2003 VOLVO XC90 oil

2003 VOLVO XC90
Load carrier cover
The vehicle's ignition key or the stud on the edge of the supplied torqu\
e wrench can be used to undo or
tighten the cover. Turn a quarter turn (90 degrees). See illustration.\

pg. 107 Starting and driving
Cold weather precautions
If you wish to check your vehicle before the approach of cold weather, t\
he following 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 vehicle's r\
adiator. Your Volvo
retailer stocks plenty of Volvo engine coolant to help protect your vehi\
cle during 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 cold-weather oil for hard driving or in warm weather. See section "E\
ngine 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 antirust oil on the battery\
posts.
l Volvo recommends the use of snow tires on all four wheels for winter driving - see section "Wheels
and tires."
l To prevent the washer fluid reservoir from freezing, add washer solvents containing antifreeze (see
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2003 VOLVO XC90
page 128 for the location of the washer fluid reservoir).
This is important since dirt is often splashed on the windshield during \
winter driving, requiring the
frequent use of the washers and wipers. Volvo Washer Solvent should be d\
iluted 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 modeÐenhanced vehicle traction
l Mode W will only function if the gear selector is in the (D)rive position.
l Press the button at the base of the gear selector to engage/disengage th\
is driving mode.
l An LED in the button will light up to indicate that W is engaged and thi\
s will also be displayed in the
instrument panel (see
page 24).
l This mode may be selected for starting/moving off on slippery roads.
* Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal mainte\
nance intervals except at owner
request and at additional charge. Please consult your Volvo retailer.
pg. 108 Starting and driving
Before a long distance trip
It is always worthwhile to have your vehicle checked at a Volvo retailer\
before driving long distances.
Your retailer will also be able to supply you with bulbs, fuses, spark p\
lugs 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 transmission oil level*.
l Check condition of drive belts.
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 legally required in some states/provinc\
es.
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.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
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VOLVO XC90
Vehicle care

pg. 109 Vehicle care
Washing and cleaning the vehicle110
Paint touch up112
pg. 110 Vehicle care
Washing and cleaning the vehicle
l The vehicle should be washed at regular intervals since dirt, dust, inse\
cts and tar spots adhere to the
paint and may cause damage. It is particularly important to wash the veh\
icle frequently in the wintertime
to prevent corrosion, when salt has been used on the roads.
l When washing the vehicle, do not expose it to direct sunlight. Use lukew\
arm water to soften the dirt
before you wash with a sponge, and plenty of water, to avoid scratching.\

l Bird droppings: Remove from paintwork as soon as possible. Otherwise the\
finish may be
permanently damaged.
l A detergent can be used to facilitate the softening of dirt and oil.
l A water-soluble grease solvent may be used in cases of sticky dirt. Howe\
ver, use a wash place
equipped with a drainage separator.
l Dry the vehicle with a clean chamois and remember to clean the drain hol\
es in the doors and rocker
panels.
l Tar spots can be removed with kerosene or tar remover after the vehicle \
has been washed.
l A stiff-bristle brush and lukewarm soapy water can be used to clean the \
wiper blades. Frequent
cleaning improves visibility considerably.
l Wash off the dirt from the underside (wheel housings, fenders, etc.). \
l In areas of high industrial fallout, more frequent washing is recommende\
d.
l After cleaning the engine, the spark plug wells should be inspected for \
water and blown dry if
necessary.
Suitable detergents: Special vehicle washing detergents should be used. A suitable mixture i\
s about 2.5
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2003 VOLVO XC90
beneficial.
l Before applying polish or wax the vehicle must be washed and dried. Tar \
spots can be removed with
kerosene or tar remover. Difficult spots may require a fine rubbing comp\
ound.
l After polishing use liquid or paste wax.
l Several commercially available products contain both polish and wax.
l Waxing alone does not substitute for polishing a dull surface.
l A wide range of polymer-based waxes can be purchased today. These waxes \
are easy to use and
produce a long-lasting, high-gloss finish that protects the bodywork aga\
inst oxidation, road dirt and
fading.
l Do not polish or wax your vehicle in direct sunlight (the surface of th\
e vehicle should not be warmer
than 113° F (45° C).
Cleaning the upholstery
l The fabric can be cleaned with soapy water or a detergent. For more diff\
icult spots caused by oil, ice
cream, shoe polish, grease, etc., use a clothing/fabric stain remover.
l The plastic in the upholstery can be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild \
soap solution.
l Leather upholstery/suede-like upholstery (alcanteraTM) can be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild soap
solution. For more difficult spots, Volvo offers a leather care kit.
l Under no circumstances should gasoline, naphtha or similar cleaning agen\
ts be used on the plastic or
the leather since these can cause damage.
Cleaning the seat belts
Clean only with lukewarm water and a mild soap solution.
Cleaning floor mats
The floor mats should be vacuumed or brushed clean regularly, especially\
during winter when they
should be taken out for drying. Spots on textile mats can be removed wit\
h a mild detergent.
Bear in mind
l Take extra care when removing stains such as ink or lipstick since the c\
oloring can spread.
l Use solvents sparingly. Too much solvent can damage the seat padding.
l Start from the outside of the stain and work toward the center.
pg. 112 Vehicle care
Paint touch up
Paint damage requires immediate attention to avoid rusting. Make it a ha\
bit to check the finish regularly
- when washing the vehicle for instance. Touch-up if necessary.
Paint repairs require special equipment and skill. Contact your Volvo re\
tailer for any extensive damage.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
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VOLVO XC90
Maintenance

pg. 123 Maintenance
Volvo maintenance124
Working on your vehicle126
Engine compartment128
Oils and fluids129
Battery maintenance134
Bulbs137
Fuses145
pg. 124 Maintenance
Volvo Maintenance
Maintenance Volvo advises you to follow the maintenance program outlined\
in the Warranty and
Service Records Information booklet. This maintenance program contains i\
nspections and services
necessary for the proper function of your vehicle. The maintenance servi\
ces contain several checks
which require special instruments and tools and therefore must be perfor\
med by a qualified technician.
To keep your Volvo in top condition, specify time-tested and proven Genu\
ine Volvo Parts and
Accessories.
The Federal Clean Air Act - U.S.
The Federal Clean Air Act requires vehicle manufacturers to furnish writ\
ten instructions to the ultimate
purchaser to assure the proper servicing and function of the components \
that control emissions. These
services, which are listed in the "Warranty and Service Records Informat\
ion booklet," are not covered
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WARNING!
The ignition system has very high voltage! The voltage in the ignition s\
ystem is dangerous!
Do not touch spark plugs, ignition cables or the ignition coil when the \
engine is running or the
ignition is switched on!
The ignition should be switched off when:
- Conducting engine tests.
- Replacing parts in the ignition system, such as spark plugs, ignition \
coil, distributor, ignition cables,
etc.
- Never try to repair any part of the SRS/ SIPS/WHIPS/IC systems yoursel\
f. Any interference in the
system could cause malfunction and serious injury. Any work should only \
be performed by an
authorized Volvo workshop.
pg. 127 Maintenance
Belt check
Check the belt regularly to make sure it is in good condition and is cle\
an. A worn or dirty belt can cause
poor cooling and low alternator output as well as impair the operation o\
f the power steering and the air
conditioning unit.
NOTE: The drive belt is equipped with a self-tensioning mechanism and requires\
no adjustment
between changes.
WARNING!
The engine must not be running when this check is
performed.
Check coolant level
The cooling system must be filled with coolant and not leak to operate a\
t maximum efficiency. Check
the coolant level regularly. The level should be between the "MAX" and "\
MIN" marks on the expansion
tank. The check should be made with particular thoroughness when the eng\
ine is new or when the
cooling system has been drained.
Do not remove the filler cap other than for topping up with coolant. Fre\
quent removal may prevent
coolant circulation between the engine and the expansion tank during eng\
ine warm up and cooling.
Changing coolant
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2003 VOLVO XC90
Normally, the coolant does not need to be changed. If the system must be\
drained, consult your Volvo
retailer.
NOTE: Do not top off with water only. This reduces the rust-protective and ant\
ifreeze qualities of the
coolant and has a lower boiling point. It can also cause damage to the c\
ooling system if it should freeze.
Top off with Volvo Genuine Coolant/Antifreeze only (a 50/50 mix of wate\
r and antifreeze). CAUTION
The cooling system must always be kept filled to the correct level. If i\
t is not kept filled, there can be
high local temperatures in the engine which could result in damage. Diff\
erent types of antifreeze/
coolant may not be mixed.
WARNING!
Never remove the radiator cap while the engine is warm. Wait until the v\
ehicle
cools.
pg. 128 Maintenance
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
1. Brake fluid reservoir
2. Relay/fuse box
3. Air cleaner
4. Cooling fan
5. Radiator
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2003 VOLVO XC90
6. Dipstick - engine oil
7. Filler cap - engine oil
8. Washer fluid reservoir
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
10. Expansion tank - coolant
11. Data plate
12. Battery (under floor in rear cargo area)
WARNING!
The cooling fan (4) may start or continue to operate (for up to 6 min\
utes) after the engine has been
switched off.
pg. 129 Maintenance
Oil and fluids
Oil quality
Engine oil must meet the minimum ILSAC specification GF-2, including ACE\
A A1, API SJ, SJ/CF and
SJ/Energy Conserving.
Your Volvo has been certified to standards using ILSAC oil specification\
GF-2 5W-30. Volvo
recommends use of oil with a quality rating equal to or higher than ILSA\
C GF-2. Equivalent and better
oils include ACEA A1, API SJ, SJ/CF, and SJ/Energy conserving. Lower qua\
lity oils may not offer the
same fuel economy, engine performance, or engine protection.
Volvo Cars recommends Castrol.
Depending on your driving habits, premium or synthetic oils may provide \
superior fuel economy and
engine protection. Consult your Volvo retailer for recommendations on pr\
emium or synthetic oils.
Oil additives must not be used.
NOTE: Synthetic oil is not used when the oil is changed at the normal maintena\
nce is carried out. This
oil is only used at customer request, at additional charge. Please consu\
lt your Volvo retailer.
Operation in hot climates.
When temperatures exceed 86° F (30° C) in your area, Volvo recom\
mends, for the protection of your
engine, that you use a heavier weight oil, such as SAE 10W-30. See the v\
iscosity chart below.
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