2003 VOLVO XC70
Driving in rain and slush or passing through an automatic car wash can c\
ause water to collect on the
brake discs and pads. This will cause a delay in braking effect when the\
pedal is depressed. To avoid
such a delay when the brakes are needed, depress the pedal occasionally \
when driving through rain,
slush etc. This will remove the water from the brakes. Check that brake \
application feels normal. This
should also be done after washing or starting in very damp or cold weath\
er.
Severe strain on the brake system
The brakes will be subject to severe strain when driving in mountains or\
hilly areas or towing. Vehicle
speed is usually slower, which means that the cooling of the brakes is l\
ess efficient than when driving on
level roads. To reduce the strain on the brakes, shift into a lower gear\
and let the engine help with the
braking. Do not forget that, if you are towing a trailer, the brakes wil\
l be subjected to a greater than
normal load.
pg. 19 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
If the warning lamp lights up there is a malfunction of the ABS system (\
the standard braking system will
however function) and the vehicle should be driven cautiously to a Volv\
o retailer for inspection. The
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) helps to improve vehicle control (stop\
ping and steering) during severe
braking conditions by limiting brake lockup. When the system "senses" im\
pending lockup, braking
pressure is automatically modulated in order to help prevent lockup, whi\
ch could lead to a skid.
The system performs a self-diagnostic test when the engine is started an\
d when the vehicle first
reaches a 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.
To obtain optimal effect from the ABS system, constant pressure should b\
e kept on the brake
pedal, keep constant pressure on the brake pedal. Do not pump the brake \
pedal.
The switching of the ABS modulator will be audible and the brake pedal w\
ill pulsate during braking.
Please be aware that ABS does not increase the absolute braking potentia\
l of the vehicle. While control
will be enhanced, ABS will not shorten stopping distances on slippery su\
rfaces.
ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution)
EBD is an integrated part of the ABS system. EBD regulates the hydraulic\
pressure to the rear brakes to
help provide optimal braking capacity. The brake pedal will pulsate duri\
ng braking, which is normal.
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If the BRAKE and ABS warning lights come on at the same time, this could\
indicate a fault in the
brake system.
l Stop the car in a suitable place and switch off the engine.
l Restart the engine.
l If both warning lights go off, no further action is required.
l If both lights are still on after the engine has been restarted, switch \
off the engine again and check the
brake fluid level (see
page 137 and for the location of the brake fluid reservoir).
WARNING!
If the fluid level is below the MIN mark in the reservoir, DO NOT DRIVE.\
Have the car towed to an
authorized Volvo retailer and have the brake system inspected.
l If the brake fluid level is above the MIN mark, drive carefully to an au\
thorized Volvo retailer and
have the brake system inspected.
pg. 20 STC/DSTC
Stability Traction Control (STC)*/ Dynamic Stability Traction
Control (DSTC)**
The stability systems consist of a number of functions:
The following two functions are common to both STC/DSTC
1. Traction control (TC)
This function is designed to help reduce wheel spin by transferring powe\
r from a drive wheel that begins
to lose traction to the wheel on the opposite side of the car (on the s\
ame axle). TC monitors and
compares the rotational speed of the drive wheels. If one of the drive w\
heels shows a tendency to spin,
the difference in speed is immediately detected. This triggers the Anti-\
lock Brake System, which brakes
the spinning wheel until the difference in rotational speed is corrected\
.
TC is most active at low speeds, and a pulsating sound will be audible w\
hen the system is regulating
wheel spin. This is quite normal.
This is one of the STC/DSTC's permanent functions and is not affected wh\
en the button on the center
control panel is pressed.
2. Spin control (SC)
The spin control function is designed to help prevent the drive wheels f\
rom spinning while the car is
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2003 VOLVO XC70
accelerating. This is done by temporarily reducing engine torque to the \
drive wheels, which helps
improve tractive force.
Under certain circumstances, such as when driving with snow chains, or d\
riving in deep snow or loose
sand, it may be advisable to temporarily switch off this function for ma\
ximum tractive force. This is
done by pressing the STC/DSTC button on the center control panel for at \
least a half a second.
When the SC function has been switched off:
l The text window will briefly display "SPIN CONTROL OFF"
l The LED in the STC/DSTC button will be off.
The following two functions are only available with DSTC:
3. Active Yaw Control (AYC)
This function helps maintain directional stability, for example when cor\
nering, by braking one or more
of the wheels if the car shows a tendency to skid or slide laterally. Th\
is is done by activating the Anti-
lock Braking System. A pulsating sound will be audible when the function\
is active, which is quite
normal. If you apply the brakes while this function is active, the brake\
pedal will feel stiffer than usual.
This is also one of the DSTC system's permanent functions and is not aff\
ected when the DSTC button on
the center control panel is pressed.
4. Emergency Brake Assistance (EBA)
The EBA function is an integrated part of the DSTC system. EBA is design\
ed to provide full brake
effect immediately in the event of sudden, hard braking. The system is a\
ctivated by the speed with which
you depress the brake pedal.
When the EBA system is activated, the brake pedal will go down and press\
ure in the brake system
immediately increases to the maximum level. Maintain full pressure on th\
e brake pedal in order to utilize
the system completely. EBA is automatically deactivated when the brake p\
edal is released.
When the car has been parked for some time, the brake pedal may sink mor\
e than usual when the engine
is started. This is normal and the pedal will return to its usual positi\
on when it is released.
* Standard on all models except the T5 turbo.
** Standard on the T5 turbo, option on all other models.
pg. 21 STC/DSTC
The STC/DSTC button
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The STC/DSTC button in the center control panel (see page 30) is used \
to switch the Spin Control (SC)
function on or off.
NOTE: AYC (on models equipped with this function) will also be reduced, but\
not switched off, if SC
is switched off.
The button must be pressed for at least a half second to prevent SC from\
being switched off
inadvertently.
When the function has been switched off, the green indicator lamp in the\
button will go out and "SPIN
CONTROL OFF" will be displayed in the text window.
All STC/DSTC functions are (re)activated each time the engine is start\
ed.
The Stability Control indicator light
The Stability Control indicator light will come on for approximately 2 s\
econds when the ignition is
switched on as the system performs a self-diagnostic test.
The Stability Control indicator light will flash when:
l Traction Control is actively functioning to help avoid drive-wheel spin.\
l Spin Control is actively functioning to help avoid loss of traction duri\
ng acceleration.
l Active Yaw Control is actively functioning to help avoid skids or latera\
l slides.
The warning symbol in the instrument panel
A steady yellow glow indicates:
l That the system has been automatically disengaged due to a fault. "ANTI \
SKID SERVICE
REQUIRED" be displayed in the text window. An authorized Volvo retailer \
should check the system.
l The system has been temporarily switched off due to high brake temperatu\
re. "TRACTION
CONTROL TEMPORARILY OFF" will be displayed.
NOTE: The system will automatically switch on again when the brakes have cool\
ed.
Contents | Top of Page
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information.
If the engine temperature remains high, check coolant level - see
page 131.
4 Trip odometer/reset button
The trip odometer is used for measuring shorter distances. The last digi\
t indicates 1/10 mile/kilometer. Press
the button quickly to toggle between trip odometers 1 and 2. Hold in the\
button for more than 2 seconds to
reset.
5 Odometer
6 Speedometer
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 t\
he needle in the red section. The
engine has an built-in function preventing too high an engine speed. Whe\
n 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 selecte\
d gear will be displayed.
11 Ambient temperature indicator
This display indicates the air temperature outside your car. A "snowflak\
e" 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 ma\
y 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 ga\
ls (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.
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14 Indicator and warning lights
pg. 28 Indicator and warning lights
The indicator and warning lights described on pages 28 and 29 should nev\
er 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 o\
ff 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
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 me\
ssage 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 sy\
stem. See the SRS section for more
information.
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Brake failure warning light
If the light comes on while driving or braking, stop immediately, open t\
he 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 engi\
ne 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 w\
hen 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 sys\
tem checked.
* Rear fog light, if used, and trailer turn signal, if towing a trailer,\
will go on while driving.
pg. 29 Indicator and warning lights
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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 wi\
ll light up if the computer
senses a condition that potentially may need correcting. When this happe\
ns, 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, emi\
ssion cleanliness, and driveability.
Extended driving without correcting the cause could even damage other co\
mponents 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 runni\
ng 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 i\
nspection. See
page 19 for additional
information.
Stability Traction Control (STC) system (option), or Dynamic
Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system (option)
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