2003 VOLVO XC70 warning

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.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2003/2003_XC70/03xc70_06a.htm (13 of 22)12/30/20\
06 4:18:00 PM

2003 VOLVO XC70
engine speeds above 4500 rpm if you are towing a trailer in hilly terrai\
n.
Reduce speed when towing a trailer up long, steep inclines. The risk of \
overheating can be reduced by
switching off the air conditioning system for a short time.
Do not let the engine idle unnecessarily for prolonged periods.
Do not mount auxiliary lamps in front of the grill.
When the risk of overheating is imminent, or in the event of overheating\
(the temperature gauge goes
repeatedly into, or stays continually in, the red section), the followi\
ng precautions should be taken:
l Switch off the air conditioning system.
l Pull off the road, away from traffic, stop the car and put the gear sele\
ctor into neutral.
l Switch the heater to full (maximum) position. Increase the engine spee\
d to approx. 2000 rpm (twice
idling speed) until the temperature begins to drop.
WARNING!
Do not remove coolant expansion tank cap. The coolant will be extremely \
hot.
If necessary, see
page 129 and 132 for information on checking and topping-up the coolant
level.
CAUTION: Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. flood\
ed roadways, etc.).
Damage to the engine could result if excess water is drawn in through th\
e air intake system. Never drive
the vehicle in water deeper than 1 foot (300 mm). See the flood warnin\
g on
page 7.
WARNING!
l Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with the tailgate open could mean that poisonous exhaust
gases enter the passenger compartment.
If the tailgate must be kept open for any reason, proceed as follows:
- Close the windows.
- Set the ventilation system control to air flow to floor, windshield an\
d side windows and blower
control to its highest setting.
l Floor mats: An extra mat on the driver's floor can cause the accelerator pedal to \
catch. Check that
the movement of the accelerator pedal is not impeded. Not more than one \
protective floor covering
may be used at one time.
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2003/2003_XC70/03xc70_06a.htm (18 of 22)12/30/20\
06 4:18:00 PM

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

file:///K|/ownersdocs/2003/2003_XC70/03xc70_06b.htm (2 of 10)12/30/200\
6 4:18:00 PM

2003 VOLVO XC70
Towing cars with all wheel drive/front wheel drive
Volvo recommends the use of flat bed equipment. If wheel lift equipment \
must be used, please use
extreme caution to help avoid damage to the car. In this case, the car should be towed with the rear
wheels on the ground if at all possible.
If it is absolutely necessary to tow the vehicle with the front wheels o\
n the ground, please refer to the
towing information on the previous page.
CAUTION:
l The car must not be driven with wheels of different dimensions/specifica\
tions or with a spare tire
other than the one that came with the car. The use of different size whe\
els can seriously damage your
car's transmission.
l Sling-type equipment applied at the front will damage radiator and air c\
onditioning lines.
l It is equally important not to use sling-type equipment at the rear or a\
pply lifting equipment inside the
rear wheels; serious damage to the rear axle may result.
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 Do not use the towing eyelets to pull the car up onto a flat bed tow
truck.


file:///K|/ownersdocs/2003/2003_XC70/03xc70_06b.htm (3 of 10)12/30/200\
6 4:18:00 PM

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
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2003/2003_XC70/03xc70_06b.htm (5 of 10)12/30/200\
6 4:18:00 PM

2003 VOLVO XC70
l First connect the auxiliary battery positive (+) terminal (1) to the\
positive (+) terminal in your car's
engine compartment (2), located under a small black plastic cover atta\
ched to the fuse box cover,
marked with a "+" sign. Remove the cover on the main fuse box if necessa\
ry to access this terminal. See
page 113.
l Then connect the auxiliary battery negative (-) terminal (3) to the \
ground point in your car's engine
compartment (4).
Start the engine in the assisting car, then start the engine in the car \
with the dead battery.
l After the engine has started, first remove the negative (-) terminal j\
umper cable. Then remove the
positive (+) terminal jumper cable.
CAUTION:
Improper hookup of jumper cables or use of other than 12-volt batteries \
could result in damage to
equipment and/or the battery.
WARNING!
l Do not connect the jumper cable to any part of the fuel system or to any\
moving parts. Avoid
touching hot manifolds.
l Never expose the battery to open flame or electric spark.
l Do not smoke near the battery.
l Batteries generate hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive.
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.
Failure to follow the instructions for jump starting can lead to persona\
l injury.
NOTE: Refer to
pages 138-139 for information on properly maintaining the battery.
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.


pg. 104 Winter driving
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2003/2003_XC70/03xc70_06b.htm (7 of 10)12/30/200\
6 4:18:00 PM

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


file:///K|/ownersdocs/2003/2003_XC70/03xc70_06b.htm (9 of 10)12/30/200\
6 4:18:00 PM

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
file:///K|/ownersdocs/2003/2003_XC70/03xc70_07.htm (5 of 10)12/30/2006\
4:18:01 PM