
If you hold the gear selector toward "-", the transmission will downshift, one  gear at a  time, and  will utilize the
braking power of the engine. If the current speed is too high for using a  lower gear, the downshift will not occur until
the speed has decreased  enough  to allow the lower gear to be  used.
If you slow down to a  very low speed, the transmission will automatically  shift down.
When starting in the (MAN)ual position, 3rd gear is the highest gear that may be  selected.
NOTE: Kickdown (see previous  page) does not function  when the transmission is in the manual  shift (geartronic)
mode. The gear selector must  be  in the D (Drive)  position. 
W Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle  traction
Mode W  will function only if the gear selector is in the (D)rive  position.
Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage this  driving mode (see illustration).
An LED  in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and  this  will also be  displayed in the instrument
panel (see page 27
).
This mode may be  selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads. 
pg. 94 All  Wheel Drive - option
All Wheel Drive (AWD) - general information
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  of the 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.
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2 0 0 3 
VOLVO V70
Chapter 7 - Wheels and tires
pg.107 Wheels and tires
General  information, Wear indicator, Tire economy, Flat spots108
Snow chains, Snow tires/studded tires109
Inflation pressure, Vehicle loading, Spare tire110
Uniform tire quality  grading111
Changing wheels112
pg. 108 Wheels and tires
General information
Your vehicle  is equipped  with tires according to the tire information label on the inside  of the fuel filler door.
The following is an  example  of a  tire designation code: 225/55 R16
225 =  tire width in mm.
55 =  tire profile. This is the relationship (in percent) between the section height and  width of the tire.
R =  radial tires.
16 =  diameter in inches.
The tires have good road holding characteristics and  offer  good handling on dry and  wet  surfaces. It should be  noted
however  that the tires have been developed to give these features on snow/ice-free surfaces. Certain models are
equipped  with "all-season" tires, which provide a somewhat higher degree of road holding on slippery  surfaces
than  tires without the "all-season" rating. However, for optimum road holding on icy or snow covered roads - we
recommend suitable winter tires on all four wheels . When replacing tires, be  sure that the new tires are the same
dimensions, type (radial)  and  preferably from  the same manufacturer, on all four wheels. Do not use bias ply tires.
Otherwise there is a  risk of altering the car's roadholding and  handling characteristics.
NOTE:  When storing wheel/tire assemblies (e.g. snow tires and  wheels), either stand the assemblies upright, or
suspend them off the ground. Laying wheel/tire assemblies on their sides for prolonged periods  can cause wheel and/or
tire damage.
Wear indicator
The tires have wear  indicator strips running across or parallel to the tread. When approx. 1/16" (1.6 mm) is left on the
tread, these strips become visible and  indicate that the tire should be  replaced.
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Never  allow the wheels to lock up during braking.
Snow tires, studded tires *
Tires for winter use:
Owners who live in or  regularly  travel through  areas with sustained  periods of snow or  icy driving conditions
are strongly advised to fit  suitable winter tires to help retain the highest degree of traction. It is important to
install  winter tires on all four wheels  to help retain traction during cornering, braking, and  accelerating. Failure to do
so could reduce traction to an  unsafe level  or adversely affect handling. Volvo does not recommend tire rotation.
However, as with any  other radial tires, if rotated, the tires must  be  kept on the same side of the car so that they
revolve in the same direction as before rotation.
Volvo recommends  195/65 R15 snow tires on non-turbo models. Turbo models should be equipped  with 205/55
R16 snow tires on all four wheels (215/65 R16 tires should be used  on the XC70).
Winter tires wear  more quickly on dry roads in warm weather. They should be  removed when the winter driving
season has ended.
Studded tires should be  run-in 300-600 miles (500-1000 km) during which  the car should be  driven as smoothly as
possible to give the studs the opportunity to seat properly in the tires. The tires should have the same rotational
direction throughout their entire lifetime. In other words,  if you wish to rotate the wheels, make sure that the same
wheels are always on the same side of the car.
NOTE: Please consult state or provincial regulations  restricting the use of studded winter tires before installing such
tires.
* Where permitted. 
pg. 110 Wheels and tires
Tire pressure  label
Checking and correcting tire pressure
Check the tire pressure regularly.
The tire pressure should be  corrected only when the tires are cold.
With warm tires, correct only when the pressure is too low. The tire temperature rises after driving just  a  few miles.
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Attaching the jack
NOTE: To avoid excessive wear  and  the necessity of rebalancing, mark and  reinstall wheels in the same location and
position as before removal. To lessen  the chance of imbalance, each wheel hub is equipped with a  guide stud to ensure
that a  removed wheel can be  reinstalled in its  original position (as when changing over to winter tires/wheels).
NOTE: Refer to page 133
 for hoisting the vehicle on a  garage lift. 
Jack for AWD models
CAUTION:
The car must  not be  driven with wheels of different  dimensions or with a  spare tire other than the one  that came with
the car. The use of different  size wheels can seriously damage your car's transmission.
Correct tightening torque on wheel bolts  must  be  observed. The wheel bolts  should never be  greased or lubricated.
The extended, chromed wheel bolts  must  not be  used with steel rims, as they make it impossible to fit the hub caps. 
Correct tightening order for wheel bolts
Installing the wheel
Clean the contact surfaces on the wheel and  hub.
Lift the wheel and  place it on the hub. Make sure that you align the wheel with the guide stud on the wheel hub prior
to installation.
Install the wheel bolts  and  tighten hand -tight. Using the lug wrench,  tighten crosswise (see illustration above) until
all bolts  are snug.
Lower the vehicle to the ground and  alternately tighten the bolts  crosswise to 100 ft. lbs. (136 Nm).
Install the wheel cap (where applicable).  
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Washer fluid solvent104
Washing the car127, 128
Waxing128
Weight  distribution95
Wheels - changing112, 113
Wheels and  tires108-113
Whiplash Protection System  (WHIPS)10
Windows - electrically  operated40
Windshield washer solvent104
Windshield wiper blades - replacing140
Windshield wipers/washers37
Winter driving104
Winter tires109
Winter/Wet driving mode91, 93, 104
Wiper blades - replacing140
   
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