
2003 VOLVO XC70
NOTE: During a transitional period, a small number of service stations may sti\
ll have fuel nozzles that
are not compatible with the fuel filler neck on cars equipped with the e\
vaporative control system. Please
refer to
page 130 for additional information.
CAUTION:
l Do not refuel with the engine running *. Turn the ignition off or to pos\
ition I. If the ignition is on, an
incorrect reading could occur in the fuel gauge.
l After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise until\
it clicks into place *.
l Allow for fuel expansion by not overfilling the tank. Overfilling could \
also cause damage to the
emission control systems.
l 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 b\
e covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
l 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 f\
uel 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 runni\
ng when the car is refueled, the Check
Engine light (malfunction indicator lamp) may indicate a fault. Howeve\
r, your vehicle's performance
will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fuel filler ca\
ps.
pg. 87 Starting the engine
Starting the engine
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING!
Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors adjuste\
d 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.
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2003 VOLVO XC70
WARNING!
Never leave the car unattended when the engine is running. If, by mistak\
e, 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.
Kickdown
Automatic shift to a lower gear (kickdown) is achieved by depressing t\
he accelerator pedal fully and
briskly. An upshift will occur when approaching the top speed for a part\
icular gear or by releasing the
accelerator pedal slightly. Kickdown can be used for maximum acceleratio\
n or when passing at highway
speeds. Kickdown does not function when the transmission is in the manual shift\
(geartronic)
mode (see next page).
Automatic transmission - adaptive system
The automatic transmission is controlled by an adaptive control system t\
hat constantly monitors the way
in which the transmission functions. It senses and adapts each gear shif\
t for optimal performance. The
system also monitors your particular driving style and adapts gear shift\
ing accordingly.
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2003 VOLVO XC70
Rear towing eyelet
Precautions when the car is in tow
l The steering wheel must be unlocked. Turn the ignition key to position I\
or II.
l The gear selector must be in position N.
l Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h)
l Maximum distance with front wheels on ground: 50 miles (80 km).
l While the car is being towed, try to keep the tow rope taut at all times\
.
l Cars with an automatic transmission should only be towed in forward dire\
ction.
CAUTION:
l Please check with state and local authorities before attempting this typ\
e of towing, as vehicles being
towed are subject to regulations regarding maximum towing speed, length \
and type of towing device,
lighting, etc.
l If the car's battery is dead, do not attempt to start the vehicle by pus\
hing or pulling it as this will
damage the three-way catalytic converter(s). The engine must be jump s\
tarted using an auxiliary battery
(see
page 103).
l If the car is being towed on a flat bed truck, the towing eyelets must n\
ot be used to secure the car on
the flat bed. Consult the tow truck operator.
WARNING!
l Remember that the power brakes and power steering will not function when\
engine is not running.
The braking and steering systems will function but the brake pedal press\
ure required is 3 - 4 times
above normal and greater steering effort must be exerted.
l The towing eyelets must not be used for pulling another vehicle out of a\
ditch or for any similar
purpose involving severe strain.
l Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the car up onto a flat bed tow tru\
ck.
pg. 100 Vehicle towing information
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2003 VOLVO XC70
WARNING!
l Bumper-attached trailer hitches must not be used on Volvo's, nor should \
safety chains be attached
to the bumper.
l Trailer hitches attaching to the vehicle rear axle must not be used.
l Never connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to the vehicle\
brake system, nor a trailer's
lighting system directly to the vehicle lighting system. Consult your ne\
arest authorized Volvo retailer
for correct installation.
l When towing a trailer, the trailer's safety wire must be correctly faste\
ned to the hole or hook
provided in the trailer hitch on the car. The safety wire should never b\
e fastened to or wound around
the drawbar ball.
NOTE:
l When parking the car with a trailer on a hill, apply the parking brake before putting the gear selector
in (P)ark. When starting on a hill, put the gear selector in (D)rive\
before releasing the parking brake.
l If you use the manual (Geartronic) shift positions while towing a trai\
ler, make sure the gear you select
does not put too much strain on the engine (using too high a gear).
l The drawbar assembly/trailer hitch may be certified for trailers that ar\
e heavier than the car is
designed to tow. Please adhere to Volvo's recommended trailer weights.
* When driving for prolonged periods at temperatures above 86° F (30\
° C), the maximum recommended
weight is 2000 lbs (900 kg).
pg. 102 Detachable trailer hitch (accessory) - installing/removing
A - ball holder, B - locking bolt, C - cotter pin, D - hitch assembly
Installing the ball holder
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2003 VOLVO XC70
pg. 105 Long distance trips
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your car checked at a Volvo retailer bef\
ore driving long distances. Your
retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark plugs \
and wiper blades for your use in the
event that problems occur.
As a minimum, the following items should be checked before any long trip\
:
l Check that engine runs smoothly and that fuel consumption is normal.
l Check for fuel, oil, and fluid leakage.
l Check condition of accessory drive belts.
l Check transmission oil level*.
l Check state of the battery's charge.
l Examine tires carefully (the spare tire as well), and replace those th\
at are worn. Check tire pressures.
l The brakes, front wheel alignment, and steering gear should be checked b\
y your Volvo retailer only.
l Check all lights, including high beams.
l Reflective warning triangles are legal requirement in some countries.
l Have a word with your Volvo retailer if you intend to drive in countries\
where it may be difficult to
obtain the correct fuel.
l Consider your destination. If you will be driving through an area where \
snow or ice are likely to
occur, consider snow tires.
* To prevent injury from contact with hot surfaces, do not inspect your \
car's transmission fluid yourself.
Have your car's transmission fluid level inspected by a qualified Volvo \
service technician.
pg. 106 Three-way catalytic converters
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2003 VOLVO XC70
reinforced to bear the weight of the car. A garage jack can also be plac\
ed under the front of the engine
support frame. Take care not to damage the splash guard under the engine\
. Ensure that the jack is
positioned so that the car cannot slide off it. Always use axle stands o\
r similar structures.
If a two-post hoist is used to lift the car, the front and rear lift arm\
pads should be centered under the
reinforced lift plates on the inboard edge of the sill rail (see illust\
ration above).
pg. 134 Opening the hood, Engine compartment
Opening the hood
l Pull the lever located under the left side of the dash to release the ho\
od lock.
l Lift the hood slightly.
l Press up the release control located under the front edge of the hood (\
at the center) and lift.
WARNING!
Check that the hood locks properly when
closed.
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2003 VOLVO XC70
l Check the fluid level in each cell in the battery every 24 months or eve\
ry 15,000* miles (24,000 km),
whichever is sooner. The fluid should be at the level shown in the illus\
tration above (A**).
Use a screwdriver to open the caps and a flashlight to inspect the level\
.
l If necessary, add distilled water. The level should never be above the indicator (A).
l The fluid level should be checked if the battery has been recharged.
l After inspection, be sure the cap over each battery cell is securely in \
place.
l Check that the battery cables are correctly connected and properly tight\
ened.
l Never disconnect the battery when the engine is running, for example whe\
n changing the battery.
l The battery should be disconnected from the vehicle when a battery charg\
er is used directly on the
battery. However, if the battery is being charged via the connecting poi\
nts in the engine compartment
(see
page 101), the battery must be connected.
PROPOSITION 65 WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead \
compounds, chemicals known
to the state of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash h\
ands after handling.
* More frequently in warm climates.
** The level indicator inside the battery could be designed in various w\
ays. See illustration above!
Battery warning symbols Battery warning symbols
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2003 VOLVO XC70
l Switch off the ignition.
l Unscrew the cover over the battery. Wait at least 10 minutes after switching off the ignition before
disconnecting the battery so that all information in the car's electrica\
l system can be stored in the control
modules.
l Disconnect the negative (ground) cable first.
l Disconnect the positive cable and pull the ventilation hose* from the ba\
ttery.
l Lift out the old battery and put a new battery into place.
l Connect the positive cable first.
l Connect the negative (ground) cable.
l Be sure that the ventilation hose* is securely connected to the battery \
and that the other end of the
hose is properly routed through the ventilation opening in the floor of \
the battery compartment.
l Reinstall the cover and screw it securely in place.
WARNING!
l Never expose the battery to open flame or electric spark.
l Do not smoke near the battery.
l Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow battery fluid to cont\
act eyes, skin, fabrics or
painted surfaces. If contact occurs, flush the affected area immediately\
with water. Obtain medical
help immediately if eyes are affected.
NOTE: After the battery has been disconnected or replaced, lock and unlock th\
e car with the central
locking system's remote control to reactivate such features as the power\
windows, sunroof, courtesy
lighting, etc. WARNING!
* Ventilation hose: The battery generates hydrogen gas, which is flammab\
le and explosive. The
battery is fitted with a ventilation hose which vents hydrogen gas out o\
f the battery
compartment through a ventilation opening in the bottom of this compartm\
ent. If the battery
must be replaced, it is essential that the ventilation hose is properly \
connected to the battery
and that it is routed through the ventilation opening provided (see ill\
ustration).
Be sure the ventilation hose is free of debris.
Only use replacement batteries equipped with a ventilation hose. Consult\
your Volvo retailer.
pg. 140 Replacing wiper blades
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