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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2003 VOLVO XC70
lower with the air conditioning on and the windows closed than with the \
air conditioning off and the
windows open.
l Using the onboard trip computer's fuel consumption modes can help you le\
arn how to drive more
economically.
Other factors that decrease gas mileage are:
l Dirty air cleaner
l Dirty engine oil and clogged oil filter
l Dragging brakes
l Incorrect front end alignment Some of the above mentioned items and othe\
rs are checked at the
standard Maintenance Service intervals.
NOTE: Vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions should use (D)rive as o\
ften as possible and
avoid using "kick-down" to help improve fuel economy. Vehicles equipped \
with manual transmissions
should use fifth gear at highway speeds. At other times, choose the high\
est gear that still allows smooth
acceleration.
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your car has a tendency to understeer, whic\
h means that the steering wheel
has to be turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvature of a\
bend. This ensures good
stability and reduces the risk of rear wheel skid. Remember that these p\
roperties can alter with the
vehicle load. The heavier the load on the rear of the vehicle (e.g., he\
avily loaded (max. 220 lbs, 100 kg)
cargo area or when towing a trailer, the less the tendency to understeer\
.
Handling, roadholding
Vehicle load, tire design and inflation pressure all affect vehicle hand\
ling. Therefore, check that the tires
are inflated to the recommended pressure according to the vehicle load. \
See "Tire pressure" section.
Loads should be distributed so that capacity weight or maximum permissib\
le axle loads are not
exceeded.
pg. 96 Points to remember
Cooling system
The risk for engine overheating is greatest, especially in hot weather, \
when:
l Towing a trailer up steep inclines for prolonged periods at wide open th\
rottle and low engine rpm.
l Stopping the engine suddenly after high speed driving (so-called "after\
-boiling" can occur).
l To avoid overheating, the following rules should be followed: Do not dri\
ve for prolonged periods at
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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
All specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
pg. 143 Dimensions and weights
Dimensions
Length - 185.4 in. (471 cm), XC70 -186.2 (473 cm)
Width - 71 in. (180 cm), XC70 - 73.2 in. (186 cm)
Height - 57.5 in. (147 cm), V70 AWD - 58.7 in. (149 cm), XC70 - 61.5\
in. 156 cm)
Wheelbase - 108.5 in. (276 cm), XC70 - 108.8 in. (276 cm)
Track, front - 61.5 in. (156 cm), XC70 - 63.4 in. (161 cm)
Track, rear - 61.4 in. (156 cm), XC70 - 60.9 in. (155 cm)
Turning circle (between curbs) - 35.8-39 ft. (10.9-11.9 m)
Cargo capacity - 17.1 cu. ft. (0.48 m
3 ) 1
- 26.3 cu. ft. (0.74 m
3 ) 2
- 58.0 cu. ft. (1.64 m
3 ) 3
USA Canada
Max roof load 220 lbs 100 kg
Max trailer weight (w/o
brakes) 1100 lbs
500 kg
Max trailer weight*
- (with brakes, 2" ball) 3300
lbs 1500 kg
- (with brakes, 1 7/8" ball) 2000
lbs 900 kg
Max tongue weight * 165 lbs 75 kg
WARNING!
When adding accessories, equipment, luggage and other cargo to your vehi\
cle, the total loaded weight
capacity of the vehicle must not be exceeded.
1) Rear seat backrest up, load height - upper edger of backrest
2) Rear seat backrest folded down, load height - upper edge of front se\
at backrests/lower edge of rear
window
3) Rear seat backrest folded down, load height - headlining (ceiling)\
Weights USA Canada
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2003 VOLVO XC70
Gross vehicle weight (GVW)
V70 man. 4630 lbs 2100 kg
V70 aut. 4690 lbs 2130 kg
V70 Turbo man. 4670 lbs 2120 kg
V70 Turbo aut. 4730 lbs 2150 kg
V70 AWD 4890 lbs 2220 kg
XC70 4890 lbs 2220 kg
Capacity weight
*** 930 lbs
420 kg
Curb weight
V70 3390-3585
lbs 1541-1632 kg
V70 AWD 3690-3725
lbs 1675-1695 kg
XC70 3765-3800
lbs 1710-1730 kg
Permissible axle weight, front
V70 man. 2290 lbs 1040 kg
V70 aut. 2330 lbs 1060 kg
V70 Turbo aut. 2400 lbs 1090 kg
V70 AWD 2400 lbs 1090 kg
XC70 2490 lbs 1130 kg
Permissible axle weight, rear
V70, V70 Turbo 2470 lbs 1120 kg
V70 AWD 2580 lbs 1170 kg
XC70 2620 lbs 1190 kg
* When driving for prolonged periods at temperatures above 86° F (30\
° C), the maximum recommended
weight is 2000 lbs (900 kg).
**See also section "Trailer towing"
*** The max permissible axle loads or the gross vehicle weight must not \
be exceeded.
All specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
pg. 144 Engine specifications
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