  enables them to function normally.
4. To release the gear selector from  the (P)ark position, the engine must  be  running (or the ignition key  must  be  in
position II) and  the brake pedal must  be  depressed.
5. Select  the desired gear. The gear engages after a  very slight delay which  is especially noticeable when selecting R.
NOTE:
Your car is equipped with a  KEYLOCK  system. When the engine is switched off, the gear selector must  be  in the
(P)ark position before the key  can be  removed from  the ignition switch.
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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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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.
Cold starts
When driving before the engine has reached its  normal operating temperature, the transmission will shift up at slightly
higher engine speeds to heat the three-way catalytic converter as quickly as possible. 
pg. 92 Automatic transmission  (Geartronic)
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 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.
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