2003 VOLVO V70 towing

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.
ProCarManuals.com

If you are towing a trailer, this light will flash simultaneously with the turn signals on the trailer. If the light does not
flash when signaling, neither the trailer's turn signals nor the car's turn signals are functioning.
Seat belt reminder
This symbol lights up to indicate that the driver has not fastened his/her seat belt.
pg. 30 Text information window
Messages in the text window
When a warning light in the instrument panel comes on, a message is also displayed in the text window. After you
have read the message, you can erase it by pressing button A (see illustration above).
NOTE: Certain messages cannot be erased until the condition has been corrected.
Warning messages override text messages from any car feature that also uses the text window. A warning message
must be acknowledged (erased) before you can access the feature of your choice. Press button A to erase the warning
message.
Erased messages are stored in the system's memory until the required action has been taken. You can scroll through
the stored messages by pressing button A. The text window can be cleared (the message will be returned to memory)
by pressing button A again.
General messages
STOP SAFELY: Stop and switch off the engine - to help prevent serious risk of damage.
STOP ENGINE: Stop and switch off the engine - to help prevent serious risk of damage.
SERVICE URGENT: Take your car to an authorized Volvo retailer for inspection as soon as possible.
SEE MANUAL: Refer to your owner's manual. For additional information, please contact your Volvo retailer.
SERVICE REQUIRED: Take your car to an authorized Volvo retailer for inspection at your convenience (but
preferably before the next scheduled maintenance service).
ProCarManuals.com

2 0 0 3
VOLVO V70
Chapter 6 - Starting and driving
pg. 83 Starting and driving
Fuel requirements84
Fuel Formulations85
Refueling86
Starting the engine87
Manual transmission89
Automatic transmission (AW5)90
Automatic transmission (Geartronic)92
All Wheel Drive94
Driving economy95
Points to remember96
Roof racks/load carriers97
Emergency towing99
Vehicle towing information100
Towing a trailer101
Detachable trailer hitch102
Jump starting103
Winter driving104
Long distance trips105
Three-way catalytic converter106
pg. 84 Fuel requirements
Fuel requirements
Octane rating : Volvo engines are designed for optimum performance on unleaded premium gasoline with an octane
ProCarManuals.com

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.
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.
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

Installing a new bulb
To install a new low beam bulb (H7):
Insert the new bulb, without touching the glass, with the guide lug upward (1). The bulb will only seat properly in
this position.
Move the retaining spring up and push it slightly to the left until it seats properly (2).
Press the connector into place on the bulb (3).
Reinstall the plastic cover and turn it clockwise until it is correctly in place (4). "TOP" must be upward.
NOTE: If the vertical aim of your headlights needs to be adjusted for any reason (e.g., towing a trailer for extended
periods), this should be done by an authorized Volvo retailer.
pg. 121 Replacing bulbs
To remove and install a high beam bulb (HB3):
Switch off all lights and turn the ignition switch to position 0.
Open the hood.
Remove the cover by twisting it counterclockwise.
Twist the bulb holder counterclockwise, pull it out and fit a new bulb. Note its position.
Refit the bulb holder. It can only be fitted in one way.
Screw the cover back on. The word TOP should be upwards.
ProCarManuals.com

WARNING!
When adding accessories, equipment, luggage and other cargo to your vehicle, the total loaded weight capacity of
the vehicle must not be exceeded.
1) Rear seat backrest up, load height - upper edger of backrest
2) Rear seat backrest folded down, load height - upper edge of front seat backrests/lower edge of rear window
3) Rear seat backrest folded down, load height - headlining (ceiling)
Weights USA Canada
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)
V70 man. 4630 lbs 2100 kg
V70 aut. 4690 lbs 2130 kg
V70 Turbo man. 4670 lbs 2120 kg
V70 Turbo aut. 4730 lbs 2150 kg
V70 AWD 4890 lbs 2220 kg
XC70 4890 lbs 2220 kg
Capacity weight *** 930 lbs 420 kg
Curb weight
V70 3390-3585 lbs 1541-1632 kg
V70 AWD 3690-3725 lbs 1675-1695 kg
XC70 3765-3800 lbs 1710-1730 kg
Permissible axle weight, front
V70 man. 2290 lbs 1040 kg
V70 aut. 2330 lbs 1060 kg
V70 Turbo aut. 2400 lbs 1090 kg
V70 AWD 2400 lbs 1090 kg
XC70 2490 lbs 1130 kg
Permissible axle weight, rear
V70, V70 Turbo 2470 lbs 1120 kg
V70 AWD 2580 lbs 1170 kg
XC70 2620 lbs 1190 kg
* When driving for prolonged periods at temperatures above 86° F (30° C), the maximum recommended weight is
2000 lbs (900 kg).
**See also section "Trailer towing"
*** The max permissible axle loads or the gross vehicle weight must not be exceeded.
All specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
pg. 144 Engine specifications
Engine specifications
Designation: Volvo B 5234 T3
Output247 hp at 5200 rpm (184 kW/87 rps)
Max. torque 243 ft. lbs. at 2400-5200 rpm (330 Nm/42-87 rps)
ProCarManuals.com