
pg. 7 Front  airbags - SRS
NOTE: The information on this  page does not pertain to the Side Impact Protection System  airbags.
When are the airbags deployed?
The SRS system is designed to deploy during certain frontal or front -angular collisions, impacts, or decelerations,
depending on the crash severity, angle, speed and  object  impacted. The SRS sensor is designed to react  to both the
impact of the collision  and  the inertial forces  generated  by it and  to determine if the intensity  of the collision  is
sufficient for the airbags to be  deployed.WARNING!
The SRS is designed to help prevent serious injury. Deployment  occurs very quickly and  with considerable force.
During normal deployment and  depending on variables such as seating position, one  may experience abrasions,
bruises, swellings, or other injuries as a  result of airbag(s) deployment.
If the airbags have been deployed, we recommend the following:
Have the car towed  to an  authorized Volvo retailer. Never  drive with the airbags deployed.
Have an  authorized Volvo retailer replace  the SRS system components.
Use only new, Genuine Volvo Parts when replacing SRS components (airbags, seat belts, tensioners, etc.).
When are the airbags NOT deployed?
Not all frontal collisions activate the SRS system. If the collision  involves a  nonrigid object  (e.g., a  snow drift or
bush), or a  rigid, fixed object  at a  low speed, the SRS system will not necessarily  deploy. Front airbags do not
normally deploy in a  side impact collision,  in a  collision  from  the rear or in a  rollover situation.  The amount of
damage to the bodywork does not reliably indicate if the airbags should have deployed or not.
Seat belts - the heart of the Volvo safety system
The heart of the Volvo safety system is the three-point seat belt  (a Volvo invention)!  In order for the SRS system to
provide the protection intended,  seat belts must  be  worn at all times by everyone in the car. The SRS system is a
supplement  to the seat belts.
WARNING!
If your car has been subjected to flood conditions (e.g. soaked carpeting/standing water on the floor  of the vehicle)
or if your car has become flood-damaged in any  way, do not attempt to start the vehicle or put the key  in the ignition
before disconnecting the battery (see below). This may cause airbag deployment which  could result in personal
injury. Have the car towed  to an  authorized Volvo retailer for repairs.
Automatic transmission:
Before attempting to tow the car, use the following procedure to override the shiftlock system to move the gear
selector to the neutral position.
Switch off the ignition for at least 10 minutes and  disconnect the battery
Wait  at least one  minute
Insert the key  in the ignition and  turn it to position II
Press firmly on the brake pedal.
Move the gear selector from  (P)ark to the (N)eutral position.
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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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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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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
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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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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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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.
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