2003 VOLVO XC70
pg. 101 Towing a trailer
When preparing for trailer towing, observe the following:
Volvo recommends the use of Volvo trailer hitches which are specially de\
signed for the car.
l Maximum trailer weight recommended by Volvo is:
Trailers without brakes: 1100 lbs (500 kg)
Trailers with brakes: 3300 lbs* (1,500 kg),
Observe the legal requirements of the state/province in which the vehicl\
es are registered.
l All Volvo models are equipped with energy-absorbing shock-mounted bumper\
s. Trailer hitch
installation should not interfere with the proper operation of this bump\
er system.
Trailer towing does not normally present any particular problems, but ta\
ke into consideration:
l Increase tire pressure to recommended full. See section "Wheels and tire\
s".
l When your car is new, avoid towing heavy trailers during the first 620 m\
iles (1000 km).
l Recommended hitch tongue load is:
Trailer weights below 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) - 110 lbs (50 kg)
Trailer weights above 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) - 165 lbs (75 kg)
l Maximum speed when towing a trailer: 50 mph (80 km/h).
l Engine and transmission are subject to increased loads. Therefore, engin\
e coolant temperature should
be closely watched when driving in hot climates or hilly terrain. Use a \
lower gear and turn off the air
conditioner if the temperature gauge needle enters the red range.
l If the automatic transmission begins to overheat, a message will be disp\
layed in the text window.
l Avoid overload and other abusive operation.
l Hauling a trailer affects handling, durability, and economy.
l It is necessary to balance trailer brakes with the towing vehicle brakes\
to provide a safe stop (check
and observe state/local regulations).
l Do not connect the trailer's brake system directly to the vehicle's brak\
e system.
l More frequent vehicle maintenance is required.
l Remove the ball and drawbar assembly when the hitch is not being used.
l Volvo recommends the use of synthetic engine oil when towing a trailer o\
ver long distances or in
mountainous areas.
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2003 VOLVO XC70
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your car before the approach of cold weather, the f\
ollowing advice is worth noting:
l Make sure that the engine coolant contains 50 percent antifreeze. Any ot\
her mixture will reduce
freeze protection. This gives protection against freezing down to -31°\
F (-35°C). See section "Coolant".
The use of "recycled" antifreeze is not approved by Volvo. Different typ\
es of antifreeze must not
be mixed.
l Volvo recommends using only genuine Volvo antifreeze in your car's radia\
tor. Your local Volvo
retailer stocks plenty of Volvo engine coolant to protect your car durin\
g cold weather.
l Try to keep the fuel tank well filled - this prevents the formation of condensation in the tank. \
In
addition, in extremely cold weather conditions it is worthwhile to add f\
uel line de-icer before refueling.
l The viscosity of the engine oil is important. Oil with low viscosity (thinner oil) improves cold-
weather starting as well as decreasing fuel consumption while the engine\
is warming up. For winter use,
5W-30 oil, particularly the synthetic type *, is recommended. Be sure to\
use good quality oil but do not
use this cold-weather oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See section "Engine oil" for more
information.
l The load placed on the battery is greater during the winter since the windshield wipers, lighting, etc\
.
are used more often. Moreover, the capacity of the battery decreases as \
the temperature drops. In very
cold weather, a poorly charged battery can freeze and be damaged. It is \
therefore advisable to check the
state of charge more frequently and spray an anti-rust oil on the batter\
y posts.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter dri\
ving - see section "Wheels
and tires".
l To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents\
containing antifreeze (see
page 130 for the location of the washer fluid reservoir). This is important sin\
ce dirt is often splashed on
the windshield during winter driving, requiring the frequent use of the \
washers and wipers. The Volvo
Washer Solvent should be diluted as follows:
Down to 14° F (-10° C): 1 part washer solvent and 4 parts water \
Down to 5° F (-15° C): 1 part washer solvent and 3 parts water
Down to 0° F (-18° C): 1 part washer solvent and 2 parts water
Down to -18° F (-28° C): 1 part washer solvent and 1 part water \
l Use Volvo Teflon Lock Spray in the locks.
NOTE: Avoid the use of de-icing sprays as they can cause damage to the locks.
W Winter/Wet driving mode - enhanced vehicle traction
l Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive posit\
ion.
l Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage th\
is driving mode (see
illustration).
l 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).
l This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
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2003 VOLVO XC70
2 0 0 3
VOLVO XC70
Chapter 7 - Wheels and tires
pg.107 Wheels and tires
General information, Wear indicator, Tire economy, Flat
spots 108
Snow chains, Snow tires/studded tires 109
Inflation pressure, Vehicle loading, Spare tire 110
Uniform tire quality grading 111
Changing wheels 112
pg. 108 Wheels and tires
General information
Your vehicle is equipped with tires according to the tire information la\
bel 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 sect\
ion 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 som\
ewhat 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
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2003 VOLVO XC70
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on your Volvo with the following restrictions:
l Snow chains should be installed on front wheels only. Use only Volvo app\
roved snow chains.
l Special snow chains must be mounted on 215/55 R16. Consult your Volvo re\
tailer.
l If accessory, aftermarket or "custom" tires and wheels are installed and\
are of a size different than the
original tires and wheels, chains in some cases CANNOT be used. Sufficie\
nt clearances between chains
and brakes, suspension and body components must be maintained. Snow chai\
ns cannot be used on 17"
wheels.
l Some strap-on type chains will interfere with brake components and there\
fore CANNOT be used.
l All Wheel Drive models:Snow chains should only be installed on the front wheels. Only chains
adapted for AWD models should be used.
Consult your Volvo retailer for additional snow chain information.
CAUTION:
l Check local regulations regarding the use of snow chains before installi\
ng.
l Always follow the chain manufacturer's installation instructions careful\
ly. Install chains as tightly as
possible and retighten periodically.
l Never exceed the chain manufacturer's specified maximum speed limit. In \
no case should you exceed
31 mph (50 km/h).
l Avoid bumps, holes or sharp turns when driving with snow chains.
l Vehicle handling can be adversely affected when driving with chains. Avo\
id fast maneuvering and
hard braking. 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 peri\
ods of snow or icy driving
conditions are strongly advised to fit suitable winter tires to help ret\
ain 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 o\
ther radial tires, if rotated, the
tires must be kept on the same side of the car so that they revolve in t\
he same direction as before
rotation.
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2003 VOLVO XC70
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 shou\
ld 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 th\
e car.
NOTE: Please consult state or provincial regulations restricting the use of st\
udded winter tires before
installing such tires.
* Where permitted.
pg. 110 Wheels and tires
Tire pressure label
Checking and correcting tire pressure
l Check the tire pressure regularly.
l The tire pressure should be corrected only when the tires are cold.
l With warm tires, correct only when the pressure is too low. The tire tem\
perature rises after driving
just a few miles.
Vehicle loading
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2003 VOLVO XC70
The tires on your Volvo will perform to specifications at all normal loa\
ds when inflated as
recommended on the tire information label located on the inside of the f\
uel filler door*. This label also
lists vehicle load limits. Do not load your car beyond the indicated lim\
its. WARNING!
Improperly inflated tires will reduce tire life, adversely affect vehicl\
e handling and can possibly lead
to failure resulting in loss of vehicle control without prior warning.
Temporary Spare
The spare tire in your car is called a "Temporary Spare". It has the fol\
lowing designation: T125/80 R17
(T135/90 R17 on the XC70).
At the recommended tire pressure shown on the inside of the fuel filler \
door, the tire may be used as a
temporary replacement for a front or rear tire.
In the event of damage to this tire, a new one can be purchased from you\
r Volvo retailer. WARNING!
Current legislation prohibits the use of the "Temporary Spare" tire othe\
r than as a temporary
replacement for a punctured tire. It must be replaced as soon as possibl\
e by a standard tire. Road
holding and handling may be affected with the "Temporary Spare" in use. \
Do not exceed 50 mph (80
km/h). Do not drive farther than 50 miles (80 km) on a temporary spar\
e tire.
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 d\
amage your car's transmission.
NOTE: Certain models may be equipped with a full-size spare tire. When used, i\
t should be inflated to
the same pressure as the tire it is replacing.
*Please note that the tire information label indicates pressure for both\
comfort and fuel economy.
pg. 111 Wheels and tires
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2003 VOLVO XC70
Volvo retailer replace these bulbs if necessary.
pg. 125 Replacing bulbs
Rear reading lights
These bulbs may be difficult for you to replace yourself. We recommend t\
hat you let an authorized
Volvo retailer replace these bulbs if necessary.
NOTE: Other bulbs may be difficult for you to replace yourself. Let an author\
ized Volvo retailer
replace these bulbs if necessary.
pg. 126 Paint touch up
Paint touch-up
Paint damage requires immediate attention to avoid rusting. Make it a ha\
bit to check the finish regularly
- when washing the car for instance. Touch-up if necessary.
Paint repairs require special equipment and skill. Contact your Volvo re\
tailer for any extensive damage.
Minor scratches can be repaired by using Volvo touch-up paint.
NOTE: When ordering touch-up paint from your Volvo retailer, use the paint cod\
e indicated on the
model plate. The plate is located in the engine compartment.
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2003 VOLVO XC70
Treble
Adjust the treble by pressing the button to extend the control, pulling \
it out as far as possible, and then
turning it to the left (less treble) or to the right (more treble). \
A "detent" indicates "equalized" treble.
Press the button back in when you have made the adjustment.
Band selector
Turn "SOURCE" knob to select FM or AM. The station and band are displaye\
d. You can also select
cassette deck, CD, or optional CD changer with this knob.
Active sound control (ASC)
The ASC (Active Sound Control) automatically adapts volume to vehicle \
speed. Press the ASC button
(HU-613) for several seconds to switch this function ON or OFF. This f\
unction is included in the
Advanced User Mode on the HU-803 equipped with this feature.
"ASC ON" or "ASC OFF" will be shown in the display for several seconds. \
pg. 155 Audio systems HU-613/HU-803
Fader - Balance front/rear
Adjust front/rear speaker balance by pressing the button to extend the c\
ontrol and turning it to the left
(more sound from the rear speakers) or to the right (more sound from \
the front speakers). A "detent"
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