2003 VOLVO XC90 steering

2003 VOLVO XC90
This button controls the optional rear seat air conditioning system on s\
even-seat models. See page 48 for
more information.
6. Temporarily disconnecting the alarm sensors (option)
See
page 81 for more details.
7. Not in use
8. 12 volt socket
This 12 volt socket can be used to plug in certain accessories such as c\
ellular telephones, etc. The
ignition key must be in position 1 (or higher) for the auxiliary socke\
t to function.
NOTE: The auxiliary sockets can also be used for cigarette lighters, which are\
available as accessories
at your Volvo retailer.
pg. 30 Instruments and controls
Steering wheel adjustment
Steering wheel adjustment
Both the height and the reach of the steering wheel can be adjusted to a\
comfortable position for the
driver. Pull down the lever on the left of the steering column. Adjust t\
he steering wheel to a suitable
position and press the lever back into place to lock the steering wheel \
in the new position. Check that the
steering wheel is locked in the new position.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
WARNING!
The Never adjust the steering wheel while
driving.
pg. 31 Instruments and controls
Lighting panel
A - Headlights and parking lights
All lighting off.
Models with daytime running lights:
Low beam headlights will automatically come on if the ignition key is in\
position II. Front and rear
parking lights, tail lights, side marker lights, and license plate light\
s will also be on. Volvo recommends
the use of daytime running lights. If, however, you would prefer to have\
these lights turned off (USA
only), please consult your Volvo retailer. Please note that the use of \
daytime running lights is mandatory
in Canada.
Parking lights on. The parking lights should be switched off when you leave the vehicle to \
help avoid battery drain.
Headlights, parking lights, license plate lights and instrument panel il\
lumination are on if the
ignition key is in position II.
If the headlight switch is in this position, all lights will go out when\
the ignition is switched off.
The headlight switch must be in this position before the high beams will\
function.
Switch from high to low beams and vice versa by pulling the turn signal \
switch lever on the left side of
steering column toward you.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
5. Pull down the insulating material (4) to access the fuel filler doo\
r motor (5).
6. Move the catch (6) rearward to unlock the fuel filler door lock, or\
move it forward to lock the filler
door.
pg. 33 Instruments and controls
Turn signals
1. Lane change
In maneuvers such as lane changing, the driver can flash the turn signal\
s by moving the turn signal lever
to the first stop and holding it there. The lever will return to the neu\
tral position when released.
2. Signal lever engaged for normal turns
3. High/low beam switch (headlights on).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel and release it.
Headlight flasher (headligts off).
Move the lever towards the steering wheel. The headlight high beam will \
be on until the lever is
released.
NOTE: If the turn signal indicator flashes faster than normal, check for a bur\
ned-out turn signal bulb.
Exterior courtesy lights
Home safe lighting
When you leave your vehicle at night, you can make use of the courtesy l\
ighting function:
l Remove the key from the ignition switch.
l Pull the turn signal lever towards the steering wheel (as when using th\
e headlight flasher function).
l Exit the vehicle and lock the doors.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
Cruise control
The cruise control panel is located on the left side of the steering whe\
el hub.
Engaging cruise control/setting speed
l Press the CRUISE button. The word CRUISE will be displayed in the window\
in the lower section of
the speedometer.
l Press + or - to set the current speed
l Increase or decrease speed as desired
NOTE: Cruise control will not function at speeds below 22 mph (35 km/h).
Braking
Cruise control is automatically disengaged when the brake pedal is depre\
ssed. The currently set speed is
stored in memory. Quickly pressing resume will return the vehicle to the\
previously set speed.
Acceleration
l Momentary acceleration, such as when passing another vehicle, does not a\
ffect cruise control
operation. The vehicle will automatically return to the previously set s\
peed when you release the
accelerator pedal.
l When the cruise control is already engaged, the vehicle's speed can be i\
ncreased or decreased by
holding down + or - until the vehicle reaches the desired speed. One sho\
rt press on either symbol
corresponds to a speed change of approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Disengaging cruise control
Cruise control can also be disengaged by:
l Pressing the CRUISE button.
l Putting the gear selector in (N)eutral.
NOTE: Cruise control is automatically disengaged if the engine is switched off\
, if the gear selector is
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2003 VOLVO XC90
CAUTION
- Do not refuel with the engine running *. Turn the ignition off or to p\
osition I. If the ignition is on,
an incorrect reading could occur in the fuel gauge
- After refueling, close the fuel filler cap by turning it clockwise unt\
il it clicks into place*.
- Allow for fuel expansion by not overfilling the tank. Overfilling coul\
d also cause damage to the
emission control systems.
- Avoid spilling gasoline during refueling. In addition to causing damag\
e to the environment,
gasolines containing alcohol can cause damage to painted surfaces, which\
may not be covered under
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
- Do not use gasolines containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcoho\
l). This practice can result
in vehicle performance deterioration and can damage critical parts in th\
e fuel 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 vehicle is refueled, the
Check Engine Light (malfunction indicator lamp) may indicate a fault. \
However, your vehicle's
performance will not be affected. Use only Volvo original or approved fu\
el filler caps.
pg. 87 Starting and driving
Starting the engine
1. Fasten the seat belt.
WARNING!
Before starting, check that the seat, steering wheel and mirrors are adj\
usted properly. Make sure the
brake pedal can be depressed completely. Adjust the seat if necessary. S\
ee
pages 54, 56.
2. Apply the parking brake if not already set. The gear selector is lock\
ed in the (P)ark position
(Shiftlock).
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.
NOTE:
- On certain models, when the vehicle is started, idle speed may be noti\
ceably higher than normal for a
short period, depending on the temperature of the engine.
This has been done to help bring components in the emission control syst\
em to their normal operating
temperature as quickly as possible, which enables them to function norma\
lly.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
pg. 88 Starting and driving
Steering wheel lock
The steering wheel lock might be under tension when the vehicle is parke\
d.
Turn the steering wheel slightly to free the ignition key.
In order to help reduce vehicle theft, make sure the steering wheel lock\
is engaged before leaving
the vehicle.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
WARNING!
Never switch off the ignition (turn the ignition key to position 0) or\
remove the key from the ignition
switch while the vehicle is in motion. This could cause the steering whe\
el to lock, which would make
the vehicle impossible to steer.
* The gear selector must be in the (P)ark position (automatic transmission).
** Please be aware that leaving the key in this position will increase b\
attery drain.
pg. 89 Starting and driving
General information
Economical driving conserves natural resources
Better driving economy may be obtained by thinking ahead, avoiding rapid\
starts and stops and
adjusting the speed of your vehicle to immediate traffic conditions. Obs\
erve the following rules:
l Bring the engine to normal operating temperature as soon as possible by \
driving with a light foot on
the accelerator pedal for the first few minutes of operation. A cold eng\
ine uses more fuel and is subject
to increased wear.
l Whenever possible, avoid using the vehicle for driving short distances. \
This does not allow the engine
to reach normal operating temperature.
l Drive carefully and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking.
l Use the transmission's (D)rive position as often as possible and avoid using "kickdown" to help
improve fuel economy.
l Do not exceed posted speed limits.
l Avoid carrying unnecessary items (extra load) in the vehicle.
l Maintain correct tire pressure. Check tire pressure regularly (when tir\
es are cold).
l Remove snow tires when threat of snow or ice has ended.
l Note that roof racks, ski racks, etc, increase air resistance and also f\
uel consumption.
l At highway driving speeds, fuel consumption will be lower with the air c\
onditioning 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 others are checked at the standard\
Maintenance intervals.
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2003 VOLVO XC90
Weight distribution affects handling
At the specified curb weight your vehicle has a tendency to understeer, \
which means that the steering
wheel has to be turned more than might seem appropriate for the curvatur\
e 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 in the cargo area, the less the tende\
ncy to understeer.
WARNING!
Driving with the tailgate open: Driving with the tailgate open could lead to poisonous exhaust gases
entering the passenger compartment. If the tailgate must be kept open fo\
r 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.
CAUTION
Drive slowly and carefully if going through standing water (i.e. floode\
d roadways, etc.). Damage to
the engine could result if excess water is drawn in through the air inta\
ke system. Never drive the
vehicle in water deeper than 18 inches (48 cm).
pg. 90 Starting and driving
General information (contd)
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.
Driving on rough/unpaved surfaces
The Volvo XC90 is designed primarily for onroad driving, and it has exce\
llent handling characteristics
on very rough or unpaved roads.
When driving on poorly maintained or unpaved roads, please keep the foll\
owing in mind:
l Reduce speed on rough surfaces to minimize possible damage to the vehicl\
e's underbody.
l When driving on soft surfaces such as dry sand or snow, try to avoid sto\
pping if at all possible.
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